Follow Peace
Hebrews 12:14 - 'Follow peace with all men.......'
How do you follow peace? The bible tells us to follow peace with all men. But sometimes, people hurt our feelings, and do us wrong. So should we be wimps and let people run all over us? No, but we have to make sure that we handle things properly.
By following peace, we handle things in love and never intentionally try to get back at people. No matter how bad they do us, we must always deal with them in love. God never desires us to fight back or punish people for their actions, he will handle that. But there is something about following peace that automatically punishes people for their wrongdoings.
I remember when I was younger and there was always a popular person in school with you. Someone that you liked walking with because it made you feel special, like you could get people's attention if you were with them, or people would think better of you because you are cool with this particular person. And no one would mess with you because they knew that this person you were with would have your back! Well, that's how it is when we follow peace.
Imagine if "peace" was a special person. Imagine following this person around. People start reacting differently, treating you respectfully and wanting your company. People will look at you walking with "peace" and know that you are special. Even when everyone and everything around you is in turmoil, if you are following "peace" people will follow you. And you would never have to worry about getting back at people or people messing with you because "peace" would have your back! Follow peace and you will be followed by peace.
Suggested Reading: Col. 3:15, 1Th. 5:13, James 3:18, 1Pet. 3:11
Saturday, 30 April 2011
Friday, 29 April 2011
Heavy Load
Heavy Load
Matthew 11:28 - Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary
and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon
you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will
find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I
give you is light."
God said he would put no more on us than we can bear. Well, then why are we so heavy at times? Because we tend to put more on ourselves than we can bear at times. We go out before the Lord and then after we acquire things, move things, fix things, break things, we ask him to "bless it" and call it him! God is tired of taking the blame for our mess. Many times we get overweighed by cares and circumstances that we have brought upon ourselves. We have to be careful not to go before God, but Follow God!!!! Remember that song,"wherever I go, let your spirit, follow me?" That song is dead wrong. We need to follow the Spirit. That way, we won't make careless mistakes and take on excess weight during our journey.
Many times we move according to circumstances rather than moving because God said move. And so many times, we isolate ourselves from the voice of God because we take the responsibility for all of our actions that are out of God's will. We are human, and our flesh speaks to us.
The key is to avoid making decisions based on our feelings and costly mistakes based on circumstance. God will guide you as long as you give him a chance to. But you have to stay close to him and surround yourself with people that can hear from him as well.
Your heavy load is there because of your decisions and actions, but God is always ready to lighten your load and teach you how to trust him instead of your feelings. There is so much God has for us, but we gotta stop claiming the wrong things and calling it him! And then we have the nerve to pray about it or "give it to God" when it brings us grief! My brothers and sisters, let go of the extra baggage and let God lead you so your burdens will be, as the bible says "light". Always Remember this, when it's too heavy, it's not from God!!
Matthew 11:28 - Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary
and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon
you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will
find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I
give you is light."
God said he would put no more on us than we can bear. Well, then why are we so heavy at times? Because we tend to put more on ourselves than we can bear at times. We go out before the Lord and then after we acquire things, move things, fix things, break things, we ask him to "bless it" and call it him! God is tired of taking the blame for our mess. Many times we get overweighed by cares and circumstances that we have brought upon ourselves. We have to be careful not to go before God, but Follow God!!!! Remember that song,"wherever I go, let your spirit, follow me?" That song is dead wrong. We need to follow the Spirit. That way, we won't make careless mistakes and take on excess weight during our journey.
Many times we move according to circumstances rather than moving because God said move. And so many times, we isolate ourselves from the voice of God because we take the responsibility for all of our actions that are out of God's will. We are human, and our flesh speaks to us.
The key is to avoid making decisions based on our feelings and costly mistakes based on circumstance. God will guide you as long as you give him a chance to. But you have to stay close to him and surround yourself with people that can hear from him as well.
Your heavy load is there because of your decisions and actions, but God is always ready to lighten your load and teach you how to trust him instead of your feelings. There is so much God has for us, but we gotta stop claiming the wrong things and calling it him! And then we have the nerve to pray about it or "give it to God" when it brings us grief! My brothers and sisters, let go of the extra baggage and let God lead you so your burdens will be, as the bible says "light". Always Remember this, when it's too heavy, it's not from God!!
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Remember
Remember
Psalm 77:11 - 'I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your
wonderful deeds of long ago.' - New Literal Translation
Has God ever let you down? Are you blaming God for a situation that you got yourself into? Well, let me assure you that God will never let you down. Even when we don't deserve it he comes through for us. So, what you must do in trying times is think back on all the times you thought there was no way out. You survived!! You even got so far out of it that you forgot it.
Yep, you forgot it and now are feeling like there is no way out of this, right? Well, just remember God has always come through for you. Had he not, you would be somewhere busted, on the streets, without food or shelter, or in a cemetary! The mere fact that you are using email to read this says that you are making some money! God has blessed you to provide for yourself and live better than many!!
Thinking back on the blessings of God is something that we must practice. Even if you need to write it down, keep a journal of it because when tough times comes, you need to remember! Remember that time when you were broke and could not pay your rent, but it got paid somehow?
Remember that time you thought you were caught and God got you out of it even though you deserved the consequences? Oh, I know, remember that time you were very sick and you prayed the "take me lord" prayer, but you got better and now you don't even remember what it felt like?
God is awesome and has been good. Even in your mess, he didn't let you die. So, let's not forget what he's done for us in the past and how he can deliver us in the future. He is God and he is faithful!!! Always and forever.
Suggested Reading: Deut. 8:10, Psa. 103:2, 1Sam. 12:24,
Psalm 77:11 - 'I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your
wonderful deeds of long ago.' - New Literal Translation
Has God ever let you down? Are you blaming God for a situation that you got yourself into? Well, let me assure you that God will never let you down. Even when we don't deserve it he comes through for us. So, what you must do in trying times is think back on all the times you thought there was no way out. You survived!! You even got so far out of it that you forgot it.
Yep, you forgot it and now are feeling like there is no way out of this, right? Well, just remember God has always come through for you. Had he not, you would be somewhere busted, on the streets, without food or shelter, or in a cemetary! The mere fact that you are using email to read this says that you are making some money! God has blessed you to provide for yourself and live better than many!!
Thinking back on the blessings of God is something that we must practice. Even if you need to write it down, keep a journal of it because when tough times comes, you need to remember! Remember that time when you were broke and could not pay your rent, but it got paid somehow?
Remember that time you thought you were caught and God got you out of it even though you deserved the consequences? Oh, I know, remember that time you were very sick and you prayed the "take me lord" prayer, but you got better and now you don't even remember what it felt like?
God is awesome and has been good. Even in your mess, he didn't let you die. So, let's not forget what he's done for us in the past and how he can deliver us in the future. He is God and he is faithful!!! Always and forever.
Suggested Reading: Deut. 8:10, Psa. 103:2, 1Sam. 12:24,
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Deceivers
Deceivers
2 Timothy 3:13 - 'But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will go on
deceiving others, and they themselves will be deceived.' New Literal
Translation
In the beginning, the enemy deceived Eve into believing that she should eat of the tree of good and evil. He took God's words and manipulated them to cause her to eat. Well, many of us practice this same kind of deception so often, that we consider it a "doing what we have to do" to get ahead or make it in this life. Whenever you use deceit to get what you want, you are practicing witchcraft! What is witchcraft? Webster defines it as: A magical or irresistible influence, attraction, or charm. We must be careful that we don't deceive people to get things for ourselves. God was very straightforward in dealing with witchcraft in the word. He would not even allow someone that practiced it to live in the Old Testament. The reason being that witchcraft takes his place! it causes us to use our own ways, tricks, and manipulative skills to get what we want instead of relying on God to give to us.
Deceiving also causes us to have the image of the devil rather than the image of the creator. The devil is totally powerless without deception. He cannot do anything to us unless he first deceives and this is how he manipulates situations around us.
Christians are to be upright and do things based on a Godly standard so that we reflect our father God in our actions. But when we lie and deceive people, we are behaving like the enemy and his image gets the glory. So, stop telling those lies to get what you want or need.
When you do that, you get the glory for whatever it is you were trying to get and God does not take part in it. Stop deceiving people and making them think you are okay when you are not. Don't you know if no one knows there is something wrong, then no one can help?
And then you feel alone and unwanted because it seems people don't care, when it's really because you have deceived them into believing all is well. Be on the up and up and walk uprightly before God. If you have a Godly image, then walk like it and behave like it and never deceive to get what you want or need. God will supply all that you need if your ways please him. And then he can get the glory for what you have and who you are in him. So, whether in our personal relationships, in the church, in your home, or in the workplace, God wants us to keep our words and actions straightforward and on the up and up, as a reflection of him.
Suggested Reading: Col. 3:9, 1John 1:6, 1Tim. 4:2, James 5:12, Gal. 2:14
2 Timothy 3:13 - 'But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will go on
deceiving others, and they themselves will be deceived.' New Literal
Translation
In the beginning, the enemy deceived Eve into believing that she should eat of the tree of good and evil. He took God's words and manipulated them to cause her to eat. Well, many of us practice this same kind of deception so often, that we consider it a "doing what we have to do" to get ahead or make it in this life. Whenever you use deceit to get what you want, you are practicing witchcraft! What is witchcraft? Webster defines it as: A magical or irresistible influence, attraction, or charm. We must be careful that we don't deceive people to get things for ourselves. God was very straightforward in dealing with witchcraft in the word. He would not even allow someone that practiced it to live in the Old Testament. The reason being that witchcraft takes his place! it causes us to use our own ways, tricks, and manipulative skills to get what we want instead of relying on God to give to us.
Deceiving also causes us to have the image of the devil rather than the image of the creator. The devil is totally powerless without deception. He cannot do anything to us unless he first deceives and this is how he manipulates situations around us.
Christians are to be upright and do things based on a Godly standard so that we reflect our father God in our actions. But when we lie and deceive people, we are behaving like the enemy and his image gets the glory. So, stop telling those lies to get what you want or need.
When you do that, you get the glory for whatever it is you were trying to get and God does not take part in it. Stop deceiving people and making them think you are okay when you are not. Don't you know if no one knows there is something wrong, then no one can help?
And then you feel alone and unwanted because it seems people don't care, when it's really because you have deceived them into believing all is well. Be on the up and up and walk uprightly before God. If you have a Godly image, then walk like it and behave like it and never deceive to get what you want or need. God will supply all that you need if your ways please him. And then he can get the glory for what you have and who you are in him. So, whether in our personal relationships, in the church, in your home, or in the workplace, God wants us to keep our words and actions straightforward and on the up and up, as a reflection of him.
Suggested Reading: Col. 3:9, 1John 1:6, 1Tim. 4:2, James 5:12, Gal. 2:14
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Heart & Mind
Heart & Mind
Romans 12:2 - 'And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by
the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God.'
Your mind does according to what is put into it. Your mind can either "act" or "react". When things happen to you, your mind will pull from what it has been feeding on and address the issue based on what is in it! You see, it's like your mind is a tool box and whatever tools you have put into it are the tools you have to work with.
Thus, when circumstances, trials, tribulations, etc. come your way, you have to use the tools that you have to deal with the crisis. If all you put into your mind is garbage, then your decision making will suffer because your mind cannot deal with situations properly. And it will also cause you to live according to your thoughts instead of living according to the Word. See, the more God we put into our mind, the more of him we will have to handle our situations and circumstances when they arise. Reading the Word and understanding it will begin to saturate our minds and renew us from the wrong thoughts. And our thinking will be subject to his Word instead of our own way and we can effectively give our problems to him.
To truly give it to God, we have to make sure we have allowed him access to our minds as well as our heart. Many of us only allow him access to our hearts and therefore, when we talk to him, he feels far from us. We sometimes try to carry him around as a tool to use when we need him, while we constantly fill our minds with negative things via sinful lifestyles, people, places, music, movies, etc. that showcase immoral things instead of the Spiritual things from God.
Eventually, that takes a toll on us. It begins to out weigh the "God" in our minds. So, when problems or situations come, our minds "react" to them based on what we have filled our minds up with! The more evil in there, the more we react evilly. The more God in there, the more God can act for us. Sure you may have salvation in your heart, but your mind can definitely lead you away from the presence of God and you can be a gospel disaster!
How many Christians do you know like that? Come to church, serve in church, talk about church, but their homes are a mess! That's because they have accepted Christ in their hearts, but their minds are not sober. To be sober minded requires you to protect your mind from corruption so that you do not walk according to worldly thoughts, but you govern your life by thinking on things above. Sure it's good to have a clean heart, but for your heart to STAY clean, you must have a renewed mind.
Suggested Reading: 1Pet. 1:13, Rom. 12:2, Eph. 2:3, Phil. 2:5
Romans 12:2 - 'And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by
the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God.'
