Itchy Ears
2 Timothy 4:3 - 'For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears.'
Are your ears itching? Mine definitely are, but they are itching for the truth. Most people today want to hear what makes them feel better and they seem to want a word from God without wanting the Word of God. I tell people all the time, if you don't like the bible, then you don't like God! But people today would rather hear a man, watch a man, trust a man, rather than trusting what the Lord says in his Word. The reason we have such a problem with carnality in the church is because people don't read the Word of God for themselves.
They want someone to break it down so they can understand it, but then eventually they just begin to depend on what the preacher says without ever really searching out the Word. This leads to what we have now. A nation of conferencegoers that will follow anything, believe anyone, and give their money to anything that says it's from God. Most of these national evangelists have churches that support them and yet they are constantly asking you to register, send in a love gift, or become a covenant partner! Don't you know that your money belongs in your local ministry? And why would you give to these people anyway when most of them will not even come to your church unless you have $20,000 to spare?
People are getting crazy out here! They are selling the gospel like it's the latest fad and they are causing you to chase their personalities. We buy up their books and tapes and yet we are hunting for a Word that should come from God's Word and our prayer time! But you can't keep chasing these celebrity ministers in search of the Word you need because when they speak, they are blanketing the whole crowd and speaking the same things they speak everywhere!
So, when are your ears gonna itch for the truth about you and only you? When are you gonna seek out God and find who you are? Some are hunting down these national conferences and these conference hosts don't even take the time to talk to anyone in their own congregations, so you know you will NEVER hear from them on a personal level. You need to support your local pastor and financially support your home church. That's where God will bless you and keep you safe from the TV lies and the radio lies!
Everyone is not following God and just because they have a camera pointed at them does not mean that they have your best interest in mind. God wants you to be faithful to him first, then to your local church. You can't keep allowing the TV to pastor you or these conferences to pastor you. Conferences are money makers and attendance motivated, but your local assembly is consistent and will be there! So, hear me people, find the church where you can be fed consistently and begin to sow your time, your money, and your ministry there. Make sure the pastor is on the up and up by checking with God's Word! Watch God open up doors for you and begin to richly bless you. He wants us to itch for his truth and his principals and no longer chase after the lies that are deceiving many.
Suggested Reading: Is. 56:11, Ezek. 13:3, Jer. 22:13, Jer. 50:6, Ezek. 34:2
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Saturday, 25 June 2011
Abundant Life
Abundant Life
John 10:10 - 'The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.'
Many times as believers we feel like we are entitled to abundant life only after we are dead and are in heaven. But that is not the case. To understand this properly, you must understand Jesus' teachings. Jesus taught the Kingdom of heaven, the Kingdom of God, and the Kingdom of darkness.
He wanted us to know that while we are here on earth, we can either have abundant life, or we can be dead. The abundant life that he spoke of is life in the midst of a dark world. Jesus mentioned heaven after death a few times, but he taught the Kingdom constantly because he wants us to move into a different mindset. Being blessed on earth, having an abundance of him on earth, and having peace on earth. This is the abundant life in Christ.
Antichrist is the opposite of abundant life. Antichrist is death! That's why, when we think of the devil we think of murder, death, kill! But there is more to it than that. The devil, being antichrist or anti abundant life, means not enough, cursed, bound, hurt, sick, etc. Not just hell after death, but hell on earth. Your situations, circumstance, pains, etc. are designed to bring hell and death to you on earth. But because of Christ, he has enabled us to have life in the midst of it all. He came to bring us a way to live in peace in the midst of what is going on in our lives.
He came to bring us hope when hope seems unattainable. This is what the world seeks after. Even when there is no money, there can be peace. Even while there is turmoil surrounding your circumstance, there can be joy. While you go through your wilderness experience you can have an abundance of his love to pull you through and lead and guide you out! Yes, heaven is gonna be good. But Jesus came to bring us some of that heaven right here on earth. Abundant life is what he has to offer if you would only seek his kingdom and your proper place in it.
Suggested Reading: Matt. 4:17, Matt. 13:11, Matt. 20:1
John 10:10 - 'The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.'
Many times as believers we feel like we are entitled to abundant life only after we are dead and are in heaven. But that is not the case. To understand this properly, you must understand Jesus' teachings. Jesus taught the Kingdom of heaven, the Kingdom of God, and the Kingdom of darkness.
He wanted us to know that while we are here on earth, we can either have abundant life, or we can be dead. The abundant life that he spoke of is life in the midst of a dark world. Jesus mentioned heaven after death a few times, but he taught the Kingdom constantly because he wants us to move into a different mindset. Being blessed on earth, having an abundance of him on earth, and having peace on earth. This is the abundant life in Christ.
Antichrist is the opposite of abundant life. Antichrist is death! That's why, when we think of the devil we think of murder, death, kill! But there is more to it than that. The devil, being antichrist or anti abundant life, means not enough, cursed, bound, hurt, sick, etc. Not just hell after death, but hell on earth. Your situations, circumstance, pains, etc. are designed to bring hell and death to you on earth. But because of Christ, he has enabled us to have life in the midst of it all. He came to bring us a way to live in peace in the midst of what is going on in our lives.
He came to bring us hope when hope seems unattainable. This is what the world seeks after. Even when there is no money, there can be peace. Even while there is turmoil surrounding your circumstance, there can be joy. While you go through your wilderness experience you can have an abundance of his love to pull you through and lead and guide you out! Yes, heaven is gonna be good. But Jesus came to bring us some of that heaven right here on earth. Abundant life is what he has to offer if you would only seek his kingdom and your proper place in it.
Suggested Reading: Matt. 4:17, Matt. 13:11, Matt. 20:1
Friday, 24 June 2011
Crazy Folks
Crazy Folks
Galatians 3:3
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Some folks are just crazy! Being raised in the church as the son of a pastor taught me many things. I have observed a lot and learned a lot. But the one thing I feel I have learned more than anything is, there are some crazy people in church! Folks that profess Christianity, but act just as crazy as the sinner man sometimes. What am I talking about you may ask? Well, I'm talking about people that try to use the church as a platform to overcome their insecurities.
You know, the people that come to church and shout the whole aisle, make all kinds of rain forest sounds during the service, get up and testify about how good they are, and then go right outside and curse you out over a parking space! I always wondered how they could be so spiritual in church and then get to their job and no body is influenced by them or even respects their so called Christianity! I often wondered why people would try so hard to appear to be something in church that they are not at home.
When you feel like you are better than others, then you automatically have to act this way. You see, insecurity in the church has caused people to pretend to be things they are not. It's hard to fake being rich, because the car you drive and the home you live in will tell the true story. It's hard to fake being smart, because if a person talks to you long enough, they will know how smart you are. It's impossible to fake good looks, because folks can see the truth on your face. But, when it comes to the things of the spirit, it's easy to fake them when you are in a "religious" setting because all you have to do there is practice the church "traditions" and you will appear righteous.
Some shallow Christians feel like when you speak in tongues, wear certain clothes, let your hair get nappy, and allow your face and lips to ash over, it means that you are saved and sanctified. And many churches and pastors entertain these notions and allow it to go on in the body of Christ, so people begin to act out their Christianity instead of living it. But the sad thing is that this totally cuts out God's power to perfect you and make you what you should be!
When you practice foolishness and craziness to appear like you are something, then you don't need God to make you something. When you use the church as a platform to boost yourself then God does nothing for you. When you want to win favor of men, look better than you really look, and make people think that you are something that you are not, then you delete God and accept the responsibility of making your own way. God has no part in this foolishness.
And really spiritual people can see right through you anyway. The beauty of serving the true and living God is the power he has to take nothing and make something out of it. Don't take that away from him! That's God's job. You can't do it by faking it. You will never receive what God really has for you if you pretend you already have it when you don't. God wants the glory out of your life and he wants it to be genuine. If you are his, then he will show through you and you won't have to pretend anymore. Then people around you will want what you have and you will then be an asset to the kingdom instead of dead weight!
Suggested Reading: Matt. 6:1, Mark 7:9, Phil. 3:12, 1Pet. 5:10
Galatians 3:3
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Some folks are just crazy! Being raised in the church as the son of a pastor taught me many things. I have observed a lot and learned a lot. But the one thing I feel I have learned more than anything is, there are some crazy people in church! Folks that profess Christianity, but act just as crazy as the sinner man sometimes. What am I talking about you may ask? Well, I'm talking about people that try to use the church as a platform to overcome their insecurities.
You know, the people that come to church and shout the whole aisle, make all kinds of rain forest sounds during the service, get up and testify about how good they are, and then go right outside and curse you out over a parking space! I always wondered how they could be so spiritual in church and then get to their job and no body is influenced by them or even respects their so called Christianity! I often wondered why people would try so hard to appear to be something in church that they are not at home.
When you feel like you are better than others, then you automatically have to act this way. You see, insecurity in the church has caused people to pretend to be things they are not. It's hard to fake being rich, because the car you drive and the home you live in will tell the true story. It's hard to fake being smart, because if a person talks to you long enough, they will know how smart you are. It's impossible to fake good looks, because folks can see the truth on your face. But, when it comes to the things of the spirit, it's easy to fake them when you are in a "religious" setting because all you have to do there is practice the church "traditions" and you will appear righteous.
Some shallow Christians feel like when you speak in tongues, wear certain clothes, let your hair get nappy, and allow your face and lips to ash over, it means that you are saved and sanctified. And many churches and pastors entertain these notions and allow it to go on in the body of Christ, so people begin to act out their Christianity instead of living it. But the sad thing is that this totally cuts out God's power to perfect you and make you what you should be!
When you practice foolishness and craziness to appear like you are something, then you don't need God to make you something. When you use the church as a platform to boost yourself then God does nothing for you. When you want to win favor of men, look better than you really look, and make people think that you are something that you are not, then you delete God and accept the responsibility of making your own way. God has no part in this foolishness.
And really spiritual people can see right through you anyway. The beauty of serving the true and living God is the power he has to take nothing and make something out of it. Don't take that away from him! That's God's job. You can't do it by faking it. You will never receive what God really has for you if you pretend you already have it when you don't. God wants the glory out of your life and he wants it to be genuine. If you are his, then he will show through you and you won't have to pretend anymore. Then people around you will want what you have and you will then be an asset to the kingdom instead of dead weight!
Suggested Reading: Matt. 6:1, Mark 7:9, Phil. 3:12, 1Pet. 5:10
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Giving Your Best
Giving Your Best
2 Timothy 2:15 - 'Work hard so God can approve you. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.' NLT
Are you really giving God your best? It is so easy for us to get settle for where we are in Christ and never strive for more. Many people get a touch from God and hang on to it forever, never expecting or striving to get more from God. You see, when you stop trying your best and start settling for less, then the enemy will come and sew spiritual seeds of inferiority.
And when others come around you that are giving their all to God, they will seem very deep to you and it will cause you to feel less than them. This brings about those crazy spirits that cause people to want to be seen, want attention, or just want their way in the church. They start worrying about what people are saying or what people think about them. Fighting to protect a reputation that they have had for years instead of moving forward. These are the consequences of not staying in the word of God to find your own identity, or not striving to be a better Christian and living accordingly. When you give God less, you get less in return, and then you have to make up some deepness, or perpetrate a fraud in the church.
Our churches are now being plagued with spirits like these. Attention getters, deceivers, hypocrites, false prophets, insecure ministers, etc. are all results of people that did not study to show themselves approved of God, or in other words, study to find who they are in God! Let God have your best. Don't settle for who you are now, but keep striving to hear God, see God, know God, and learn of God! He is the answer to your questions.
If you submit to God and delight yourself in him, he will give you your hearts desire. He will fill the void and show you who you are. It's not easy at all. And when you feel like giving up don't do it. Just keep striving and you will get your approval from him. Hang in there and give your very best to him. What you give is what you will get!
2 Timothy 2:15 - 'Work hard so God can approve you. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.' NLT
Are you really giving God your best? It is so easy for us to get settle for where we are in Christ and never strive for more. Many people get a touch from God and hang on to it forever, never expecting or striving to get more from God. You see, when you stop trying your best and start settling for less, then the enemy will come and sew spiritual seeds of inferiority.
And when others come around you that are giving their all to God, they will seem very deep to you and it will cause you to feel less than them. This brings about those crazy spirits that cause people to want to be seen, want attention, or just want their way in the church. They start worrying about what people are saying or what people think about them. Fighting to protect a reputation that they have had for years instead of moving forward. These are the consequences of not staying in the word of God to find your own identity, or not striving to be a better Christian and living accordingly. When you give God less, you get less in return, and then you have to make up some deepness, or perpetrate a fraud in the church.
