Learning To Love
1Cor. 13:4 - 'Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does
not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not
seek its own'
Searching for love these days can get you hurt. People are crazier than ever before and they don't know how to love or be loved most of the times. You can really love someone and be taken for granted or be kicked to the curb, or you can choose to not love and be lonely and bitter. Love is one of those things that you have to give in to if you ever expect to be happy in this life. But we must first understand that love is of God and it's a fruit of his Spirit. So, if you are "of" God, then you should love for real! Be patient with the ones you love. Don't abuse them or expect them to be perfect.
Always look at yourself and your own shortcomings when you are loving someone. That way, you can always understand that we make mistakes, but true love understands and is not short tempered.
The greatest love of all is laying down your life for someone. This is the love of God. To put yourself aside and to give to others. In a relationship, a friendship, or just a good brotherly love, you have to practice forsaking yourself for others.
Real love will cause you to not say certain things that you know will offend the ones you love.
Real love will cause you to ask instead of command.
Real love will cause you to be concerned instead of judgmental.
Real love puts your own needs aside for the needs of others.
God loved us so much that he put heaven on hold, sent his son to die for us. He gave his very life for us and showed us why he is love! And that's the attitude we must have towards the people we say we love. It can't always be about you, but real love will cause you to focus on the needs of others.
If you are a Christian, then act like one and love for real. Real love will always show up in your actions and if you have love for someone, you will always treat them as good as yourself. That's real love!
God richly Bless you.
Shalom!
Suggested Reading: John 15:13, Titus 3:4, Eph. 3:17, 1John 4:7, 1John 4:12
Sunday, 30 January 2011
The New Covenant: Grace, Not Law
The New Covenant: Grace, Not Law
I will make a new covenant . . . not according to the covenant that I made . . . the gospel of the grace of God. (Jer_31:31-32 and Act_20:24)
The old covenant of law was the covenant that God made with Israel "in the day that [He] took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt." The promise through Jeremiah was that the Lord would make a different type of covenant some day, "not according to [that] covenant." This new covenant would be a covenant of grace, provided by the Lord Jesus Christ. "For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (Joh_1:17).
The law of God was an impossible way to relate to the Lord. It required perfection, but it offered no perfecting assistance. It was able, however, to convince people of their need for the grace of Christ found in the new covenant. "The law was our tutor to bring us to Christ " (Gal_3:24).
Now, we live and proclaim this new covenant of grace, the"new and living way which He consecrated for us" (Heb_10:20). This was the mission and message of which the Apostle Paul spoke. "The ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God" (Act_20:24). The gospel is all about the grace of God, not about law. "The word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you . . . the grace of God" (Col_1:5-6).
Gospel means "glad tidings," or "good news." The good news of the grace of God provided through Jesus Christ is the preeminent message in all of creation. In fact, the gospel of grace is such good news that some unbelievers initially reject it as "too good to be true." Indeed, it is an astounding reality to consider that forgiveness, justification, and new birth are all available "by grace . . . through faith . . . the gift of God, not of works" (Eph_2:8-9).
Perhaps we should not be surprised that some believers react in this same manner when they begin to consider the message of grace for growth and sanctification. To hear that the entire Christian life is to be "grace upon grace" (Joh_1:16) may at first seem "too good to be true."
At times, we may ask (or have others ask us), "Isn't there any human responsibility in God's plan of salvation?" The saved and unsaved alike must always be willing to respond to the offer of God's grace in Christ. We must all relate properly to the Lord Jesus for every work of grace, because it is "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2Co_8:9). In all matters, we must seek Him and trust in Him.
Prayer
Lord God of the New Covenant, how glorious is the good news of Your grace! I praise You for Your patience when I act as though transforming grace is too good to be true. I want to seek after the Lord Jesus and trust in Him this day, with all my heart, Amen.
I will make a new covenant . . . not according to the covenant that I made . . . the gospel of the grace of God. (Jer_31:31-32 and Act_20:24)
The old covenant of law was the covenant that God made with Israel "in the day that [He] took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt." The promise through Jeremiah was that the Lord would make a different type of covenant some day, "not according to [that] covenant." This new covenant would be a covenant of grace, provided by the Lord Jesus Christ. "For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (Joh_1:17).
The law of God was an impossible way to relate to the Lord. It required perfection, but it offered no perfecting assistance. It was able, however, to convince people of their need for the grace of Christ found in the new covenant. "The law was our tutor to bring us to Christ " (Gal_3:24).
Now, we live and proclaim this new covenant of grace, the"new and living way which He consecrated for us" (Heb_10:20). This was the mission and message of which the Apostle Paul spoke. "The ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God" (Act_20:24). The gospel is all about the grace of God, not about law. "The word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you . . . the grace of God" (Col_1:5-6).
Gospel means "glad tidings," or "good news." The good news of the grace of God provided through Jesus Christ is the preeminent message in all of creation. In fact, the gospel of grace is such good news that some unbelievers initially reject it as "too good to be true." Indeed, it is an astounding reality to consider that forgiveness, justification, and new birth are all available "by grace . . . through faith . . . the gift of God, not of works" (Eph_2:8-9).
Perhaps we should not be surprised that some believers react in this same manner when they begin to consider the message of grace for growth and sanctification. To hear that the entire Christian life is to be "grace upon grace" (Joh_1:16) may at first seem "too good to be true."
At times, we may ask (or have others ask us), "Isn't there any human responsibility in God's plan of salvation?" The saved and unsaved alike must always be willing to respond to the offer of God's grace in Christ. We must all relate properly to the Lord Jesus for every work of grace, because it is "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2Co_8:9). In all matters, we must seek Him and trust in Him.
Prayer
Lord God of the New Covenant, how glorious is the good news of Your grace! I praise You for Your patience when I act as though transforming grace is too good to be true. I want to seek after the Lord Jesus and trust in Him this day, with all my heart, Amen.
Friday, 28 January 2011
Jesus mended our relationship with God
For He is [Himself] our peace. He has made us both [Jew and one, and has broken down the hostile dividing wall between us. Ephesians 2: 14
In this scripture, you can see how Jesus, paid such a price to bring us back to God.
The word hostile means:
1.Of, relating to, or characteristic of an enemy.
2.Feeling or showing enmity or ill will; antagonistic.
This is a very revealing word that verifies what the fall of men caused, and why it happened. The enemy of God, is the devil, is evil, and when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, how this created a hostility between them and God, and they lost the relationship. A wall was placed between us and God, a distance, because light cannot dwell in darkness. Our hostile ways were in darkness, we showed characteristics of the enemy, disobediance, lies, evil, hatred, adolatary etc. How could God have a relationship with us like in the beggining, if we are ill willed and prone to disobey Him, because of our characteristics.
So God sent His son to die, and His blood was shed to cover us, to cover and clense us of all those characteristics, and to birth us into His Spirit, given us new, Godly characteristics, that can never become unclean, because it is by the blood of the lamb, who reigns forever more...
Prayer
Father God, We give you thanks and praise Lord for sending your son into the world, and now He sits at your right hand, may we have grace Lord, and obtain favour in your sight, and dwell with you forever. Amen
In this scripture, you can see how Jesus, paid such a price to bring us back to God.
The word hostile means:
1.Of, relating to, or characteristic of an enemy.
2.Feeling or showing enmity or ill will; antagonistic.
This is a very revealing word that verifies what the fall of men caused, and why it happened. The enemy of God, is the devil, is evil, and when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, how this created a hostility between them and God, and they lost the relationship. A wall was placed between us and God, a distance, because light cannot dwell in darkness. Our hostile ways were in darkness, we showed characteristics of the enemy, disobediance, lies, evil, hatred, adolatary etc. How could God have a relationship with us like in the beggining, if we are ill willed and prone to disobey Him, because of our characteristics.
So God sent His son to die, and His blood was shed to cover us, to cover and clense us of all those characteristics, and to birth us into His Spirit, given us new, Godly characteristics, that can never become unclean, because it is by the blood of the lamb, who reigns forever more...
Prayer
Father God, We give you thanks and praise Lord for sending your son into the world, and now He sits at your right hand, may we have grace Lord, and obtain favour in your sight, and dwell with you forever. Amen
Growing in the Grace of God
Growing in the Grace of God
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2Pe_3:18)
Let's reflect upon some of the heavenly territory we have explored thus far. Grace is for spiritual growth and progress in the Lord. It is not intended only for birthing and starting out with the Lord. "But grow in the grace . . . of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Growth in Christ is to be produced by God's grace at work in us.
Often, God's people are apprehensive about an emphasis upon His grace. We become concerned that irresponsibility, ungodliness, laziness, or indulgence will result. We can rest assured on the promises and purposes of God that true grace does not produce such consequences. Such effects are produced by the flesh of man, either by licentiousness or by legalism.
Licentiousness hopes to turn grace into a means by which sinful indulgence is acceptable. "For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness" (Jud_1:4). Legalism aspires to add religious performance to grace, thereby appealing to the self-righteous hopes of man. "Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?" (Gal_3:2-3).
When a person truly lives by the grace of God, righteousness results, not
ungodliness. When a person increasingly learns to draw upon the grace of God for daily living, Christlikeness develops, not worldliness. When grace becomes more and more the resource for life, sin diminishes; it does not increase. "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under law but under grace" (Rom_6:14).
The temptation is to rely upon the law of God in order to generate godliness. The demand of the law to be holy, loving, and perfect becomes a false security to our flesh. We think that by hearing, repeating, or depending upon this demand, we can thereby accomplish it. Let us not forget that "the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope" (Heb_7:18-19). God's grace is the "better hope" that does not fail to bring forth what God desires.
The Lord has ordained for us a life-long involvement with His grace. He wants to work "grace for [upon] grace" (Joh_1:16) for the rest of our days. This is the "new and living way" (Heb_10:20). Perhaps this could all be summarized in another acrostic on grace: Glorious Realities As Christ Empowers.
Prayer
Gracious Father, how bountiful is Your provision for my spiritual growth. How foolish of me to think that I need more for developing in godliness than Your grace supplies. O Lord, I long to grow in the image of Christ. I beseech You, remind me and convince me that Your grace is the only sufficient hope. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2Pe_3:18)
Let's reflect upon some of the heavenly territory we have explored thus far. Grace is for spiritual growth and progress in the Lord. It is not intended only for birthing and starting out with the Lord. "But grow in the grace . . . of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Growth in Christ is to be produced by God's grace at work in us.