Your mind does according to what is put into it. Your mind can either "act" or "react". When things happen to you, your mind will pull from what it has been feeding on and address the issue based on what is in it! You see, it's like your mind is a tool box and whatever tools you have put into it are the tools you have to work with.
Thus, when circumstances, trials, tribulations, etc. come your way, you have to use the tools that you have to deal with the crisis. If all you put into your mind is garbage, then your decision making will suffer because your mind cannot deal with situations properly. And it will also cause you to live according to your thoughts instead of living according to the Word. See, the more God we put into our mind, the more of him we will have to handle our situations and circumstances when they arise. Reading the Word and understanding it will begin to saturate our minds and renew us from the wrong thoughts. And our thinking will be subject to his Word instead of our own way and we can effectively give our problems to him.
To truly give it to God, we have to make sure we have allowed him access to our minds as well as our heart. Many of us only allow him access to our hearts and therefore, when we talk to him, he feels far from us. We sometimes try to carry him around as a tool to use when we need him, while we constantly fill our minds with negative things via sinful lifestyles, people, places, music, movies, etc. that showcase immoral things instead of the Spiritual things from God.
Eventually, that takes a toll on us. It begins to out weigh the "God" in our minds. So, when problems or situations come, our minds "react" to them based on what we have filled our minds up with! The more evil in there, the more we react evilly. The more God in there, the more God can act for us. Sure you may have salvation in your heart, but your mind can definitely lead you away from the presence of God and you can be a gospel disaster!
How many Christians do you know like that? Come to church, serve in church, talk about church, but their homes are a mess! That's because they have accepted Christ in their hearts, but their minds are not sober. To be sober minded requires you to protect your mind from corruption so that you do not walk according to worldly thoughts, but you govern your life by thinking on things above. Sure it's good to have a clean heart, but for your heart to STAY clean, you must have a renewed mind.
Suggested Reading: 1Pet. 1:13, Rom. 12:2, Eph. 2:3, Phil. 2:5
Monday, 25 April 2011
Eternal Life and Knowing God
Eternal Life and Knowing God
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (Joh_17:3)
This statement by the Lord Jesus begins in a very profound manner: "And this is eternal life." To complete such a statement requires comprehensive truth. If the statement had started with "this is included in eternal life," many non-comprehensive matters could be used to finish the statement. One could rightly state that forgiveness of sins is included in eternal life.
One could properly say that escaping hell and securing heaven are included in eternal life. Likewise, one could say that meaning and purpose for living are included in eternal life. Additionally, one could state that spiritual gifts and spiritual fruit are also included.
Furthermore, one could say that fellowship in the body of Christ and new understanding of the scriptures are included. Nevertheless, none of these individually, nor all of these collectively, are sufficient to complete the statement: "And this is eternal life."
To finish that profound beginning, one must add an all-encompassing truth. One must speak of the full dimensions of eternal life. What is large enough to complete that majestic opening? Only the one reality of knowing God would be adequate: "that they may know You." Yes, knowing God is what eternal life is all about.
It is only through meeting the Lord that forgiveness is found. It is only by being in Christ that we escape hell and secure heaven. Then, it is only through getting acquainted with the Lord that meaning and purpose for our lives are made real to us. Also, it is only through a growing intimacy of trust in Christ that spiritual gifts and spiritual fruit can properly mature. Furthermore, it is only through an increasing acquaintanceship with the Lord that Christian fellowship and biblical insight are appropriately developed.
These truths certainly concur with those prophetic words of old that promised a new covenant of grace to replace the old covenant of law. "I will make a new covenant... not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers... But this is the covenant that I will make... I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people... they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them" (Jer_31:31-34). Heb_8:11 makes it clear that these words are for us today. "All shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them." The new covenant provides a growing, intimate acquaintanceship for all who will walk in its terms of grace.
Prayer
Dear Father, I confess that I often think and behave as though eternal life is less than knowing You. Help me to understand and to live the very essence of Your new covenant of grace — Your provisions for allowing me to grow in knowing You, through Christ Jesus, my Lord, Amen.
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (Joh_17:3)
This statement by the Lord Jesus begins in a very profound manner: "And this is eternal life." To complete such a statement requires comprehensive truth. If the statement had started with "this is included in eternal life," many non-comprehensive matters could be used to finish the statement. One could rightly state that forgiveness of sins is included in eternal life.
One could properly say that escaping hell and securing heaven are included in eternal life. Likewise, one could say that meaning and purpose for living are included in eternal life. Additionally, one could state that spiritual gifts and spiritual fruit are also included.
Furthermore, one could say that fellowship in the body of Christ and new understanding of the scriptures are included. Nevertheless, none of these individually, nor all of these collectively, are sufficient to complete the statement: "And this is eternal life."
To finish that profound beginning, one must add an all-encompassing truth. One must speak of the full dimensions of eternal life. What is large enough to complete that majestic opening? Only the one reality of knowing God would be adequate: "that they may know You." Yes, knowing God is what eternal life is all about.
It is only through meeting the Lord that forgiveness is found. It is only by being in Christ that we escape hell and secure heaven. Then, it is only through getting acquainted with the Lord that meaning and purpose for our lives are made real to us. Also, it is only through a growing intimacy of trust in Christ that spiritual gifts and spiritual fruit can properly mature. Furthermore, it is only through an increasing acquaintanceship with the Lord that Christian fellowship and biblical insight are appropriately developed.
These truths certainly concur with those prophetic words of old that promised a new covenant of grace to replace the old covenant of law. "I will make a new covenant... not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers... But this is the covenant that I will make... I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people... they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them" (Jer_31:31-34). Heb_8:11 makes it clear that these words are for us today. "All shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them." The new covenant provides a growing, intimate acquaintanceship for all who will walk in its terms of grace.
Prayer
Dear Father, I confess that I often think and behave as though eternal life is less than knowing You. Help me to understand and to live the very essence of Your new covenant of grace — Your provisions for allowing me to grow in knowing You, through Christ Jesus, my Lord, Amen.
Sunday, 24 April 2011
Enriched with Grace by Christ
Enriched with Grace by Christ
I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge... you abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us. (1Co_1:4-5 and 2Co_8:7)
As we have seen, the new covenant of grace is essentially about developing a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Our God desires to impart His grace into our lives through this acquaintanceship with His Son: "the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus." This phrase ("by Christ Jesus") points once again to the intimate relational aspect of living in Christ by grace. God's grace flows into our lives "by Christ Jesus." It might be helpful to restate this truth. God's grace comes into our experience by means of another person, the Lord Jesus. The limitless grace of our great God available to us on the basis of who Jesus is and all that He has done for us. It is accessed whenever we humbly, dependently relate to Him.
The resources that continually await us are so rich. The believers at Corinth found this to be true. "You were enriched in everything by Him." Two areas of God's rich grace are mentioned here: "enriched... in all utterance and all knowledge." God's grace had enriched them with a great capacity to know the things of God and to put the wonder of those things into appropriate words.
When Paul wrote these saints on a later occasion, he elaborated upon the richness of grace that had become their personal experience. "You abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us." Three aspects are added to the previous list here: "faith, diligence, love." By the grace of God at work in them, their capacity to trust in Him had been enlarged. By the grace of God at work in them, their attentive perseverance had grown. By the grace of God at work in them, their loving concern for Paul and his missionary team had developed further.
When Paul prayed for other disciples of the Lord Jesus, he prayed in a manner that fits this picture. He prayed that their lives might be "filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God" (Phi_1:11). Righteous fruit, such as the Corinthians were enjoying, comes from Jesus Christ imparting His grace into our lives.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I again see that Your grace enriches my life by means of Your beloved Son. Lord Jesus, I humbly depend upon You to fill my life with Your righteous fruit, in Your holy name, Amen.
I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge... you abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us. (1Co_1:4-5 and 2Co_8:7)
As we have seen, the new covenant of grace is essentially about developing a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Our God desires to impart His grace into our lives through this acquaintanceship with His Son: "the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus." This phrase ("by Christ Jesus") points once again to the intimate relational aspect of living in Christ by grace. God's grace flows into our lives "by Christ Jesus." It might be helpful to restate this truth. God's grace comes into our experience by means of another person, the Lord Jesus. The limitless grace of our great God available to us on the basis of who Jesus is and all that He has done for us. It is accessed whenever we humbly, dependently relate to Him.
The resources that continually await us are so rich. The believers at Corinth found this to be true. "You were enriched in everything by Him." Two areas of God's rich grace are mentioned here: "enriched... in all utterance and all knowledge." God's grace had enriched them with a great capacity to know the things of God and to put the wonder of those things into appropriate words.
When Paul wrote these saints on a later occasion, he elaborated upon the richness of grace that had become their personal experience. "You abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us." Three aspects are added to the previous list here: "faith, diligence, love." By the grace of God at work in them, their capacity to trust in Him had been enlarged. By the grace of God at work in them, their attentive perseverance had grown. By the grace of God at work in them, their loving concern for Paul and his missionary team had developed further.
When Paul prayed for other disciples of the Lord Jesus, he prayed in a manner that fits this picture. He prayed that their lives might be "filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God" (Phi_1:11). Righteous fruit, such as the Corinthians were enjoying, comes from Jesus Christ imparting His grace into our lives.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I again see that Your grace enriches my life by means of Your beloved Son. Lord Jesus, I humbly depend upon You to fill my life with Your righteous fruit, in Your holy name, Amen.
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Christ Being Formed in Us
Christ Being Formed in Us
My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you... Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? (Gal_4:19 and 2Co_13:5)
When we take the truth of the gospel to others, that they might be born again, we often enter into spiritual birth pangs on their behalf. They are wresting over issues and questions. We are agonizing with them, that they might embrace the truth they need to become a child of God by faith. "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" (Gal_3:26).
When the Apostle Paul took the gospel into the region of Galatia, he labored in this manner on behalf of those who would become believers in Jesus Christ. Later, he is writing them, telling them that once again he was in spiritual labor for them. "My little children, for whom I labor in birth again." This subsequent agonizing was not concerning their initial salvation. They had already been born again through faith in in the Lord Jesus. Now, he was laboring "until Christ is formed in you."
It is the will of our Heavenly Father that we invite His Son into our lives. "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God" (Joh_1:12). Furthermore, it is His will that we allow the life of His Son to be expressed in and through our lives. As we face life day by day, we become engaged with issues, opportunities, challenges, responses, ideas, relationships, values, priorities, etc.
The Lord Jesus Christ died for us in order to live with us through all of these aspects of living. "For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us that... we should live together with Him" (1Th_5:9). In every situation of life, the Lord Jesus is with us, dwelling within us, wanting to express His life through us.
Although this great reality is described in many places throughout the word of God, many of God's people seem not to know it. "Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? " Either they have not heard it, or they have forgotten it. What a great privilege it is to share these grand truths with others. The process will not be without difficulties. "To this end I also labor, striving [agonizing] according to His working which works in me mightily" (Col_1:29). However, though we may experience spiritual birth pangs for others, God will see us through, as He touches their lives.
God Bless You.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, my indwelling Savior, please express Your life in and through me. May there be no area of my life that is just me doing my best or me fulfilling my will. Also, Lord, be my strength, enabling me to share these great realities with others, in Your mighty name, Amen.
My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you... Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? (Gal_4:19 and 2Co_13:5)
When we take the truth of the gospel to others, that they might be born again, we often enter into spiritual birth pangs on their behalf. They are wresting over issues and questions. We are agonizing with them, that they might embrace the truth they need to become a child of God by faith. "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" (Gal_3:26).
When the Apostle Paul took the gospel into the region of Galatia, he labored in this manner on behalf of those who would become believers in Jesus Christ. Later, he is writing them, telling them that once again he was in spiritual labor for them. "My little children, for whom I labor in birth again." This subsequent agonizing was not concerning their initial salvation. They had already been born again through faith in in the Lord Jesus. Now, he was laboring "until Christ is formed in you."
It is the will of our Heavenly Father that we invite His Son into our lives. "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God" (Joh_1:12). Furthermore, it is His will that we allow the life of His Son to be expressed in and through our lives. As we face life day by day, we become engaged with issues, opportunities, challenges, responses, ideas, relationships, values, priorities, etc.
The Lord Jesus Christ died for us in order to live with us through all of these aspects of living. "For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us that... we should live together with Him" (1Th_5:9). In every situation of life, the Lord Jesus is with us, dwelling within us, wanting to express His life through us.
Although this great reality is described in many places throughout the word of God, many of God's people seem not to know it. "Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? " Either they have not heard it, or they have forgotten it. What a great privilege it is to share these grand truths with others. The process will not be without difficulties. "To this end I also labor, striving [agonizing] according to His working which works in me mightily" (Col_1:29). However, though we may experience spiritual birth pangs for others, God will see us through, as He touches their lives.