Our churches are now being plagued with spirits like these. Attention getters, deceivers, hypocrites, false prophets, insecure ministers, etc. are all results of people that did not study to show themselves approved of God, or in other words, study to find who they are in God! Let God have your best. Don't settle for who you are now, but keep striving to hear God, see God, know God, and learn of God! He is the answer to your questions.
If you submit to God and delight yourself in him, he will give you your hearts desire. He will fill the void and show you who you are. It's not easy at all. And when you feel like giving up don't do it. Just keep striving and you will get your approval from him. Hang in there and give your very best to him. What you give is what you will get!
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Spiritual Amnesia
Spiritual Amnesia
Romans 2:1 - 'Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.'
We, as the body of Christ, must learn to be patient with people. We must learn that every one is not gonna get it right all the time. And when they are babes in Christ, they will behave like babies! One of the worse things that can happen to a believer is spiritual amnesia and forgetting their infant years! When a saint of God forgets their flaws and past mistakes, they are of no good use to the Kingdom.
One reason is because you lose your sensitivity to people and that causes you to think and act like you are better because of where you are now versus where you came from. That is wrong! Don't you know that when you behave that way you lose opportunity to help or minister? If you cannot feel or understand the people that you are surrounded by on a daily basis, then how can you help them or be in position to be approached by them?
Here is something that we must always remember. We are only where we are by the grace of God. We are only what we are by the grace of God. And had it not been for God, we would be a sinner, on our way to hell! That is the "check yourself" phrase that we must apply to our lives on a daily basis. The world needs us and they are dying without us. So, we cannot afford to lift ourselves up and feel like they are better than others in anyway. That's when you are in danger of a fall.
When you feel that you are better than others, then be prepared to be proven wrong! God does not support our efforts to get glory before men, so when we get to that point, the enemy has legal ground to sabotage us and knock us back down to earth! Again I say, be patient with people. Yeah, they may get it wrong over and over, but so did you. Sure, they may not follow your plan to the "t", but neither did you! Okay, they may get on your nerves and make you sick because of their constant disobedience to the things you are telling them, but so did you! What you are judging is usually what you were doing. So be careful, and don't lose your sensitivity to the fact that you are blessed to be where you are and you must allow others the opportunity you had to get it together.
Suggested Reading: Matt. 18:6, 2Tim. 2:24, Gal. 6:1
Romans 2:1 - 'Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.'
We, as the body of Christ, must learn to be patient with people. We must learn that every one is not gonna get it right all the time. And when they are babes in Christ, they will behave like babies! One of the worse things that can happen to a believer is spiritual amnesia and forgetting their infant years! When a saint of God forgets their flaws and past mistakes, they are of no good use to the Kingdom.
One reason is because you lose your sensitivity to people and that causes you to think and act like you are better because of where you are now versus where you came from. That is wrong! Don't you know that when you behave that way you lose opportunity to help or minister? If you cannot feel or understand the people that you are surrounded by on a daily basis, then how can you help them or be in position to be approached by them?
Here is something that we must always remember. We are only where we are by the grace of God. We are only what we are by the grace of God. And had it not been for God, we would be a sinner, on our way to hell! That is the "check yourself" phrase that we must apply to our lives on a daily basis. The world needs us and they are dying without us. So, we cannot afford to lift ourselves up and feel like they are better than others in anyway. That's when you are in danger of a fall.
When you feel that you are better than others, then be prepared to be proven wrong! God does not support our efforts to get glory before men, so when we get to that point, the enemy has legal ground to sabotage us and knock us back down to earth! Again I say, be patient with people. Yeah, they may get it wrong over and over, but so did you. Sure, they may not follow your plan to the "t", but neither did you! Okay, they may get on your nerves and make you sick because of their constant disobedience to the things you are telling them, but so did you! What you are judging is usually what you were doing. So be careful, and don't lose your sensitivity to the fact that you are blessed to be where you are and you must allow others the opportunity you had to get it together.
Suggested Reading: Matt. 18:6, 2Tim. 2:24, Gal. 6:1
Monday, 20 June 2011
Positioned For Soul Winning
Positioned For Soul Winning
Matthew 5:16 - 'Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.'
You are in the perfect position to win someone to Christ. Your job is full of people that need Christ and your family is filled with souls that are ripe and ready to be harvested. You have the power of life and death in your tongue and you can speak victory over sin to them! God is calling on us to be bolder and take a stronger stand in 2011 for him. Your life is a living testimony! Why are you hiding it? What
you believe works for you and God is strengthening your relationship with him daily.
So, why not take some time to ask God for open doors to reach out to your coworkers or your family and associates? Are you saved just for you? God can turn your boss around, your coworkers, your friends, your family, etc. if you allow him to. Stop conforming to them and hold fast in your belief. They will inquire as to what is different about you.
The enemy loves for us to get involved with people and then fall into sin with them. The enemy sees this as opportunity to stop your witness and cause people to lose faith in your Christianity. And it's a terrible thing to always fall back in front of the world because it does lessen their confidence in your faith and your walk. But that is not the end! If you are in that position, what better time to show the power of God and his ability to take us from a sinful walk to a blessed walk?
This is your time! You can show your coworkers, your peers, your family, how you were once in darkness but now you are a child of light. Even though you may have claimed Jesus, you may not have been where you should have been. But thanks be to God for his mercy and grace and his ability to change us, even when we feel we have shamed his name! It really doesn't matter what you have done or how bad you may think you have been. God is able and once you decide to live for him wholeheartedly, then you can be a light to others. Take some time to pray for your coworkers. Send them the daily word. Go after their souls like it was your own!
Pray for them and ask God for ways to touch them. It's time for our focus to shift from us to them in 2011. It's time that we get it together and stop spending our prayer time praying for ourselves. The world is dying around us and we are responsible because their salvation is alive in us.
Suggested Reading: Matt. 5:13, Matt. 5:14, Rom. 12:2, 2Tim. 4:5
Matthew 5:16 - 'Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.'
You are in the perfect position to win someone to Christ. Your job is full of people that need Christ and your family is filled with souls that are ripe and ready to be harvested. You have the power of life and death in your tongue and you can speak victory over sin to them! God is calling on us to be bolder and take a stronger stand in 2011 for him. Your life is a living testimony! Why are you hiding it? What
you believe works for you and God is strengthening your relationship with him daily.
So, why not take some time to ask God for open doors to reach out to your coworkers or your family and associates? Are you saved just for you? God can turn your boss around, your coworkers, your friends, your family, etc. if you allow him to. Stop conforming to them and hold fast in your belief. They will inquire as to what is different about you.
The enemy loves for us to get involved with people and then fall into sin with them. The enemy sees this as opportunity to stop your witness and cause people to lose faith in your Christianity. And it's a terrible thing to always fall back in front of the world because it does lessen their confidence in your faith and your walk. But that is not the end! If you are in that position, what better time to show the power of God and his ability to take us from a sinful walk to a blessed walk?
This is your time! You can show your coworkers, your peers, your family, how you were once in darkness but now you are a child of light. Even though you may have claimed Jesus, you may not have been where you should have been. But thanks be to God for his mercy and grace and his ability to change us, even when we feel we have shamed his name! It really doesn't matter what you have done or how bad you may think you have been. God is able and once you decide to live for him wholeheartedly, then you can be a light to others. Take some time to pray for your coworkers. Send them the daily word. Go after their souls like it was your own!
Pray for them and ask God for ways to touch them. It's time for our focus to shift from us to them in 2011. It's time that we get it together and stop spending our prayer time praying for ourselves. The world is dying around us and we are responsible because their salvation is alive in us.
Suggested Reading: Matt. 5:13, Matt. 5:14, Rom. 12:2, 2Tim. 4:5
Sunday, 19 June 2011
Copy Cat Christian
Copy Cat Christian
Acts 19:15 - 'And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?'
The devil knows what kind of power you have in the spirit. He knows exactly what you are dealing with and how much you know about your place in the Kingdom. How does he know that? Because he is the one that tempted you before you fell that time. He is the one that gave you the jealous feelings and the insecurity that you may be battling. He is the one that tried to mess up your childhood or your youthful days by causing you to have problems accepting how God made you.
So, basically, he has been there all along, wreaking havoc on your life and moving you into emotional problems that you cannot seem to shake. So, since he is behind most of your temptations, then he knows what kind of power you have. He knows when you are operating under the power of God and when you are operating in the flesh. The key is to know it yourself and not pretend to be what you are not. So many of us these days are copying what we see others do for God and we desire to be like someone instead of being who we are called to be!
There is a serious danger to this.
People that pattern their lives after others because they want the fame, the prestige, or the accolades that others get, will give birth to a demon that will ultimately pull their cover off and leave them naked and ashamed. The demon is jealousy! Jealousy will cause a person to commit murder! Trying to be what you are not will always cause you to become overtaken with jealousy and you will begin to abuse others with your words, attack others with your actions and eventually kill someone! This story of the sons of Sceva is illustrating to us the story of a group of men that wanted what Paul and the disciples had, but did not abide in who they really were. This ultimately lead to them being exposed for who they really were by the enemy.
The bible says that the enemy did not know them! Wow! If the enemy does not know you then that means you are not a threat to him. If he does not know you, then there is not enough God operating in you to even threaten him. If you are not a threat to the enemy, then you are no good for the Kingdom of God. The devil must recognize you and your authority before you can exercise power over him. You must tap into who you are and not try to be someone else. You have a unique call and the body of Christ needs you.
Stop seeking to be someone else and be what God has said you should be. It's okay to desire spiritual gifts and the anointing on someone else's life, but it's dangerous to chase after the prestige of the flesh. Make sure your motives are correct and you are not seeking the fame or fortune of others. The truth will be revealed when you come face to face with the enemy.
Suggested Reading: 1Cor. 1:26, Eph. 4:4 , Col. 3:1, 2Pet. 1:10
Acts 19:15 - 'And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?'
The devil knows what kind of power you have in the spirit. He knows exactly what you are dealing with and how much you know about your place in the Kingdom. How does he know that? Because he is the one that tempted you before you fell that time. He is the one that gave you the jealous feelings and the insecurity that you may be battling. He is the one that tried to mess up your childhood or your youthful days by causing you to have problems accepting how God made you.
So, basically, he has been there all along, wreaking havoc on your life and moving you into emotional problems that you cannot seem to shake. So, since he is behind most of your temptations, then he knows what kind of power you have. He knows when you are operating under the power of God and when you are operating in the flesh. The key is to know it yourself and not pretend to be what you are not. So many of us these days are copying what we see others do for God and we desire to be like someone instead of being who we are called to be!
There is a serious danger to this.
People that pattern their lives after others because they want the fame, the prestige, or the accolades that others get, will give birth to a demon that will ultimately pull their cover off and leave them naked and ashamed. The demon is jealousy! Jealousy will cause a person to commit murder! Trying to be what you are not will always cause you to become overtaken with jealousy and you will begin to abuse others with your words, attack others with your actions and eventually kill someone! This story of the sons of Sceva is illustrating to us the story of a group of men that wanted what Paul and the disciples had, but did not abide in who they really were. This ultimately lead to them being exposed for who they really were by the enemy.
The bible says that the enemy did not know them! Wow! If the enemy does not know you then that means you are not a threat to him. If he does not know you, then there is not enough God operating in you to even threaten him. If you are not a threat to the enemy, then you are no good for the Kingdom of God. The devil must recognize you and your authority before you can exercise power over him. You must tap into who you are and not try to be someone else. You have a unique call and the body of Christ needs you.
Stop seeking to be someone else and be what God has said you should be. It's okay to desire spiritual gifts and the anointing on someone else's life, but it's dangerous to chase after the prestige of the flesh. Make sure your motives are correct and you are not seeking the fame or fortune of others. The truth will be revealed when you come face to face with the enemy.
Suggested Reading: 1Cor. 1:26, Eph. 4:4 , Col. 3:1, 2Pet. 1:10
Saturday, 18 June 2011
THE POWER OF HIS TOUCH
THE POWER OF HIS TOUCH
Matthew 8:1-4
When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
Intro: Humans, at least when things are working as they should, possess 5 senses. These are sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. All of them are important to our existence in and understanding of the world around us. While they are all important, and I wouldn't want to be without any, the sense of touch is one that places us into direct contact with our world. When we touch something, we are becoming intimately involved with that thing. While I have heard of people losing some, or all of the other senses, I have never heard of a person losing their sense of touch. Can you imagine not being able to touch your world? Can you imagine not being able to touch those you love? To not to be able to touch them might be worse that to not be able to see them!
We all touch thousands of things every day of our lives. Most, we do not even think about. But, there are times when we reach out and deliberately touch objects because we want to connect with that object. Our touch might be that of love, of passion, of tenderness, of compassion, of help, of deliverance or of curiosity. Our touch could involve many other emotions and processes that I didn't mention. Often, our touch can effect change in the objects we touch. Today, I want to talk about a touch that is far superior to any other human touch. I want to talk about the touch of Christ, and remind you that His touch is the touch of God! When He extends His hand into your life and purposely touches you, He will produces changes that no other touch can duplicate.