Often, God's people are apprehensive about an emphasis upon His grace. We become concerned that irresponsibility, ungodliness, laziness, or indulgence will result. We can rest assured on the promises and purposes of God that true grace does not produce such consequences. Such effects are produced by the flesh of man, either by licentiousness or by legalism.
Licentiousness hopes to turn grace into a means by which sinful indulgence is acceptable. "For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness" (Jud_1:4). Legalism aspires to add religious performance to grace, thereby appealing to the self-righteous hopes of man. "Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?" (Gal_3:2-3).
When a person truly lives by the grace of God, righteousness results, not
ungodliness. When a person increasingly learns to draw upon the grace of God for daily living, Christlikeness develops, not worldliness. When grace becomes more and more the resource for life, sin diminishes; it does not increase. "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under law but under grace" (Rom_6:14).
The temptation is to rely upon the law of God in order to generate godliness. The demand of the law to be holy, loving, and perfect becomes a false security to our flesh. We think that by hearing, repeating, or depending upon this demand, we can thereby accomplish it. Let us not forget that "the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope" (Heb_7:18-19). God's grace is the "better hope" that does not fail to bring forth what God desires.
The Lord has ordained for us a life-long involvement with His grace. He wants to work "grace for [upon] grace" (Joh_1:16) for the rest of our days. This is the "new and living way" (Heb_10:20). Perhaps this could all be summarized in another acrostic on grace: Glorious Realities As Christ Empowers.
Prayer
Gracious Father, how bountiful is Your provision for my spiritual growth. How foolish of me to think that I need more for developing in godliness than Your grace supplies. O Lord, I long to grow in the image of Christ. I beseech You, remind me and convince me that Your grace is the only sufficient hope. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Thursday, 27 January 2011
The Ongoing Grace of God
The Ongoing Grace of God
I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts . . . it is good that the heart be established by grace. (Jer_31:33 and Heb_13:9)
Our initial encounter with the grace of God involved forgiveness and justification. "In Him we have our redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph_1:7). Rich measures of God's grace washed away our sins and gave us new life in Christ. Of course, that initial justifying work of God could not exhaust His grace. Rather, it was "according to the riches of His grace." There are unlimited riches yet available for our daily sanctification, our ongoing growth in Christ.
Heb_13:9 is one of the many places in scripture that indicate progressive sanctification, that is, growth in godliness, is by grace. "It is good that the heart be established by grace." This truth clearly pertains to sanctification and growth, not justification and new birth. At regeneration, we are given a new heart. "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Eze_36:26). Then, after receiving a new, soft, responsive heart, the spiritual stabilization of that new heart must follow.
It is from within the heart that the development of practical righteousness must proceed. What is eventually seen and heard in our daily Christian lives sources from within the core of our inner being. "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life" (Pro_4:23). The Lord wants to work from deep within us. "I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts."
If an unstable, inconsistent life is being expressed outwardly, an unestablished heart within is the cause. Jesus taught that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Mat_12:34). Whatever is developing and filling up our inner man will eventually come out to be seen and heard.
In order to develop in us an increasingly mature, Christlike walk, our heart must be established. The law of God is not designed to change men's hearts. God's grace is the essential and sufficient cause to bring about this desired work of godliness. "It is good that the heart be established by grace."
Once more we have powerful biblical insight showing us that grace is not only God's provision to forgive and birth us into His family, but grace is also His resource for maturing us as His children.
Prayer
O Lord, my strength, would You do a powerful work of Your grace deep within my heart. I do not want to displease You or dishonor You by an immature and unstable life. Lord, forgive my feeble and futile attempts to change my heart by striving before the law. Your gracious work in me is my only hope, through Christ I pray, Amen.
I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts . . . it is good that the heart be established by grace. (Jer_31:33 and Heb_13:9)
Our initial encounter with the grace of God involved forgiveness and justification. "In Him we have our redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph_1:7). Rich measures of God's grace washed away our sins and gave us new life in Christ. Of course, that initial justifying work of God could not exhaust His grace. Rather, it was "according to the riches of His grace." There are unlimited riches yet available for our daily sanctification, our ongoing growth in Christ.
Heb_13:9 is one of the many places in scripture that indicate progressive sanctification, that is, growth in godliness, is by grace. "It is good that the heart be established by grace." This truth clearly pertains to sanctification and growth, not justification and new birth. At regeneration, we are given a new heart. "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Eze_36:26). Then, after receiving a new, soft, responsive heart, the spiritual stabilization of that new heart must follow.
It is from within the heart that the development of practical righteousness must proceed. What is eventually seen and heard in our daily Christian lives sources from within the core of our inner being. "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life" (Pro_4:23). The Lord wants to work from deep within us. "I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts."
If an unstable, inconsistent life is being expressed outwardly, an unestablished heart within is the cause. Jesus taught that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Mat_12:34). Whatever is developing and filling up our inner man will eventually come out to be seen and heard.
In order to develop in us an increasingly mature, Christlike walk, our heart must be established. The law of God is not designed to change men's hearts. God's grace is the essential and sufficient cause to bring about this desired work of godliness. "It is good that the heart be established by grace."
Once more we have powerful biblical insight showing us that grace is not only God's provision to forgive and birth us into His family, but grace is also His resource for maturing us as His children.
Prayer
O Lord, my strength, would You do a powerful work of Your grace deep within my heart. I do not want to displease You or dishonor You by an immature and unstable life. Lord, forgive my feeble and futile attempts to change my heart by striving before the law. Your gracious work in me is my only hope, through Christ I pray, Amen.
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
The Initial Grace of God
The Initial Grace of God
I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more . . . For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Jer_31:34 and Eph_2:8-9)
Again, we have the opportunity to compare justifying grace and sanctifying grace, initial grace and ongoing grace. This is always an edifying and valuable exercise, since we tend to forget that we are sanctified through the same means that we are justified.
The initial grace that impacted our lives forever was the justifying, forgiving grace of God. The prophets of old proclaimed this hope. The apostles of the church age applied it to us today. "I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more" (Jer_31:34; also in Heb_8:12). When we repented of our sins and called upon the name of the Lord, we were forgiven and justified, declared not guilty and righteous in His sight.
This saving work of God on our behalf was all accomplished by the grace of God. "For by grace you have been saved." The saving grace of God is applied to lives as they trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. "By grace you have been saved through faith."
None of this process originates in man. All of it comes from God. "And that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." No aspect of salvation derives from the efforts of man, so no one will ever be able to brag about their contribution in being saved. "Not of works, lest anyone should boast." All glory, now and forever, will go to the Lord Himself. "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord" (1Co_1:31).
Yes, even faith does not source in man. Jesus is "the author and finisher of our faith" (Heb_12:2). When we believed upon the Lord Jesus, it was in response to an authoring, revealing work that He was doing on our behalf. Jesus manifested Himself to us through the gospel as One who was able to save us sinners. The Holy Spirit was convicting us of our need. We trusted in His saving work for us. Thereby, He authored faith in us. "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing" (Rev_5:12).
As we have seen previously, and will have opportunity to examine again and again, the grace of God of which we partook for new birth and justification is the same grace that must continually be at work in us for growth and sanctification.
Prayer
O Lord God of my salvation, I clearly see the full extent to which my being saved depended upon Your saving grace! Thank You for this priceless gift of grace. How glorious it is to stand justified in Your sight. Now, that I might grow daily in a life of sanctification, I look to You and Your necessary grace, Amen.
I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more . . . For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Jer_31:34 and Eph_2:8-9)
Again, we have the opportunity to compare justifying grace and sanctifying grace, initial grace and ongoing grace. This is always an edifying and valuable exercise, since we tend to forget that we are sanctified through the same means that we are justified.
The initial grace that impacted our lives forever was the justifying, forgiving grace of God. The prophets of old proclaimed this hope. The apostles of the church age applied it to us today. "I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more" (Jer_31:34; also in Heb_8:12). When we repented of our sins and called upon the name of the Lord, we were forgiven and justified, declared not guilty and righteous in His sight.
This saving work of God on our behalf was all accomplished by the grace of God. "For by grace you have been saved." The saving grace of God is applied to lives as they trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. "By grace you have been saved through faith."
None of this process originates in man. All of it comes from God. "And that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." No aspect of salvation derives from the efforts of man, so no one will ever be able to brag about their contribution in being saved. "Not of works, lest anyone should boast." All glory, now and forever, will go to the Lord Himself. "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord" (1Co_1:31).
Yes, even faith does not source in man. Jesus is "the author and finisher of our faith" (Heb_12:2). When we believed upon the Lord Jesus, it was in response to an authoring, revealing work that He was doing on our behalf. Jesus manifested Himself to us through the gospel as One who was able to save us sinners. The Holy Spirit was convicting us of our need. We trusted in His saving work for us. Thereby, He authored faith in us. "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing" (Rev_5:12).
As we have seen previously, and will have opportunity to examine again and again, the grace of God of which we partook for new birth and justification is the same grace that must continually be at work in us for growth and sanctification.
Prayer
O Lord God of my salvation, I clearly see the full extent to which my being saved depended upon Your saving grace! Thank You for this priceless gift of grace. How glorious it is to stand justified in Your sight. Now, that I might grow daily in a life of sanctification, I look to You and Your necessary grace, Amen.
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
New Covenant Provided by the Blood of Christ
New Covenant Provided by the Blood of Christ
This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you . . . knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold . . . but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. (Luk_22:20 and 1Pe_1:18-19)
The well-known Lord's Supper words from Luk_22:20 remind us that the glorious riches of grace found in the new covenant are all purchased by the shed blood of Jesus Christ, as He died on the cross for us. "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you." Customarily, believers in Christ think of forgiveness of sins when they hear these words.
Forgiveness is certainly included in the blessings secured by the death of our Lord. Notice, however, that Jesus did not say "this cup is forgiveness in My blood." He said, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood."
The new covenant is far more than forgiveness of sins. As previously indicated, the scriptures reveal that the new covenant has three basic areas of blessings. First is the forgiveness of sins. "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more" (Heb_8:12). Second is an intimate relationship with the Lord. "All shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them" (Heb_8:11).