God Bless You.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, my indwelling Savior, please express Your life in and through me. May there be no area of my life that is just me doing my best or me fulfilling my will. Also, Lord, be my strength, enabling me to share these great realities with others, in Your mighty name, Amen.
Friday, 22 April 2011
Dealing With Issues of The Past
Dealing With Issues of The Past
1 Timothy 3:4 - 'One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in
subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his
own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)'
I grew up in a small, country town church and I used to wonder why some of the old mothers were so mean and hateful, and why many of their husbands died without ever coming to church. I used to wonder why some of the men in the church would be so weak and their wives would run their houses while they would sit quietly in some corner. I used to wonder why many of the older women in the church would be so on fire on Sunday morning, but their husbands would never get saved or even sleep in the same room with these holy sanctified sisters.
As I got older I begin to see what was really going on. UNDEALTWITH issues! And the church would be a mask to them so they could feel better about themselves while they were really hiding sin, pain, hurt, brokenheartedness, rape, molestations, incest, etc. But the sad part of it was that they never really saw how their issues were tearing their own houses apart. The woman would control everyone in the house while the husbands would stay in the garage or backyard all the time. Their son would grow up and never leave the home while their daughters would grow up and have failed marriages and repeat the same cycle! The church would be a front and Christianity would be a coverup for what was really going on. Not only were their issues damaging to themselves, but it would create a generational curse that would cause their children to suffer.
Don't get old with issues! If you have been hurt or severely done wrong, get healed by God! Don't allow your emotions to govern your actions so that hate and bitterness sets into your spirit. God needs you healed from your past so you can be a light to others. The church don't need anymore prune faced sisters or jelly-back brothers! The kingdom needs warriors and spiritual strongmen to lead God's people to victory. And there is really no place in your kingdom position for your issues! So, arise and be healed!
Deal with that situation that hurt you and get past it. Don't cover it up with religion or a position in the church, but allow God to truly heal you. Break the curse and move forward! If you were subject to a home like this growing up and you know that it has affected you, pray and break that generational curse off you and your family! God wants us completely healed and full of his power, not weak and subject to curses. What your parents did is not what you have to do. What happened to them does not have to happen to you.
Deal with issues and do not cover them up. Tell the truth and break the curse of the cover up lie! God will heal you and fix your home. God wants you better and if you allow him to, he will make you the best you can be. Old-timey issues are a generational curse and we must break them to be effective in God's plan.
Suggested Reading: Ezek. 20:30, Dan. 9:16, 1Tim. 5:8
1 Timothy 3:4 - 'One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in
subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his
own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)'
I grew up in a small, country town church and I used to wonder why some of the old mothers were so mean and hateful, and why many of their husbands died without ever coming to church. I used to wonder why some of the men in the church would be so weak and their wives would run their houses while they would sit quietly in some corner. I used to wonder why many of the older women in the church would be so on fire on Sunday morning, but their husbands would never get saved or even sleep in the same room with these holy sanctified sisters.
As I got older I begin to see what was really going on. UNDEALTWITH issues! And the church would be a mask to them so they could feel better about themselves while they were really hiding sin, pain, hurt, brokenheartedness, rape, molestations, incest, etc. But the sad part of it was that they never really saw how their issues were tearing their own houses apart. The woman would control everyone in the house while the husbands would stay in the garage or backyard all the time. Their son would grow up and never leave the home while their daughters would grow up and have failed marriages and repeat the same cycle! The church would be a front and Christianity would be a coverup for what was really going on. Not only were their issues damaging to themselves, but it would create a generational curse that would cause their children to suffer.
Don't get old with issues! If you have been hurt or severely done wrong, get healed by God! Don't allow your emotions to govern your actions so that hate and bitterness sets into your spirit. God needs you healed from your past so you can be a light to others. The church don't need anymore prune faced sisters or jelly-back brothers! The kingdom needs warriors and spiritual strongmen to lead God's people to victory. And there is really no place in your kingdom position for your issues! So, arise and be healed!
Deal with that situation that hurt you and get past it. Don't cover it up with religion or a position in the church, but allow God to truly heal you. Break the curse and move forward! If you were subject to a home like this growing up and you know that it has affected you, pray and break that generational curse off you and your family! God wants us completely healed and full of his power, not weak and subject to curses. What your parents did is not what you have to do. What happened to them does not have to happen to you.
Deal with issues and do not cover them up. Tell the truth and break the curse of the cover up lie! God will heal you and fix your home. God wants you better and if you allow him to, he will make you the best you can be. Old-timey issues are a generational curse and we must break them to be effective in God's plan.
Suggested Reading: Ezek. 20:30, Dan. 9:16, 1Tim. 5:8
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Christ Living in Us
Christ Living in Us
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Gal_2:20)
In these sublime words, we are given profound insight concerning the grace of God at work through our intimate relationship with Christ. This majestic statement begins with our spiritual death, that another might live in and through our lives. Finally, we are told how we are to respond, so this divine arrangement can proceed as intended.
First, our spiritual death is in view. "I have been crucified with Christ." If we are believers in the Lord Jesus, we died with Him upon that cross. The cross of Christ is now our testimony of rejoicing, for by that cross we escaped the dead world of unredeemed humanity. "But God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Gal_6:14).
Although the cross is the end of our old life in Adam, that is not the end of our story. "Even when we were dead in trespasses, [God] made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) " (Eph_2:5). By His grace, we were raised with Christ. We died with Him, that we now might live with Him. "Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him" (Rom_6:8).
The astounding consequence of these truths is that we are not the ones producing our Christian life. "It is no longer I who live." This reality is radically contrary to man's natural thinking. If we are not to manufacture our life with God, what other option could possibly be available? The wonderful answer is: "Christ lives in me." True Christian living is to be Christ living in and through our lives. How can this be accomplished? We still have an ongoing human experience in flesh and bones bodies: "the life which I now live in the flesh." Yes, but this life is to be lived by faith: "I live by faith in the Son of God." As we put our trust in Jesus day by day, He lives in and through our thoughts, our words, our choices, our priorities, our relationships.
Once again, this is God's grace at work through humility and faith. The humility is expressed by embracing this confession: "it is no longer I who live." The faith is expressed by counting upon this truth: "Christ lives in me."
Prayer
Dear God of my salvation, what a magnificent plan! Thank You for providing a way out of the old life. Praise You for raising me to a new life. How wonderful that this new life is to be Christ living in me. Lord Jesus, please live in me as I depend upon You, Amen.
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Gal_2:20)
In these sublime words, we are given profound insight concerning the grace of God at work through our intimate relationship with Christ. This majestic statement begins with our spiritual death, that another might live in and through our lives. Finally, we are told how we are to respond, so this divine arrangement can proceed as intended.
First, our spiritual death is in view. "I have been crucified with Christ." If we are believers in the Lord Jesus, we died with Him upon that cross. The cross of Christ is now our testimony of rejoicing, for by that cross we escaped the dead world of unredeemed humanity. "But God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Gal_6:14).
Although the cross is the end of our old life in Adam, that is not the end of our story. "Even when we were dead in trespasses, [God] made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) " (Eph_2:5). By His grace, we were raised with Christ. We died with Him, that we now might live with Him. "Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him" (Rom_6:8).
The astounding consequence of these truths is that we are not the ones producing our Christian life. "It is no longer I who live." This reality is radically contrary to man's natural thinking. If we are not to manufacture our life with God, what other option could possibly be available? The wonderful answer is: "Christ lives in me." True Christian living is to be Christ living in and through our lives. How can this be accomplished? We still have an ongoing human experience in flesh and bones bodies: "the life which I now live in the flesh." Yes, but this life is to be lived by faith: "I live by faith in the Son of God." As we put our trust in Jesus day by day, He lives in and through our thoughts, our words, our choices, our priorities, our relationships.
Once again, this is God's grace at work through humility and faith. The humility is expressed by embracing this confession: "it is no longer I who live." The faith is expressed by counting upon this truth: "Christ lives in me."
Prayer
Dear God of my salvation, what a magnificent plan! Thank You for providing a way out of the old life. Praise You for raising me to a new life. How wonderful that this new life is to be Christ living in me. Lord Jesus, please live in me as I depend upon You, Amen.
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
Branches in the Vine, the Vine in the Branches
Branches in the Vine, the Vine in the Branches
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (Joh_15:4-5)
Previously, we examined these verses to see how the grace of God produces fruit in those who walk in humility and faith (thereby living by grace). Now, let's revisit these words to consider the intimate relationship they describe. It is a profound biblical picture of us being in Christ and Christ being in us. It is like the relationship between a vine and a branch. Jesus is the vine; we are the branches. "I am the vine, you are the branches." He is the source of the life we need. We are the recipients of the life that He alone can provide.
The Lord Jesus wants us, His branches, to be fruitful. "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit" (Joh_15:8). Fruit is the result of developing life. Branches do not innately have that life in themselves. "The branch cannot bear fruit of itself." Branches must always find their life in the vine. The vine, Jesus, has life. "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Our Lord came to share that life with us in abundance. "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (Joh_10:10). His abundant life is what enables us to bear much fruit.
Such life abundant (fruit-developing life) flows out of the intimate relationship available to us in Christ. Think of the "joined relationship" that a vine and a branch have. The branch came forth from the vine, and is ever after connected to the vine. The life of the vine is available to flow in and through the branch. We came forth from Jesus, our vine, as we were born again by His Spirit through faith in Christ. Now, we are joined to Him forever. "He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him" (1Co_6:17). Day by day, His life is accessible to us.
We access that life by abiding. "Abide in Me, and I in you." We depend on Him to be our source of life. He, then, lives in and through us.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, my vine, You are my only source of spiritual life. I confess that I often try to produce that life on my own. Also, I often think of You as far away, as I cry out to You in my prayers. Actually, You are as near to me spiritually as a vine is to a branch. Please remind me frequently of Your nearness. Lord, I want to abide in You day by day, Amen.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (Joh_15:4-5)
Previously, we examined these verses to see how the grace of God produces fruit in those who walk in humility and faith (thereby living by grace). Now, let's revisit these words to consider the intimate relationship they describe. It is a profound biblical picture of us being in Christ and Christ being in us. It is like the relationship between a vine and a branch. Jesus is the vine; we are the branches. "I am the vine, you are the branches." He is the source of the life we need. We are the recipients of the life that He alone can provide.
The Lord Jesus wants us, His branches, to be fruitful. "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit" (Joh_15:8). Fruit is the result of developing life. Branches do not innately have that life in themselves. "The branch cannot bear fruit of itself." Branches must always find their life in the vine. The vine, Jesus, has life. "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Our Lord came to share that life with us in abundance. "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (Joh_10:10). His abundant life is what enables us to bear much fruit.
Such life abundant (fruit-developing life) flows out of the intimate relationship available to us in Christ. Think of the "joined relationship" that a vine and a branch have. The branch came forth from the vine, and is ever after connected to the vine. The life of the vine is available to flow in and through the branch. We came forth from Jesus, our vine, as we were born again by His Spirit through faith in Christ. Now, we are joined to Him forever. "He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him" (1Co_6:17). Day by day, His life is accessible to us.
We access that life by abiding. "Abide in Me, and I in you." We depend on Him to be our source of life. He, then, lives in and through us.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, my vine, You are my only source of spiritual life. I confess that I often try to produce that life on my own. Also, I often think of You as far away, as I cry out to You in my prayers. Actually, You are as near to me spiritually as a vine is to a branch. Please remind me frequently of Your nearness. Lord, I want to abide in You day by day, Amen.
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Living in Christ, Christ Living in Us
Living in Christ, Christ Living in Us
He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him... At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. (Joh_6:56 and Joh_14:20)
In our verses, we again see the extent of the intimate relationship that the new covenant of grace provides. An astounding intimacy is declared in these words: "abides in Me, and I in him." We have not merely come near to Christ, nor has He simply drawn close to us. Rather, we live in Him, and He lives in us! We live by being in Christ (by being related to Him, by being united with Him, by drawing our spiritual life from Him). Moreover, He lives in us and desires to express His life through us.
This unique arrangement for spiritual intimacy is experienced by the one "who eats My flesh and drinks My blood." Although the language sounds strange to the natural mind, the picture is common, that of eating and drinking to find life-giving nourishment. The unusual aspect is that the source of the nutrition is a person. Earlier in Jesus' discourse, He had indicated what this process encompassed. "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst" (Joh_6:35).
Eating and drinking of Jesus' flesh and blood involves simply coming to Him in faith. When we come to Jesus, we are counting upon who He was (His person, His flesh, the Son of God becoming a man). When we believe in Jesus, we are also relying upon what He did (His work, His blood poured out for us upon the cross). As we relate to Jesus in this manner, we are finding our spiritual sustenance in Him. Thus, we abide in Him and He in us.
