C.H. Spurgeon wrote:
"Our Lord Jesus is ever giving, and does not for a solitary instant withdraw His hand. As long as there is a vessel of grace not yet full to the brim, the oil shall not be stayed. He is sun ever-shining; He is manna ever falling round the camp; He is a rock in the desert, ever sending out streams of life from His smitten side; the rain of His grace is always dropping; the river of His bounty is ever-flowing, and the well-spring of His love is constantly overflowing. As the King can never die, so His grace can never fail...His mercies are new every morning and fresh every evening."
from May 16th Morning and Evening Daily Readings
I Timothy 6:17
2 Cor. 4:7-11
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Old Patterns...New Woman
During our life before Christ, we lived a life independent of God. We learned patterns of behavior and even "defense mechanisms" to get us through each day or through life. Some of these patterns are very positive and altruistic, most are self-centered and destructive.
As Christians, we know we are declared by God to be new creations in Him. So why do we struggle with our old nature? We know the good we want to do. We know how we are to live. We know God's Word declares who we are in Him yet the battle persists with the old tries to dominate the new. You see, when we by faith come to accept Christ's free gift, we are immediately born-again, new creations BUT our old nature is not suddenly deleted from our being. The old ways and old patterns of our life are still our default setting if we do not walk worthy in the calling of Christ Jesus on our lives.
In many ways it would be grand to press a delete button and have all our old ways erased, yet God in His perfect wisdom, knows us well. He wants us to walk by faith and to cling to Him in dependence, rejecting the independence in which we once lived. He is Sovereign over all, even our past and who we once were. He can redeem beauty from ashes. He can restore what the locusts have eaten. He will use all that is in our lives for our good and His glory. So though covered by the blood of Jesus and forgiven, our past may at times plague us. Do not allow the enemy to use it to accuse you but allow God to use it all.
We must allow God by His Holy Spirit to "clean house". Things of our past won't necessarily be erased but their strength will be dimished. And this "housecleaning" must also include a filling of the things of God. The fruit in our lives will be the Fruit of the Spirit. A beautiful thing to behold and a testimony to the world of God.
We do not want to continue to default to our old ways. This is our old nature and very "natural" to live this way, but this is our sin nature at work. It no longer reigns over us but sin has it's influences. Rather we are now supernatural beings empowered by the Holy Spirit of God to live as saints and holy ones, just as He has declared us to be.
This is not an easy task for we live in these earthen vessels (2 Corinthians 4: 7) holding the treasure within...Christ with us! These earthen vessels are fragile and will one day perish. Yet in our fragility, Christ is glorified for it is by His strength we go on. A modern day picture of earthen vessels is word painted by an author who likened our bodies as cardboard boxes that hold a treasure. What we see is just the packing material and no one really treasures a cardboard box but what is inside. It is the same with our lives. We will one day "discard" these bodies and receive from Christ our new bodies, perfect and without the sin nature!
For now, as earthen vessels, we hold the treasure of the Holy Spirit of God in us. (John 14:16-17, 26) And by Him we can refuse to allow the old patterns and old ways of our life become what we default to without a thought. We must allow the Spirit of God to retrain our hearts and minds. We must not be conformed to the ways of this world but by the Spirit transformed as He renews our minds by His Word. (Romans 12:1-2)
Christ must be central to our lives. The "disciplines" we would be wise to use are the ones which draws us to Him. For instance: prayer, which is communication with God Himself! Study of His Word is how He speaks to us and teaches us and leads us. Memorization of His Word is what keeps us from falling into sin. We are told to bury His Word in our hearts so we will not sin against Him (Psalm 119:9,11). Fellowship with other beleivers so that we can encourage one another and hold one another accountable...no hidden sins. Serving and loving our God by works. Works do not save us but is just evidence of our new life in Christ and Paul tells us that faith without works is dead. Sharing the Gospel not only so others will hear the Good News of God's grace but also to build our faith as we share.
Continue on the journey dear saint! God is able to sustain you. We possess, in Christ Jesus, all we need to live a holy life and a life wholly unto Him.