Third is an internal work of God producing an increasingly godly life in and through us. "I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts" (Heb_8:10). The word of God further confirms that all of these grand blessings depend upon God's provision, not our performance. "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God" (2Co_3:5).
How can it be that such measureless spiritual abundance becomes ours through the new covenant of grace? Well, consider the amazing and effective redemption price paid to establish this new covenant. "Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold . . . but with the precious blood of Christ." This new covenant was not purchased with limited earthly wealth, like silver and gold. Rather, it was paid for by infinite heavenly treasure, the blood of Christ. No wonder the new covenant provides such amazing and effective resources for all who depend upon the One who died for them.
One final reflection — realizing all that the cup of the new covenant represents can turn the Lord's Supper from a "religious snack" into a "spiritual feast"!
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, You have surely provided for me grace upon grace - - complete forgiveness, intimate relationship, divine enablement! Yet, how could any less be supplied by such a rich price! Lord Jesus, thank You for pouring out Your life's blood to make such irreplaceable necessities available to me. Father, please bring to my remembrance day by day the wondrous riches of the new covenant that You want me to draw upon by faith, through Christ, my Lord, Amen.
This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you . . . knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold . . . but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. (Luk_22:20 and 1Pe_1:18-19)
The well-known Lord's Supper words from Luk_22:20 remind us that the glorious riches of grace found in the new covenant are all purchased by the shed blood of Jesus Christ, as He died on the cross for us. "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you." Customarily, believers in Christ think of forgiveness of sins when they hear these words.
Forgiveness is certainly included in the blessings secured by the death of our Lord. Notice, however, that Jesus did not say "this cup is forgiveness in My blood." He said, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood."
The new covenant is far more than forgiveness of sins. As previously indicated, the scriptures reveal that the new covenant has three basic areas of blessings. First is the forgiveness of sins. "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more" (Heb_8:12). Second is an intimate relationship with the Lord. "All shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them" (Heb_8:11).
Third is an internal work of God producing an increasingly godly life in and through us. "I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts" (Heb_8:10). The word of God further confirms that all of these grand blessings depend upon God's provision, not our performance. "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God" (2Co_3:5).
How can it be that such measureless spiritual abundance becomes ours through the new covenant of grace? Well, consider the amazing and effective redemption price paid to establish this new covenant. "Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold . . . but with the precious blood of Christ." This new covenant was not purchased with limited earthly wealth, like silver and gold. Rather, it was paid for by infinite heavenly treasure, the blood of Christ. No wonder the new covenant provides such amazing and effective resources for all who depend upon the One who died for them.
One final reflection — realizing all that the cup of the new covenant represents can turn the Lord's Supper from a "religious snack" into a "spiritual feast"!
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, You have surely provided for me grace upon grace - - complete forgiveness, intimate relationship, divine enablement! Yet, how could any less be supplied by such a rich price! Lord Jesus, thank You for pouring out Your life's blood to make such irreplaceable necessities available to me. Father, please bring to my remembrance day by day the wondrous riches of the new covenant that You want me to draw upon by faith, through Christ, my Lord, Amen.
Monday, 24 January 2011
Living as Servants of the New Covenant
Living as Servants of the New Covenant
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2Co_3:5-6)
We who follow the Lord Jesus Christ are "ministers of the new covenant." The term "minister" means servant. The phrase "new covenant" speaks of relating to God by grace. Thus, we are those who serve God by the resources of His grace. Our day by day lives, lived in service of the Lord God Almighty, are to be developed by the grace of God at work in us. What is involved in this biblical, heavenly approach to life here on earth?
The first issue pertains to our own inadequacy. "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves." So often we overlook our personal insufficiency or try to convince ourselves that we can become sufficient, with just a little more time, effort, or preparation. This approach is in direct disagreement with the Lord. God wants us to agree with Him.
Even when we begin to face our spiritual inability to produce the kind of life God is looking for, we easily underestimate the extent of our deficiency. We may think that we are just not able to produce as much as God desires to see in our lives. The Lord has a more radical viewpoint. He says that we are not able to supply "anything" that He wants to see. Again, God wants us to agree with Him.
The second issue pertains to God's adequacy. "Our sufficiency is from God." The sufficient resources for living the Christian life are to be found in God alone. We are to be the recipients of God's grace, that is, His fully adequate supply. We are not to think we are the manufacturers of that grace. God is our source of all that is needed for godly living. Once more, God wants us to agree with Him.
The difference between living by God's supply or by our own resources is a "life and death" matter. "The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." Living the Christian life by our own capabilities will spiritually kill us. It will eventually leave us exhausted, discouraged, condemned. Whereas, depending upon the Spirit of God to supply the abundant grace of God leaves us strengthened, encouraged, and comforted.
Prayer
Lord God of all Grace, I humbly admit that I have often held a perspective so different from You on this subject of sufficiency. I have repeatedly behaved as though the Christian life depended upon what I thought I could do from my own resources, and, Lord, as You have declared, it has brought forth spiritual deadness. Please teach me to trust in Your Holy Spirit to bring forth into my experience the full sufficiency of Your immeasurable grace, in Jesus name, Amen.
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2Co_3:5-6)
We who follow the Lord Jesus Christ are "ministers of the new covenant." The term "minister" means servant. The phrase "new covenant" speaks of relating to God by grace. Thus, we are those who serve God by the resources of His grace. Our day by day lives, lived in service of the Lord God Almighty, are to be developed by the grace of God at work in us. What is involved in this biblical, heavenly approach to life here on earth?
The first issue pertains to our own inadequacy. "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves." So often we overlook our personal insufficiency or try to convince ourselves that we can become sufficient, with just a little more time, effort, or preparation. This approach is in direct disagreement with the Lord. God wants us to agree with Him.
Even when we begin to face our spiritual inability to produce the kind of life God is looking for, we easily underestimate the extent of our deficiency. We may think that we are just not able to produce as much as God desires to see in our lives. The Lord has a more radical viewpoint. He says that we are not able to supply "anything" that He wants to see. Again, God wants us to agree with Him.
The second issue pertains to God's adequacy. "Our sufficiency is from God." The sufficient resources for living the Christian life are to be found in God alone. We are to be the recipients of God's grace, that is, His fully adequate supply. We are not to think we are the manufacturers of that grace. God is our source of all that is needed for godly living. Once more, God wants us to agree with Him.
The difference between living by God's supply or by our own resources is a "life and death" matter. "The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." Living the Christian life by our own capabilities will spiritually kill us. It will eventually leave us exhausted, discouraged, condemned. Whereas, depending upon the Spirit of God to supply the abundant grace of God leaves us strengthened, encouraged, and comforted.
Prayer
Lord God of all Grace, I humbly admit that I have often held a perspective so different from You on this subject of sufficiency. I have repeatedly behaved as though the Christian life depended upon what I thought I could do from my own resources, and, Lord, as You have declared, it has brought forth spiritual deadness. Please teach me to trust in Your Holy Spirit to bring forth into my experience the full sufficiency of Your immeasurable grace, in Jesus name, Amen.
Sunday, 23 January 2011
The New and Living Way
The New and Living Way
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us. (Heb_10:19-20)
Here, life under the new covenant of grace is described as the "new and living way." This could be contrasted with the "old and dying way" of attempting to live under the old covenant of law. The "newness" of grace is not really a matter of time sequence, because the grace of God actually precedes the law in man's history with God. The "tree of life" in the garden of Eden was God's provision of grace for Adam and Eve. The promises of God to Abraham, given hundreds of years before the law, depended upon the faithful grace of God, not the legal performance of Abraham.
The "newness" of grace is its every day freshness and vitality. Day by day, by the grace of God, fresh measures of life are abundantly available to those who look to the Lord as their supply. This makes life with God fresh and new every day.
Under the old covenant, only one person, the High Priest, could enter into the intimate presence of God, the Holy of Holies. Furthermore, this was only allowed one day a year. Such limited access would certainly "get old" in the hearts of all who hungered after the living God.
Now, under the new covenant of grace, every believer in Jesus, our great High Priest, can confidently approach the Lord personally any moment of every day. "Having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus." Through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, which forgives all of our sins, we can speak to the Lord and enjoy His presence in our lives continually.
Jeremiah gave some early insight into this kind of fresh and vital relationship with God. "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 'The LORD is my portion,' says my soul, 'Therefore I hope in Him! '" (Lam_3:22-24).
The Apostle Paul wrote profoundly concerning such "newness." "But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter" (Rom_7:6). This the "new and living way." This will never "get old."
Prayer
O Lord of Life, my heart yearns for this new and living way. O, how I long to dwell in Your presence day by day! Lord, I must confess that every attempt to base intimacy with You on my best performance has always become so old and dying, so stale and lifeless. My soul is stirred with hope in You that You have provided this better way. O Lord, teach me to walk by this new and living way, in the name of Jesus, my great High Priest, Amen.
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us. (Heb_10:19-20)
Here, life under the new covenant of grace is described as the "new and living way." This could be contrasted with the "old and dying way" of attempting to live under the old covenant of law. The "newness" of grace is not really a matter of time sequence, because the grace of God actually precedes the law in man's history with God. The "tree of life" in the garden of Eden was God's provision of grace for Adam and Eve. The promises of God to Abraham, given hundreds of years before the law, depended upon the faithful grace of God, not the legal performance of Abraham.
The "newness" of grace is its every day freshness and vitality. Day by day, by the grace of God, fresh measures of life are abundantly available to those who look to the Lord as their supply. This makes life with God fresh and new every day.
Under the old covenant, only one person, the High Priest, could enter into the intimate presence of God, the Holy of Holies. Furthermore, this was only allowed one day a year. Such limited access would certainly "get old" in the hearts of all who hungered after the living God.
Now, under the new covenant of grace, every believer in Jesus, our great High Priest, can confidently approach the Lord personally any moment of every day. "Having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus." Through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, which forgives all of our sins, we can speak to the Lord and enjoy His presence in our lives continually.
Jeremiah gave some early insight into this kind of fresh and vital relationship with God. "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 'The LORD is my portion,' says my soul, 'Therefore I hope in Him! '" (Lam_3:22-24).