Of course, the Holy Spirit would participate fully in this process. "At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you." Jesus was leaving His disciples soon, to return to the Father. So, He comforted them: "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also" (Joh_14:18-19). On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured forth in fullness and power. Now, the Spirit would make the very life of Jesus available to all of His followers. As they trusted in Him, Christ would live in and through their lives.
Prayer
Dear Lord of life, help me to learn to live this way — me living in You, and You living in me. Help me to see it is as simple as eating and drinking. As I trust food and drink for my physical life, I want to trust in who You are and what You have done for my spiritual life, Amen.
He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him... At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. (Joh_6:56 and Joh_14:20)
In our verses, we again see the extent of the intimate relationship that the new covenant of grace provides. An astounding intimacy is declared in these words: "abides in Me, and I in him." We have not merely come near to Christ, nor has He simply drawn close to us. Rather, we live in Him, and He lives in us! We live by being in Christ (by being related to Him, by being united with Him, by drawing our spiritual life from Him). Moreover, He lives in us and desires to express His life through us.
This unique arrangement for spiritual intimacy is experienced by the one "who eats My flesh and drinks My blood." Although the language sounds strange to the natural mind, the picture is common, that of eating and drinking to find life-giving nourishment. The unusual aspect is that the source of the nutrition is a person. Earlier in Jesus' discourse, He had indicated what this process encompassed. "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst" (Joh_6:35).
Eating and drinking of Jesus' flesh and blood involves simply coming to Him in faith. When we come to Jesus, we are counting upon who He was (His person, His flesh, the Son of God becoming a man). When we believe in Jesus, we are also relying upon what He did (His work, His blood poured out for us upon the cross). As we relate to Jesus in this manner, we are finding our spiritual sustenance in Him. Thus, we abide in Him and He in us.
Of course, the Holy Spirit would participate fully in this process. "At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you." Jesus was leaving His disciples soon, to return to the Father. So, He comforted them: "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also" (Joh_14:18-19). On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured forth in fullness and power. Now, the Spirit would make the very life of Jesus available to all of His followers. As they trusted in Him, Christ would live in and through their lives.
Prayer
Dear Lord of life, help me to learn to live this way — me living in You, and You living in me. Help me to see it is as simple as eating and drinking. As I trust food and drink for my physical life, I want to trust in who You are and what You have done for my spiritual life, Amen.
Monday, 18 April 2011
Christ in Us, Our Hope of Glory
Christ in Us, Our Hope of Glory
To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col_1:27)
We have been considering the wondrous truth that we who believe in Jesus are in Christ. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Eph_1:3). All that God has for us is ours "in Christ." We can now enjoy the benefits of who Christ is and all that He has accomplished for us, because we are in Him. Our present verse adds another extraordinary dimension. Not only are we "in Christ," but Christ is also in us: "Christ in you, the hope of glory."
God wants to make something known among all the nations: "to make known... among the Gentiles." The message He desires to reveal is glorious in spiritual richness: "the riches of the glory of this mystery." However, it truly is a mystery, in the New Testament use of that term. A biblical mystery is something that can only be known by the revealing work of God. The mysteries of the scriptures cannot be discovered or understood by intellectual investigation or personal experience. God Himself must make them known. The Lord does this through the grace-empowered, Spirit-empowered proclamation of His word. Here, the great mystery God wants to unfold is "Christ in you, the hope of glory."
What a grand hope this message brings! Jesus, the Son of God, is willing to come and dwell within us to assure us of making it to glory (heaven) some day. Meanwhile, Christ wants to reside at the very core of our being: "that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith" (Eph_3:17). As we are trusting in Him, He is living in, and working through, our hearts. Then, from this strategic point of intimacy and access, He gives us heavenly hope. That confident expectation includes the joyous fact that He is coming again: "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Tit_2:13).
Yet, His return is not our only hope. He, Himself, is our day by day hope: "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope" (1Ti_1:1). Jesus is our comprehensive hope!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, my hope, I praise You for the hope You give — anticipation of Your return, assurance of heaven, and daily confidence in Your working in me. Forgive me, Lord, for the times I place my hope and confidence elsewhere. Teach me, help me to put my hope in You alone, in Your faithful name I pray, Amen.
To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col_1:27)
We have been considering the wondrous truth that we who believe in Jesus are in Christ. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Eph_1:3). All that God has for us is ours "in Christ." We can now enjoy the benefits of who Christ is and all that He has accomplished for us, because we are in Him. Our present verse adds another extraordinary dimension. Not only are we "in Christ," but Christ is also in us: "Christ in you, the hope of glory."
God wants to make something known among all the nations: "to make known... among the Gentiles." The message He desires to reveal is glorious in spiritual richness: "the riches of the glory of this mystery." However, it truly is a mystery, in the New Testament use of that term. A biblical mystery is something that can only be known by the revealing work of God. The mysteries of the scriptures cannot be discovered or understood by intellectual investigation or personal experience. God Himself must make them known. The Lord does this through the grace-empowered, Spirit-empowered proclamation of His word. Here, the great mystery God wants to unfold is "Christ in you, the hope of glory."
What a grand hope this message brings! Jesus, the Son of God, is willing to come and dwell within us to assure us of making it to glory (heaven) some day. Meanwhile, Christ wants to reside at the very core of our being: "that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith" (Eph_3:17). As we are trusting in Him, He is living in, and working through, our hearts. Then, from this strategic point of intimacy and access, He gives us heavenly hope. That confident expectation includes the joyous fact that He is coming again: "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Tit_2:13).
Yet, His return is not our only hope. He, Himself, is our day by day hope: "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope" (1Ti_1:1). Jesus is our comprehensive hope!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, my hope, I praise You for the hope You give — anticipation of Your return, assurance of heaven, and daily confidence in Your working in me. Forgive me, Lord, for the times I place my hope and confidence elsewhere. Teach me, help me to put my hope in You alone, in Your faithful name I pray, Amen.
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Jesus Christ, Our Only Foundation
Jesus Christ, Our Only Foundation
According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1Co_3:10-11)
Another wonderful blessing in Christ is the foundation that He provides for all who live by His grace. As with buildings, lives also need solid foundations. Our foundation is a person, Jesus. "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." By the grace of God enabling him, Paul ministered the gospel of Jesus Christ. "According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation."
In doing this, he was laying the only reliable spiritual ground for living as God intended. So many people attempt to lay other foundations for their lives. Some turn to earthly riches. Others hope in human wisdom. Others put their confidence in personal power and influence. Such vain pursuits are like attempting to construct a building upon shifting, sinking sand.
Our lives need a rock foundation. It has always been the Father's purpose to provide such for His people. David experienced this through his pilgrimage, as he trusted in the Lord. "From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I" (Psa_61:2). In the most extreme situations on earth, when circumstances were overwhelming him, David cried out to His God. He looked to the Lord to be to him a rock upon which he could stand above the rolling waves of impossibility. "He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved" (Psa_62:6).
David stood on the Lord alone as his solid spiritual ground. Standing by faith he would not be destroyed.
Of course, the ultimate expression of God being a rock to His people would be in the coming of the Son of God to earth as a man. This great plan the Lord promised through Isaiah. "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily" (Isa_28:16). Jesus is that proven, priceless, and secure foundation. Now, all who stand on Him by faith will not be driven about frantically, searching for solid ground on which to plant their feet.
Prayer
O Lord my rock, You are the only foundation that I will ever need for my life. I have tried to stand on so many things that proved to be sinking sand. Lord, I want to place all of my hope for spiritual stability in You. When circumstances threaten to inundate me, be to me my rock of refuge in the storm, Amen.
According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1Co_3:10-11)
Another wonderful blessing in Christ is the foundation that He provides for all who live by His grace. As with buildings, lives also need solid foundations. Our foundation is a person, Jesus. "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." By the grace of God enabling him, Paul ministered the gospel of Jesus Christ. "According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation."
In doing this, he was laying the only reliable spiritual ground for living as God intended. So many people attempt to lay other foundations for their lives. Some turn to earthly riches. Others hope in human wisdom. Others put their confidence in personal power and influence. Such vain pursuits are like attempting to construct a building upon shifting, sinking sand.
Our lives need a rock foundation. It has always been the Father's purpose to provide such for His people. David experienced this through his pilgrimage, as he trusted in the Lord. "From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I" (Psa_61:2). In the most extreme situations on earth, when circumstances were overwhelming him, David cried out to His God. He looked to the Lord to be to him a rock upon which he could stand above the rolling waves of impossibility. "He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved" (Psa_62:6).
David stood on the Lord alone as his solid spiritual ground. Standing by faith he would not be destroyed.
Of course, the ultimate expression of God being a rock to His people would be in the coming of the Son of God to earth as a man. This great plan the Lord promised through Isaiah. "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily" (Isa_28:16). Jesus is that proven, priceless, and secure foundation. Now, all who stand on Him by faith will not be driven about frantically, searching for solid ground on which to plant their feet.
Prayer
O Lord my rock, You are the only foundation that I will ever need for my life. I have tried to stand on so many things that proved to be sinking sand. Lord, I want to place all of my hope for spiritual stability in You. When circumstances threaten to inundate me, be to me my rock of refuge in the storm, Amen.
Saturday, 16 April 2011
Support your Spouse!
Support Your Spouse!
''The heart of her husband safely trusts her...'' Proverbs 31:11
The poet wrote, 'Love in your heart is not put there to stay. Love isn't love, till you give it away.' We can be rejected by many, as long as we can come home and be loved by one.
At times life will beat you down, so make your home a sanctuary. Here's a story to help you do that. He'd finally decided to ask his employer for a pay rise. Before leaving for work he told his wife about it. All day long she felt apprehensive. Finally, late in the afternoon he summoned the courage to approach his boss. To his delight he got the pay rise.
Elated, he arrived home to a beautiful table set with their best china and lighted candles. Smelling the aroma of a specially prepared meal, he guessed that somebody from the office had called his wife and tipped her off. Finding her in the kitchen he shared the good news. They embraced before sitting down to a wonderful meal. Next to his plate he found a note that read, 'Congratulations! I knew you'd get the pay rise. This dinner is to show how much I love you.'
Later, on his way to the kitchen to help his wife serve dessert, he noticed a second card that had fallen from her pocket. Picking it up off the floor he read, 'Don't worry about not getting the pay rise. You deserve it anyway. This dinner is to show you how much I love you.'
Acceptance! Love! She stood behind him no matter what - softening the blows, healing the wounds, believing in him.
So the word for you today is - support your spouse!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I pray in your name that in marriages each partner loves each other with the love you love us with. Your love is beyond understanding, and you live in us, so teach us how to give to our partner the love, support and friendship you give to us freely. May we trust our partner, and serve each other with joy. Amen
''The heart of her husband safely trusts her...'' Proverbs 31:11
The poet wrote, 'Love in your heart is not put there to stay. Love isn't love, till you give it away.' We can be rejected by many, as long as we can come home and be loved by one.
At times life will beat you down, so make your home a sanctuary. Here's a story to help you do that. He'd finally decided to ask his employer for a pay rise. Before leaving for work he told his wife about it. All day long she felt apprehensive. Finally, late in the afternoon he summoned the courage to approach his boss. To his delight he got the pay rise.
Elated, he arrived home to a beautiful table set with their best china and lighted candles. Smelling the aroma of a specially prepared meal, he guessed that somebody from the office had called his wife and tipped her off. Finding her in the kitchen he shared the good news. They embraced before sitting down to a wonderful meal. Next to his plate he found a note that read, 'Congratulations! I knew you'd get the pay rise. This dinner is to show how much I love you.'
Later, on his way to the kitchen to help his wife serve dessert, he noticed a second card that had fallen from her pocket. Picking it up off the floor he read, 'Don't worry about not getting the pay rise. You deserve it anyway. This dinner is to show you how much I love you.'
Acceptance! Love! She stood behind him no matter what - softening the blows, healing the wounds, believing in him.
So the word for you today is - support your spouse!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I pray in your name that in marriages each partner loves each other with the love you love us with. Your love is beyond understanding, and you live in us, so teach us how to give to our partner the love, support and friendship you give to us freely. May we trust our partner, and serve each other with joy. Amen
Friday, 15 April 2011
That I May Know Him
That I May Know Him
That I may know Him . . . Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do . . . one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. (Phi_3:10, Phi_3:13, and Luk_10:42)
Paul's goal in life was to grow in intimacy with the Lord "That I may know Him." He wanted to know the Lord so well that his life would be transformed into "resurrected living" in this spiritually lifeless world. He humbly admitted that he had not yet reached such spiritual maturity. "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended." Thus, in light of his own need to grow, coupled with the excellence of the goal, he had a single focus in his life: "one thing I do." This one thing was his ongoing quest to know the Lord more and more.
