The Spirit Promised to Glorify Jesus
When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all the truth . . . He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you . . . Now we have received . . . the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. (Joh_16:13-14 and 1Co_2:12)
The promised teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit involves His guiding us into all the truths of the word of God. "When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all the truth." As the Spirit is fulfilling this promise, He especially wants to unfold God's truth in ways that will glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. "He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you." The desire of the Holy Spirit is to bring glory and honor, not to Himself, but to the Lord Jesus Christ. "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me" (Joh_15:26).
One of the primary ways the Spirit glorifies Jesus is to reveal to us (and bring into our growing experiential knowledge) the free heavenly riches that are ours in Christ. "Now we have received . . . the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God." This is the language of grace: "freely given to us." The wonders of God's grace are poured out freely: "being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus . . . to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed upon us in the Beloved" (Rom_3:24 and Eph_1:6).
What man deserves (and has earned by his own sin and offenses) is judgment. However, Christ supplies at His cost (His death for us) the free remedy of eternal life. "But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many . . . For the wages of sin is death, but the (free) gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom_5:15; Rom_6:23).
These freely given things of everlasting life include far more than the precious gift of forgiveness. "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Rom_8:32). From a river of blessings (including, peace, hope, fruit, gifts, victory, etc.) we are to freely drink throughout time - - and even for all eternity. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts . . . and let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely" (Rev_21:6; Rev_22:17).
Prayer
Lord Jesus, these freely given things of God, revealed to me by Your Spirit through Your word, cause me to glorify You greatly. Please teach me to freely drink of these riches yet more and more, through humble dependence upon You, Amen.
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Truth to Deliver Us from the Law
Truth to Deliver Us from the Law
The law has dominion over a man as long as he lives . . . But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. (Rom_7:1, Rom_7:6)
In the word of God, the Lord has promised truth which brings spiritual liberation. "The truth shall make you free" (Joh_8:32). We have considered such truths that set people free from bondage to sin, from bondage to the fear of death, and from bondage to the influence of the evil one. Now, we will look at another category of liberating truth: truth to deliver us from the law.
This issue pertains to everyone initially, because we all begin under bondage to the law. "Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God" (Rom_3:19).
Everyone who has ever lived, is living now, or will live in the days to come ("all the world") is initially held in a state of condemnation ("guilty before God"), because of their sin. This guilty condition would persist for a lifetime, if God did not supply a remedy. "The law has dominion over a man as long as he lives."
However, this condition need not persist, because the Lord's word proclaims liberating truth for this drastic need. "But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by." The person we were at physical birth died on the cross with Christ, when we believed in Him. The new creature in Christ now stands justified by faith in Christ (not by law performance). "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified (declared not guilty, pronounced righteous in Christ) by faith apart from the deeds of the law" (Rom_3:28).
All of God's children have experienced these liberating truths, as they apply to justification (our eternal righteous standing before God in heaven). However, many of God's people are unaware of the need to be delivered out from under the bondage of the law concerning sanctification (our daily growth in personal, practical godliness on earth). Yet, the word of God addresses this matter repeatedly. Here, in one of our primary verses for meditation, we see these truths given a sanctification implication. "Now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter."
Yes, understanding the truth of being delivered from the law determines whether we will struggle daily in bondage to law performance, or live freely by the ongoing, fresh work of the Spirit of God.
Prayer
Dear Lord of deliverance, I worship You for delivering me from the condemnation of the law, by grace through faith. Teach me how to live daily by grace through faith, that i might be practically delivered from law performance as I serve You, Amen.
The law has dominion over a man as long as he lives . . . But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. (Rom_7:1, Rom_7:6)
In the word of God, the Lord has promised truth which brings spiritual liberation. "The truth shall make you free" (Joh_8:32). We have considered such truths that set people free from bondage to sin, from bondage to the fear of death, and from bondage to the influence of the evil one. Now, we will look at another category of liberating truth: truth to deliver us from the law.
This issue pertains to everyone initially, because we all begin under bondage to the law. "Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God" (Rom_3:19).
Everyone who has ever lived, is living now, or will live in the days to come ("all the world") is initially held in a state of condemnation ("guilty before God"), because of their sin. This guilty condition would persist for a lifetime, if God did not supply a remedy. "The law has dominion over a man as long as he lives."