The Apostle Paul wrote profoundly concerning such "newness." "But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter" (Rom_7:6). This the "new and living way." This will never "get old."
Prayer
O Lord of Life, my heart yearns for this new and living way. O, how I long to dwell in Your presence day by day! Lord, I must confess that every attempt to base intimacy with You on my best performance has always become so old and dying, so stale and lifeless. My soul is stirred with hope in You that You have provided this better way. O Lord, teach me to walk by this new and living way, in the name of Jesus, my great High Priest, Amen.
Saturday, 22 January 2011
The New Covenant Inaugurated for the Church
The New Covenant Inaugurated for the Church
But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises . . . And the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us . . . This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts . . . Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us. (Heb_8:6; Heb_10:15-16, Heb_10:19-20)
This new covenant of grace that is promised to Israel eventually has already been inaugurated for the church now. The book of Hebrews documents this fact repeatedly. "But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises." Here in chapter 8, verse 6, the new covenant is referred to as "a better covenant." Then, the instituting of this new covenant is described in the past tense, "was established." It is already put into operation for the church.
In Heb_10:16, the promise of the new covenant in Jeremiah 31 is quoted. "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts." In the previous verse, we are told that this quote from Jeremiah includes a message from the Holy Spirit to us, the church of Jesus Christ. "And the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us."
Furthermore, in Heb_10:19-20, the new covenant is applied to the access of the "brethren" (the church, God's children) to their holy God and Father. "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us." Through His death on the cross, Jesus consecrated (that is, inaugurated, instituted, established, put into operation) the new covenant for us today!
Of course, this all fits perfectly with the application of the new covenant to the church celebrating the Lord's Supper. "In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood' " (1Co_11:25).
Prayer
Dear Lord of Glory, I rejoice with great gladness that Your new covenant of grace is the wondrous manner in which I am invited to relate to You. In this rich covenant I have found forgiveness of all my sins. Praise be to Your name! In this bountiful arrangement I can grow in intimacy with You. Blessed be Your name! In this generous provision I anticipate being changed and enabled by You from deep within my heart. Glory be to Your name forevermore! Amen.
But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises . . . And the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us . . . This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts . . . Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us. (Heb_8:6; Heb_10:15-16, Heb_10:19-20)
This new covenant of grace that is promised to Israel eventually has already been inaugurated for the church now. The book of Hebrews documents this fact repeatedly. "But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises." Here in chapter 8, verse 6, the new covenant is referred to as "a better covenant." Then, the instituting of this new covenant is described in the past tense, "was established." It is already put into operation for the church.
In Heb_10:16, the promise of the new covenant in Jeremiah 31 is quoted. "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts." In the previous verse, we are told that this quote from Jeremiah includes a message from the Holy Spirit to us, the church of Jesus Christ. "And the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us."
Furthermore, in Heb_10:19-20, the new covenant is applied to the access of the "brethren" (the church, God's children) to their holy God and Father. "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us." Through His death on the cross, Jesus consecrated (that is, inaugurated, instituted, established, put into operation) the new covenant for us today!
Of course, this all fits perfectly with the application of the new covenant to the church celebrating the Lord's Supper. "In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood' " (1Co_11:25).
Prayer
Dear Lord of Glory, I rejoice with great gladness that Your new covenant of grace is the wondrous manner in which I am invited to relate to You. In this rich covenant I have found forgiveness of all my sins. Praise be to Your name! In this bountiful arrangement I can grow in intimacy with You. Blessed be Your name! In this generous provision I anticipate being changed and enabled by You from deep within my heart. Glory be to Your name forevermore! Amen.
Thursday, 20 January 2011
Do not fear
Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God [is] among you, a mighty God and terrible. Deutronomy 7:21
The Lord your God, commands us to not fear anyone or anything, but to fear Him alone, for He is the Only God, He is the great I AM. He is the Alpha and Omega. He is all in all. There is no one greater then He.
As Christians, and even non-belivers, can come into certain situations that can make them fearful, but the Lord tells them not be be afraid, for Greater is He that is in Us, then Him of the world.
I love the whole chapter of Deutronomy 6 and 7. Moses is speaking to the people concerning their lives, they are about to cross over to the promised land, and He is telling them to REMEMBER ALL the days of their lives, in everything they do, in everything they teach, in everything, to rememeber the Lord their God, what He did for them, and How is among them. And he tells them over and over again, not be afraid, because He is among them, and He is awesom, and to be feared, and is feared with trembling by demons and evil. They run and tremble at the sound of His voice, their is nothing to be afraid of, because God is GOD.
He is telling us to rememeber, so when trouble comes, just relax, and remember, and the trouble will flee as fast as lightening, at the sound of the Lord our God. For He is King, and He IS AMONG US.
Prayer
Father God, Jesus, in times of trouble, or in times of anxiety, quickly overtake us, and fill us with your peace, and let us remember How mighty and awesom our God is, how is outstreched arm, and strong right Hand, is forever protecting us, and no weapon formed against shall ever prosper, In Jesus name. Amen.
The Lord your God, commands us to not fear anyone or anything, but to fear Him alone, for He is the Only God, He is the great I AM. He is the Alpha and Omega. He is all in all. There is no one greater then He.
As Christians, and even non-belivers, can come into certain situations that can make them fearful, but the Lord tells them not be be afraid, for Greater is He that is in Us, then Him of the world.
I love the whole chapter of Deutronomy 6 and 7. Moses is speaking to the people concerning their lives, they are about to cross over to the promised land, and He is telling them to REMEMBER ALL the days of their lives, in everything they do, in everything they teach, in everything, to rememeber the Lord their God, what He did for them, and How is among them. And he tells them over and over again, not be afraid, because He is among them, and He is awesom, and to be feared, and is feared with trembling by demons and evil. They run and tremble at the sound of His voice, their is nothing to be afraid of, because God is GOD.
He is telling us to rememeber, so when trouble comes, just relax, and remember, and the trouble will flee as fast as lightening, at the sound of the Lord our God. For He is King, and He IS AMONG US.
Prayer
Father God, Jesus, in times of trouble, or in times of anxiety, quickly overtake us, and fill us with your peace, and let us remember How mighty and awesom our God is, how is outstreched arm, and strong right Hand, is forever protecting us, and no weapon formed against shall ever prosper, In Jesus name. Amen.
THINGS TO BE LEFT BEHIND
THINGS TO BE LEFT BEHIND
"Lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus."-- Heb_12:1-2.
LEAVE BEHIND your past sins. They have been many and great, more than you can count. But if you have confessed and forsaken them, they have been put away, "as far as the east is from the west.'" Nothing could be more explicit than 1Jo_1:9.
It is useless to brood over the past. God has buried it in the grave of Christ. Go and sin no more!
Leave behind your bad habits that encumber you. You know what they are, and how they cling--ill-temper, jealousy, pride, evil-speaking, and many another! You have fallen again and again, overtaken by them, tripped up, your robes stained and torn. There should be some finality in your life, a mark on the grass from which you start to run the race. The command to put off the old man is in the definite tense (Col_3:8-9).
It be-speaks one sudden strong act of the will, God-nerved and God-empowered. This, then, is the hour when you must strike for liberty "Ye have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God."
Leave behind your accomplished ideals. They were once far in front and above you. As you climbed they seemed almost inaccessible, and mocking voices rang out their defiance of your attempt. But by the grace of God things that once you dreamt of are now realised, and you are sitting on the peak that once seemed to laugh you to scorn.
But you must leave it behind! Look up! look forward! Are there not fresh ideals calling to you? Leave behind your attainments and strike your tents. One battle is fought, but a yet stronger foe bars the way immediately in front. It is suicidal to rest on your oars; to do so will expose you to the inevitable backward drift.
The best way to leave behind is to press forward. The Spirit of God bids us "run with patience the race set before us, looking unto Jesus." He is our Forerunner, always before us, always leading us on. His crest,is always in the very thick of the fight. Let the soul follow hard after Him, and it will become almost oblivious to what it leaves behind. The boy who is running for the goal, in his eagerness to win the prize, strips himself of one and another article of clothing. He will not count their worth, so long as he may win the prize. So run that ye may attain! Apprehend that for which you were apprehended! Lay hold on the outstretched crown of life!
PRAYER
Most gracious God, quicken me by Thy Holy Spirit, that I may run in the way Thou hast marked out for me. May I ever be kept looking off unto Jesus. AMEN.
"Lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus."-- Heb_12:1-2.
LEAVE BEHIND your past sins. They have been many and great, more than you can count. But if you have confessed and forsaken them, they have been put away, "as far as the east is from the west.'" Nothing could be more explicit than 1Jo_1:9.
It is useless to brood over the past. God has buried it in the grave of Christ. Go and sin no more!
Leave behind your bad habits that encumber you. You know what they are, and how they cling--ill-temper, jealousy, pride, evil-speaking, and many another! You have fallen again and again, overtaken by them, tripped up, your robes stained and torn. There should be some finality in your life, a mark on the grass from which you start to run the race. The command to put off the old man is in the definite tense (Col_3:8-9).
It be-speaks one sudden strong act of the will, God-nerved and God-empowered. This, then, is the hour when you must strike for liberty "Ye have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God."
Leave behind your accomplished ideals. They were once far in front and above you. As you climbed they seemed almost inaccessible, and mocking voices rang out their defiance of your attempt. But by the grace of God things that once you dreamt of are now realised, and you are sitting on the peak that once seemed to laugh you to scorn.
But you must leave it behind! Look up! look forward! Are there not fresh ideals calling to you? Leave behind your attainments and strike your tents. One battle is fought, but a yet stronger foe bars the way immediately in front. It is suicidal to rest on your oars; to do so will expose you to the inevitable backward drift.
The best way to leave behind is to press forward. The Spirit of God bids us "run with patience the race set before us, looking unto Jesus." He is our Forerunner, always before us, always leading us on. His crest,is always in the very thick of the fight. Let the soul follow hard after Him, and it will become almost oblivious to what it leaves behind. The boy who is running for the goal, in his eagerness to win the prize, strips himself of one and another article of clothing. He will not count their worth, so long as he may win the prize. So run that ye may attain! Apprehend that for which you were apprehended! Lay hold on the outstretched crown of life!