This focused quest is similar to the heart that Mary demonstrated, as recorded in the gospel of Luke. When Jesus visited the home of Mary and Martha, Mary "sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word" (Luk_10:39). Martha was functioning as a busy hostess, desiring to bless her Lord. However, her busy labors distracted her from the one she was attempting to serve. "But Martha was distracted with much serving" (Luk_10:40). The solution was obvious to Martha. She would insist that Jesus send her sister to help. "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me" (Luk_10:40).
How startled Martha must have been when Jesus indicated she was the problem, not Mary. "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things" (Luk_10:41). The many concerns of Martha's ministry were causing anxiety and inner turmoil. Her desire to serve the Lord had deteriorated to self-pity and irritation. Then, Jesus offered an astounding revelation that put everything into perfect spiritual perspective. "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her" (Luk_10:42).
What an amazing truth: "one thing is needed." That one necessary matter is Jesus. Mary chose Jesus. She was at the feet of her master, getting to know Him, listening to His words of truth and grace. This was Paul's heart: "one thing I do . . . that I may know Him."
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, shape in me a heart like Paul, like Mary. Stir in me a passion to know You better. May this become the consuming goal in my life. Forgive me for allowing busy service to eclipse You, the one I desire to please. Help me to spend frequent quiet times at Your feet. Then, when I rise up to serve You, may my heart always remain at Your feet, abiding in You, Amen.
That I may know Him . . . Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do . . . one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. (Phi_3:10, Phi_3:13, and Luk_10:42)
Paul's goal in life was to grow in intimacy with the Lord "That I may know Him." He wanted to know the Lord so well that his life would be transformed into "resurrected living" in this spiritually lifeless world. He humbly admitted that he had not yet reached such spiritual maturity. "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended." Thus, in light of his own need to grow, coupled with the excellence of the goal, he had a single focus in his life: "one thing I do." This one thing was his ongoing quest to know the Lord more and more.
This focused quest is similar to the heart that Mary demonstrated, as recorded in the gospel of Luke. When Jesus visited the home of Mary and Martha, Mary "sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word" (Luk_10:39). Martha was functioning as a busy hostess, desiring to bless her Lord. However, her busy labors distracted her from the one she was attempting to serve. "But Martha was distracted with much serving" (Luk_10:40). The solution was obvious to Martha. She would insist that Jesus send her sister to help. "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me" (Luk_10:40).
How startled Martha must have been when Jesus indicated she was the problem, not Mary. "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things" (Luk_10:41). The many concerns of Martha's ministry were causing anxiety and inner turmoil. Her desire to serve the Lord had deteriorated to self-pity and irritation. Then, Jesus offered an astounding revelation that put everything into perfect spiritual perspective. "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her" (Luk_10:42).
What an amazing truth: "one thing is needed." That one necessary matter is Jesus. Mary chose Jesus. She was at the feet of her master, getting to know Him, listening to His words of truth and grace. This was Paul's heart: "one thing I do . . . that I may know Him."
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, shape in me a heart like Paul, like Mary. Stir in me a passion to know You better. May this become the consuming goal in my life. Forgive me for allowing busy service to eclipse You, the one I desire to please. Help me to spend frequent quiet times at Your feet. Then, when I rise up to serve You, may my heart always remain at Your feet, abiding in You, Amen.
Thursday, 14 April 2011
The Word of God
The Word of God
Thy Word O Lord, have i hidden in my mine heart, that i might not sin against thee.
(Psalm 119:11)
David said, thy word O Lord have i hidden in my mine heart, that i might not sin against thee. I was meditating on this verse and i came to understand that hiding the word of God in your heart breaks the power of sin.
David came to understand that, he would be able to stand against the power of sin if he hides the word of God in his heart.
This is because, the Word of God is of Spirit and of life.( It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life John 6:63). By the Spirit of God, you will be able to over every challenges in every dimension of your life and gives you strength to live according to the will of God.
I came to understand that the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow....(Heb 4:12. When the word of God is hidden in your heart, every life,every attitude, every lust, every evil desire, every evil thought, harden heart, every bad habit which is not of God, that you find difficult to overcome will be overcome in Jesus name by the Power of the Holy Spirit.
I came to understand that the word of God is God himself. The bible says In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
So as you hide the word of God in your heart, it is God himself there in your heart. And He take charge over every dimension of your life.
In the presence of God, everything that doesn't subject to the obedience of Christ bows in Jesus name.
Prayer
Lord, i pray thee you grant me strength and might to be able to hide your word in my heart and mediate upon it day and night that might not sin against you but walk according to your will for my life in Jesus name.
God richly bless you
Shalom!
Thy Word O Lord, have i hidden in my mine heart, that i might not sin against thee.
(Psalm 119:11)
David said, thy word O Lord have i hidden in my mine heart, that i might not sin against thee. I was meditating on this verse and i came to understand that hiding the word of God in your heart breaks the power of sin.
David came to understand that, he would be able to stand against the power of sin if he hides the word of God in his heart.
This is because, the Word of God is of Spirit and of life.( It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life John 6:63). By the Spirit of God, you will be able to over every challenges in every dimension of your life and gives you strength to live according to the will of God.
I came to understand that the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow....(Heb 4:12. When the word of God is hidden in your heart, every life,every attitude, every lust, every evil desire, every evil thought, harden heart, every bad habit which is not of God, that you find difficult to overcome will be overcome in Jesus name by the Power of the Holy Spirit.
I came to understand that the word of God is God himself. The bible says In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
So as you hide the word of God in your heart, it is God himself there in your heart. And He take charge over every dimension of your life.
In the presence of God, everything that doesn't subject to the obedience of Christ bows in Jesus name.
Prayer
Lord, i pray thee you grant me strength and might to be able to hide your word in my heart and mediate upon it day and night that might not sin against you but walk according to your will for my life in Jesus name.
God richly bless you
Shalom!
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Jesus Christ, Our Great High Priest
Jesus Christ, Our Great High Priest
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 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. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb_4:14-16)
Jesus as our High Priest is one of the magnificent truths that matures us in the faith and draws us more intimately to Him. When we see the greatness of Jesus in this office, our steadfastness is strengthened. "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession."
Jesus was completely successful in His mission of redemption. He came and died as the sacrifice for our sins. He rose victorious over sin and death. He ascended to the heaven of heavens, seated in authority at the right hand of the Father. Knowing this, we have great cause to remain steadfast in our confession of hope in Him.
Furthermore, our great High Priest is not aloof from our needs or impervious to our frailties. "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses." The enemy of our souls threw all of His tempting devices at Jesus. He faced what we face, so He understands our battles in a very personal manner. Another matter of even greater significance is that He never yielded to the tempters attacks: "yet without sin." Thus, He not only understands our plight, but He can also provide victory.
We are hereby given reason to approach God, through our great High Priest, without hesitation or apprehension to find the help we need. "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Our God rules this universe from a throne characterized by grace. This grace can only be properly known by those who live under His new covenant of grace.
This grace is sufficient to justify and to sanctify all who humbly trust in the Lord. The grace offered here is not for initial salvation. Rather, it is for rescuing the redeemed when they are aware of their inadequacy. We are invited to draw near, approach our God in an intimate fashion, and partake of His fullness in light of our emptiness.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, my great High Priest, I extol You for Your greatness. You are great in understanding, compassion, victory, and grace. Lord, I have so many great needs in my life. So I draw near to You, anticipating that Your grace is fully sufficient to meet my lack, Amen.
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 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. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb_4:14-16)
Jesus as our High Priest is one of the magnificent truths that matures us in the faith and draws us more intimately to Him. When we see the greatness of Jesus in this office, our steadfastness is strengthened. "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession."
Jesus was completely successful in His mission of redemption. He came and died as the sacrifice for our sins. He rose victorious over sin and death. He ascended to the heaven of heavens, seated in authority at the right hand of the Father. Knowing this, we have great cause to remain steadfast in our confession of hope in Him.
Furthermore, our great High Priest is not aloof from our needs or impervious to our frailties. "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses." The enemy of our souls threw all of His tempting devices at Jesus. He faced what we face, so He understands our battles in a very personal manner. Another matter of even greater significance is that He never yielded to the tempters attacks: "yet without sin." Thus, He not only understands our plight, but He can also provide victory.
We are hereby given reason to approach God, through our great High Priest, without hesitation or apprehension to find the help we need. "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Our God rules this universe from a throne characterized by grace. This grace can only be properly known by those who live under His new covenant of grace.
This grace is sufficient to justify and to sanctify all who humbly trust in the Lord. The grace offered here is not for initial salvation. Rather, it is for rescuing the redeemed when they are aware of their inadequacy. We are invited to draw near, approach our God in an intimate fashion, and partake of His fullness in light of our emptiness.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, my great High Priest, I extol You for Your greatness. You are great in understanding, compassion, victory, and grace. Lord, I have so many great needs in my life. So I draw near to You, anticipating that Your grace is fully sufficient to meet my lack, Amen.
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Become God's Friend
Become God's Friend (4) 12 Apr 2011
''..."I have called you friends"...'' John 15:15
Another step in developing your friendship with God is choosing to be honest with Him! God doesn't expect you to be perfect, but He does expect you to be honest. If perfection was a requirement not one of us would qualify. In the Bible, God's friends were honest about their feelings - sometimes even complaining and arguing with Him - yet He didn't seem to mind.
In fact, He encouraged it. God listened patiently to David's accusations of unfairness, betrayal and abandonment. He didn't zap Jeremiah for claiming God had tricked him. Job was allowed to vent his bitterness and God actually defended him for being honest. On the other hand, He rebuked Job's friends for faking it: '..."You haven't been honest either with me or about me - not the way my friend Job has... My friend Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer"' (Job 42:7 TM).
To be God's friend you must share your true feelings with Him, not what you think you ought to feel or say. Until you understand that God uses everything for good in our lives, you'll harbour resentment towards Him over your looks, your nationality, your economic background, your unanswered prayers, your past hurts, and the things you'd change if you were God.
Actually, revealing your feelings and releasing your resentments to Him are the first steps to becoming spiritually whole. Isn't it encouraging to know that God's closest friends felt just like we do, but instead of masking their feelings in pious clich?s they voiced them openly? Why? Because expressing them leads to healing and a deeper level of intimacy with Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you that you have called us friends, and we thank you that you see whats truly in our hearts. May we come to you in all humility and humbleness about whats in our hearts, we ask that you rebuke the evil, and fill it with your goodness. In your sons name we pray. Amen
''..."I have called you friends"...'' John 15:15
Another step in developing your friendship with God is choosing to be honest with Him! God doesn't expect you to be perfect, but He does expect you to be honest. If perfection was a requirement not one of us would qualify. In the Bible, God's friends were honest about their feelings - sometimes even complaining and arguing with Him - yet He didn't seem to mind.
In fact, He encouraged it. God listened patiently to David's accusations of unfairness, betrayal and abandonment. He didn't zap Jeremiah for claiming God had tricked him. Job was allowed to vent his bitterness and God actually defended him for being honest. On the other hand, He rebuked Job's friends for faking it: '..."You haven't been honest either with me or about me - not the way my friend Job has... My friend Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer"' (Job 42:7 TM).
To be God's friend you must share your true feelings with Him, not what you think you ought to feel or say. Until you understand that God uses everything for good in our lives, you'll harbour resentment towards Him over your looks, your nationality, your economic background, your unanswered prayers, your past hurts, and the things you'd change if you were God.
Actually, revealing your feelings and releasing your resentments to Him are the first steps to becoming spiritually whole. Isn't it encouraging to know that God's closest friends felt just like we do, but instead of masking their feelings in pious clich?s they voiced them openly? Why? Because expressing them leads to healing and a deeper level of intimacy with Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you that you have called us friends, and we thank you that you see whats truly in our hearts. May we come to you in all humility and humbleness about whats in our hearts, we ask that you rebuke the evil, and fill it with your goodness. In your sons name we pray. Amen
Monday, 11 April 2011
Every Spiritual Blessing Ours in Christ
Every Spiritual Blessing Ours in Christ
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. (Eph_1:3)
Living day by day by grace is essentially about developing an intimate relationship with the Lord. "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." We have considered some of the radical extent of that intimacy through the intriguing phrase "in Christ." "You also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another, even to Him who was raised from the dead" (Rom_7:4). Through this profound uniting with Christ, astounding spiritual riches are now ours.
This is why Paul offered grateful praise to the Lord: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Paul's thanksgiving was for what the Father has given to us: "who has blessed us." Notice, the verb is in the past tense — this has already happened. What is it that has already been given to us? It is "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places." Think of it. This truth is staggering in its implications.
Every grace resource that heaven has to offer is already ours here on earth. This does not mean that we are fully aware of all that has been given to us. Certainly, it does not mean that we are experiencing all of these blessings. Yet, it does mean that they are all ours to draw upon for fullness of life here on earth!