There are several aspects of His touch that I would like to point out by way of introduction.
1. His Touch Is An Intimate Touch - When Jesus touched this leper, it demonstrated a desire on His part to become intimately involved in this man's life!
2. His Touch Is A Powerful Touch - He touches a Simon and he becomes Peter. He touches a Jacob and the old trickster becomes Israel, the Prince of God. His touch transforms Abram into Abraham. His touch transformed the defeated Elijah into Elijah, The Man of Good. His touch changed Moses the murderer into Moses the leader of the people of God. His touch transformed a nobody named Jeremiah in the Weeping Prophet of God. His touch changed James and John, the Sons of Thunder, into and early martyr and the Apostle of love, respectively. His touch is a powerful touch.
3. His Touch Is A Transforming Touch - Humanity is mere clay, biding its time between the birth and the grave with no hope and purpose, until He touches us. When He does, everything changes!
This morning, I want to spend some time looking at a few events from the life of Christ that showcase the power of His touch. I want to show you what He can do for you if you do not know Him. I want to show you that there is power in the touch of the Lord Jesus Christ. Go with me for just a few minutes as we explore that thought:
The Power Of His Touch.
I. IT TRANSFORMS THE DISEASED
(Matt. 8:15)
(Ill. The context. Jesus touches and heals Peter's mother-in-law.) (In her condition, she represents those afflicted by the blight of sin. She was in a useless, hopeless condition, until she experienced the touch of Jesus upon her life.) (Ill. Rom. 3:23; Isa. 59:2) (Ill. His touch cleanses sin and transforms the sinner from a wasted to life! Psa. 103:12; 2 Cor. 5:17.)
II. IT TRANSFORMS THE DEAF
(Mark 7:33)
(Ill. The context. Here was a man who could not communicate with anyone. He could not hear nor speak. But, when Jesus touched him, all that changed!) (Ill. He does the same for lost sinners as well! Those who saved by God are given the ability to hear Him clearly and the privilege to speak to Him openly, 1 Cor. 2:14; Heb. 4:16.)
III. IT TRANSFORMS THE DARKENED
(Matt. 9:29; John 9:6)
(Ill. Here is a man born blind at birth. He is miraculously touched and healed by the touch of the Lord Jesus. Now, he can see, John 9:25.) (Ill. He opens the spiritual eyes when He touches our lives, Isa. 42:5-7; 1 Pet. 2:9-10.) (Ill. His children see things they had never thought about before.)
IV. IT TRANSFORMS THE DOOMED
(Matt. 8:3)
(Ill. The context. Jesus touched this leper and delivered him from a life that was doomed. He was doomed to be ravaged by his disease and he was doomed to spending a life separated from other men. Jesus changed all that!) (Ill. In his condition, he pictures the situation of every lost soul today. Separated from God now by a gulf of sin and doomed to an eternity in Hell, 2 Thes. 1:8-9. The lost person also lives each day enjoying the Lord's blessings, but with no relationship with God at all. All the while, the wages of sin work themselves out in the life of the lost person, Rom. 6:23; Pro. 13:15; Gal. 6:7.)
V. IT TRANSFORMS THE DEAD
(Luke 8:54)
(Ill. The Context. Jesus merely touched the hand of this dead girl and she lived again! That is the power of His touch!) (Ill. There is nothing worse than death! It takes with it everything we have. In the spiritual realm, there is nothing worse than spiritual death! Yet, it is the condition of every person who is lost, Eph. 2:1-3. Thank God for the touch of Jesus Christ, Eph. 2:4-10. Ill. "But", v. 4!
VI. IT TRANSFORMS THE DECEIVED
(Luke 22:51)
(Ill. The context. Malchus was running with the wrong crowd. He lost his ear and Jesus ministered to Him and healed him for the glory of God. Ill. There is no indication that Malchus ever got saved.) (Ill. The compassion of Christ for the need of Malchus broke down all the barriers that stood between them and Jesus touched him with a touch of pure, life-changing grace!) (Ill. That is what He does for all those who are trapped and deceived in sin. He comes to them and offers them life within Himself! Matt. 11:28-30; Isa. 55:1-3; John 7:37; Rev. 22:17.)
VII. IT TRANSFORMS THE DISMAYED
(Matt. 17:7)
(Ill. The Context. The disciples were cowering in fear, but Jesus touched them and brought courage to them in their distress!) (Ill. He excels in lifting the fallen and encouraging the downcast, Ill. 3 Hebrews, Dan. 3; Ill. Daniel in the lion's den - Dan. 6; Ill. The disciples in the storm, Mark 6:45-51.) (Ill. He will do the same for you too! - Heb. 13:15; Matt. 28:20!) (Ill. He knows how to meet your need and bring you out of your distress, Rom. 8:37; 2 Cor. 2:14; 1 Cor. 15:57.)
Conc: Can you testify today that you have felt the power of His touch firsthand in your life? Do you know what He can do? Or, would you have to say, "Preacher, I really need Jesus to touch me today! I need His powerful touch in my life right now."? I don't know the kind of touch you need in your life today, but I know Who can give it to you! Jesus is His name and touching lives is His fame. Whether you are lost, backslidden, burdened, discouraged, or just want to learn to love Him more, you need His touch. Come get it!
God bless you.
Matthew 8:1-4
When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
Intro: Humans, at least when things are working as they should, possess 5 senses. These are sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. All of them are important to our existence in and understanding of the world around us. While they are all important, and I wouldn't want to be without any, the sense of touch is one that places us into direct contact with our world. When we touch something, we are becoming intimately involved with that thing. While I have heard of people losing some, or all of the other senses, I have never heard of a person losing their sense of touch. Can you imagine not being able to touch your world? Can you imagine not being able to touch those you love? To not to be able to touch them might be worse that to not be able to see them!
We all touch thousands of things every day of our lives. Most, we do not even think about. But, there are times when we reach out and deliberately touch objects because we want to connect with that object. Our touch might be that of love, of passion, of tenderness, of compassion, of help, of deliverance or of curiosity. Our touch could involve many other emotions and processes that I didn't mention. Often, our touch can effect change in the objects we touch. Today, I want to talk about a touch that is far superior to any other human touch. I want to talk about the touch of Christ, and remind you that His touch is the touch of God! When He extends His hand into your life and purposely touches you, He will produces changes that no other touch can duplicate.
There are several aspects of His touch that I would like to point out by way of introduction.
1. His Touch Is An Intimate Touch - When Jesus touched this leper, it demonstrated a desire on His part to become intimately involved in this man's life!
2. His Touch Is A Powerful Touch - He touches a Simon and he becomes Peter. He touches a Jacob and the old trickster becomes Israel, the Prince of God. His touch transforms Abram into Abraham. His touch transformed the defeated Elijah into Elijah, The Man of Good. His touch changed Moses the murderer into Moses the leader of the people of God. His touch transformed a nobody named Jeremiah in the Weeping Prophet of God. His touch changed James and John, the Sons of Thunder, into and early martyr and the Apostle of love, respectively. His touch is a powerful touch.
3. His Touch Is A Transforming Touch - Humanity is mere clay, biding its time between the birth and the grave with no hope and purpose, until He touches us. When He does, everything changes!
This morning, I want to spend some time looking at a few events from the life of Christ that showcase the power of His touch. I want to show you what He can do for you if you do not know Him. I want to show you that there is power in the touch of the Lord Jesus Christ. Go with me for just a few minutes as we explore that thought:
The Power Of His Touch.
I. IT TRANSFORMS THE DISEASED
(Matt. 8:15)
(Ill. The context. Jesus touches and heals Peter's mother-in-law.) (In her condition, she represents those afflicted by the blight of sin. She was in a useless, hopeless condition, until she experienced the touch of Jesus upon her life.) (Ill. Rom. 3:23; Isa. 59:2) (Ill. His touch cleanses sin and transforms the sinner from a wasted to life! Psa. 103:12; 2 Cor. 5:17.)
II. IT TRANSFORMS THE DEAF
(Mark 7:33)
(Ill. The context. Here was a man who could not communicate with anyone. He could not hear nor speak. But, when Jesus touched him, all that changed!) (Ill. He does the same for lost sinners as well! Those who saved by God are given the ability to hear Him clearly and the privilege to speak to Him openly, 1 Cor. 2:14; Heb. 4:16.)
III. IT TRANSFORMS THE DARKENED
(Matt. 9:29; John 9:6)
(Ill. Here is a man born blind at birth. He is miraculously touched and healed by the touch of the Lord Jesus. Now, he can see, John 9:25.) (Ill. He opens the spiritual eyes when He touches our lives, Isa. 42:5-7; 1 Pet. 2:9-10.) (Ill. His children see things they had never thought about before.)
IV. IT TRANSFORMS THE DOOMED
(Matt. 8:3)
(Ill. The context. Jesus touched this leper and delivered him from a life that was doomed. He was doomed to be ravaged by his disease and he was doomed to spending a life separated from other men. Jesus changed all that!) (Ill. In his condition, he pictures the situation of every lost soul today. Separated from God now by a gulf of sin and doomed to an eternity in Hell, 2 Thes. 1:8-9. The lost person also lives each day enjoying the Lord's blessings, but with no relationship with God at all. All the while, the wages of sin work themselves out in the life of the lost person, Rom. 6:23; Pro. 13:15; Gal. 6:7.)
V. IT TRANSFORMS THE DEAD
(Luke 8:54)
(Ill. The Context. Jesus merely touched the hand of this dead girl and she lived again! That is the power of His touch!) (Ill. There is nothing worse than death! It takes with it everything we have. In the spiritual realm, there is nothing worse than spiritual death! Yet, it is the condition of every person who is lost, Eph. 2:1-3. Thank God for the touch of Jesus Christ, Eph. 2:4-10. Ill. "But", v. 4!
VI. IT TRANSFORMS THE DECEIVED
(Luke 22:51)
(Ill. The context. Malchus was running with the wrong crowd. He lost his ear and Jesus ministered to Him and healed him for the glory of God. Ill. There is no indication that Malchus ever got saved.) (Ill. The compassion of Christ for the need of Malchus broke down all the barriers that stood between them and Jesus touched him with a touch of pure, life-changing grace!) (Ill. That is what He does for all those who are trapped and deceived in sin. He comes to them and offers them life within Himself! Matt. 11:28-30; Isa. 55:1-3; John 7:37; Rev. 22:17.)
VII. IT TRANSFORMS THE DISMAYED
(Matt. 17:7)
(Ill. The Context. The disciples were cowering in fear, but Jesus touched them and brought courage to them in their distress!) (Ill. He excels in lifting the fallen and encouraging the downcast, Ill. 3 Hebrews, Dan. 3; Ill. Daniel in the lion's den - Dan. 6; Ill. The disciples in the storm, Mark 6:45-51.) (Ill. He will do the same for you too! - Heb. 13:15; Matt. 28:20!) (Ill. He knows how to meet your need and bring you out of your distress, Rom. 8:37; 2 Cor. 2:14; 1 Cor. 15:57.)
Conc: Can you testify today that you have felt the power of His touch firsthand in your life? Do you know what He can do? Or, would you have to say, "Preacher, I really need Jesus to touch me today! I need His powerful touch in my life right now."? I don't know the kind of touch you need in your life today, but I know Who can give it to you! Jesus is His name and touching lives is His fame. Whether you are lost, backslidden, burdened, discouraged, or just want to learn to love Him more, you need His touch. Come get it!
God bless you.
Friday, 17 June 2011
Our Approach to Ministry
Our Approach to Ministry
We have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (2Co_4:2)
God has made us His servants under the new covenant of grace. "God . . . made us . . . ministers of the new covenant" (2Co_3:5-6). Those who desire to serve the Lord by grace have a very distinctive approach to ministry. "We have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully."
It is so sad that the many ministry approaches in the church world include motives and methodologies that are kept hidden, because their true character is shameful. Some of these dishonorable approaches involve "walking in craftiness" (such as, manipulating people through carnal enticements). Others involve "handling the word of God deceitfully" (such as, preaching what people want to hear, instead of what the scriptures actually say). If we are going to serve God by grace, we must reject such tactics.
Instead, we want to serve God "by manifestation of the truth." We minister by a candid declaration of God's truth, not by a deceptive operation of man's tricks. Also, we desire that our lives be a commendation of our message, not a contradiction of it: "commending ourselves to every man's conscience." As we proclaim God's truth, we humbly ask God to impact our lives by that truth, in order to become an example of what we preach. The Lord will use this to touch others deep in their consciences.