PRAYER
Most gracious God, quicken me by Thy Holy Spirit, that I may run in the way Thou hast marked out for me. May I ever be kept looking off unto Jesus. AMEN.
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Righteousness through Christ in Justification
Righteousness through Christ in Justification
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace (Rom_3:21-24)
The basic manner in which Jesus fulfills the law of God for us is by justifying us "freely by His grace." He does this by offering us "the righteousness of God which is through faith."
In the gospel of Jesus Christ, "the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed." It is the same righteousness that is spoken of in the law, that is, "being witnessed by the Law." However, in the law righteousness is an impossible standard being imposed. In the gospel, it is a gracious gift being offered.
This gift of righteousness is available to all who believe, to all who put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to be their Savior and Lord. This gift is, of course, free to the recipients. Yet, it was made available at great cost to the giver. This gift cost the Father His only begotten Son. This gift cost the Son His own life, as He paid the price of redemption to buy us back from the slave market of sin and death.
Every person ever created needs this redemption price paid for them. "For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Now, for all who believe in the Lord Jesus, the righteousness of God is imputed to them, that is, credited as a gift to their heavenly account. Thereby, the Lord God justifies us "freely by His grace." The Lord declares us righteous is in sight by giving to us "the righteousness of God which is through faith."
Prayer
Dear Lord, I am so grateful that Your message of righteousness did not come through the law alone. Otherwise, Lord, I would have stood condemned before You forever. Thank You for speaking to us of righteousness through Your glorious gospel of grace. I exult in You that I am now righteous in Your sight, through faith in Your beloved Son. Lord, I am learning that the righteousness I need for daily sanctification must also come from Jesus, by that same grace, through that same kind of trust. What good, good news is Your grand gospel! I magnify and praise You through Christ, my Lord, Amen.
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace (Rom_3:21-24)
The basic manner in which Jesus fulfills the law of God for us is by justifying us "freely by His grace." He does this by offering us "the righteousness of God which is through faith."
In the gospel of Jesus Christ, "the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed." It is the same righteousness that is spoken of in the law, that is, "being witnessed by the Law." However, in the law righteousness is an impossible standard being imposed. In the gospel, it is a gracious gift being offered.
This gift of righteousness is available to all who believe, to all who put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to be their Savior and Lord. This gift is, of course, free to the recipients. Yet, it was made available at great cost to the giver. This gift cost the Father His only begotten Son. This gift cost the Son His own life, as He paid the price of redemption to buy us back from the slave market of sin and death.
Every person ever created needs this redemption price paid for them. "For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Now, for all who believe in the Lord Jesus, the righteousness of God is imputed to them, that is, credited as a gift to their heavenly account. Thereby, the Lord God justifies us "freely by His grace." The Lord declares us righteous is in sight by giving to us "the righteousness of God which is through faith."
Prayer
Dear Lord, I am so grateful that Your message of righteousness did not come through the law alone. Otherwise, Lord, I would have stood condemned before You forever. Thank You for speaking to us of righteousness through Your glorious gospel of grace. I exult in You that I am now righteous in Your sight, through faith in Your beloved Son. Lord, I am learning that the righteousness I need for daily sanctification must also come from Jesus, by that same grace, through that same kind of trust. What good, good news is Your grand gospel! I magnify and praise You through Christ, my Lord, Amen.
Monday, 17 January 2011
Disobedience Plays Havoc with God's Purpose for your Life
If God has a perfect purpose for you, a perfect life of love for you, but you refuse to surrender all to Him, or turn away from Him, and do not think of Him in Disobediance, God will not suffer you to inherit His promises and purpose for your life, because you don't want to conform to the image of Christ.
Josh 1:11- You will be crossing the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you to inherit
Num 14:30- I swear that none of you will enter the land I promised to settle you in, except Caleb son of Jephuneh, and Joshua son of Nun.
You see, the Isralites disobeyed God and sinned angainst Him, after all He had done for them, and where he was leading them to, to be in His loving care, and they decided to turn away from Hm, and worship other gods amde of gold. The Lords anger burned against them. The only ones who followed Him all the way with their hearts was the two sons Calleb and Joshua. They lived, but all the rest died in the wilderness, and did not inherit the promise land.
Our nheritance, is the love, presence, and complete wholeness of God, our Lord Jesus, the fellowhip of the Holy Spirit. When you are saved, do not think or believe what others tell you, that "you can't lose your salvation", becaus it is a lie, if you are saved, but you carry on in ignorance all your sinful ways, and ignore the concience and teaching of the Holy Spirit, the Lord will leave you. But if you are faithful, and even though you make mistakes, your heart groans because of it, and you keep repenting and keep conforming to the image of Christ by the Holy Ghost, your salvation is priceless.
Prayer
Father God, restore the joy of your salvation in us, and let us not stray away, or indulge in any sinfull lusts Keep us on the path of righteousness, lead us O great Lord. In Jesus name. Amen.
Josh 1:11- You will be crossing the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you to inherit
Num 14:30- I swear that none of you will enter the land I promised to settle you in, except Caleb son of Jephuneh, and Joshua son of Nun.
You see, the Isralites disobeyed God and sinned angainst Him, after all He had done for them, and where he was leading them to, to be in His loving care, and they decided to turn away from Hm, and worship other gods amde of gold. The Lords anger burned against them. The only ones who followed Him all the way with their hearts was the two sons Calleb and Joshua. They lived, but all the rest died in the wilderness, and did not inherit the promise land.
Our nheritance, is the love, presence, and complete wholeness of God, our Lord Jesus, the fellowhip of the Holy Spirit. When you are saved, do not think or believe what others tell you, that "you can't lose your salvation", becaus it is a lie, if you are saved, but you carry on in ignorance all your sinful ways, and ignore the concience and teaching of the Holy Spirit, the Lord will leave you. But if you are faithful, and even though you make mistakes, your heart groans because of it, and you keep repenting and keep conforming to the image of Christ by the Holy Ghost, your salvation is priceless.
Prayer
Father God, restore the joy of your salvation in us, and let us not stray away, or indulge in any sinfull lusts Keep us on the path of righteousness, lead us O great Lord. In Jesus name. Amen.
Thursday, 13 January 2011
The Law Producing Accountability for Sin
The Law Producing Accountability for Sin
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God . . . For by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Rom_3:19-20)
God's law speaks to those who are under the law. This would certainly include the Jews, for the law of God was given to them in writing (first engraved on stones by God, then written on parchment in the Holy Scriptures). Yet, the law speaks to the Gentiles as well, since they have it inscribed upon their consciences. "[The Gentiles] show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness" (Rom_2:15). Thus, every Jew and every Gentile begins life under the law.
Remember, when the law speaks, it is saying, "be holy, be loving, be perfect." The result of all people having received this message (either externally in writing, or internally upon the conscience) is that "every mouth [is] stopped."
What would we say if we stood before God, and He evaluated our lives by His law? How could we answer if God said, "Here is your life; here is My law; now, give an account of yourself." Our "mouths [would be] stopped." We could provide no excuse, explanation, or justification.
The law produces accountability to God. And this accountability is universal. "All the world [is] guilty before God." There are no exceptions. Everyone in all the world is included. The law of God reveals to all humanity what sin really is.
Sin is not a cultural phenomenon. It is a divine revelation of what is absolutely unacceptable before God in light of His holy character. "By the law is the knowledge of sin." Man would have no insight into this matter were it not for the law of God. "I would not have known sin except through the law" (Rom_7:7). Murder, adultery, stealing, lying, and coveting are all revealed to mankind by God's law. "For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, 'You shall not covet'" (Rom_7:7). Through God's law we are all accountable to Him for our sins.
Prayer
O Lord God of holiness and love and all that is perfect, Your holy law has stopped my mouth. I have no excuse for my spiritual failure before Your perfect standard. What I have read in Your word confirms the convictions of my heart. My life would stand forever guilty in Your sight, if it were not for Your forgiving, justifying grace. Thank You for providing forgiveness of my sins and justifying me, when I could offer no justifying words or deeds of my own. As I look at the world of humanity all around me, please remind me that they are guilty before You, until they come to Jesus as their Lord and Savior. This prayer I humbly offer in Jesus name, Amen.
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Christ the New and Eternal Great High Priest
Hebrews 4:15(NKJV) For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
As you have seen, there is a New Testament, a better hope, and everlasting High Priest whom is also our Redeemer, our sin offering, and our Life.
The Old testament Law could not save us, it could only sanctify us by the offering of an lamb, an unblemished 1 year old lamb, only until we then sin again. The priest could only go in once a year, but nothing would be permanent. There was no everlasting sanctification, and the end result was always going to be wrath.
So God has given us a better hope, a New High Priest, that dose not go in year after year to offer a slain offerng, and comes out and we all sin again, with no hope, but our better hope is Jesus Christ, who went in just once, Holy and unblemished, without fault, and offered up Himself. Whereby there is no need for anymore offerng, as we now live by the everlasting grace given to us by Jesus Christ the Son of God. Slain for Us, and now has become the New High Priest forever, not guieding us under the law, but under His Holy Spirit in Righteousness.
Hebrews 5:5-6 (NKJV) So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You." 6 As He also says in another place: "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek"
A compassionate High Priest who was tested in the flesh, and overcame, it is then also possible for us to overcome all sin, presenting our bodie as Holy Temples unto the Lord, for this is our Spiritual worship.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
Roman 12:1
Prayer
Heavenly Father we come to you Lord in the name of Jesus, that you will put the passion in our hearts to follow Christ our High Priest all the days of our lives, living under the grace of the Holy Spirit, and submitting fully unto you Lord. thinking of you in all our ways, that we might obatain mercy and keep the gift of everlasting life with you O Lord. In Jesus name. Amen
As you have seen, there is a New Testament, a better hope, and everlasting High Priest whom is also our Redeemer, our sin offering, and our Life.
The Old testament Law could not save us, it could only sanctify us by the offering of an lamb, an unblemished 1 year old lamb, only until we then sin again. The priest could only go in once a year, but nothing would be permanent. There was no everlasting sanctification, and the end result was always going to be wrath.