The reason these rich blessings are ours is that they all reside in Christ. In Christ is forgiveness, righteousness, and wisdom. Also, love, joy, and peace are found in Him. In Christ dwell victory, discernment, and courage. Moreover, compassion, strength, and perseverance are part of who He is. All this and far more is found in Christ. "For it pleased the Father that in Him [in Christ] all the fullness should dwell" (Col_1:19).
Now, we dwell in the place ("in Christ") where all of this richness resides: "who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." All these spiritual resources of the kingdom of heaven are now ours "in Christ." "And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for [upon] grace" (Joh_1:16).
Prayer
Dear Father, I too want to bless You for bestowing all of this richness upon me. Lord, forgive me for the spiritual poverty that I too often experience. Teach me to draw upon these limitless treasures of Your grace. I want to honor You with an abundant walk in Christ's fullness, Amen.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. (Eph_1:3)
Living day by day by grace is essentially about developing an intimate relationship with the Lord. "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." We have considered some of the radical extent of that intimacy through the intriguing phrase "in Christ." "You also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another, even to Him who was raised from the dead" (Rom_7:4). Through this profound uniting with Christ, astounding spiritual riches are now ours.
This is why Paul offered grateful praise to the Lord: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Paul's thanksgiving was for what the Father has given to us: "who has blessed us." Notice, the verb is in the past tense — this has already happened. What is it that has already been given to us? It is "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places." Think of it. This truth is staggering in its implications.
Every grace resource that heaven has to offer is already ours here on earth. This does not mean that we are fully aware of all that has been given to us. Certainly, it does not mean that we are experiencing all of these blessings. Yet, it does mean that they are all ours to draw upon for fullness of life here on earth!
The reason these rich blessings are ours is that they all reside in Christ. In Christ is forgiveness, righteousness, and wisdom. Also, love, joy, and peace are found in Him. In Christ dwell victory, discernment, and courage. Moreover, compassion, strength, and perseverance are part of who He is. All this and far more is found in Christ. "For it pleased the Father that in Him [in Christ] all the fullness should dwell" (Col_1:19).
Now, we dwell in the place ("in Christ") where all of this richness resides: "who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." All these spiritual resources of the kingdom of heaven are now ours "in Christ." "And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for [upon] grace" (Joh_1:16).
Prayer
Dear Father, I too want to bless You for bestowing all of this richness upon me. Lord, forgive me for the spiritual poverty that I too often experience. Teach me to draw upon these limitless treasures of Your grace. I want to honor You with an abundant walk in Christ's fullness, Amen.
Sunday, 10 April 2011
New Creatures in Christ
New Creatures in Christ
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2Co_5:17)
Everyone who is "in Christ," through faith in His name, is a "new creation." We are new people. We are no longer who we were before we put our trust in the Lord Jesus. We are not the old person reformed or improved; we are a "new creation." Yes, we have the same body, but that is a mere tent in which we dwell. "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2Co_5:1).
Some day in glory, we will trade this temporal, earthly tent for an eternal heavenly one. Meanwhile, though we live in the same old tent we had in Adam, we are new tenants, a "new creation." We may have the same old physical brain, but we are learning to think an entirely new way. "We have the mind of Christ... be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Rom_12:2 and 1Co_2:16).
Christ lives in us, and His Spirit also dwells in us. His Spirit takes the word of God and unfolds the thinking of our Lord for us. As we embrace God's way of thinking more and more, we are transformed to walk in the newness that is ours "in Christ."
In all the ways that matter before God, "old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." The old guilt is replaced by new forgiveness. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus... in whom we have... the forgiveness of sins" (Rom_8:1 and Col_1:14).
The old foolishness is replaced by new wisdom. "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God... But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God" (1Co_3:19 and 1Co_1:30). The old unrighteousness is replaced with new righteousness. "All our righteousnesses are like filthy rags... For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (Isa_64:6 and 2Co_5:21).
The old hope of changing (self-help) is replaced by new hope of changing (sanctification, God changing us). "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength... You are in Christ Jesus, who became for us... sanctification" (Jer_17:5 and 1Co_1:30). This is grace upon grace.
Prayer
O Lord, my hope, I thank You for making me a new person in Christ. Please strengthen my heart to spend time in Your word that I might hear more of these grand truths. Lord, I yearn to walk in more of this rich newness of life, in Jesus name, Amen.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2Co_5:17)
Everyone who is "in Christ," through faith in His name, is a "new creation." We are new people. We are no longer who we were before we put our trust in the Lord Jesus. We are not the old person reformed or improved; we are a "new creation." Yes, we have the same body, but that is a mere tent in which we dwell. "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2Co_5:1).
Some day in glory, we will trade this temporal, earthly tent for an eternal heavenly one. Meanwhile, though we live in the same old tent we had in Adam, we are new tenants, a "new creation." We may have the same old physical brain, but we are learning to think an entirely new way. "We have the mind of Christ... be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Rom_12:2 and 1Co_2:16).
Christ lives in us, and His Spirit also dwells in us. His Spirit takes the word of God and unfolds the thinking of our Lord for us. As we embrace God's way of thinking more and more, we are transformed to walk in the newness that is ours "in Christ."
In all the ways that matter before God, "old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." The old guilt is replaced by new forgiveness. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus... in whom we have... the forgiveness of sins" (Rom_8:1 and Col_1:14).
The old foolishness is replaced by new wisdom. "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God... But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God" (1Co_3:19 and 1Co_1:30). The old unrighteousness is replaced with new righteousness. "All our righteousnesses are like filthy rags... For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (Isa_64:6 and 2Co_5:21).
The old hope of changing (self-help) is replaced by new hope of changing (sanctification, God changing us). "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength... You are in Christ Jesus, who became for us... sanctification" (Jer_17:5 and 1Co_1:30). This is grace upon grace.
Prayer
O Lord, my hope, I thank You for making me a new person in Christ. Please strengthen my heart to spend time in Your word that I might hear more of these grand truths. Lord, I yearn to walk in more of this rich newness of life, in Jesus name, Amen.
Saturday, 9 April 2011
Proclaiming Christ for Maturity in Christ
Proclaiming Christ for Maturity in Christ
Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. (Col_1:28)
Spiritual maturity is one of the heavenly blessings that is ours "in Christ Jesus." Our heavenly Father desires that all of His children develop in this blessing of maturity: "that we may present every man perfect [mature] in Christ Jesus."
As God's people are being built up, the goal is that "we all come... to a perfect [mature] man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children... but... may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ" (Eph_4:13-15).
Jesus is our standard of spiritual maturity. The Lord wants us to be maturing into the likeness of the character of Christ.
For the saints to mature in Christ requires the proclamation of Christ. "Him we preach... that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus."
Truth about the Lord Jesus Christ is the message that matures the people of God: "Him we preach." We need to know who the Lord is, what He has done, and what He wants to do in our lives, that we might trust in Him as our source: "from whom the whole body" (Eph_4:16).
The scriptures abound with many beautiful revelations of such truths about Jesus. He is the Son of God, divine. "And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God" (Joh_1:34). He is the Son of Man, Immanuel, God coming as man. "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head... Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel... God with us" (Mat_8:20; Mat_1:23).
He is the lamb of God. "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! " (Joh_1:29).
This Jesus is our Mediator, bringing us the new covenant of grace. "And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant" (Heb_9:15). He is our Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, supplying all we need from start to finish. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End" (Rev_22:13). He is our "all in all." "Christ is all and in all" (Col_3:11).
Such truths about Jesus are the ultimate message to mature the saints.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, I long to mature in Your likeness. There is so much about my life that is immature and carnal. I hunger to see who You are and all that You want to do in and through me. Please reveal Yourself to me through Your word, that I might know You better and be conformed to Your image. This I pray in Your holy name, Amen.
Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. (Col_1:28)
Spiritual maturity is one of the heavenly blessings that is ours "in Christ Jesus." Our heavenly Father desires that all of His children develop in this blessing of maturity: "that we may present every man perfect [mature] in Christ Jesus."
As God's people are being built up, the goal is that "we all come... to a perfect [mature] man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children... but... may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ" (Eph_4:13-15).
Jesus is our standard of spiritual maturity. The Lord wants us to be maturing into the likeness of the character of Christ.
For the saints to mature in Christ requires the proclamation of Christ. "Him we preach... that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus."
Truth about the Lord Jesus Christ is the message that matures the people of God: "Him we preach." We need to know who the Lord is, what He has done, and what He wants to do in our lives, that we might trust in Him as our source: "from whom the whole body" (Eph_4:16).
The scriptures abound with many beautiful revelations of such truths about Jesus. He is the Son of God, divine. "And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God" (Joh_1:34). He is the Son of Man, Immanuel, God coming as man. "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head... Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel... God with us" (Mat_8:20; Mat_1:23).
He is the lamb of God. "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! " (Joh_1:29).
This Jesus is our Mediator, bringing us the new covenant of grace. "And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant" (Heb_9:15). He is our Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, supplying all we need from start to finish. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End" (Rev_22:13). He is our "all in all." "Christ is all and in all" (Col_3:11).
Such truths about Jesus are the ultimate message to mature the saints.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, I long to mature in Your likeness. There is so much about my life that is immature and carnal. I hunger to see who You are and all that You want to do in and through me. Please reveal Yourself to me through Your word, that I might know You better and be conformed to Your image. This I pray in Your holy name, Amen.
Friday, 8 April 2011
Leave Him Alone
Leave Him Alone
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Are you tired of the devil attacking you? Are you tired of him messing with your money, your joy, your home, your family, etc? Are you tired of being oppressed, depressed, and repressed by him? Well then, LEAVE HIM ALONE!
So many of us complain about how terrible things are going in our lives and how things seem to never get better, but then we make decisions that are demonic in nature and afterwards, complain about how the devil is attacking us. We must face the reality of it all sooner or later. When you mess with the devil, he will mess with you!
I have people tell me all the time that it seems like their life is torn apart and they can never see the light of day. They seem to pray constantly about things, seek God about things, and read the bible everyday, but it doesn't ever seem to work for them.
"Why is this?" they ask. Well, when you look carefully and closely, you will almost always find a doorway that the devil has in their lives and he keeps walking in and out anytime he pleases. There is usually an addiction (drugs, alcohol, porn, sex, etc.) or there is a sinful person/relationship, or there is an emotional problem / issue that they are battling.
These things, if they are not dealt with, will always be the open door for the devil to have access to your life and everything that you have. You see, if he can get into your stuff, he will always mess it up. So, no matter how far you go, he will always have a way to stop you and bring you back to the starting point. You will never progress with the devil entering in and out of these doorways.
Deal with the problem and the issues in your life, close the door, and then you will grow in Christ and move forward. Get out of the sinful relationship. Stop going out and hanging with people that are tearing you down. Get away from that negative speaking person. Let go of that godless person/place/thing!
End that addiction! Stop abusing that substance! If you are tired of the devil messing with you, then leave him alone!
I pray that the Spirit of God ministers to you mightily as you read and meditate on this devotion in Jesus name.
God richly bless you.
Suggested Reading: 1Pet. 5:7, James 4:7, 1Cor. 10:13
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Are you tired of the devil attacking you? Are you tired of him messing with your money, your joy, your home, your family, etc? Are you tired of being oppressed, depressed, and repressed by him? Well then, LEAVE HIM ALONE!
So many of us complain about how terrible things are going in our lives and how things seem to never get better, but then we make decisions that are demonic in nature and afterwards, complain about how the devil is attacking us. We must face the reality of it all sooner or later. When you mess with the devil, he will mess with you!
I have people tell me all the time that it seems like their life is torn apart and they can never see the light of day. They seem to pray constantly about things, seek God about things, and read the bible everyday, but it doesn't ever seem to work for them.
"Why is this?" they ask. Well, when you look carefully and closely, you will almost always find a doorway that the devil has in their lives and he keeps walking in and out anytime he pleases. There is usually an addiction (drugs, alcohol, porn, sex, etc.) or there is a sinful person/relationship, or there is an emotional problem / issue that they are battling.
These things, if they are not dealt with, will always be the open door for the devil to have access to your life and everything that you have. You see, if he can get into your stuff, he will always mess it up. So, no matter how far you go, he will always have a way to stop you and bring you back to the starting point. You will never progress with the devil entering in and out of these doorways.
Deal with the problem and the issues in your life, close the door, and then you will grow in Christ and move forward. Get out of the sinful relationship. Stop going out and hanging with people that are tearing you down. Get away from that negative speaking person. Let go of that godless person/place/thing!
End that addiction! Stop abusing that substance! If you are tired of the devil messing with you, then leave him alone!
I pray that the Spirit of God ministers to you mightily as you read and meditate on this devotion in Jesus name.
God richly bless you.