It is God's will that our ministries impact more than men's minds (which can be reached by mere ideas, concepts, or systems).
It is His intention that our testimonies reach beyond men's emotions (which can be touched by exciting stories, condemning insinuations, or inspiring ideals). He certainly does not want us to appeal to people's pride ("let God make you someone others will envy") or to their covetousness ("give to our ministry, and God will give you ten-fold in return"). Rather, God desires to reach their consciences, that "image-of-God" imprint that convicts people of sin and of their need for God: "who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness" (Rom_2:15).
Prayer
O God of truth and holiness, I long to serve You by grace. I want to reject manipulating people and distorting Your word. Make my life a vessel of honor that confirms Your truth. As I minister to others, touch them deep in their hearts, by the power of Your grace, stirring them to seek after You, Amen.
We have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (2Co_4:2)
God has made us His servants under the new covenant of grace. "God . . . made us . . . ministers of the new covenant" (2Co_3:5-6). Those who desire to serve the Lord by grace have a very distinctive approach to ministry. "We have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully."
It is so sad that the many ministry approaches in the church world include motives and methodologies that are kept hidden, because their true character is shameful. Some of these dishonorable approaches involve "walking in craftiness" (such as, manipulating people through carnal enticements). Others involve "handling the word of God deceitfully" (such as, preaching what people want to hear, instead of what the scriptures actually say). If we are going to serve God by grace, we must reject such tactics.
Instead, we want to serve God "by manifestation of the truth." We minister by a candid declaration of God's truth, not by a deceptive operation of man's tricks. Also, we desire that our lives be a commendation of our message, not a contradiction of it: "commending ourselves to every man's conscience." As we proclaim God's truth, we humbly ask God to impact our lives by that truth, in order to become an example of what we preach. The Lord will use this to touch others deep in their consciences.
It is God's will that our ministries impact more than men's minds (which can be reached by mere ideas, concepts, or systems).
It is His intention that our testimonies reach beyond men's emotions (which can be touched by exciting stories, condemning insinuations, or inspiring ideals). He certainly does not want us to appeal to people's pride ("let God make you someone others will envy") or to their covetousness ("give to our ministry, and God will give you ten-fold in return"). Rather, God desires to reach their consciences, that "image-of-God" imprint that convicts people of sin and of their need for God: "who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness" (Rom_2:15).
Prayer
O God of truth and holiness, I long to serve You by grace. I want to reject manipulating people and distorting Your word. Make my life a vessel of honor that confirms Your truth. As I minister to others, touch them deep in their hearts, by the power of Your grace, stirring them to seek after You, Amen.
Thursday, 16 June 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.
Wednesday, 15 June 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!!
Tuesday, 14 June 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
Monday, 13 June 2011
Passing Judgement or Stating Truth
Passing Judgement or Stating Truth
Luke 6:37 - "Stop judging others, and you will not be judged.Stop criticizing others, or it will all come back on you. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven." NLT
What is Jesus telling us here? Well, according to the this word, the act of judging or "being conclusive" is the very act of condemning. You see, when something is judged, it is concluded! When a judge in court passes a judgment, it has been concluded because the facts have been presented and the arguments have been made. So, based on what the judge knows, he or she can pass judgment. But Jesus is saying that because you don't know all the facts, you cannot pass judgment on someone before time.
Sinners may come to Christ eventually, so their end, you do not know. That's who Jesus was referring to. Don't condemn, judge, or criticize a sinner because they are not yet a believer! This does not mean that we should warn believers of the worlds deceptive devices, but it does mean that we cannot prejudge their destiny and condemn a sinner to hell.
Now, leaders, pastors, etc. in the church are equipped to pass judgment on certain things because they are in charge of certain aspects of the ministry. Paul taught this in his writings and he encouraged a church to pass judgment on a man at Corinth because of his lifestyle. But his judgment of this situation came to help him be in good standing for his final judgment of God in the end.
Listen, we are not to pass a judgment on sinners, but according to the Word of God, we are to judge our brothers and sisters. The word tells us to go to them when we find them in a fault. That's a form of judging right? It also tells us to rebuke them openly when they continue in public sin. That's judgment right? So, we must realize that if we keep the word in context we will understand that Jesus was teaching the world in this passage in Luke, while Paul was teaching the church in Corinthians.
That's it! We don't teach sinners what Paul taught the church. They are not the church, they are the world. So, the world will always say, "do not judge me" and they are right. If they are not a believer, then you cannot judge them because there is nothing to judge. We are only suppose to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to sinners.
So we don't judge them, or condemn them, or even criticize them if they are not a part of the faith. God is their judge. But to keep purity and holiness in the church of God, we are suppose to deal with heresy, sinful lifestyles, and other forms of sin that are practiced by believers in our fellowships. God gave us the power to discern it and the gave our leaders the authority to rebuke it.
Luke 6:37 - "Stop judging others, and you will not be judged.Stop criticizing others, or it will all come back on you. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven." NLT
What is Jesus telling us here? Well, according to the this word, the act of judging or "being conclusive" is the very act of condemning. You see, when something is judged, it is concluded! When a judge in court passes a judgment, it has been concluded because the facts have been presented and the arguments have been made. So, based on what the judge knows, he or she can pass judgment. But Jesus is saying that because you don't know all the facts, you cannot pass judgment on someone before time.
Sinners may come to Christ eventually, so their end, you do not know. That's who Jesus was referring to. Don't condemn, judge, or criticize a sinner because they are not yet a believer! This does not mean that we should warn believers of the worlds deceptive devices, but it does mean that we cannot prejudge their destiny and condemn a sinner to hell.
Now, leaders, pastors, etc. in the church are equipped to pass judgment on certain things because they are in charge of certain aspects of the ministry. Paul taught this in his writings and he encouraged a church to pass judgment on a man at Corinth because of his lifestyle. But his judgment of this situation came to help him be in good standing for his final judgment of God in the end.
Listen, we are not to pass a judgment on sinners, but according to the Word of God, we are to judge our brothers and sisters. The word tells us to go to them when we find them in a fault. That's a form of judging right? It also tells us to rebuke them openly when they continue in public sin. That's judgment right? So, we must realize that if we keep the word in context we will understand that Jesus was teaching the world in this passage in Luke, while Paul was teaching the church in Corinthians.
That's it! We don't teach sinners what Paul taught the church. They are not the church, they are the world. So, the world will always say, "do not judge me" and they are right. If they are not a believer, then you cannot judge them because there is nothing to judge. We are only suppose to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to sinners.
So we don't judge them, or condemn them, or even criticize them if they are not a part of the faith. God is their judge. But to keep purity and holiness in the church of God, we are suppose to deal with heresy, sinful lifestyles, and other forms of sin that are practiced by believers in our fellowships. God gave us the power to discern it and the gave our leaders the authority to rebuke it.
Sunday, 12 June 2011
Favor
Favor
Ephesians 5:6 - 'Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.'
I had someone tell me one time, "Why are your daily words negative?' They said "People want to hear good news in the morning and they want to hear things that make them feel good!" Well, if that's what you want, then that would mean that I would be writing these to please people. That is not my call, and there are PLENTY of messages out there that will make you feel good. I am here to tell you the truth and cause you to follow after God and not man. So, when God speaks to me about some of the things that are going on in the body of Christ, I must cry aloud and spare not.
It's so funny that many will unsubscribe when the Daily Word challenges them spiritually, but when it tickles their emotions, they resubscribe! But in season and out of season, when it's convenient and when it's inconvenient, the truth must be told because only the truth will make you free! With that said, I must dispel another myth that is in the body of Christ.
We hear preachers saying that "Favor is not fair" all the time. But there is an aspect of favor that is very just. That's the idea that you must be obedient to God in order to be favored! We hear folks claiming favor and wanting the favor of God, but I got news for you. If you are not walking in obedience to God, you are not walking in the favor of God, but you are walking in the wrath of God. Just because you got money or are excelling in life does not mean it's from God. I know atheists and satanist that have money, fame, and fortune. The devil blesses too. Remember what he offered Christ in the wilderness?
God is a responsible father! He rewards us when we do good and he punishes us when we do bad. He does not spoil a wayward child, but he corrects and reproves. If you really want the favor of God upon your life, then you must be obedient and follow after his will for your life. Why would he bless a person that is not walking after him? The church has made everyone feel that when they get money, it's a blessing from God, but God doesn't have cash in heaven. You can get cash by getting an education and getting a good job! You can learn to sing or play an instrument, and make CD's and become a mega-star! You can Pastor a church and teach everyone that they are getting a breakthrough in a few days and get rich off them!
People can get wealth without God and it has nothing to do with the favor of God. The favor of God is what God does because of your relationship with him. It's only when you follow after his will and live according to his way that he showers you with blessings and favor. You cannot promote evil, sin, or live after the flesh, live in sin, and be wayward and expect the favor of God. That's ridiculous.
People, let me tell you the truth! FAVOR COMES BY OBEDIENCE! You can't do your own thing, pray about it later, and then call it favor. You must be obedient to him or you will be in his wrath! That's where the lack of peace comes, the lack of joy, the constant struggle with your flesh, the uneasy feelings of guilt, shame, and hurt, the agony of past mistakes, the pain of knowing that you are in the wrong and the presence of the Lord is not present in your life! Those are the consequences of doing it without God and being disobedient to his will. If you want his favor, you must first obey him and then you can walk in his true will for your life.
Suggested Reading: Deut. 11:27, Eph. 2:2, John 15:7, Col 3:6,
Ephesians 5:6 - 'Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.'
I had someone tell me one time, "Why are your daily words negative?' They said "People want to hear good news in the morning and they want to hear things that make them feel good!" Well, if that's what you want, then that would mean that I would be writing these to please people. That is not my call, and there are PLENTY of messages out there that will make you feel good. I am here to tell you the truth and cause you to follow after God and not man. So, when God speaks to me about some of the things that are going on in the body of Christ, I must cry aloud and spare not.
It's so funny that many will unsubscribe when the Daily Word challenges them spiritually, but when it tickles their emotions, they resubscribe! But in season and out of season, when it's convenient and when it's inconvenient, the truth must be told because only the truth will make you free! With that said, I must dispel another myth that is in the body of Christ.
We hear preachers saying that "Favor is not fair" all the time. But there is an aspect of favor that is very just. That's the idea that you must be obedient to God in order to be favored! We hear folks claiming favor and wanting the favor of God, but I got news for you. If you are not walking in obedience to God, you are not walking in the favor of God, but you are walking in the wrath of God. Just because you got money or are excelling in life does not mean it's from God. I know atheists and satanist that have money, fame, and fortune. The devil blesses too. Remember what he offered Christ in the wilderness?
God is a responsible father! He rewards us when we do good and he punishes us when we do bad. He does not spoil a wayward child, but he corrects and reproves. If you really want the favor of God upon your life, then you must be obedient and follow after his will for your life. Why would he bless a person that is not walking after him? The church has made everyone feel that when they get money, it's a blessing from God, but God doesn't have cash in heaven. You can get cash by getting an education and getting a good job! You can learn to sing or play an instrument, and make CD's and become a mega-star! You can Pastor a church and teach everyone that they are getting a breakthrough in a few days and get rich off them!
People can get wealth without God and it has nothing to do with the favor of God. The favor of God is what God does because of your relationship with him. It's only when you follow after his will and live according to his way that he showers you with blessings and favor. You cannot promote evil, sin, or live after the flesh, live in sin, and be wayward and expect the favor of God. That's ridiculous.
People, let me tell you the truth! FAVOR COMES BY OBEDIENCE! You can't do your own thing, pray about it later, and then call it favor. You must be obedient to him or you will be in his wrath! That's where the lack of peace comes, the lack of joy, the constant struggle with your flesh, the uneasy feelings of guilt, shame, and hurt, the agony of past mistakes, the pain of knowing that you are in the wrong and the presence of the Lord is not present in your life! Those are the consequences of doing it without God and being disobedient to his will. If you want his favor, you must first obey him and then you can walk in his true will for your life.
Suggested Reading: Deut. 11:27, Eph. 2:2, John 15:7, Col 3:6,
Saturday, 11 June 2011
God Equipping Us to Do His Will
God Equipping Us to Do His Will
Now may the God of peace . . . make you complete in every good work to do His will. (Heb_13:20-21)
Our devotional study is from Hebrews 13:20-21. We come to understand that the God of peace makes obedience available through the shed blood of the crucified, risen Christ. That shed blood forgives our sins, making friends out of formerly disobedient enemies. Furthermore, that shed blood establishes the new covenant of grace, which supplies God's sufficiency for all our needs, including, the developing of an obedient life.