So God has given us a better hope, a New High Priest, that dose not go in year after year to offer a slain offerng, and comes out and we all sin again, with no hope, but our better hope is Jesus Christ, who went in just once, Holy and unblemished, without fault, and offered up Himself. Whereby there is no need for anymore offerng, as we now live by the everlasting grace given to us by Jesus Christ the Son of God. Slain for Us, and now has become the New High Priest forever, not guieding us under the law, but under His Holy Spirit in Righteousness.
Hebrews 5:5-6 (NKJV) So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You." 6 As He also says in another place: "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek"
A compassionate High Priest who was tested in the flesh, and overcame, it is then also possible for us to overcome all sin, presenting our bodie as Holy Temples unto the Lord, for this is our Spiritual worship.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
Roman 12:1
Prayer
Heavenly Father we come to you Lord in the name of Jesus, that you will put the passion in our hearts to follow Christ our High Priest all the days of our lives, living under the grace of the Holy Spirit, and submitting fully unto you Lord. thinking of you in all our ways, that we might obatain mercy and keep the gift of everlasting life with you O Lord. In Jesus name. Amen
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Old Covenant or New, Man's Sufficiency or God's Grace
Old Covenant or New, Man's Sufficiency or God's Grace
(God) also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit . . . But their minds were hardened. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament [old covenant], because the veil is taken away in Christ. (2Co_3:6, 2Co_3:14)
We have seen that godly characteristics develop in our lives through the working of God's grace within us. We now begin a closely related subject: a contrast between living by the old covenant or the new (by law or by grace). The ongoing choices we make here determine whether we will be living by man's sufficiency or by God's.
Various contrasting terms that describe these significant choices are set forth in the third chapter of 2 Corinthians. Verses 6 and 14 set the basic context, differences between the new covenant and the old: "[God] also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant . . . For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament [old covenant] ."
One of the drastic differences between living by the old covenant or the new is seen in verse 3: "You are manifestly an epistle of Christ . . . written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God" (2Co_3:3). People write letters on paper, using ink to record the message. God writes His message in people's lives, using His Spirit as the instrument.
What a vivid contrast, "ink" versus "the Spirit of the living God." Ink is a natural resource. It is available to all humankind, regardless of their relationship with God. Ink is not a life-giving or life-developing entity. It is a mere element of the kingdom of man. When we chose to live by the old covenant (the law), the only resources we have to draw upon are natural human resources. We are writing our own letter of life, and we have selected man's sufficiency, not God's. Such resources are as spiritually powerless as ink.
On the other hand, those who live by the new covenant of grace have the Holy Spirit as their supplier to bring forth the mighty, heavenly, sufficiency of God. Think of the radical difference, ink versus the Holy Spirit. God wants us relying on His Spirit. He wants us living by God's sufficiency, not ours.
Prayer
Dear Lord, You know how I often rely upon that which has no more spiritual power than ink. I hope in my ingenuity, my resolve, my personality, my tenacity - - myself. Lord, I want to be in Your word regularly, learning to rely upon You to work powerfully in my life by Your Holy Spirit, Amen.
(God) also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit . . . But their minds were hardened. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament [old covenant], because the veil is taken away in Christ. (2Co_3:6, 2Co_3:14)
We have seen that godly characteristics develop in our lives through the working of God's grace within us. We now begin a closely related subject: a contrast between living by the old covenant or the new (by law or by grace). The ongoing choices we make here determine whether we will be living by man's sufficiency or by God's.
Various contrasting terms that describe these significant choices are set forth in the third chapter of 2 Corinthians. Verses 6 and 14 set the basic context, differences between the new covenant and the old: "[God] also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant . . . For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament [old covenant] ."
One of the drastic differences between living by the old covenant or the new is seen in verse 3: "You are manifestly an epistle of Christ . . . written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God" (2Co_3:3). People write letters on paper, using ink to record the message. God writes His message in people's lives, using His Spirit as the instrument.
What a vivid contrast, "ink" versus "the Spirit of the living God." Ink is a natural resource. It is available to all humankind, regardless of their relationship with God. Ink is not a life-giving or life-developing entity. It is a mere element of the kingdom of man. When we chose to live by the old covenant (the law), the only resources we have to draw upon are natural human resources. We are writing our own letter of life, and we have selected man's sufficiency, not God's. Such resources are as spiritually powerless as ink.
On the other hand, those who live by the new covenant of grace have the Holy Spirit as their supplier to bring forth the mighty, heavenly, sufficiency of God. Think of the radical difference, ink versus the Holy Spirit. God wants us relying on His Spirit. He wants us living by God's sufficiency, not ours.
Prayer
Dear Lord, You know how I often rely upon that which has no more spiritual power than ink. I hope in my ingenuity, my resolve, my personality, my tenacity - - myself. Lord, I want to be in Your word regularly, learning to rely upon You to work powerfully in my life by Your Holy Spirit, Amen.
Sunday, 9 January 2011
The Holy Spirits Restraint for the Lost
for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me. Psalm 69:9
As a Christian, I am concumed with a burning passion for people to love God, to know how much he cares for them. The reason I feel like this is because the Holy Spirit dwells withing me, and in my heart he has put these burning desires, because His love is bursting for all His children. When people insult, make fun off or completely blaspheme about the Lord, it can really tare your heart open in grief that they don't know who they are talking about, that they don't know the love of the Father, how His name is so innocent.
I remember a couple of weeks ago, I was singing to the Lord in my kitchen, and my brother walked in and He immediately changed and became very angry. My reaction before, would have been to say something to Him because I would become angry that he is insulting God. But this time, the Lord spoke to me, and said, do not serve men, but serve me, keep worshipping, and be humble, and do not lash out at Him, for this grieves my Holy Spirit.
So, I kept worshipping, and he slammed the plates on the table, and gave me angry looks, and spoke to me nastly, but, because of the Holy Spirit, the Lord restrained me, and I just kept worshipping, and endured it.
After I had left the kitchen I went upstairs and I just cried, and I called out to Jesus, and begged for mercy. I cried because it pained me how much he hated the wworship to Jesus, and I begged for mercy and gave thanks, because the Holy Spirit had prevailed over my own reactions. The Lord spoke to me and said He dosen't know.
Jesus on the cross said "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." Luke 23:34
You see, if I didn't have the Holy Spirit restraint on my behaviour in the flesh, I would have done what Jesus would not have. And the whole point of submitting to Jesus, is by following and going along with His ways, because His ways are perfect.
So, when others do or say anything that offends you, humble yourselfs as low as you can in all humility before God, and ask Him, Guide me Lord!
The Lord will teach you and change you, and you will strong for greater persercutions, and He will use you to save the Lost that hate Him, and by doing what Jesus wants us to do, we are showing the great kindness of living in Jesus.
God Bless you
Prayer
Father, may you forgive those who mistreat your name in Jesus name, and may your Holy gentle Spirit take charge over our own will for everything, so we do not represent the flesh and human anger, but let us hate the devil and His lies, and treat everyone with the great kindness and compassion Jesus gave. We give you all the Glory. In Jesus name I pray Lord. Amen
As a Christian, I am concumed with a burning passion for people to love God, to know how much he cares for them. The reason I feel like this is because the Holy Spirit dwells withing me, and in my heart he has put these burning desires, because His love is bursting for all His children. When people insult, make fun off or completely blaspheme about the Lord, it can really tare your heart open in grief that they don't know who they are talking about, that they don't know the love of the Father, how His name is so innocent.
I remember a couple of weeks ago, I was singing to the Lord in my kitchen, and my brother walked in and He immediately changed and became very angry. My reaction before, would have been to say something to Him because I would become angry that he is insulting God. But this time, the Lord spoke to me, and said, do not serve men, but serve me, keep worshipping, and be humble, and do not lash out at Him, for this grieves my Holy Spirit.
So, I kept worshipping, and he slammed the plates on the table, and gave me angry looks, and spoke to me nastly, but, because of the Holy Spirit, the Lord restrained me, and I just kept worshipping, and endured it.
After I had left the kitchen I went upstairs and I just cried, and I called out to Jesus, and begged for mercy. I cried because it pained me how much he hated the wworship to Jesus, and I begged for mercy and gave thanks, because the Holy Spirit had prevailed over my own reactions. The Lord spoke to me and said He dosen't know.
Jesus on the cross said "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." Luke 23:34
You see, if I didn't have the Holy Spirit restraint on my behaviour in the flesh, I would have done what Jesus would not have. And the whole point of submitting to Jesus, is by following and going along with His ways, because His ways are perfect.
So, when others do or say anything that offends you, humble yourselfs as low as you can in all humility before God, and ask Him, Guide me Lord!
The Lord will teach you and change you, and you will strong for greater persercutions, and He will use you to save the Lost that hate Him, and by doing what Jesus wants us to do, we are showing the great kindness of living in Jesus.
God Bless you
Prayer
Father, may you forgive those who mistreat your name in Jesus name, and may your Holy gentle Spirit take charge over our own will for everything, so we do not represent the flesh and human anger, but let us hate the devil and His lies, and treat everyone with the great kindness and compassion Jesus gave. We give you all the Glory. In Jesus name I pray Lord. Amen
Saturday, 8 January 2011
January 8
The Inability of the Law
For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. (Heb_7:18-19)
God reveals through His word that His law has a strategic inability. There is an arena in which the law has a "weakness and unprofitableness." The law demands perfection, but it offers no perfecting resources. This incapacity is not due to any oversight on God's part. Rather, this inadequacy is related to that which God never intended for His law to accomplish.
God's law was not given to man as a means of being perfected, that is, of being spiritually changed. The law tells us what God wants to see in lives, but the law provides no resource to effect the necessary changes. Thus, attempting to begin or to develop a relationship with God by dependence upon our best performance will always be a hopeless venture.
Anyone who desires to approach a holy and perfect God must have a more effective expectation than one's best personal performance, measured by God's holy law. Anyone who wants to get to know God, to walk with Him, to live with Him through time and eternity, must find a better hope than the law of God.
The law of God cannot give us an initial standing before God, that is, it cannot justify us. The law is also unable to develop an ongoing walk of godliness before the Lord, that is, it cannot sanctify us. For either of these precious blessings of God, a "better hope" is needed. God's grace is the "better hope" that allows us to "draw near to God," initially in new birth and continually in a maturing intimacy.