As Christians, we know we are declared by God to be new creations in Him. So why do we struggle with our old nature? We know the good we want to do. We know how we are to live. We know God's Word declares who we are in Him yet the battle persists with the old tries to dominate the new. You see, when we by faith come to accept Christ's free gift, we are immediately born-again, new creations BUT our old nature is not suddenly deleted from our being. The old ways and old patterns of our life are still our default setting if we do not walk worthy in the calling of Christ Jesus on our lives.
In many ways it would be grand to press a delete button and have all our old ways erased, yet God in His perfect wisdom, knows us well. He wants us to walk by faith and to cling to Him in dependence, rejecting the independence in which we once lived. He is Sovereign over all, even our past and who we once were. He can redeem beauty from ashes. He can restore what the locusts have eaten. He will use all that is in our lives for our good and His glory. So though covered by the blood of Jesus and forgiven, our past may at times plague us. Do not allow the enemy to use it to accuse you but allow God to use it all.
We must allow God by His Holy Spirit to "clean house". Things of our past won't necessarily be erased but their strength will be dimished. And this "housecleaning" must also include a filling of the things of God. The fruit in our lives will be the Fruit of the Spirit. A beautiful thing to behold and a testimony to the world of God.
We do not want to continue to default to our old ways. This is our old nature and very "natural" to live this way, but this is our sin nature at work. It no longer reigns over us but sin has it's influences. Rather we are now supernatural beings empowered by the Holy Spirit of God to live as saints and holy ones, just as He has declared us to be.
This is not an easy task for we live in these earthen vessels (2 Corinthians 4: 7) holding the treasure within...Christ with us! These earthen vessels are fragile and will one day perish. Yet in our fragility, Christ is glorified for it is by His strength we go on. A modern day picture of earthen vessels is word painted by an author who likened our bodies as cardboard boxes that hold a treasure. What we see is just the packing material and no one really treasures a cardboard box but what is inside. It is the same with our lives. We will one day "discard" these bodies and receive from Christ our new bodies, perfect and without the sin nature!
For now, as earthen vessels, we hold the treasure of the Holy Spirit of God in us. (John 14:16-17, 26) And by Him we can refuse to allow the old patterns and old ways of our life become what we default to without a thought. We must allow the Spirit of God to retrain our hearts and minds. We must not be conformed to the ways of this world but by the Spirit transformed as He renews our minds by His Word. (Romans 12:1-2)
Christ must be central to our lives. The "disciplines" we would be wise to use are the ones which draws us to Him. For instance: prayer, which is communication with God Himself! Study of His Word is how He speaks to us and teaches us and leads us. Memorization of His Word is what keeps us from falling into sin. We are told to bury His Word in our hearts so we will not sin against Him (Psalm 119:9,11). Fellowship with other beleivers so that we can encourage one another and hold one another accountable...no hidden sins. Serving and loving our God by works. Works do not save us but is just evidence of our new life in Christ and Paul tells us that faith without works is dead. Sharing the Gospel not only so others will hear the Good News of God's grace but also to build our faith as we share.
Continue on the journey dear saint! God is able to sustain you. We possess, in Christ Jesus, all we need to live a holy life and a life wholly unto Him.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Wrestling
God's Word is Truth and it is full of promises. The following one is one that we must be aware of:
We will wrestle "against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12 (b) This is a guarantee from Scripture. It is Scriptural truth therefore we must expect it and be prepared. Author of The Bondage Breaker, Neil T. Anderson states,"If we are ignorant of Satan's schemes, we can only come to the conclusion, "Any problems in the mind must either be a chemical imbalance or a flesh pattern."'
Mr. Anderson's point? The enemy can influence us in subtle ways to the point that we are not living in the full victory that Christ purchased for us. We also may not be using His gifts or glorifying His name as we should. Therefore, we must take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus. If the thought is not true-and we will know it by knowing God's Word-we don't believe it.
One powerful step in taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ is to remember our position in Him. Paul, writing to the Ephesian church elaborates on who we are in Christ beginning in Ephesians 1:3-14- (God's Word is italicized, my comments are not.)
"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Read that slowly...in Christ, we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing because we are united with Him! Everything we need is found in Him. We have not if we ask not. We are His children...ask Him. Come to Him on the basis of who we are in Christ Jesus.
Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy without fault in His eyes. God chose us! What a wonderful truth. Most all of us have experienced feeling left out, yet the Creator of the Universe, Creator of all things seen and unseen, chose us!
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it have Him great pleasure. God adopted us! We are part of His family, chosen by Him because He wanted to. What does that truth do to you? He wanted you...He wanted me! We are chosen by Him!
So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. He has showered His kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. Read those words...God poured out his kindness and grace on us, showering us with His love along with wisdom and understanding. And incredibly, He purchased our freedom by His One and Only Son dying in our place! We are free because Christ died for us. How the praises flow with that Truth!
God has now revealed to us His mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill His own good pleasure. And this is the plan: at the right time He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ-everything in heaven and on earth. The mystery, God's own good pleasure, Christ reigns. He will rule over all. He has authority over all His creation. Satan only has limited time and limited power and soon his time will end. God reigns Supreme!
Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us in advance, and He makes everything work out according to His plan. God's purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. Knowing that the Jews were God's chosen people, I wanted to convert...but thankfully this good news is spread also to the Gentiles.
And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. Hallelujah!
And when you believe in Christ, He identified you as His own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom He promised long ago. How awesome is THAT? We will stand before God and be identified as His by and through Christ Jesus because we have His Holy Spirit indwelling us.
The Spirit is God's guarantee that He will give us the inheritance He promised and that He has purchased us to be His own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify Him....we are guaranteed entrance to Heaven because of God's Spirit indwelling each one of us. We are sealed for the day of redemption when we are called Home.
Paul continues with a prayer that we should pray for one another and ourselves...
(vs. 18-23) I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those He called---His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance. Jesus calls us His rich and glorious inheritance! He values us...not because we have done anything but because we belong to Him by believing and receiving His work completed at the cross and His resurrection! How incredible is that statement?
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe in Him. We are wise to meditate on the character of God...to learn more of Him by time with Him and in His Word. Do a word study on the Names of God which describe His character.
This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead (and we serve this same, powerful God! He has not and does not change!) and seated Him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else---not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made Him head over all things for the benefit of the church.
And the church is His body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with Himself." We are complete in Christ Jesus. Lacking in nothing...anything else is a lie. Those lies we take captive to the obedience of Christ and cling to the Truth.
We must also remember that God has provided His armor for spiritual warfare. We are told to put it on but nowhere in Scripture have I found where we are to take it off! (Tell me if I am wrong!) Ephesians 6:10-18 describes each piece. Paul's reference is to the Roman soldiers armor. Each piece essential for survival. So, put it on dear one and do not take it off! Learn to use each piece well.
So, we Christians must remember that we can indeed be deceived. We can be influenced and at times oppressed. We may be leading relatively "normal" lives yet experiencing personal and perhaps interpersonal problems for which no cause or solution has been found and we are left thinking there is something wrong with us and why can't we just "do better"? We may also be experiencing physical afflictions for which no cause can be definitively identified. This is where we must know and cling to God's Truth.
Keep walking in the truth dear pilgrim. God's Word is truth...a light to our feet and lamp for our path.
(todays Scripture is from the New Living Translation)
We will wrestle "against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12 (b) This is a guarantee from Scripture. It is Scriptural truth therefore we must expect it and be prepared. Author of The Bondage Breaker, Neil T. Anderson states,"If we are ignorant of Satan's schemes, we can only come to the conclusion, "Any problems in the mind must either be a chemical imbalance or a flesh pattern."'
Mr. Anderson's point? The enemy can influence us in subtle ways to the point that we are not living in the full victory that Christ purchased for us. We also may not be using His gifts or glorifying His name as we should. Therefore, we must take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus. If the thought is not true-and we will know it by knowing God's Word-we don't believe it.
One powerful step in taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ is to remember our position in Him. Paul, writing to the Ephesian church elaborates on who we are in Christ beginning in Ephesians 1:3-14- (God's Word is italicized, my comments are not.)
"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Read that slowly...in Christ, we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing because we are united with Him! Everything we need is found in Him. We have not if we ask not. We are His children...ask Him. Come to Him on the basis of who we are in Christ Jesus.
Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy without fault in His eyes. God chose us! What a wonderful truth. Most all of us have experienced feeling left out, yet the Creator of the Universe, Creator of all things seen and unseen, chose us!
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it have Him great pleasure. God adopted us! We are part of His family, chosen by Him because He wanted to. What does that truth do to you? He wanted you...He wanted me! We are chosen by Him!
So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. He has showered His kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. Read those words...God poured out his kindness and grace on us, showering us with His love along with wisdom and understanding. And incredibly, He purchased our freedom by His One and Only Son dying in our place! We are free because Christ died for us. How the praises flow with that Truth!
God has now revealed to us His mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill His own good pleasure. And this is the plan: at the right time He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ-everything in heaven and on earth. The mystery, God's own good pleasure, Christ reigns. He will rule over all. He has authority over all His creation. Satan only has limited time and limited power and soon his time will end. God reigns Supreme!
Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us in advance, and He makes everything work out according to His plan. God's purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. Knowing that the Jews were God's chosen people, I wanted to convert...but thankfully this good news is spread also to the Gentiles.
And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. Hallelujah!
And when you believe in Christ, He identified you as His own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom He promised long ago. How awesome is THAT? We will stand before God and be identified as His by and through Christ Jesus because we have His Holy Spirit indwelling us.
The Spirit is God's guarantee that He will give us the inheritance He promised and that He has purchased us to be His own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify Him....we are guaranteed entrance to Heaven because of God's Spirit indwelling each one of us. We are sealed for the day of redemption when we are called Home.
Paul continues with a prayer that we should pray for one another and ourselves...
(vs. 18-23) I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those He called---His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance. Jesus calls us His rich and glorious inheritance! He values us...not because we have done anything but because we belong to Him by believing and receiving His work completed at the cross and His resurrection! How incredible is that statement?
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe in Him. We are wise to meditate on the character of God...to learn more of Him by time with Him and in His Word. Do a word study on the Names of God which describe His character.
This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead (and we serve this same, powerful God! He has not and does not change!) and seated Him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else---not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made Him head over all things for the benefit of the church.
And the church is His body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with Himself." We are complete in Christ Jesus. Lacking in nothing...anything else is a lie. Those lies we take captive to the obedience of Christ and cling to the Truth.
We must also remember that God has provided His armor for spiritual warfare. We are told to put it on but nowhere in Scripture have I found where we are to take it off! (Tell me if I am wrong!) Ephesians 6:10-18 describes each piece. Paul's reference is to the Roman soldiers armor. Each piece essential for survival. So, put it on dear one and do not take it off! Learn to use each piece well.
So, we Christians must remember that we can indeed be deceived. We can be influenced and at times oppressed. We may be leading relatively "normal" lives yet experiencing personal and perhaps interpersonal problems for which no cause or solution has been found and we are left thinking there is something wrong with us and why can't we just "do better"? We may also be experiencing physical afflictions for which no cause can be definitively identified. This is where we must know and cling to God's Truth.
Keep walking in the truth dear pilgrim. God's Word is truth...a light to our feet and lamp for our path.
(todays Scripture is from the New Living Translation)
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
The Corridor of Faith
How blessed I have been and am to have such great teaching to help me grow in my walk with Christ. How loved I am that He would be so very patient with me for I seem to be such a slow learner.
Recently I read an author who used an analogy that ministered to me. We know that we are called to walk the narrow way in Christ Jesus. The other ways lead only to eventual misery and certain judgment and destruction. Jesus Himself said He is the Way and the Truth and the Life and that no one comes to (God) the Father except through Him. He is the Only way, yet...
Yet His invitation is inclusive! It is to all who would receive. God sent His only Son (Jesus Christ) that whoever would believe in Him would receive life! An inclusive invitation to an exclusive engagement to those who would believe and receive Him.
The analogy addresses the new life in Christ that we walk in while here on this Earth. We are new creations in Christ Jesus. We are walking the narrow path with eternity in view...our Saviour leading the way. Yet, for now we walk in enemy territory. Belonging to Christ, we are sealed by His Holy Spirit, but the enemy still attempts to influence if not oppress us.