We will reflect upon God being the one who uses His heavenly resources to equip us to do His will. What a hope and joy this is! God Himself is willing to undertake the task of shaping us into His obedient servants: "Now may the God of peace . . . make you complete in every good work to do His will."
This term, "complete," is exceedingly insightful. It speaks of equipping people for their intended task, getting them ready to do what they are called to do. To equip means to furnish whatever qualities are necessary to perform the task at hand. To equip means to supply whatever is needed for an assigned purpose. Our calling and purpose in the will of God is that we engage in a great variety of good works. God is willing to equip us "in every good work to do His will."
Long ago, David was inspired of the Holy Spirit to speak boldly in similar terms. "The LORD will perfect that which concerns me" (Psa_138:8). In light of David's calling to obedience (and our own calling to the same), many things concern us. We are called to serve, to sacrifice, to pray, to worship, to love, to evangelize, to edify — and the list continues. How are we to expect progress in such a broad range of obedience? Our confidence is that "The LORD will perfect that which concerns [us]."
As we have asked previously, is this work of God to equip us unto obedience an automatic issue? Not at all! Remember, we can resist (Act_7:51), quench (1Th_5:19), and grieve (Eph_4:30) the work of the Spirit of grace in our lives. So what is to be our response? Since the Lord is the one who must be equipping us to do His will, we are to be seeking Him. We are to be humbly dependent upon Him. We must not look to ourselves, to formulas, or to any other hope.
Prayer
O God of peace, please do what only You can do. Equip me to obey You in every type of good work that is in Your will. I do not have what it takes to fulfill Your will for me. I often put my hope in vain places. Lord, I now look to You alone, in Jesus name, Amen.
Now may the God of peace . . . make you complete in every good work to do His will. (Heb_13:20-21)
Our devotional study is from Hebrews 13:20-21. We come to understand that the God of peace makes obedience available through the shed blood of the crucified, risen Christ. That shed blood forgives our sins, making friends out of formerly disobedient enemies. Furthermore, that shed blood establishes the new covenant of grace, which supplies God's sufficiency for all our needs, including, the developing of an obedient life.
We will reflect upon God being the one who uses His heavenly resources to equip us to do His will. What a hope and joy this is! God Himself is willing to undertake the task of shaping us into His obedient servants: "Now may the God of peace . . . make you complete in every good work to do His will."
This term, "complete," is exceedingly insightful. It speaks of equipping people for their intended task, getting them ready to do what they are called to do. To equip means to furnish whatever qualities are necessary to perform the task at hand. To equip means to supply whatever is needed for an assigned purpose. Our calling and purpose in the will of God is that we engage in a great variety of good works. God is willing to equip us "in every good work to do His will."
Long ago, David was inspired of the Holy Spirit to speak boldly in similar terms. "The LORD will perfect that which concerns me" (Psa_138:8). In light of David's calling to obedience (and our own calling to the same), many things concern us. We are called to serve, to sacrifice, to pray, to worship, to love, to evangelize, to edify — and the list continues. How are we to expect progress in such a broad range of obedience? Our confidence is that "The LORD will perfect that which concerns [us]."
As we have asked previously, is this work of God to equip us unto obedience an automatic issue? Not at all! Remember, we can resist (Act_7:51), quench (1Th_5:19), and grieve (Eph_4:30) the work of the Spirit of grace in our lives. So what is to be our response? Since the Lord is the one who must be equipping us to do His will, we are to be seeking Him. We are to be humbly dependent upon Him. We must not look to ourselves, to formulas, or to any other hope.
Prayer
O God of peace, please do what only You can do. Equip me to obey You in every type of good work that is in Your will. I do not have what it takes to fulfill Your will for me. I often put my hope in vain places. Lord, I now look to You alone, in Jesus name, Amen.
Friday, 10 June 2011
How to Fortify Your Mind
Philippians 4:4-8
4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Intro: As each of us knows, man is a tripartite being. That is, every man is made up of body, soul and spirit. The body allows us to interact with the physical world. The soul allows us to respond to the intellectual and emotional world. The spirit allows us to relate to the spiritual world. Each part of this system is extremely important! Without the body, we would have no contact with the world. Without the soul, we would have no ability to think or feel. Without the spirit, we would not have the ability to commune with God.
Of course, when we leave this world, the body ceases to be a part of who we are. Even when the body is raised, it will be a different manner of body than the one we wear today, 1 Cor. 15:42-44. If you are saved, your spirit has already been made alive in Jesus and is sealed by Him until the "day of redemption", Eph. 4:30. In other words, the body will drop away and be changed. The Spirit has already been changed. What we are left with is the soul.
The soul can also be called the mind. It is the seat of the intellect, the will and the emotions. It is where we think, feel and decide. It is also the place where all of the conflicts we face in this life begin! You see, the mind is the ultimate battlefield of life. The Lord, the flesh and the devil are all battling for control of our minds. Why does the battle rage there? Because the Bible says, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...", Pro. 23:7.
We need to understand that this battle that is raging in the mind is a spiritual battle. Ultimately, it is a battle between good and evil for the control of our lives. Since this is a spiritual battle, we must fight it with spiritual resources, 2 Cor. 10:3-5; Eph. 6:10-18. Today, I want to let you know that you do not have to lose the battle for your mind! You do not have to be defeated in your walk with the Lord. You do not have to be a slave to worry and fear. You do not have to live a life controlled by the lusts and desires fo the flesh! You can live your life under the control of the Spirit of God. You can win the battle.
How, you might ask? First, it doesn't happen automatically! You have to take certain steps that will allow it to come to pass, Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:23; 1 Pet. 1:13. (Note: As we take the step in 1 Peter to "get a grip on the mind", we put ourselves in a position to receive the ministry of the Lord as He renews the mind. The word "transform" in Rom. 12:2 and the word "renewed" in Eph. 4:23 are both passive voice. They are something to and in the child of God.) Second, we need to know that we do not have to do this alone. We have the Lord's promise in the matter, 2 Tim. 1:7. Therefore, today, I want to take these verses we have read and show you Paul's plan for victory in the battlefield of the mind.
I want to share with you four simple steps that teach us all How To Fortify The Mind. If followed, these steps will help us to build a wall of protection around our minds. They will help us to achieve victory in the daily struggle we all face.
I. BUILD THE WALL OF PRAISE
A. Paul commands the believer to "rejoice". This word means "to be glad" (Note: It is in the present tense, active voice and imperative mood. This means that the believer is commanded to "go on being glad in the Lord.")
B. Now, let's face it, much of life does not lend itself to our happiness! In fact, when Paul penned these words, he was bound between two soldiers in a Roman prison. Still, Paul knew that regardless of the circumstances of life, God never changes. That is why we are told to "rejoice in the Lord." You see, people will change, circumstances will change and life constantly changes, but the Lord never changes!
C. Since this is true, we can learn to rejoice in Who He is, what He has done for us, and what He is doing in our lives. Even if the road is hard, remember that He has planned your path, Psa. 37:23. He has promised to make all things work for good, Rom. 8:28. He has promised to go with you through everything in life, Heb. 13:5. He has promised you abiding victory, 1 Cor. 15:57; Rom. 8:37. He has promised us that the destination will be worth every mile of the trip, Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:17. Therefore, even when you can't be happy about your life, learn to be happy in the Lord! Built the wall of praise!
II. BUILD THE WALL OF PATIENCE
A. The word "moderation" literally means "gentle or gracious spirit". It has the idea of being patient with others. Of giving way to the rights and wishes of others in this life. It does not mean a compromise in doctrine. It does mean that you have a willingness to take the back seat in favor of other people. This is the idea of Phil. 2:4.
B. Paul is saying that the reality of our faith should be demonstrated in how we deal with other people. If the focus of our lives is on ourselves, then when people hurt us, slight us, cross us, etc, there will be a desire to retaliate and get vengeance. Paul wants us to get the focus off of ourselves, and get it on others. When we are focused on those around us, we will be less likely to hurt by what other people do. What they say won't sting us so bad. How they act can be passed over more easily.
C. When we adopt the mentality of self-love that is all around us, we will always look at the things people do and say as a personal attack. It will cause us to wear our feelings on our sleeves and to be more easily hurt by the words and actions of others. This will cause us problems in the mind as we dwell on what was done or what was said. If we can learn to accept others just as they are and overlook how they act and what they do, it will protect the mind from dwelling in negative areas. It will build a wall of protection around the mind that others cannot penetrate!
The bottom line is this, if we can learn to live in genuine contentment, Phil. 4:11, then it will not matter what anyone says or does. The mind will be protected from the evil it likes to find in others. (Note: The devil loves nothing better than to get your eyes off Jesus and on the faults of others! The flesh loves nothing better than to go along with the devil in this matter. When this happens, the mind is in danger!)
III. BUILD THE WALL OF PRAYER
A. Verse 6 warns us against the dangers of worry. The word "careful" has the idea of "anxiety". It refers to a state of mind that is agitated over the events and circumstances of life. Now, there is nothing wrong with having concern. We all have our concerns about certain things. It is when your concerns have you that the problems begin to arise!
Worry is so dangerous because it allows the mind to conceive false notions about God. Worry says "God is dead!". Or, "If there is a God, He obviously doesn't care about me and my situation." Both of those statements are false! God is alive, Heb. 7:25, and God does care, Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 5:7.
B. When the problems of life come our way, we are given some precious help in the verses.
1. V. 5b - The Lord is near - Not just His second coming, but He is always near to His children - Heb. 13:5-6.
2. V. 6 - Exercise the tool of prayer - Paul speaks of prayer, supplication and requests. These might be thought of a general praying, specific praying and detailed praying. The main thrust of this verse is that instead of worrying, the believer is to demonstrate his faith in the power and will of God by seeking the Lord in prayer!
3. V. 6 - Develop a thankful heart - Regardless of the situations you face in life, learn to praise the Lord through them all. Nothing brings Him nearer or drives the devil away any faster than a genuinely thankful heart!
C. The Lord's promise to us is that He will replace our worries with His peace when we come before Him in trusting, humble prayer. The word "keep" in verse 7 means "to garrison, or build a fort around, to post a guard". The Lord promises to post a guard around the heart and mind of the person who trusts Him with the needs of life. Instead of worrying yourself sick about things you can't change, learn to lean on the Lord in prayer! Build the wall of prayer!
IV.BUILD THE WALL OF PURITY
A. All of these words Paul uses in this verse are a picture of the Word of God. It is true - John 17:17. Since the Bible is true, everything it says fits within the categories mentioned by Paul. It is honest (honorable), it is just (right), it is pure (holy, clean), it is lovely (beautiful), it is of a good report (good reputation), it is full of virtue (excellence) and praise (that which tends toward worship).
B. What we have here is a call to fix our minds upon the things of God. The source for finding our about those things in the Word of God. In other words, if we will fill our minds with the Words of God, there will be no room for evil, no room for worry, no room for fear, no room for vengeance, no room for confusion and trouble. A mind filled with and led by the Word of God is a stable mind!
C. If you want a stable, fixed mind, the only place to get it is in the Word of God. We are to take the initiative and force the mind to dwell on the Bible and what it says, instead of allowing the mind to run to evil, or gossip, or others and what they are doing, or our problems, etc. A mind saturated with and fixed upon the Word of God is a stable mind. (Note: This is something that you must do for yourself! We wonder why we don't get much out of preaching and church sometimes. The answer lies in the fact that everyday, we allow our minds to feed on the filth of the world and to dwell on the problems and problem people of life. If we would give as much energy to dwelling on the Word of God day by day, it would transform our time in the Lord's house!)
Conc: Your mind is a precious gift from God. It can be used for good or for evil and all the forces of good and evil are battling for your mind all the time. Who wins the battle is always determined by you! No one can control your mind, but you. We are told in the Bible that we need to fortify the mind, it is our job, individually, and it cannot be passed off the another.
This is a very critical matter, because how you think determines how you will live your life, Pro. 4:23 (READ!!).
We are to see that our minds are in love with Jesus - Matt. 22:37.
Until the mind is settled, all of life is out of control - James 1:8. I challenge you to fortify your mind!
4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Intro: As each of us knows, man is a tripartite being. That is, every man is made up of body, soul and spirit. The body allows us to interact with the physical world. The soul allows us to respond to the intellectual and emotional world. The spirit allows us to relate to the spiritual world. Each part of this system is extremely important! Without the body, we would have no contact with the world. Without the soul, we would have no ability to think or feel. Without the spirit, we would not have the ability to commune with God.
Of course, when we leave this world, the body ceases to be a part of who we are. Even when the body is raised, it will be a different manner of body than the one we wear today, 1 Cor. 15:42-44. If you are saved, your spirit has already been made alive in Jesus and is sealed by Him until the "day of redemption", Eph. 4:30. In other words, the body will drop away and be changed. The Spirit has already been changed. What we are left with is the soul.