Prayer
Holy Father, You are perfect in character. Your law is perfect in standard. Your law rightly demands perfection of me. Father, I ask that You remind me often that I cannot live up to that divine requirement on my own resources. Bring to my remembrance this inability of Your law. Stir my heart to trust in that better hope. Lord, I desire to walk clodely with You. Thus, I trust in Your grace as the only sufficient hope that will allow me to draw near to You, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
The Inability of the Law
For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. (Heb_7:18-19)
God reveals through His word that His law has a strategic inability. There is an arena in which the law has a "weakness and unprofitableness." The law demands perfection, but it offers no perfecting resources. This incapacity is not due to any oversight on God's part. Rather, this inadequacy is related to that which God never intended for His law to accomplish.
God's law was not given to man as a means of being perfected, that is, of being spiritually changed. The law tells us what God wants to see in lives, but the law provides no resource to effect the necessary changes. Thus, attempting to begin or to develop a relationship with God by dependence upon our best performance will always be a hopeless venture.
Anyone who desires to approach a holy and perfect God must have a more effective expectation than one's best personal performance, measured by God's holy law. Anyone who wants to get to know God, to walk with Him, to live with Him through time and eternity, must find a better hope than the law of God.
The law of God cannot give us an initial standing before God, that is, it cannot justify us. The law is also unable to develop an ongoing walk of godliness before the Lord, that is, it cannot sanctify us. For either of these precious blessings of God, a "better hope" is needed. God's grace is the "better hope" that allows us to "draw near to God," initially in new birth and continually in a maturing intimacy.
Prayer
Holy Father, You are perfect in character. Your law is perfect in standard. Your law rightly demands perfection of me. Father, I ask that You remind me often that I cannot live up to that divine requirement on my own resources. Bring to my remembrance this inability of Your law. Stir my heart to trust in that better hope. Lord, I desire to walk clodely with You. Thus, I trust in Your grace as the only sufficient hope that will allow me to draw near to You, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Friday, 7 January 2011
You are protected in Christ
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. [15] He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. Psalm 91
How great is our God, He is the most High God, the God of love, he looks after us, has compassion on us, and is there for always. There is not one moment in your life beleiver, when the Lord has left you. He has never been that far away, only as far as you have made Him in our mind. He is closer to you right now at this very moment, then your mind could imagine all together.
When you beleive and trust in God, disaster is far from you, Jehova has spoken it. He said because you love Him!, He will rescue you! There is no greater to call on, only Jehova God. If you don't beleive in Him, if you don't call on Him with all your heart, how then can he come, when you yourself do not believe He will. In disasters people tend to pray, they tend to call out to God, and when he dosen't answer, they blame Him and curse His name, and you wonder why He dosen't hear your prayer. Are you humbled before Him? Are you repentant? Do you love Him? Yet you expect Him to jump when you decide.
How can you call out to a God you have been cursing the day before, making fun of. Do you not know that it is Him you will be facing at the end of all this. And even as now you can see your abominations, even God is still loving you, and waiting for you to come into His open arms, he loves when you call upon Him, in the name of His son, who died for. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul. He will hear your prayers, and be there for you. Do not listen to people when they say, these christians believed and look what happened to them. Do you not know that it is the greatest honour to die for Christ, in His name. Wasn't Jesus slain, wasn't all the apostle beaten and slain, but at the same time, they were protected, because the evil that would have befallen them canno't come to them, because Jesus stood infront of them and poured out His blood for the evils satisfaction for Justice for sin.
You are protected in the Lord. Call on Him and Him alone. He will deleiver you, and already has.
God Bless you.
Prayer.
Father In the name of Jesus your son who died on the cross for me, and who rose in Glory and became the great High priest to reign forever more, may your protection be upon our heads, send your angels to guard over us, but let us not tet the Lord, but be wise, and endure all things for your Glory. Let us ot lose hope when evil comes, but let us be strong in faith that you will fufill what you have spoken. Let us endure for Christs sake, and not for ourslefs. Amen.
How great is our God, He is the most High God, the God of love, he looks after us, has compassion on us, and is there for always. There is not one moment in your life beleiver, when the Lord has left you. He has never been that far away, only as far as you have made Him in our mind. He is closer to you right now at this very moment, then your mind could imagine all together.
When you beleive and trust in God, disaster is far from you, Jehova has spoken it. He said because you love Him!, He will rescue you! There is no greater to call on, only Jehova God. If you don't beleive in Him, if you don't call on Him with all your heart, how then can he come, when you yourself do not believe He will. In disasters people tend to pray, they tend to call out to God, and when he dosen't answer, they blame Him and curse His name, and you wonder why He dosen't hear your prayer. Are you humbled before Him? Are you repentant? Do you love Him? Yet you expect Him to jump when you decide.
How can you call out to a God you have been cursing the day before, making fun of. Do you not know that it is Him you will be facing at the end of all this. And even as now you can see your abominations, even God is still loving you, and waiting for you to come into His open arms, he loves when you call upon Him, in the name of His son, who died for. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul. He will hear your prayers, and be there for you. Do not listen to people when they say, these christians believed and look what happened to them. Do you not know that it is the greatest honour to die for Christ, in His name. Wasn't Jesus slain, wasn't all the apostle beaten and slain, but at the same time, they were protected, because the evil that would have befallen them canno't come to them, because Jesus stood infront of them and poured out His blood for the evils satisfaction for Justice for sin.
You are protected in the Lord. Call on Him and Him alone. He will deleiver you, and already has.
God Bless you.
Prayer.
Father In the name of Jesus your son who died on the cross for me, and who rose in Glory and became the great High priest to reign forever more, may your protection be upon our heads, send your angels to guard over us, but let us not tet the Lord, but be wise, and endure all things for your Glory. Let us ot lose hope when evil comes, but let us be strong in faith that you will fufill what you have spoken. Let us endure for Christs sake, and not for ourslefs. Amen.
Thursday, 6 January 2011
The Message of the Law: Be Loving
January 6
The Message of the Law: Be Loving
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (Mat_22:36-40)
In His response to the question, Jesus supplies another summary of the message of the law of God: be loving. "Love the Lord your God . . . love your neighbor." Jesus then revealed that "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Every command in the law of God is related to one of these two commandments.
"Love the Lord your God." The primary demand of the law is an all-out love relationship with the Lord God Almighty. God is to be loved "all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." From the depths of our being, love is to be flowing out toward the Lord.
In every expression of our personality, love is to be poured out toward God. In every thought that occurs in our minds, love for God is to be the motivation and the content. Any aspect of life that does not indicate a comprehensive, unrestricted love toward God is in violation of His law.
"Love your neighbor." The secondary demand of God's law is an unselfish love toward every other person. We are to love others as ourselves. Some have wrongly used this phrase to urge people to obey an imaginary third commandment: "We need to learn to love ourselves"?! No, Jesus said there are only two commandments here. This second one is a call to give others the consideration and care that we all have given to ourselves all of our lives.
Jesus later intensified this second command by saying, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you" (Joh_13:34).
The message of God's law is: be loving. Love God fully. Love others sacrificially.
Prayer
Dear Lord God, I bow before You as the God of infinite love. I have come to love You, because You first loved me. Yet, my love for You is so feeble in light of what You deserve and what You command. O Lord, my love for others is so often diminished by my own selfishness. I humbly ask that You would work in me a more profound love for You and a more selfless love for others, in Jesus name, Amen.
The Message of the Law: Be Loving
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (Mat_22:36-40)
In His response to the question, Jesus supplies another summary of the message of the law of God: be loving. "Love the Lord your God . . . love your neighbor." Jesus then revealed that "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Every command in the law of God is related to one of these two commandments.
"Love the Lord your God." The primary demand of the law is an all-out love relationship with the Lord God Almighty. God is to be loved "all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." From the depths of our being, love is to be flowing out toward the Lord.
In every expression of our personality, love is to be poured out toward God. In every thought that occurs in our minds, love for God is to be the motivation and the content. Any aspect of life that does not indicate a comprehensive, unrestricted love toward God is in violation of His law.
"Love your neighbor." The secondary demand of God's law is an unselfish love toward every other person. We are to love others as ourselves. Some have wrongly used this phrase to urge people to obey an imaginary third commandment: "We need to learn to love ourselves"?! No, Jesus said there are only two commandments here. This second one is a call to give others the consideration and care that we all have given to ourselves all of our lives.
Jesus later intensified this second command by saying, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you" (Joh_13:34).
The message of God's law is: be loving. Love God fully. Love others sacrificially.
Prayer
Dear Lord God, I bow before You as the God of infinite love. I have come to love You, because You first loved me. Yet, my love for You is so feeble in light of what You deserve and what You command. O Lord, my love for others is so often diminished by my own selfishness. I humbly ask that You would work in me a more profound love for You and a more selfless love for others, in Jesus name, Amen.
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Become as little children
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4
As a christian, the blood of Christ 'purges your conscience from dead works to serve the living God' Hebrews 9:14.
We serve Jehova, and sin becomes so vial to us, so hideous, and it is easy to feel so righteous that it can lead you to judge others, or even council someone in such a way, where the love of Christ is not present. If we want to be great in the Kingdom of God, we need to acknowledge and understand, that we can't, but it is only Christ who is in us that can. If Christ is in everyone who is saved, then everyone can be the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
But if you exhalt yourself, and do not remain humble, understanding and knowing it is not you who is great, but only the Lord who is in you, becoming the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven will slowly drift away from you. Why? If Christ is still in you? Because only Christ can be great, and if you are exhalting yourslef above Christ in your understanding and actions of righteousness, you are not living and remaining in Christ, therefore the greatness canno't come. Becuase it can only come when Christ is shown, because he is the only one, who was humble enough to receive the crown of Glory.
Humbling yourself as a child, is so precious and important. If you look at children, they don't fear anything, they believe almost everything, they know they are able to do, what their Father says they can do, they are innocent, they are sweet and loving, they are HUMBLE. God is a Father who gives, and he gives to those who believe he will give it to them. Your Father, is not going to give to you anything that will wreck havoc, because of how big you think you are, and how awesom you think you will use it. Did Jesus run around saying look at me I have all this power look what I can do. No, infact we see in the bible how many times after he performed a miracle He told the people tell no man.