However, this condition need not persist, because the Lord's word proclaims liberating truth for this drastic need. "But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by." The person we were at physical birth died on the cross with Christ, when we believed in Him. The new creature in Christ now stands justified by faith in Christ (not by law performance). "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified (declared not guilty, pronounced righteous in Christ) by faith apart from the deeds of the law" (Rom_3:28).
All of God's children have experienced these liberating truths, as they apply to justification (our eternal righteous standing before God in heaven). However, many of God's people are unaware of the need to be delivered out from under the bondage of the law concerning sanctification (our daily growth in personal, practical godliness on earth). Yet, the word of God addresses this matter repeatedly. Here, in one of our primary verses for meditation, we see these truths given a sanctification implication. "Now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter."
Yes, understanding the truth of being delivered from the law determines whether we will struggle daily in bondage to law performance, or live freely by the ongoing, fresh work of the Spirit of God.
Prayer
Dear Lord of deliverance, I worship You for delivering me from the condemnation of the law, by grace through faith. Teach me how to live daily by grace through faith, that i might be practically delivered from law performance as I serve You, Amen.
Sunday, 17 July 2011
The Truth Promised to Set Us Free
The Truth Promised to Set Us Free
If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (Joh_8:31-32)
The Holy Spirit is promised as our guide into all of the truths of God's word. "When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all the truth" (Joh_16:13). A related promise assures us that this truth will have a liberating impact upon our lives. "The truth shall make you free." This promise of spiritual liberation through the truths of God's word is such a vital one for man, because various forms of spiritual bondage threaten us all.
Everyone needs liberation from bondage to sin. Those who first heard this promise of Jesus needed instruction on this. "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be made free'? Jesus answered them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin' " (Joh_8:33-34). This "whoever" includes us all, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom_3:23). However, we can all praise God that His liberating truth can set us free from the bondage to sin.
All who trust in the Lord Jesus are justified from their sins (declared righteous in God's sight) through the redemption price of the blood of Christ: "being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth to be a propitiation (satisfactory payment for sin) by His blood, through faith" (Rom_3:24-25).
The fear of death is another bondage from which people need liberation. Hebrews speaks of those "who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Heb_2:15). What a tormenting bondage is the fear of death! Yet, Jesus' liberating truth can deal with this bondage as well. "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (Joh_11:25-26).
All who believe in the one who is resurrection life will live forever. Even if they should experience physical death, the grave has no grip on them. In fact, though their body may go into a tomb, they would go immediately into the presence of the Lord. "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord" (2Co_5:8).
Prayer
Dear God of truth, I rejoice in the freedom that comes through Your truth! Thank You for setting me free from the bondage of condemnation and judgment that I deserved because of my sin. I praise You for liberation from the fear of death. May I live victoriously by these truths and pass them on to others who need to be set free, in Your holy name, Amen.
If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (Joh_8:31-32)
The Holy Spirit is promised as our guide into all of the truths of God's word. "When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all the truth" (Joh_16:13). A related promise assures us that this truth will have a liberating impact upon our lives. "The truth shall make you free." This promise of spiritual liberation through the truths of God's word is such a vital one for man, because various forms of spiritual bondage threaten us all.
Everyone needs liberation from bondage to sin. Those who first heard this promise of Jesus needed instruction on this. "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be made free'? Jesus answered them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin' " (Joh_8:33-34). This "whoever" includes us all, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom_3:23). However, we can all praise God that His liberating truth can set us free from the bondage to sin.
All who trust in the Lord Jesus are justified from their sins (declared righteous in God's sight) through the redemption price of the blood of Christ: "being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth to be a propitiation (satisfactory payment for sin) by His blood, through faith" (Rom_3:24-25).
The fear of death is another bondage from which people need liberation. Hebrews speaks of those "who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Heb_2:15). What a tormenting bondage is the fear of death! Yet, Jesus' liberating truth can deal with this bondage as well. "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (Joh_11:25-26).
All who believe in the one who is resurrection life will live forever. Even if they should experience physical death, the grave has no grip on them. In fact, though their body may go into a tomb, they would go immediately into the presence of the Lord. "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord" (2Co_5:8).
Prayer
Dear God of truth, I rejoice in the freedom that comes through Your truth! Thank You for setting me free from the bondage of condemnation and judgment that I deserved because of my sin. I praise You for liberation from the fear of death. May I live victoriously by these truths and pass them on to others who need to be set free, in Your holy name, Amen.