The soul can also be called the mind. It is the seat of the intellect, the will and the emotions. It is where we think, feel and decide. It is also the place where all of the conflicts we face in this life begin! You see, the mind is the ultimate battlefield of life. The Lord, the flesh and the devil are all battling for control of our minds. Why does the battle rage there? Because the Bible says, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...", Pro. 23:7.
We need to understand that this battle that is raging in the mind is a spiritual battle. Ultimately, it is a battle between good and evil for the control of our lives. Since this is a spiritual battle, we must fight it with spiritual resources, 2 Cor. 10:3-5; Eph. 6:10-18. Today, I want to let you know that you do not have to lose the battle for your mind! You do not have to be defeated in your walk with the Lord. You do not have to be a slave to worry and fear. You do not have to live a life controlled by the lusts and desires fo the flesh! You can live your life under the control of the Spirit of God. You can win the battle.
How, you might ask? First, it doesn't happen automatically! You have to take certain steps that will allow it to come to pass, Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:23; 1 Pet. 1:13. (Note: As we take the step in 1 Peter to "get a grip on the mind", we put ourselves in a position to receive the ministry of the Lord as He renews the mind. The word "transform" in Rom. 12:2 and the word "renewed" in Eph. 4:23 are both passive voice. They are something to and in the child of God.) Second, we need to know that we do not have to do this alone. We have the Lord's promise in the matter, 2 Tim. 1:7. Therefore, today, I want to take these verses we have read and show you Paul's plan for victory in the battlefield of the mind.
I want to share with you four simple steps that teach us all How To Fortify The Mind. If followed, these steps will help us to build a wall of protection around our minds. They will help us to achieve victory in the daily struggle we all face.
I. BUILD THE WALL OF PRAISE
A. Paul commands the believer to "rejoice". This word means "to be glad" (Note: It is in the present tense, active voice and imperative mood. This means that the believer is commanded to "go on being glad in the Lord.")
B. Now, let's face it, much of life does not lend itself to our happiness! In fact, when Paul penned these words, he was bound between two soldiers in a Roman prison. Still, Paul knew that regardless of the circumstances of life, God never changes. That is why we are told to "rejoice in the Lord." You see, people will change, circumstances will change and life constantly changes, but the Lord never changes!
C. Since this is true, we can learn to rejoice in Who He is, what He has done for us, and what He is doing in our lives. Even if the road is hard, remember that He has planned your path, Psa. 37:23. He has promised to make all things work for good, Rom. 8:28. He has promised to go with you through everything in life, Heb. 13:5. He has promised you abiding victory, 1 Cor. 15:57; Rom. 8:37. He has promised us that the destination will be worth every mile of the trip, Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:17. Therefore, even when you can't be happy about your life, learn to be happy in the Lord! Built the wall of praise!
II. BUILD THE WALL OF PATIENCE
A. The word "moderation" literally means "gentle or gracious spirit". It has the idea of being patient with others. Of giving way to the rights and wishes of others in this life. It does not mean a compromise in doctrine. It does mean that you have a willingness to take the back seat in favor of other people. This is the idea of Phil. 2:4.
B. Paul is saying that the reality of our faith should be demonstrated in how we deal with other people. If the focus of our lives is on ourselves, then when people hurt us, slight us, cross us, etc, there will be a desire to retaliate and get vengeance. Paul wants us to get the focus off of ourselves, and get it on others. When we are focused on those around us, we will be less likely to hurt by what other people do. What they say won't sting us so bad. How they act can be passed over more easily.
C. When we adopt the mentality of self-love that is all around us, we will always look at the things people do and say as a personal attack. It will cause us to wear our feelings on our sleeves and to be more easily hurt by the words and actions of others. This will cause us problems in the mind as we dwell on what was done or what was said. If we can learn to accept others just as they are and overlook how they act and what they do, it will protect the mind from dwelling in negative areas. It will build a wall of protection around the mind that others cannot penetrate!
The bottom line is this, if we can learn to live in genuine contentment, Phil. 4:11, then it will not matter what anyone says or does. The mind will be protected from the evil it likes to find in others. (Note: The devil loves nothing better than to get your eyes off Jesus and on the faults of others! The flesh loves nothing better than to go along with the devil in this matter. When this happens, the mind is in danger!)
III. BUILD THE WALL OF PRAYER
A. Verse 6 warns us against the dangers of worry. The word "careful" has the idea of "anxiety". It refers to a state of mind that is agitated over the events and circumstances of life. Now, there is nothing wrong with having concern. We all have our concerns about certain things. It is when your concerns have you that the problems begin to arise!
Worry is so dangerous because it allows the mind to conceive false notions about God. Worry says "God is dead!". Or, "If there is a God, He obviously doesn't care about me and my situation." Both of those statements are false! God is alive, Heb. 7:25, and God does care, Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 5:7.
B. When the problems of life come our way, we are given some precious help in the verses.
1. V. 5b - The Lord is near - Not just His second coming, but He is always near to His children - Heb. 13:5-6.
2. V. 6 - Exercise the tool of prayer - Paul speaks of prayer, supplication and requests. These might be thought of a general praying, specific praying and detailed praying. The main thrust of this verse is that instead of worrying, the believer is to demonstrate his faith in the power and will of God by seeking the Lord in prayer!
3. V. 6 - Develop a thankful heart - Regardless of the situations you face in life, learn to praise the Lord through them all. Nothing brings Him nearer or drives the devil away any faster than a genuinely thankful heart!
C. The Lord's promise to us is that He will replace our worries with His peace when we come before Him in trusting, humble prayer. The word "keep" in verse 7 means "to garrison, or build a fort around, to post a guard". The Lord promises to post a guard around the heart and mind of the person who trusts Him with the needs of life. Instead of worrying yourself sick about things you can't change, learn to lean on the Lord in prayer! Build the wall of prayer!
IV.BUILD THE WALL OF PURITY
A. All of these words Paul uses in this verse are a picture of the Word of God. It is true - John 17:17. Since the Bible is true, everything it says fits within the categories mentioned by Paul. It is honest (honorable), it is just (right), it is pure (holy, clean), it is lovely (beautiful), it is of a good report (good reputation), it is full of virtue (excellence) and praise (that which tends toward worship).
B. What we have here is a call to fix our minds upon the things of God. The source for finding our about those things in the Word of God. In other words, if we will fill our minds with the Words of God, there will be no room for evil, no room for worry, no room for fear, no room for vengeance, no room for confusion and trouble. A mind filled with and led by the Word of God is a stable mind!
C. If you want a stable, fixed mind, the only place to get it is in the Word of God. We are to take the initiative and force the mind to dwell on the Bible and what it says, instead of allowing the mind to run to evil, or gossip, or others and what they are doing, or our problems, etc. A mind saturated with and fixed upon the Word of God is a stable mind. (Note: This is something that you must do for yourself! We wonder why we don't get much out of preaching and church sometimes. The answer lies in the fact that everyday, we allow our minds to feed on the filth of the world and to dwell on the problems and problem people of life. If we would give as much energy to dwelling on the Word of God day by day, it would transform our time in the Lord's house!)
Conc: Your mind is a precious gift from God. It can be used for good or for evil and all the forces of good and evil are battling for your mind all the time. Who wins the battle is always determined by you! No one can control your mind, but you. We are told in the Bible that we need to fortify the mind, it is our job, individually, and it cannot be passed off the another.
This is a very critical matter, because how you think determines how you will live your life, Pro. 4:23 (READ!!).
We are to see that our minds are in love with Jesus - Matt. 22:37.
Until the mind is settled, all of life is out of control - James 1:8. I challenge you to fortify your mind!
Thursday, 9 June 2011
Obedience and the Lordship of Jesus
Obedience and the Lordship of Jesus
But why do you call Me "Lord, Lord," and do not do the things which I say? . . . Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them . . . [and] teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Luk_6:46 and Mat_28:19-20)
As servants of the new covenant of grace, the Lordship of Jesus is part of our message. "For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord" (2Co_4:5). The early church proclaimed Jesus as Lord. "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ . . .
The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ — He is Lord of all . . . believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved . . . Then Paul dwelt two whole years . . . teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ" (Act_2:36; Act_10:36; Act_16:31; and Act_28:30-31).
The scriptures often emphasize the fact that Jesus is our Lord. The opening verses of Paul's first letter to Corinth are a clear example. "Paul . . . to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus . . . with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord . . . Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ . . . you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1Co_1:1-10).
Clearly, it is right for followers of Jesus to call Him Lord. Yet, to call Him Lord and then disobey Him is a contradiction. "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? " After believing in Jesus and identifying with Him in water baptism, disciples are to be growing in obedience: "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you." As we are learning to walk in obedience, Jesus is ever present with us. "I am with you always." Day by day, He offers the grace we need for obedience: "Declared to be the Son of God with power . . . through whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith" (Rom_1:4-5).
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I long for my verbal confession of Your Lordship to be validated by my daily growth in obedience. You are my Master. Grant me grace each day to be obedient to the faith, in Your sovereign name I pray, Amen.
But why do you call Me "Lord, Lord," and do not do the things which I say? . . . Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them . . . [and] teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Luk_6:46 and Mat_28:19-20)
As servants of the new covenant of grace, the Lordship of Jesus is part of our message. "For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord" (2Co_4:5). The early church proclaimed Jesus as Lord. "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ . . .
The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ — He is Lord of all . . . believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved . . . Then Paul dwelt two whole years . . . teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ" (Act_2:36; Act_10:36; Act_16:31; and Act_28:30-31).
The scriptures often emphasize the fact that Jesus is our Lord. The opening verses of Paul's first letter to Corinth are a clear example. "Paul . . . to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus . . . with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord . . . Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ . . . you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1Co_1:1-10).
Clearly, it is right for followers of Jesus to call Him Lord. Yet, to call Him Lord and then disobey Him is a contradiction. "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? " After believing in Jesus and identifying with Him in water baptism, disciples are to be growing in obedience: "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you." As we are learning to walk in obedience, Jesus is ever present with us. "I am with you always." Day by day, He offers the grace we need for obedience: "Declared to be the Son of God with power . . . through whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith" (Rom_1:4-5).
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I long for my verbal confession of Your Lordship to be validated by my daily growth in obedience. You are my Master. Grant me grace each day to be obedient to the faith, in Your sovereign name I pray, Amen.
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
God Working in Us Both to Will and to Do
God Working in Us Both to Will and to Do
Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Phi_2:12-13)
Again, our meditation is from Phi_2:12-13. Yesterday, we saw that God must be allowed to work within our hearts, if we are to walk in obedience. "It is God who works in you . . . for His good pleasure." Today, we will consider the extent to which He desires to work: "both to will and to do." In order to fully obey the Lord, we need His work within us for both the willing and the doing.
First, the Lord wants to affect our willingness to obey Him (to fulfill "His good pleasure"). So, He invites us into His word to learn of His will. "Oh, that My people would listen to Me . . . [and] walk in My ways!" (Psa_81:13). Then, His word goes to work within our hearts, convicting us of our need to obey it. "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (Jam_1:22). All the while, He is nurturing in us a love for His word. "Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold!" (Psa_119:127). Increasingly, we become willing to (we desire to) obey His word. "I delight to do Your will, O my God" (Psa_40:8).
After working in our hearts a willingness to obey Him, the Lord also wants to work in us until we are doing His will. Yes, willing and doing are two different matters. We easily forget this distinction. We wrongly assume that once the willingness is present, the doing will inevitably follow. Jesus revealed the fallacy of this thinking in a well-known warning to His disciples. "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Mat_26:41). Even when our hearts are willing to obey, our flesh is inadequate to bring the willingness on to obedience. Thus, we are to be alert to our need for prayer that we might obey and not yield to temptation. The word even teaches us how to cry out to God for the internal inclination from Him that we need to actually obey His will. "Make me walk in the path of Your commandments . . . Incline my heart to Your testimonies" (Psa_119:35-36).
Prayer
Dear gracious Lord, how wonderful You are to want to work in me unto obedience. What a gift of Your grace that You desire comprehensive involvement in this vital process — from the willing to the doing. Lord, draw me day by day to Your word. Work in me a growing willingness to obey You. Also, strengthen me to actually do Your will, in Jesus name, Amen.
Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Phi_2:12-13)
Again, our meditation is from Phi_2:12-13. Yesterday, we saw that God must be allowed to work within our hearts, if we are to walk in obedience. "It is God who works in you . . . for His good pleasure." Today, we will consider the extent to which He desires to work: "both to will and to do." In order to fully obey the Lord, we need His work within us for both the willing and the doing.