Suggested Reading: 1Pet. 5:7, James 4:7, 1Cor. 10:13
Thursday, 7 April 2011
New Creatures in Christ
New Creatures in Christ
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2Co_5:17)
Everyone who is "in Christ," through faith in His name, is a "new creation." We are new people. We are no longer who we were before we put our trust in the Lord Jesus. We are not the old person reformed or improved; we are a "new creation." Yes, we have the same body, but that is a mere tent in which we dwell. "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2Co_5:1).
Some day in glory, we will trade this temporal, earthly tent for an eternal heavenly one. Meanwhile, though we live in the same old tent we had in Adam, we are new tenants, a "new creation." We may have the same old physical brain, but we are learning to think an entirely new way. "We have the mind of Christ... be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Rom_12:2 and 1Co_2:16). Christ lives in us, and His Spirit also dwells in us. His Spirit takes the word of God and unfolds the thinking of our Lord for us.
As we embrace God's way of thinking more and more, we are transformed to walk in the newness that is ours in "in Christ."
In all the ways that matter before God, "old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." The old guilt is replaced by new forgiveness. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus... in whom we have... the forgiveness of sins" (Rom_8:1 and Col_1:14).
The old foolishness is replaced by new wisdom. "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God... But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God" (1Co_3:19 and 1Co_1:30). The old unrighteousness is replaced with new righteousness. "All our righteousnesses are like filthy rags... For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (Isa_64:6 and 2Co_5:21).
The old hope of changing (self-help) is replaced by new hope of changing (sanctification, God changing us). "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength... You are in Christ Jesus, who became for us... sanctification" (Jer_17:5 and 1Co_1:30). This is grace upon grace.
Prayer
O Lord, my hope, I thank You for making me a new person in Christ. Please strengthen my heart to spend time in Your word that I might hear more of these grand truths. Lord, I yearn to walk in more of this rich newness of life, in Jesus name, Amen.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2Co_5:17)
Everyone who is "in Christ," through faith in His name, is a "new creation." We are new people. We are no longer who we were before we put our trust in the Lord Jesus. We are not the old person reformed or improved; we are a "new creation." Yes, we have the same body, but that is a mere tent in which we dwell. "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2Co_5:1).
Some day in glory, we will trade this temporal, earthly tent for an eternal heavenly one. Meanwhile, though we live in the same old tent we had in Adam, we are new tenants, a "new creation." We may have the same old physical brain, but we are learning to think an entirely new way. "We have the mind of Christ... be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Rom_12:2 and 1Co_2:16). Christ lives in us, and His Spirit also dwells in us. His Spirit takes the word of God and unfolds the thinking of our Lord for us.
As we embrace God's way of thinking more and more, we are transformed to walk in the newness that is ours in "in Christ."
In all the ways that matter before God, "old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." The old guilt is replaced by new forgiveness. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus... in whom we have... the forgiveness of sins" (Rom_8:1 and Col_1:14).
The old foolishness is replaced by new wisdom. "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God... But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God" (1Co_3:19 and 1Co_1:30). The old unrighteousness is replaced with new righteousness. "All our righteousnesses are like filthy rags... For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (Isa_64:6 and 2Co_5:21).
The old hope of changing (self-help) is replaced by new hope of changing (sanctification, God changing us). "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength... You are in Christ Jesus, who became for us... sanctification" (Jer_17:5 and 1Co_1:30). This is grace upon grace.
Prayer
O Lord, my hope, I thank You for making me a new person in Christ. Please strengthen my heart to spend time in Your word that I might hear more of these grand truths. Lord, I yearn to walk in more of this rich newness of life, in Jesus name, Amen.
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
In Christ, a New Creation
In Christ, a New Creation
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. (Gal_6:15)
In the relationship we have with the Lord through the new covenant of grace, there is intimacy, fullness of life, spiritual victory, and so much more. These blessings (that are not available to those who are related to Adam) are aspects of the new life that comes to new creatures "in Christ."
"In Christ," everything is so different from how it was "in Adam." The family of man, having only natural life from Adam, puts great significance in human heritage or personal inclinations. Whether a person is a Jew or a Gentile can be of enormous consequence to many among the unredeemed community. Whether a person is religiously inclined or secularly motivated avails much with many unsaved people. On the other hand, those who have been brought into union with Christ can learn that God's perspective on such matters is vastly different. "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything."
In the kingdom of heaven, these distinctives among the sons of Adam mean nothing. Human differences do not cause the work of God or the will of God to be advanced or prevented. They avail nothing. What matters for all who are "in Christ Jesus" is not a "human category," "but a new creation."
When we come to know Christ by grace through faith, He gives us new birth. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again" (1Pe_1:3). We are created anew. We become a new spiritual being before the Lord. We have "put on the new man" (Col_3:10). In this heavenly kingdom of new men and women, "there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all" (Col_3:11).
All that ultimately matters is that the Lord Jesus Christ dwells in all of His people, and He is wants to be all that they will ever need. All that matters is the Spirit of Christ is the living water that we have begun to partake of and that He makes us one. "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free — and have all been made to drink into one Spirit" (1Co_12:13). Any person in any human category who will cry out to the Lord in faith can experience this richness. "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him" (Rom_10:12).
Prayer
Dear Lord, giver of new life, my heart celebrates the wondrous fact that I am a new creation in Christ. I am delighted that my old human categories could not prevent Your work of grace from being offered to me. I praise You for Your glorious grace, Amen.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. (Gal_6:15)
In the relationship we have with the Lord through the new covenant of grace, there is intimacy, fullness of life, spiritual victory, and so much more. These blessings (that are not available to those who are related to Adam) are aspects of the new life that comes to new creatures "in Christ."
"In Christ," everything is so different from how it was "in Adam." The family of man, having only natural life from Adam, puts great significance in human heritage or personal inclinations. Whether a person is a Jew or a Gentile can be of enormous consequence to many among the unredeemed community. Whether a person is religiously inclined or secularly motivated avails much with many unsaved people. On the other hand, those who have been brought into union with Christ can learn that God's perspective on such matters is vastly different. "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything."
In the kingdom of heaven, these distinctives among the sons of Adam mean nothing. Human differences do not cause the work of God or the will of God to be advanced or prevented. They avail nothing. What matters for all who are "in Christ Jesus" is not a "human category," "but a new creation."
When we come to know Christ by grace through faith, He gives us new birth. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again" (1Pe_1:3). We are created anew. We become a new spiritual being before the Lord. We have "put on the new man" (Col_3:10). In this heavenly kingdom of new men and women, "there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all" (Col_3:11).
All that ultimately matters is that the Lord Jesus Christ dwells in all of His people, and He is wants to be all that they will ever need. All that matters is the Spirit of Christ is the living water that we have begun to partake of and that He makes us one. "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free — and have all been made to drink into one Spirit" (1Co_12:13). Any person in any human category who will cry out to the Lord in faith can experience this richness. "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him" (Rom_10:12).
Prayer
Dear Lord, giver of new life, my heart celebrates the wondrous fact that I am a new creation in Christ. I am delighted that my old human categories could not prevent Your work of grace from being offered to me. I praise You for Your glorious grace, Amen.
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Death In Adam or Life In Christ
Death In Adam or Life In Christ
For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. (1Co_15:21-22)
The new covenant of grace is a covenant of relationship. Spiritual death through Adam made this covenant of grace necessary. Spiritual life through Christ makes intimacy with God possible. Every human who has ever existed inherited a sinful, fallen, earthly life from Adam: "by man came death." Every person who has ever put their faith in Christ has received from Him a righteous, risen, heavenly life: "by Man [i.e., Jesus] also came the resurrection of the dead."
Adam began with a measure of intimacy with His Creator. "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being . . . Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it" (Gen_2:7, Gen_2:15). In the garden, Adam served the Lord and had fellowship with Him, when He would walk "in the garden in the cool of the day" (Gen_3:8).
Adam could partake freely of all that was in the garden, except for one tree. "Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die" (Gen_2:17). For Adam, as for all of his race, "the wages of sin is death" (Rom_6:23). The day that Adam and Eve disobeyed and ate of the forbidden fruit, they died spiritually. "And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden" (Gen_3:8). Whereas they had enjoyed a degree intimacy with Lord, they now fled from His presence. Ever after, the natural children of Adam would begin there existence "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph_2:1).
The only remedy for the spiritually dead human family would be through a relationship to a new "family head." "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned . . . if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many" (Rom_5:12, Rom_5:15). There are only two families to which humanity can belong: Adam's or Christ's. There are only two family head's to which anyone can be related: Adam or Christ. Adam passed along spiritual death to his offspring. Christ gives to his own life eternal, life abundant — all by His glorious grace.
Prayer
Creator God, my Father, I confess that I was born in Adam's sinful line. I have demonstrated my sinfulness on a multitude of occasions. I praise You for sending Your Son to rescue me from Adam's race and to place me in Christ, my new Head, Amen.
For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. (1Co_15:21-22)
The new covenant of grace is a covenant of relationship. Spiritual death through Adam made this covenant of grace necessary. Spiritual life through Christ makes intimacy with God possible. Every human who has ever existed inherited a sinful, fallen, earthly life from Adam: "by man came death." Every person who has ever put their faith in Christ has received from Him a righteous, risen, heavenly life: "by Man [i.e., Jesus] also came the resurrection of the dead."
Adam began with a measure of intimacy with His Creator. "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being . . . Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it" (Gen_2:7, Gen_2:15). In the garden, Adam served the Lord and had fellowship with Him, when He would walk "in the garden in the cool of the day" (Gen_3:8).
Adam could partake freely of all that was in the garden, except for one tree. "Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die" (Gen_2:17). For Adam, as for all of his race, "the wages of sin is death" (Rom_6:23). The day that Adam and Eve disobeyed and ate of the forbidden fruit, they died spiritually. "And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden" (Gen_3:8). Whereas they had enjoyed a degree intimacy with Lord, they now fled from His presence. Ever after, the natural children of Adam would begin there existence "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph_2:1).
The only remedy for the spiritually dead human family would be through a relationship to a new "family head." "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned . . . if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many" (Rom_5:12, Rom_5:15). There are only two families to which humanity can belong: Adam's or Christ's. There are only two family head's to which anyone can be related: Adam or Christ. Adam passed along spiritual death to his offspring. Christ gives to his own life eternal, life abundant — all by His glorious grace.
Prayer
Creator God, my Father, I confess that I was born in Adam's sinful line. I have demonstrated my sinfulness on a multitude of occasions. I praise You for sending Your Son to rescue me from Adam's race and to place me in Christ, my new Head, Amen.
Monday, 4 April 2011
Intimacy of Relationship in Christ
Intimacy of Relationship in Christ
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Eph_2:13)
We have begun to see that the new covenant of grace is a covenant of relationship. The simple phrase "in Christ" indicates the extent of the intimacy that is available by grace. "In Christ" is where we live spiritually. It is also how we live. As sure as a fish is in the ocean and lives on the resources of the ocean, we are "in Christ" and live on the resources of Christ.
As sure as a unborn child is in the mother and lives on the life of the mother, we are "in Christ" and live on the life of Christ.
We who believe in Jesus are not only "brought near by the blood of Christ. (Eph_2:13), we are joined to Him in a "united closeness," like a body is to its head. "He is the head of the body, the church" (Col_1:18).
We can relate to the Lord Jesus more closely than the members of our physical body relate to our physical head. We can look to Jesus for direction and coordination. We can depend upon Him for planning, guiding, and timing in our entire lives. We can anticipate that He will monitor, maintain, and adjust our situations.
This union of intimacy is also like a vine and its branches. "I am the vine, you are the branches" (Joh_15:5). We can look to Christ for our very life source. We don't have to produce a life on our own. We can concentrate on abiding (depending) on Him. He makes our lives fruitful and effective.
The intimate relationship the Lord wants to develop with us is also likened to the joining of a husband and a wife. "You also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another, even to Him who was raised from the dead" (Rom_7:4). We can count upon Jesus to love us faithfully and sacrificially. We can rest in His constant companionship, never leaving us for any reason throughout our pilgrimage here on earth.
What blessings are ours for time and eternity "in Christ." Joined intimately to Christ, nothing can separate us from the love and kindness that He has for us: "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. . . that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (Rom_8:38-39 and Eph_2:7).
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I am overwhelmed by the intimacy that is available to me, now that I am united to You. Lord, I want to depend upon You as my Vine, follow You as my head, and love You as my bridegroom. Lord, please continue to reveal to me the implications of being joined to You for all time and eternity, in Your holy name I pray, Amen.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Eph_2:13)
We have begun to see that the new covenant of grace is a covenant of relationship. The simple phrase "in Christ" indicates the extent of the intimacy that is available by grace. "In Christ" is where we live spiritually. It is also how we live. As sure as a fish is in the ocean and lives on the resources of the ocean, we are "in Christ" and live on the resources of Christ.
As sure as a unborn child is in the mother and lives on the life of the mother, we are "in Christ" and live on the life of Christ.