Sunday, 10 July 2011
It Takes More Than Feelings
It Takes More Than Feelings
(2Co 10:4) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds
Many times, in our churches, we get caught up in the wrong things. And usually, once it starts, it becomes the religious norm these days. People seem to be getting so caught up in emotions that their faith begins to be built upon what and how they feel physically more than what they know definitely! There are some churches that, when there is no organist, drummer, or musician present, service cannot begin. Or if the preacher does not yell, hype the crowd, or become heart attack proned, he was not anointed. If the choir doesn't turn cartwheels down the aisle while marching in, or if super-saved people aren't squakin' all through the service making it sound like a rain forest, then church was not filled with the spirit. Well, we have to learn that God is Spirit and our emotions don't dictate his presence.
I would much rather go to church and allow the presence of God to move in a way that people have something to take home and live on rather than just getting an emotional fix during service with no substance or real word from above. We can dance and party all we want in the service, but if it's not God, then we will leave the same, only tired and worn out. Now, I do believe the Spirit of God moves upon us and we may shout, dance, sing, run, etc. to express our joy, but I also believe that when the Spirit of God comes, he brings more than a feeling. He also should bring healing, deliverance, blessings, direction, peace, love, etc. He can't show up in your service and only cause everyone to go crazy. There is always change after the presence of God is here. There should be attributes of his presence, not just emotional stuff, but deep, spiritual things should take place. The preacher yelling and mixing in your favorite R&B tunes in his message won't do it. The organist playing fast music on the organ won't do it. The soloist doing rolls and riffs that give you chills up your spine won't do it. It may make you feel good, but God is bigger than that. When his true presence fills the place, you will be changed.
Suggested Reading: 2 Cor. 10:1, 1 Tim. 3:15
(2Co 10:4) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds
Many times, in our churches, we get caught up in the wrong things. And usually, once it starts, it becomes the religious norm these days. People seem to be getting so caught up in emotions that their faith begins to be built upon what and how they feel physically more than what they know definitely! There are some churches that, when there is no organist, drummer, or musician present, service cannot begin. Or if the preacher does not yell, hype the crowd, or become heart attack proned, he was not anointed. If the choir doesn't turn cartwheels down the aisle while marching in, or if super-saved people aren't squakin' all through the service making it sound like a rain forest, then church was not filled with the spirit. Well, we have to learn that God is Spirit and our emotions don't dictate his presence.
I would much rather go to church and allow the presence of God to move in a way that people have something to take home and live on rather than just getting an emotional fix during service with no substance or real word from above. We can dance and party all we want in the service, but if it's not God, then we will leave the same, only tired and worn out. Now, I do believe the Spirit of God moves upon us and we may shout, dance, sing, run, etc. to express our joy, but I also believe that when the Spirit of God comes, he brings more than a feeling. He also should bring healing, deliverance, blessings, direction, peace, love, etc. He can't show up in your service and only cause everyone to go crazy. There is always change after the presence of God is here. There should be attributes of his presence, not just emotional stuff, but deep, spiritual things should take place. The preacher yelling and mixing in your favorite R&B tunes in his message won't do it. The organist playing fast music on the organ won't do it. The soloist doing rolls and riffs that give you chills up your spine won't do it. It may make you feel good, but God is bigger than that. When his true presence fills the place, you will be changed.
Suggested Reading: 2 Cor. 10:1, 1 Tim. 3:15
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Reaching vs. Teaching
Reaching vs. Teaching
John 6:44 - 'For people can¹t come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them from the dead.' NLT
There is a big difference between reaching people for Christ and teaching people about Christ. We hear all the time about people that are doing things to reach the lost. Many Gospel artists use this word to describe why they cross their music over and promote themselves.
Many youth pastors and leaders I meet as I travel across the country use all kinds of things to try to reach the lost youth. But have you ever noticed that, whenever we use methods to reach the lost, they are never really successful? Have you noticed that when we make up things, plans, schemes, etc. to reach the lost, it never really works? Jesus said that God draws the sinner and we teach them. The bible never said reach the lost, but it said to go ye therefore and "teach" all nations. Where did reach come from?
God's Spirit draws the sinner man unto repentance and unless we are flowing in that, we will only play on their emotions but they won't change. Music cannot do it alone! Music cannot win a soul to Christ unless the sinner is drawn by the Spirit. Kirk Franklin even told me that his attempt to reach the Hip Hop Culture by merging Gospel and Hip Hop artists was unsuccessful! Christian parties, games, cultures, that try to be like the world, does not draw the world. It only promotes the world! Only God can draw the world. His word, his power, his Kingdom is what attracts the sinner, not us being like the sinner.