First, the Lord wants to affect our willingness to obey Him (to fulfill "His good pleasure"). So, He invites us into His word to learn of His will. "Oh, that My people would listen to Me . . . [and] walk in My ways!" (Psa_81:13). Then, His word goes to work within our hearts, convicting us of our need to obey it. "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (Jam_1:22). All the while, He is nurturing in us a love for His word. "Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold!" (Psa_119:127). Increasingly, we become willing to (we desire to) obey His word. "I delight to do Your will, O my God" (Psa_40:8).
After working in our hearts a willingness to obey Him, the Lord also wants to work in us until we are doing His will. Yes, willing and doing are two different matters. We easily forget this distinction. We wrongly assume that once the willingness is present, the doing will inevitably follow. Jesus revealed the fallacy of this thinking in a well-known warning to His disciples. "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Mat_26:41). Even when our hearts are willing to obey, our flesh is inadequate to bring the willingness on to obedience. Thus, we are to be alert to our need for prayer that we might obey and not yield to temptation. The word even teaches us how to cry out to God for the internal inclination from Him that we need to actually obey His will. "Make me walk in the path of Your commandments . . . Incline my heart to Your testimonies" (Psa_119:35-36).
Prayer
Dear gracious Lord, how wonderful You are to want to work in me unto obedience. What a gift of Your grace that You desire comprehensive involvement in this vital process — from the willing to the doing. Lord, draw me day by day to Your word. Work in me a growing willingness to obey You. Also, strengthen me to actually do Your will, in Jesus name, Amen.
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
The New Covenant Promise of a New Heart
The New Covenant Promise of a New Heart
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. (Eze_36:26)
To live in obedience to the will of God, man needs more than his own best efforts and intentions. The history of Israel emphatically demonstrates this. God gave His law. He commanded them, saying,"Walk in My statutes, keep My judgments, and do them" (Eze_20:19). Israel had promised to obey. "All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient" (Exo_24:7). Nevertheless, they failed miserably. "Notwithstanding, the children rebelled against Me; they did not walk in My statutes, and were not careful to observe My judgments" (Eze_20:21).
In order to live obedient lives, people need a new life from God, followed by understanding in how to develop that new life. Here, we see a promise from God to supply that new life. "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you." These promises are related to the new covenant of grace that the prophets proclaimed for Israel some day. "Behold, the days are coming . . . when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel . . . not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt" (Jer_31:31-32). The book of Hebrews elaborates on this new covenant of grace and applies it to the church today: "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us" (Heb_10:19-20).
When anyone embraces the grace of God offered in Jesus Christ (the mediator, the great High Priest of the new covenant), that person is born again by the Spirit of God. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (Joh_3:6). This is a necessity. "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (Joh_3:3). Human "flesh-birth" brings with it a hard spiritual heart (a dead spirit). Spiritual new birth from God replaces this hard heart (this dead, non-responsive spirit). "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you."
Think of our desperate need for this work of God that brings us a new heart, a new life. Those not born again are described as living "in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God . . . because of the hardening of their heart" (Eph_4:17-18). Yet, whoever relies upon the grace of God offered in Jesus Christ becomes a newborn child of God. "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).
Prayer
Dear Lord, giver of new life, I praise You for replacing my old, hard, dead heart with a new, living, responsive heart. Now, I long to grow in the newness that is in Christ, Amen.
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. (Eze_36:26)
To live in obedience to the will of God, man needs more than his own best efforts and intentions. The history of Israel emphatically demonstrates this. God gave His law. He commanded them, saying,"Walk in My statutes, keep My judgments, and do them" (Eze_20:19). Israel had promised to obey. "All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient" (Exo_24:7). Nevertheless, they failed miserably. "Notwithstanding, the children rebelled against Me; they did not walk in My statutes, and were not careful to observe My judgments" (Eze_20:21).
In order to live obedient lives, people need a new life from God, followed by understanding in how to develop that new life. Here, we see a promise from God to supply that new life. "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you." These promises are related to the new covenant of grace that the prophets proclaimed for Israel some day. "Behold, the days are coming . . . when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel . . . not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt" (Jer_31:31-32). The book of Hebrews elaborates on this new covenant of grace and applies it to the church today: "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us" (Heb_10:19-20).
When anyone embraces the grace of God offered in Jesus Christ (the mediator, the great High Priest of the new covenant), that person is born again by the Spirit of God. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (Joh_3:6). This is a necessity. "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (Joh_3:3). Human "flesh-birth" brings with it a hard spiritual heart (a dead spirit). Spiritual new birth from God replaces this hard heart (this dead, non-responsive spirit). "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you."
Think of our desperate need for this work of God that brings us a new heart, a new life. Those not born again are described as living "in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God . . . because of the hardening of their heart" (Eph_4:17-18). Yet, whoever relies upon the grace of God offered in Jesus Christ becomes a newborn child of God. "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).
Prayer
Dear Lord, giver of new life, I praise You for replacing my old, hard, dead heart with a new, living, responsive heart. Now, I long to grow in the newness that is in Christ, Amen.
Monday, 6 June 2011
The Old Covenant Demand of Obedience
The Old Covenant Demand of Obedience
And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good? . . . This day the LORD your God commands you to observe these statutes and judgments; therefore you shall be careful to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deu_10:12-13 and Deu_26:16)
As we saw in our previous meditation, the grace of God provides what we need for growing in a life of obedience. Now we will begin to see that God's law demands obedience (whole-hearted obedience), but it does not provide the necessary spiritual resources for living an obedient life.
When Israel was about to enter the Promised Land, Moses restated what God's law required. "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but . . . to walk in all His ways . . . and to keep the commandments of the LORD . . . therefore you shall be careful to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul." Remember, the commandments of God called for holy living. "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy" (Lev_19:2). The measurement for this required holiness was God Himself. This represented a high and lofty standard, far beyond what man could reach on his own.
Additionally, God was not calling them to an external religious behaviorism, but to wholehearted obedience: "keep the commandments . . . observe them with all your heart." From deep within their innermost being, the children of Israel were to fully obey the Lord. They were to truly and sincerely observe all that the Lord had commanded. There were to be no inner reservations or hesitations.
What the law demanded was good. "The law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good" (Rom_7:12). Yet, the resources were lacking. Man could not measure up on his own. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom_3:23). Furthermore, this perfect law offered no help to change man into what it required. "The law made nothing perfect" (Heb_7:19). Praise God, there is a provision that can accomplish what the law cannot do. "On the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope" (Heb_7:19). That effective hope is the grace of God.
Prayer
Lord God of holiness, I bow to Your holy law as good and just. I desire to live what the law demands. Yet, I confess my failures, as well as my inadequacy to improve myself. I rejoice in Your better hope. By Your grace, please shape my heart into a life of growing obedience, Amen.
And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good? . . . This day the LORD your God commands you to observe these statutes and judgments; therefore you shall be careful to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deu_10:12-13 and Deu_26:16)
As we saw in our previous meditation, the grace of God provides what we need for growing in a life of obedience. Now we will begin to see that God's law demands obedience (whole-hearted obedience), but it does not provide the necessary spiritual resources for living an obedient life.
When Israel was about to enter the Promised Land, Moses restated what God's law required. "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but . . . to walk in all His ways . . . and to keep the commandments of the LORD . . . therefore you shall be careful to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul." Remember, the commandments of God called for holy living. "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy" (Lev_19:2). The measurement for this required holiness was God Himself. This represented a high and lofty standard, far beyond what man could reach on his own.
Additionally, God was not calling them to an external religious behaviorism, but to wholehearted obedience: "keep the commandments . . . observe them with all your heart." From deep within their innermost being, the children of Israel were to fully obey the Lord. They were to truly and sincerely observe all that the Lord had commanded. There were to be no inner reservations or hesitations.
What the law demanded was good. "The law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good" (Rom_7:12). Yet, the resources were lacking. Man could not measure up on his own. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom_3:23). Furthermore, this perfect law offered no help to change man into what it required. "The law made nothing perfect" (Heb_7:19). Praise God, there is a provision that can accomplish what the law cannot do. "On the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope" (Heb_7:19). That effective hope is the grace of God.
Prayer
Lord God of holiness, I bow to Your holy law as good and just. I desire to live what the law demands. Yet, I confess my failures, as well as my inadequacy to improve myself. I rejoice in Your better hope. By Your grace, please shape my heart into a life of growing obedience, Amen.
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Obedience under the New Covenant of Grace
Obedience under the New Covenant of Grace
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. (Rom_6:14)
Obedience is a vital issue for every believer. Throughout the scriptures we see that God's desire is for His children to walk in obedience. Moses wrote of this truth. "You shall obey the voice of the LORD your God, and observe His commandments and His statutes which I command you today" (Deu_27:10). Samuel confirmed this truth. "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice" (1Sa_15:22). Likewise, the Apostle Peter declared that God's children are to live "as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts" (1Pe_1:14).
Our lives are to be under the rule (the dominion) of God's will revealed in His word. When we are disobedient to God's will, sin is dominating our lives. The Lord certainly wants us to get out from under the domination of sin and to live obediently. The only path for such liberation is the grace of God. "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace" (Rom_6:14). Man might think that the law could free us from the dominating influence of sin. If we had laws with radical standards and severe consequences, surely man would not go on sinning. Of course, this approach does not work. No standards are as lofty as the holy law of God. No consequences are more severe than violating God's law. Yet, men still are dominated by sin. Grace is God's remedy.
A reactionary apprehension can develop against God's liberating remedy of grace. Some people think that proclaiming grace as the solution will only encourage people to sin all the more and even wrongly assume that this will unleash more grace. The opposite is actually true. When God's children embrace the wonder of what His grace provides (an effective rescue from sin through our identification with the death and resurrection of Christ), we see the folly of continuing in sin. "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Rom_6:1-4). By God's grace at work, growing in this new life means growing in obedience.
Prayer
Lord God of liberating grace, I want to grow in obedience. I long to be increasingly free from the influence of sin . Lord, I know that my best effort to be holy will not be sufficient. Strengthen me by Your grace to walk in Your will, in Jesus name, Amen.
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. (Rom_6:14)
Obedience is a vital issue for every believer. Throughout the scriptures we see that God's desire is for His children to walk in obedience. Moses wrote of this truth. "You shall obey the voice of the LORD your God, and observe His commandments and His statutes which I command you today" (Deu_27:10). Samuel confirmed this truth. "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice" (1Sa_15:22). Likewise, the Apostle Peter declared that God's children are to live "as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts" (1Pe_1:14).
Our lives are to be under the rule (the dominion) of God's will revealed in His word. When we are disobedient to God's will, sin is dominating our lives. The Lord certainly wants us to get out from under the domination of sin and to live obediently. The only path for such liberation is the grace of God. "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace" (Rom_6:14). Man might think that the law could free us from the dominating influence of sin. If we had laws with radical standards and severe consequences, surely man would not go on sinning. Of course, this approach does not work. No standards are as lofty as the holy law of God. No consequences are more severe than violating God's law. Yet, men still are dominated by sin. Grace is God's remedy.
A reactionary apprehension can develop against God's liberating remedy of grace. Some people think that proclaiming grace as the solution will only encourage people to sin all the more and even wrongly assume that this will unleash more grace. The opposite is actually true. When God's children embrace the wonder of what His grace provides (an effective rescue from sin through our identification with the death and resurrection of Christ), we see the folly of continuing in sin. "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Rom_6:1-4). By God's grace at work, growing in this new life means growing in obedience.
Prayer
Lord God of liberating grace, I want to grow in obedience. I long to be increasingly free from the influence of sin . Lord, I know that my best effort to be holy will not be sufficient. Strengthen me by Your grace to walk in Your will, in Jesus name, Amen.
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Temporary Visible Things, Eternal Invisible Things
Temporary Visible Things, Eternal Invisible Things
For our light affliction . . . is working for us . . . [an] eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2Co_4:17-18)
Our gracious God wants to use the trials in our lives ("our light affliction") to produce for us eternal blessings ("eternal weight of glory"). He intends to use our daily difficulties to enlarge our spiritual capacity to experience more fully the glorious eternal realities of knowing, worshiping, and serving God forever! The Lord desires a full, rich inheritance to await us in heaven: "For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2Pe_1:11).
A life of great difficulty here on earth does not guarantee enriched experience in heaven. The process of earthly trials producing heavenly blessings is not automatic for God's children. Verse 18 tells us exactly when this process is occurring: "while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen." The difficulties of life are turned to eternal blessings "while" we turn our attention upon unseen realities.
Many believers waste their afflictions by focusing upon "the things which are seen." They set their minds on themselves, their circumstances, or some conventional human wisdom. Such an approach to life's problems fosters temporal frustrations, not eternal blessings. To accrue eternal benefits from temporal situations, we must look to unseen eternal resources, because "the things which are not seen are eternal."