We who believe in Jesus are not only "brought near by the blood of Christ. (Eph_2:13), we are joined to Him in a "united closeness," like a body is to its head. "He is the head of the body, the church" (Col_1:18).
We can relate to the Lord Jesus more closely than the members of our physical body relate to our physical head. We can look to Jesus for direction and coordination. We can depend upon Him for planning, guiding, and timing in our entire lives. We can anticipate that He will monitor, maintain, and adjust our situations.
This union of intimacy is also like a vine and its branches. "I am the vine, you are the branches" (Joh_15:5). We can look to Christ for our very life source. We don't have to produce a life on our own. We can concentrate on abiding (depending) on Him. He makes our lives fruitful and effective.
The intimate relationship the Lord wants to develop with us is also likened to the joining of a husband and a wife. "You also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another, even to Him who was raised from the dead" (Rom_7:4). We can count upon Jesus to love us faithfully and sacrificially. We can rest in His constant companionship, never leaving us for any reason throughout our pilgrimage here on earth.
What blessings are ours for time and eternity "in Christ." Joined intimately to Christ, nothing can separate us from the love and kindness that He has for us: "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. . . that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (Rom_8:38-39 and Eph_2:7).
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I am overwhelmed by the intimacy that is available to me, now that I am united to You. Lord, I want to depend upon You as my Vine, follow You as my head, and love You as my bridegroom. Lord, please continue to reveal to me the implications of being joined to You for all time and eternity, in Your holy name I pray, Amen.
Sunday, 3 April 2011
The New Covenant of Grace - A Covenant of Relationship
The New Covenant of Grace - A Covenant of Relationship
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace . . . But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Eph_1:7; Eph_2:13)
The ultimate blessing of the new covenant of grace is that it allows people to develop an intimate relationship with the true and living God. We began our personal history greatly separated from God: "you who once were far off." How could we ever comprehend the "vast relational distance" that our sins brought between us and the Lord? We could not relate to God. We could not talk to Him or enjoy His presence. We were "without Christ . . having no hope and without God in the world" (Eph_2:12).
Therefore, we were "alienated from the life of God" (Eph_4:18). Then, "according to the riches of His grace," we found "forgiveness of sins," as Jesus shed His blood unto death to pay the redemption price. "In Him we have redemption through His blood."
Now, the entire picture is drastically changed. "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." We are no longer alienated from God. "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (Eph_2:19). We are now members of God's family. We are His beloved children. "And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!'" (Gal_4:6).
By the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we cry out intimately to the Lord God as our "Heavenly Papa!" "You received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Rom_8:15-16). As we cry out "Abba," the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, gives us a deep internal, spiritual confirmation that we truly are God's children.
Our heavenly Father wants to build a close relationship with us, His children. He wants us to know His love. "The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Rom_5:5). Also, God wants us to respond in love to Him. "
We love Him because He first loved us" (1Jo_4:19). He wants us to call upon Him, that He might respond to us. "Call to Me, and I will answer you" (Jeremiah 33:3). He wants us to empty our heart unto Him. "Pour out your heart before Him" (Psa_62:8). By God's grace, the way for intimacy is now open to us.
Prayer
Dear Abba, Father, I thank You for washing away my sins. I praise You for bringing me close to You. I desire to grow in intimacy with You. Help me to see Your love more clearly, that I might respond in stronger love to You. Remind me to cry out to You consistently and to pour out my heart honestly, all by the blood of Christ, Amen.
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace . . . But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Eph_1:7; Eph_2:13)
The ultimate blessing of the new covenant of grace is that it allows people to develop an intimate relationship with the true and living God. We began our personal history greatly separated from God: "you who once were far off." How could we ever comprehend the "vast relational distance" that our sins brought between us and the Lord? We could not relate to God. We could not talk to Him or enjoy His presence. We were "without Christ . . having no hope and without God in the world" (Eph_2:12).
Therefore, we were "alienated from the life of God" (Eph_4:18). Then, "according to the riches of His grace," we found "forgiveness of sins," as Jesus shed His blood unto death to pay the redemption price. "In Him we have redemption through His blood."
Now, the entire picture is drastically changed. "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." We are no longer alienated from God. "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (Eph_2:19). We are now members of God's family. We are His beloved children. "And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!'" (Gal_4:6).
By the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we cry out intimately to the Lord God as our "Heavenly Papa!" "You received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Rom_8:15-16). As we cry out "Abba," the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, gives us a deep internal, spiritual confirmation that we truly are God's children.
Our heavenly Father wants to build a close relationship with us, His children. He wants us to know His love. "The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Rom_5:5). Also, God wants us to respond in love to Him. "
We love Him because He first loved us" (1Jo_4:19). He wants us to call upon Him, that He might respond to us. "Call to Me, and I will answer you" (Jeremiah 33:3). He wants us to empty our heart unto Him. "Pour out your heart before Him" (Psa_62:8). By God's grace, the way for intimacy is now open to us.
Prayer
Dear Abba, Father, I thank You for washing away my sins. I praise You for bringing me close to You. I desire to grow in intimacy with You. Help me to see Your love more clearly, that I might respond in stronger love to You. Remind me to cry out to You consistently and to pour out my heart honestly, all by the blood of Christ, Amen.
Saturday, 2 April 2011
What's Your Name
What's Your Name
Genesis 32:28 - "Your name will no longer be Jacob,"the man told him. "It is now Israel, because you have struggled with both God and men and have won."
Jacob wrestled with an angel all night long because he wanted to be blessed of God. He wanted more and he felt to get more, he had to hold on for dear life. But there was something that was causing him not to receive.
Many times we struggle to hold on and not give up, but there is usually something in our lives that is causing us to not receive what it is we are wanting from God. You see, Jacob had a problem. HIS NAME! His name meant "trickster"! He could not receive what he was trying to hold on to as long as he was calling himself "Trickster!".
His very name was holding him in bondage and when his name was spoken, a curse was prophesied over him. God changed his name and that changed his method of getting things. Not only was his name wrong, but the way he got his birthright was wrong. So, God changed his name and gave him the blessing of his birthright the right way.
What is your name? What do people call you? Or more importantly, what have you spoken over yourself? Do you get things the wrong way? Are you trying to hold on, yet it seems you are losing your grip? Then allow God to speak a new identity over you. Allow God to tell you who you are so you can rest in him and the destiny he has given.
You may have been told that you will not amount to anything or you may have tried to make something of yourself by stepping over others. But it doesn't matter once you get in the presence of the living God. God can change your name, change what people said about you, and pull his destiny and purpose out of a seemingly hopeless situation.
And when God speaks it over you, it's set in stone! No one can change the plan of God. Once God called Jacob "Israel", there was no turning back. Jacob could no longer mess it up, because God cannot lie and what he speaks has to come to pass! So, let God speak his identity over you and change things in your life forever! Remember, once it's spoken, only God can change it and he does not lie!
Suggested Reading: 2Cor. 5:17, 2Pet. 1:4, Titus 1:2, 2Cor. 7:15
Genesis 32:28 - "Your name will no longer be Jacob,"the man told him. "It is now Israel, because you have struggled with both God and men and have won."
Jacob wrestled with an angel all night long because he wanted to be blessed of God. He wanted more and he felt to get more, he had to hold on for dear life. But there was something that was causing him not to receive.
Many times we struggle to hold on and not give up, but there is usually something in our lives that is causing us to not receive what it is we are wanting from God. You see, Jacob had a problem. HIS NAME! His name meant "trickster"! He could not receive what he was trying to hold on to as long as he was calling himself "Trickster!".
His very name was holding him in bondage and when his name was spoken, a curse was prophesied over him. God changed his name and that changed his method of getting things. Not only was his name wrong, but the way he got his birthright was wrong. So, God changed his name and gave him the blessing of his birthright the right way.
What is your name? What do people call you? Or more importantly, what have you spoken over yourself? Do you get things the wrong way? Are you trying to hold on, yet it seems you are losing your grip? Then allow God to speak a new identity over you. Allow God to tell you who you are so you can rest in him and the destiny he has given.
You may have been told that you will not amount to anything or you may have tried to make something of yourself by stepping over others. But it doesn't matter once you get in the presence of the living God. God can change your name, change what people said about you, and pull his destiny and purpose out of a seemingly hopeless situation.
And when God speaks it over you, it's set in stone! No one can change the plan of God. Once God called Jacob "Israel", there was no turning back. Jacob could no longer mess it up, because God cannot lie and what he speaks has to come to pass! So, let God speak his identity over you and change things in your life forever! Remember, once it's spoken, only God can change it and he does not lie!
Suggested Reading: 2Cor. 5:17, 2Pet. 1:4, Titus 1:2, 2Cor. 7:15
Friday, 1 April 2011
Seasons of Discipline
Seasons of Discipline
Matthew 6:31 - 'Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What
shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these
things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have
need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.'
With all the money messages and the prosperity sermons out there, you would almost be inclined to believe that no matter where you are in Christ, you should be financially rich! Many preachers sound as though they have been rich all their lives and you should be able to ask God for any amount of money you want and it will magically appear in your mailbox!!
But it's so peculiar to me how everyone of them had to go through a season of discipline before they ended up in their season of plenty! You see, God did not immediately give the children of Israel the promise land. He took them through 3 seasons. A season of not enough, a season of just enough, and a season of plenty. I believe that we as believers face these seasons today. Why? Because this is how God disciplines us.
Now, you will rarely hear this on TV or in conferences where a man that has gotten rich off the people of God is making you feel less of a Christian if you don't have enough money to to plant a huge seed! They call it a curse! But its probably not a curse, it may just be your season of testing. I don't believe God will cause us to go totally without, but I do believe that God will take us through a season of testing just as he did his chosen people in the wilderness.
Their every move had to be dictated by God because they had no direction. That is how God wants us that are chosen by him in the beginning. He totally blocks our sense of direction and sometimes cuts off our supply so we will depend totally upon him to work our own ability out of us. Just as a child depends upon his parents, so must we depend on God. Then, we move into another season of God giving us enough. We learned from the previous season, so now we can have more. And after that, once he has trusted us with what he has given, he moves us into our season of plenty!
But this kind of teaching messes with a lot of people's perception of God. We are now being taught by many tele-evangelists that we should always have more than enough because God has more than enough. But i refuse to believe that God would spoil his children by sparing the rod of discipline. Why would he give us everything all the time? He cares too much about the big picture to bypass discipline and correction!
I just refuse to preach a prosperity Gospel like that because Jesus didn't preach that. Jesus said that if you seek the kingdom, things will be added! Now, in math, adding started out with a numeric figure and that figure got bigger and bigger right? Well, I believe that the more you walk with Christ, the more he adds to you.
Suggested Reading: Rom. 1:17, Deut. 4:1, Deut. 11:13, Deut. 13:18, Psa. 37:7, 3John 1:2
Matthew 6:31 - 'Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What
shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these
things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have
need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.'
With all the money messages and the prosperity sermons out there, you would almost be inclined to believe that no matter where you are in Christ, you should be financially rich! Many preachers sound as though they have been rich all their lives and you should be able to ask God for any amount of money you want and it will magically appear in your mailbox!!
But it's so peculiar to me how everyone of them had to go through a season of discipline before they ended up in their season of plenty! You see, God did not immediately give the children of Israel the promise land. He took them through 3 seasons. A season of not enough, a season of just enough, and a season of plenty. I believe that we as believers face these seasons today. Why? Because this is how God disciplines us.
Now, you will rarely hear this on TV or in conferences where a man that has gotten rich off the people of God is making you feel less of a Christian if you don't have enough money to to plant a huge seed! They call it a curse! But its probably not a curse, it may just be your season of testing. I don't believe God will cause us to go totally without, but I do believe that God will take us through a season of testing just as he did his chosen people in the wilderness.
Their every move had to be dictated by God because they had no direction. That is how God wants us that are chosen by him in the beginning. He totally blocks our sense of direction and sometimes cuts off our supply so we will depend totally upon him to work our own ability out of us. Just as a child depends upon his parents, so must we depend on God. Then, we move into another season of God giving us enough. We learned from the previous season, so now we can have more. And after that, once he has trusted us with what he has given, he moves us into our season of plenty!
But this kind of teaching messes with a lot of people's perception of God. We are now being taught by many tele-evangelists that we should always have more than enough because God has more than enough. But i refuse to believe that God would spoil his children by sparing the rod of discipline. Why would he give us everything all the time? He cares too much about the big picture to bypass discipline and correction!
I just refuse to preach a prosperity Gospel like that because Jesus didn't preach that. Jesus said that if you seek the kingdom, things will be added! Now, in math, adding started out with a numeric figure and that figure got bigger and bigger right? Well, I believe that the more you walk with Christ, the more he adds to you.
Suggested Reading: Rom. 1:17, Deut. 4:1, Deut. 11:13, Deut. 13:18, Psa. 37:7, 3John 1:2
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