I know we always hear Paul quoted, "I become all things to all men, that I may reach them" but that's not what he said. In 1 Corinthians, chapter 9, Paul was talking about money! Getting paid for his work. And he stated that even though he deserved to be compensated, he would do it for free if he had to. He then stated that because he was a Jew, he would be as a Jew and obey the law when he ministered to them. And because he was called to preach to the gentiles, he would not share his Jewish customs with them, but he would still observe them.
And if they were in trouble, he would share their burdens and help them out of trouble to win them for Christ's sake. This does not mean if they were on crack he would use some crack to make them feel comfortable. Or if they were a gangster, he would become a Gospel Gangster and preach to them in gang signs! Or if they were a prostitute, he would reach them by preaching in his underwear! God forbid. We are never to become like the world to reach the world. We must be the answer for the world.
They are the way they are because of sin and we have to show them change and how to follow God. We must teach the sinner the way. The way is Jesus Christ. Not some plot to show them how you can still do everything you are doing as a sinner, but claim Christ with it! Wake up people. We don't reach the lost, but we teach the lost. Reaching is not what Jesus taught. Reaching is not what Paul taught. God's Spirit does the drawing, and then we are to minister the Word of God to them. If God's word alone can't win them, then they will not be won!
Suggested Reading: I Corinthians 9, Matt. 28:19, Matt. 11:1
John 6:44 - 'For people can¹t come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them from the dead.' NLT
There is a big difference between reaching people for Christ and teaching people about Christ. We hear all the time about people that are doing things to reach the lost. Many Gospel artists use this word to describe why they cross their music over and promote themselves.
Many youth pastors and leaders I meet as I travel across the country use all kinds of things to try to reach the lost youth. But have you ever noticed that, whenever we use methods to reach the lost, they are never really successful? Have you noticed that when we make up things, plans, schemes, etc. to reach the lost, it never really works? Jesus said that God draws the sinner and we teach them. The bible never said reach the lost, but it said to go ye therefore and "teach" all nations. Where did reach come from?
God's Spirit draws the sinner man unto repentance and unless we are flowing in that, we will only play on their emotions but they won't change. Music cannot do it alone! Music cannot win a soul to Christ unless the sinner is drawn by the Spirit. Kirk Franklin even told me that his attempt to reach the Hip Hop Culture by merging Gospel and Hip Hop artists was unsuccessful! Christian parties, games, cultures, that try to be like the world, does not draw the world. It only promotes the world! Only God can draw the world. His word, his power, his Kingdom is what attracts the sinner, not us being like the sinner.
I know we always hear Paul quoted, "I become all things to all men, that I may reach them" but that's not what he said. In 1 Corinthians, chapter 9, Paul was talking about money! Getting paid for his work. And he stated that even though he deserved to be compensated, he would do it for free if he had to. He then stated that because he was a Jew, he would be as a Jew and obey the law when he ministered to them. And because he was called to preach to the gentiles, he would not share his Jewish customs with them, but he would still observe them.
And if they were in trouble, he would share their burdens and help them out of trouble to win them for Christ's sake. This does not mean if they were on crack he would use some crack to make them feel comfortable. Or if they were a gangster, he would become a Gospel Gangster and preach to them in gang signs! Or if they were a prostitute, he would reach them by preaching in his underwear! God forbid. We are never to become like the world to reach the world. We must be the answer for the world.
They are the way they are because of sin and we have to show them change and how to follow God. We must teach the sinner the way. The way is Jesus Christ. Not some plot to show them how you can still do everything you are doing as a sinner, but claim Christ with it! Wake up people. We don't reach the lost, but we teach the lost. Reaching is not what Jesus taught. Reaching is not what Paul taught. God's Spirit does the drawing, and then we are to minister the Word of God to them. If God's word alone can't win them, then they will not be won!
Suggested Reading: I Corinthians 9, Matt. 28:19, Matt. 11:1
Daily to Weekly Devotional messages
Beloved in Christ,
I'm sorry to inform you that, because of my busy schedules in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, i might not be able to bring to you daily devotional messages for sometime. Henceforth, it's going to be weekly devotional messages.
God richly bless you for understanding. Shalom.
Your beloved in Christ.
Andy Otabil
I'm sorry to inform you that, because of my busy schedules in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, i might not be able to bring to you daily devotional messages for sometime. Henceforth, it's going to be weekly devotional messages.
God richly bless you for understanding. Shalom.
Your beloved in Christ.
Andy Otabil
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