If you want to be the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven, it must be because you want to please the Father, because you want to be humble so much in the Father's sight that it brings joy to your heart that He trusts you so much to give you grace, and the precious gifts of His Spirit. It is to always understand and know that it is Jesus who is in you who is the great one, and everything you do is by His Spirit. The child knows that it couldnt eat, unless the Father gave Him food to eat, in the same way Jesus said in John 15:5, 'I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.'
Prayer
Heavenly Father, let us seek your face with a humble heart O God, guide us Lord in your footsteps, let us not become ignorant of your grace and mercies, lest we fall short on the day of your coming. Let us remain in you Lord Jesus, and you in us. For our hearts want to serve you, and our minds need you Holy touch. Can we recieve from you a humble heart, to come to the throne of grace, and seek your face. Amen
As a christian, the blood of Christ 'purges your conscience from dead works to serve the living God' Hebrews 9:14.
We serve Jehova, and sin becomes so vial to us, so hideous, and it is easy to feel so righteous that it can lead you to judge others, or even council someone in such a way, where the love of Christ is not present. If we want to be great in the Kingdom of God, we need to acknowledge and understand, that we can't, but it is only Christ who is in us that can. If Christ is in everyone who is saved, then everyone can be the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
But if you exhalt yourself, and do not remain humble, understanding and knowing it is not you who is great, but only the Lord who is in you, becoming the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven will slowly drift away from you. Why? If Christ is still in you? Because only Christ can be great, and if you are exhalting yourslef above Christ in your understanding and actions of righteousness, you are not living and remaining in Christ, therefore the greatness canno't come. Becuase it can only come when Christ is shown, because he is the only one, who was humble enough to receive the crown of Glory.
Humbling yourself as a child, is so precious and important. If you look at children, they don't fear anything, they believe almost everything, they know they are able to do, what their Father says they can do, they are innocent, they are sweet and loving, they are HUMBLE. God is a Father who gives, and he gives to those who believe he will give it to them. Your Father, is not going to give to you anything that will wreck havoc, because of how big you think you are, and how awesom you think you will use it. Did Jesus run around saying look at me I have all this power look what I can do. No, infact we see in the bible how many times after he performed a miracle He told the people tell no man.
If you want to be the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven, it must be because you want to please the Father, because you want to be humble so much in the Father's sight that it brings joy to your heart that He trusts you so much to give you grace, and the precious gifts of His Spirit. It is to always understand and know that it is Jesus who is in you who is the great one, and everything you do is by His Spirit. The child knows that it couldnt eat, unless the Father gave Him food to eat, in the same way Jesus said in John 15:5, 'I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.'
Prayer
Heavenly Father, let us seek your face with a humble heart O God, guide us Lord in your footsteps, let us not become ignorant of your grace and mercies, lest we fall short on the day of your coming. Let us remain in you Lord Jesus, and you in us. For our hearts want to serve you, and our minds need you Holy touch. Can we recieve from you a humble heart, to come to the throne of grace, and seek your face. Amen
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
Under Grace, Not Law
Under Grace, Not Law
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under law but under grace. (Rom_6:14)
Sin dominates every one's life, unless they are learning of God's remedy. Grace is our only hope that sin will no longer dominate our lives. Furthermore, grace is a sufficient hope that sin need not exercise a dominating influence over us.
Before we came to faith in Jesus Christ, we were fully under the dominion of sin. We were condemned before God because of our sin. Others may not have been aware of our truly sinful condition. Still, we were so controlled by sin that God called us "slaves of sin" (Rom_6:6).
The law brought us no hope of escape. In fact, the law condemned us (Rom_3:19). We could never have found freedom from sin's condemnation by attempting to perform better under the law of God, for "by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified" (Gal_2:16).
On the other hand, the grace of God is our fully effective hope.
There is forgiveness of sins by His grace (Eph_1:7).
There is justification through faith by the grace of God (Gal_2:16).
There is growth in spiritual life by the grace of God (2Pe_3:18).
None of these heavenly blessings become ours from attempting by our ability to live up to the law standards of Almighty God.
Our relationship with the Lord is based upon grace, not upon law. We began a walk with the Lord by His grace at work for us. We continue to walk with Him by His grace at work in our lives.
O Lord, my God, I rejoice greatly that I am under Your grace and not under Your law. Your holy law rightly condemned me for my trespasses against You. I thank You for forgiving my sins by Your glorious grace. I praise You for justifying me, declaring me not guilty in Your sight, by Your rich grace. I extol You for continuing to touch and shape my life by Your inexhaustible grace, in the name of Christ Jesus, my Lord. Amen
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under law but under grace. (Rom_6:14)
Sin dominates every one's life, unless they are learning of God's remedy. Grace is our only hope that sin will no longer dominate our lives. Furthermore, grace is a sufficient hope that sin need not exercise a dominating influence over us.
Before we came to faith in Jesus Christ, we were fully under the dominion of sin. We were condemned before God because of our sin. Others may not have been aware of our truly sinful condition. Still, we were so controlled by sin that God called us "slaves of sin" (Rom_6:6).
The law brought us no hope of escape. In fact, the law condemned us (Rom_3:19). We could never have found freedom from sin's condemnation by attempting to perform better under the law of God, for "by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified" (Gal_2:16).
On the other hand, the grace of God is our fully effective hope.
There is forgiveness of sins by His grace (Eph_1:7).
There is justification through faith by the grace of God (Gal_2:16).
There is growth in spiritual life by the grace of God (2Pe_3:18).
None of these heavenly blessings become ours from attempting by our ability to live up to the law standards of Almighty God.
Our relationship with the Lord is based upon grace, not upon law. We began a walk with the Lord by His grace at work for us. We continue to walk with Him by His grace at work in our lives.
O Lord, my God, I rejoice greatly that I am under Your grace and not under Your law. Your holy law rightly condemned me for my trespasses against You. I thank You for forgiving my sins by Your glorious grace. I praise You for justifying me, declaring me not guilty in Your sight, by Your rich grace. I extol You for continuing to touch and shape my life by Your inexhaustible grace, in the name of Christ Jesus, my Lord. Amen
Sunday, 2 January 2011
Desperate Lord to be in your presence
You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. ~ Psalm 31: 20
As a Christian, if you are truly born again, there should be in you a desire, to be alone with the Lord, to dwell in His presence, to be with Him, above all other things. God throughout all the scriptures, desired to dwell among His people, to be close to them, but because of their sin, there was so much sanctification processes to do just to allow them to come near the door of His place, in order for them to be with Him. He was to Holy to dwell among them, and instead of turning from their sin, they kept on sinning. What hope was there! NO HOPE!
Until the glorious day, when the Lord performed the miracle of a virgin birth, and a son was born. The Lord, the Holy word of God, the son of the Holy trinity, became flesh, and dwelt among His people. Hope was on us brighter thn the sun. Grace was given unto us through all our disobediance and unlovingness. God performed the greatest act of love, to save His people, to finalize the last sacrifice for eternal sanctification, by offering up Himself. We now have HOPE.
So, if you are truly born again, and you have a humbled heart, a repentant heart, and the Holy Spirit i dwelling in you, are you desiring to spend time with the Lord?
If you are not, the answer is very simple, change.
This is what you need to do, Humble yourself before God, say Father, remove from me all my desires, all my own corrupt will, everything in me that is not of you my God, and put inside me everything of you, everything that is good and pleasing to you, Help me to seek your face, and to desire to get to know you, to humble myself and come bodly to throne of grace, through Jesus Christ my Lord.
If you keep telling God these things, and mean it from your heart, He will do it, and you will know God like never before, you will be...Desperate to be in His presence.
Because in His presence there is peace, there is love, there is safety, there is mercy, there is embrace, Honor and majesty are [found] in His presence; strength and joy are [found] in His sanctuary. ~ 1 Chronicles 16: 27
ARE YOU DESIRING HIM!
PRAYER
Father, I ask in the name of Jesus Lord, that you would fill us with humility, fill us with humbleness, give us a pure heart, and a clean mind, pleasing unto you Lord.
You said you will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.1 Corinthians 1:19. Father let us have simple hearts, and not be ignorant of the things of Christ. Let us give honour when it is due. Giving thanks in all things. We bless you and love you in Jesus name. Amen
As a Christian, if you are truly born again, there should be in you a desire, to be alone with the Lord, to dwell in His presence, to be with Him, above all other things. God throughout all the scriptures, desired to dwell among His people, to be close to them, but because of their sin, there was so much sanctification processes to do just to allow them to come near the door of His place, in order for them to be with Him. He was to Holy to dwell among them, and instead of turning from their sin, they kept on sinning. What hope was there! NO HOPE!
Until the glorious day, when the Lord performed the miracle of a virgin birth, and a son was born. The Lord, the Holy word of God, the son of the Holy trinity, became flesh, and dwelt among His people. Hope was on us brighter thn the sun. Grace was given unto us through all our disobediance and unlovingness. God performed the greatest act of love, to save His people, to finalize the last sacrifice for eternal sanctification, by offering up Himself. We now have HOPE.
So, if you are truly born again, and you have a humbled heart, a repentant heart, and the Holy Spirit i dwelling in you, are you desiring to spend time with the Lord?
If you are not, the answer is very simple, change.
This is what you need to do, Humble yourself before God, say Father, remove from me all my desires, all my own corrupt will, everything in me that is not of you my God, and put inside me everything of you, everything that is good and pleasing to you, Help me to seek your face, and to desire to get to know you, to humble myself and come bodly to throne of grace, through Jesus Christ my Lord.
If you keep telling God these things, and mean it from your heart, He will do it, and you will know God like never before, you will be...Desperate to be in His presence.
Because in His presence there is peace, there is love, there is safety, there is mercy, there is embrace, Honor and majesty are [found] in His presence; strength and joy are [found] in His sanctuary. ~ 1 Chronicles 16: 27
ARE YOU DESIRING HIM!
PRAYER
Father, I ask in the name of Jesus Lord, that you would fill us with humility, fill us with humbleness, give us a pure heart, and a clean mind, pleasing unto you Lord.
You said you will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.1 Corinthians 1:19. Father let us have simple hearts, and not be ignorant of the things of Christ. Let us give honour when it is due. Giving thanks in all things. We bless you and love you in Jesus name. Amen
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