What are these unseen things? They are the resources of the grace of God. This includes grace for consolation and hope: "Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has . . . given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace" (2Th_2:16). This also includes grace for endurance: "My grace is sufficient for you" (2Co_12:9). It actually includes "grace upon grace" (Joh_1:16) for whatever is needed.
All of this is available through daily dependence upon the Lord. "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2Co_5:7). The Christian life is lived by faith in the Lord, not by mastery of observable circumstances. God's people enter into His blessings by trusting in Him. It is by looking to the grace of God during our difficulties that afflictions are turned into an "eternal weight of glory."
Prayer
Lord God of abundant grace, I confess that I have frequently wasted my afflictions by concentrating upon temporal things — very often focusing upon myself. Please help me to look to the resources of Your unfailing grace, that my trials might have eternal, heavenly significance. Through Christ Jesus, I pray, Amen.
For our light affliction . . . is working for us . . . [an] eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2Co_4:17-18)
Our gracious God wants to use the trials in our lives ("our light affliction") to produce for us eternal blessings ("eternal weight of glory"). He intends to use our daily difficulties to enlarge our spiritual capacity to experience more fully the glorious eternal realities of knowing, worshiping, and serving God forever! The Lord desires a full, rich inheritance to await us in heaven: "For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2Pe_1:11).
A life of great difficulty here on earth does not guarantee enriched experience in heaven. The process of earthly trials producing heavenly blessings is not automatic for God's children. Verse 18 tells us exactly when this process is occurring: "while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen." The difficulties of life are turned to eternal blessings "while" we turn our attention upon unseen realities.
Many believers waste their afflictions by focusing upon "the things which are seen." They set their minds on themselves, their circumstances, or some conventional human wisdom. Such an approach to life's problems fosters temporal frustrations, not eternal blessings. To accrue eternal benefits from temporal situations, we must look to unseen eternal resources, because "the things which are not seen are eternal."
What are these unseen things? They are the resources of the grace of God. This includes grace for consolation and hope: "Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has . . . given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace" (2Th_2:16). This also includes grace for endurance: "My grace is sufficient for you" (2Co_12:9). It actually includes "grace upon grace" (Joh_1:16) for whatever is needed.
All of this is available through daily dependence upon the Lord. "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2Co_5:7). The Christian life is lived by faith in the Lord, not by mastery of observable circumstances. God's people enter into His blessings by trusting in Him. It is by looking to the grace of God during our difficulties that afflictions are turned into an "eternal weight of glory."
Prayer
Lord God of abundant grace, I confess that I have frequently wasted my afflictions by concentrating upon temporal things — very often focusing upon myself. Please help me to look to the resources of Your unfailing grace, that my trials might have eternal, heavenly significance. Through Christ Jesus, I pray, Amen.
Friday, 3 June 2011
Outer Man Perishing, Inner Man Renewed
Outer Man Perishing, Inner Man Renewed
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. (2Co_4:16)
Those who learn to live by the grace of God are increasingly protected from discouragement. "Therefore we do not lose heart." This truth was touched upon in an earlier verse from this fourth chapter of 2 Corinthians. "Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart" (2Co_4:1). The protection from discouragement there involved mercy and grace. Since we serve the Lord by mercy and grace (and not by our merit or by our resources), we have a built-in supply of heavenly encouragement available to us daily.
In our present verse, encouragement comes from the contrast between what is happening to the "outward man" and to the "inward man." The "outward man" is the physical person, which can be observed by human sight. This is generally the object of attention among the unredeemed (as well as among believers who are walking according to the flesh). This man is "perishing" because sin has impacted all of us.
"Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned" (Rom_5:12). Man began from dust. "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground" (Gen_2:7). Due to sin, the outer, physical man is headed back toward that initial starting point. "In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return" (Gen_3:19). For those who do not know the Lord, this is a discouraging fact. They often strive desperately to prevent this inevitable process.
On the other hand, servants of new covenant grace are not discouraged by this fact. "Therefore we do not lose heart." It is true that our outer man is also perishing. Yet, we see a bigger picture than that. "Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day." As our outer man is deteriorating, we are still encouraged, because our inner man can be in the process of renewal: "And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him" (Col_3:10). As we are humbly seeking the Lord in His word, we are being changed, brought more and more into the newness of Christ: "Beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2Co_3:18).
Prayer
O Lord, as my outer man deteriorates, remind me of the encouraging reality that my inner man can be renewed. Help me to desire inner spiritual progress, rather than outer physical prowess. This I pray through Christ, my Lord, Amen.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. (2Co_4:16)
Those who learn to live by the grace of God are increasingly protected from discouragement. "Therefore we do not lose heart." This truth was touched upon in an earlier verse from this fourth chapter of 2 Corinthians. "Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart" (2Co_4:1). The protection from discouragement there involved mercy and grace. Since we serve the Lord by mercy and grace (and not by our merit or by our resources), we have a built-in supply of heavenly encouragement available to us daily.
In our present verse, encouragement comes from the contrast between what is happening to the "outward man" and to the "inward man." The "outward man" is the physical person, which can be observed by human sight. This is generally the object of attention among the unredeemed (as well as among believers who are walking according to the flesh). This man is "perishing" because sin has impacted all of us.
"Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned" (Rom_5:12). Man began from dust. "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground" (Gen_2:7). Due to sin, the outer, physical man is headed back toward that initial starting point. "In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return" (Gen_3:19). For those who do not know the Lord, this is a discouraging fact. They often strive desperately to prevent this inevitable process.
On the other hand, servants of new covenant grace are not discouraged by this fact. "Therefore we do not lose heart." It is true that our outer man is also perishing. Yet, we see a bigger picture than that. "Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day." As our outer man is deteriorating, we are still encouraged, because our inner man can be in the process of renewal: "And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him" (Col_3:10). As we are humbly seeking the Lord in His word, we are being changed, brought more and more into the newness of Christ: "Beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2Co_3:18).
Prayer
O Lord, as my outer man deteriorates, remind me of the encouraging reality that my inner man can be renewed. Help me to desire inner spiritual progress, rather than outer physical prowess. This I pray through Christ, my Lord, Amen.
Thursday, 2 June 2011
An Action Carried Out toward Earthen Vessels
An Action Carried Out toward Earthen Vessels
For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (2Co_4:11)
The treasure who lives within us (Jesus) is to get glory and honor as we trust Him to live in, and be manifested through, the vessels of our humanity. "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us" (2Co_4:7). Our previous meditation reminded us that we are to embrace an attitude of "death to self" that facilitates this plan: "Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body" (2Co_4:10). In addition, there is an action carried out toward earthen vessels that also advances this great purpose of God. This matter is also about dying in order to live.
This action is taken toward earthen vessels: "we who live." We who have found new life in Christ are the ones who are "delivered to death." Our God places us into (or allows us to be put in) situations that are far more than we can handle. Even the Apostle Paul had to undergo this action taken toward him. "For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves" (2Co_1:8-9). This was not an isolated incident.
Paul was frequently in such impossibilities. "From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep" (2Co_11:24-25).
Since we are earthen vessels, this is the way life unfolds. Clay pots are characteristically inadequate and vulnerable. Consequently, the situations that our all-loving and all-wise God leads us into are consistently like being "delivered to death." However, this action toward us is "for Jesus' sake." In our continual impossibilities, Jesus has repeated opportunities to manifest Himself. Our heavenly Father places us in circumstances we cannot handle by our own resources. We cry out to the Lord, putting our hope and trust in Him. He faithfully goes to work in us. The result is "that the life of Jesus [is] manifested in our mortal flesh."
Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, forgive me for the many times I resist Your delivering me over to death. You know that I prefer it when I can handle the events that come my way. Remind me to view my impossibilities as Jesus' opportunities to manifest Himself in and through the vessel of my life. This I humbly ask, in Jesus name, Amen.
For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (2Co_4:11)
The treasure who lives within us (Jesus) is to get glory and honor as we trust Him to live in, and be manifested through, the vessels of our humanity. "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us" (2Co_4:7). Our previous meditation reminded us that we are to embrace an attitude of "death to self" that facilitates this plan: "Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body" (2Co_4:10). In addition, there is an action carried out toward earthen vessels that also advances this great purpose of God. This matter is also about dying in order to live.
This action is taken toward earthen vessels: "we who live." We who have found new life in Christ are the ones who are "delivered to death." Our God places us into (or allows us to be put in) situations that are far more than we can handle. Even the Apostle Paul had to undergo this action taken toward him. "For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves" (2Co_1:8-9). This was not an isolated incident.
Paul was frequently in such impossibilities. "From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep" (2Co_11:24-25).
Since we are earthen vessels, this is the way life unfolds. Clay pots are characteristically inadequate and vulnerable. Consequently, the situations that our all-loving and all-wise God leads us into are consistently like being "delivered to death." However, this action toward us is "for Jesus' sake." In our continual impossibilities, Jesus has repeated opportunities to manifest Himself. Our heavenly Father places us in circumstances we cannot handle by our own resources. We cry out to the Lord, putting our hope and trust in Him. He faithfully goes to work in us. The result is "that the life of Jesus [is] manifested in our mortal flesh."
Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, forgive me for the many times I resist Your delivering me over to death. You know that I prefer it when I can handle the events that come my way. Remind me to view my impossibilities as Jesus' opportunities to manifest Himself in and through the vessel of my life. This I humbly ask, in Jesus name, Amen.
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
An Attitude Carried About by Earthen Vessels
An Attitude Carried About by Earthen Vessels
Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (2Co_4:10)
As earthen vessels, we are to live by trusting in the treasure (the Lord Jesus) who dwells within us: "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels." (2Co_4:7) Also, we are to give Him all honor and glory as He sustains us day by day through the trials of life: "that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." In addition, to help us magnify the treasure who lives in us, there is to be an attitude (an outlook) carried about (embraced) by the earthen vessels.
The particular attitude that results in magnifying the treasure is the perspective we hold concerning the death of Christ: "Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus." This is about dying in order to live. Jesus taught this. "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it" (Luk_9:24). Those who hold on to the life they received from Adam lose what they are trying to guard and develop. They never find true life. However, all who renounce their sinful natural life and trust in Jesus find a new life from Him.
This is the attitude that followers of Christ are to carry with them. "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Luk_9:23). Day by day, our perspective is to include a rejection of any life that we could produce on our own ("deny himself"). We are to agree with God that the self-life always deserves the cross of Christ ("take up his cross daily"). This leaves us with only one option: pursue after Jesus for the life that He alone can provide ("and follow Me").
Such confessions are in harmony with what actually happened to us at the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism [that is, through identification] into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Rom_6:4). When we placed our trust in the Lord, His death and resurrection became our death and resurrection! This is to be our confidence continually. "Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom_6:11).
When we carry about this attitude, we are actually trusting the Lord Jesus (the treasure who dwells within us) to live in and through our "earthen vessels," our humanity: "that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body."
Prayer
Dear Lord, I want to carry about with me Your dying. I want to embrace all that Your cross proclaims and provides. Thank You for dying in my place. I rejoice that I died there with You. Now, I ask You to live in and through me day by day, Amen.
Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (2Co_4:10)
As earthen vessels, we are to live by trusting in the treasure (the Lord Jesus) who dwells within us: "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels." (2Co_4:7) Also, we are to give Him all honor and glory as He sustains us day by day through the trials of life: "that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." In addition, to help us magnify the treasure who lives in us, there is to be an attitude (an outlook) carried about (embraced) by the earthen vessels.
The particular attitude that results in magnifying the treasure is the perspective we hold concerning the death of Christ: "Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus." This is about dying in order to live. Jesus taught this. "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it" (Luk_9:24). Those who hold on to the life they received from Adam lose what they are trying to guard and develop. They never find true life. However, all who renounce their sinful natural life and trust in Jesus find a new life from Him.
This is the attitude that followers of Christ are to carry with them. "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Luk_9:23). Day by day, our perspective is to include a rejection of any life that we could produce on our own ("deny himself"). We are to agree with God that the self-life always deserves the cross of Christ ("take up his cross daily"). This leaves us with only one option: pursue after Jesus for the life that He alone can provide ("and follow Me").
Such confessions are in harmony with what actually happened to us at the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism [that is, through identification] into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Rom_6:4). When we placed our trust in the Lord, His death and resurrection became our death and resurrection! This is to be our confidence continually. "Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom_6:11).
When we carry about this attitude, we are actually trusting the Lord Jesus (the treasure who dwells within us) to live in and through our "earthen vessels," our humanity: "that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body."
Prayer
Dear Lord, I want to carry about with me Your dying. I want to embrace all that Your cross proclaims and provides. Thank You for dying in my place. I rejoice that I died there with You. Now, I ask You to live in and through me day by day, Amen.
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