Imagine our walk as if in a large city with skyscrapers looming, making our way a bit dark and dreary yet we walk in the Light and toward He Who is the Light. We walk the way of Christ, keeping our eyes on He who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. As we walk, there are cat calls and distractions from the apartment buildings and alleyways. We may get momentarily distracted by these voices but we can choose to walk on. This is where we must take EVERY thought captive to the obedience of our Lord Jesus.
As we walk, we may get so distracted-especially if we do not take each thought captive because we can become influenced- influenced so much that we stop and tarry, looking toward the voices and listening. We do not want this to become a habit for it is detrimental to us. We may listen long enough to lies that we begin to believe them. And if we become distracted long enough, we may even venture down the alleyways. The allure is to our flesh, to the lust of the eyes. Our pride of life tells us that we can handle a temporary detour. Don't believe it! Though our enemy, the devil and his minions, cannot read our minds for only God is omniscient, the enemy can influence our thoughts. He knows humanitites weaknesses...the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the sinful pride of life and he knows how to tempt each one of us.
So, dear pilgrim, keep walking on with eternity in view, down the corridor of faith. Saints before you traversed this way. You are in good company! Keep your eyes on Jesus and walk worthy of Him. He will never leave you nor forsake you.
I too am on this pilgrimage with you! Stay in the Word. Be obedient to God's commands, taking every thought captive to Him. Stay in prayer and in fellowship with other believers. Receive solid, Biblical teaching and use the gifts you have been given for the glory of God. Don't give the enemy any ground...don't make his day. Do all that you do for the glory of God Almighty!
We must keep walking with our eyes on our Saviour. We must stay on His narrow path. If we stumble, fall, tarry where we shouldn't, we must quickly repent, receive our Lord's forgiveness, take EVERY thought captive to His will and move on toward Him.
Recently I read an author who used an analogy that ministered to me. We know that we are called to walk the narrow way in Christ Jesus. The other ways lead only to eventual misery and certain judgment and destruction. Jesus Himself said He is the Way and the Truth and the Life and that no one comes to (God) the Father except through Him. He is the Only way, yet...
Yet His invitation is inclusive! It is to all who would receive. God sent His only Son (Jesus Christ) that whoever would believe in Him would receive life! An inclusive invitation to an exclusive engagement to those who would believe and receive Him.
The analogy addresses the new life in Christ that we walk in while here on this Earth. We are new creations in Christ Jesus. We are walking the narrow path with eternity in view...our Saviour leading the way. Yet, for now we walk in enemy territory. Belonging to Christ, we are sealed by His Holy Spirit, but the enemy still attempts to influence if not oppress us.
Imagine our walk as if in a large city with skyscrapers looming, making our way a bit dark and dreary yet we walk in the Light and toward He Who is the Light. We walk the way of Christ, keeping our eyes on He who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. As we walk, there are cat calls and distractions from the apartment buildings and alleyways. We may get momentarily distracted by these voices but we can choose to walk on. This is where we must take EVERY thought captive to the obedience of our Lord Jesus.
As we walk, we may get so distracted-especially if we do not take each thought captive because we can become influenced- influenced so much that we stop and tarry, looking toward the voices and listening. We do not want this to become a habit for it is detrimental to us. We may listen long enough to lies that we begin to believe them. And if we become distracted long enough, we may even venture down the alleyways. The allure is to our flesh, to the lust of the eyes. Our pride of life tells us that we can handle a temporary detour. Don't believe it! Though our enemy, the devil and his minions, cannot read our minds for only God is omniscient, the enemy can influence our thoughts. He knows humanitites weaknesses...the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the sinful pride of life and he knows how to tempt each one of us.
So, dear pilgrim, keep walking on with eternity in view, down the corridor of faith. Saints before you traversed this way. You are in good company! Keep your eyes on Jesus and walk worthy of Him. He will never leave you nor forsake you.
I too am on this pilgrimage with you! Stay in the Word. Be obedient to God's commands, taking every thought captive to Him. Stay in prayer and in fellowship with other believers. Receive solid, Biblical teaching and use the gifts you have been given for the glory of God. Don't give the enemy any ground...don't make his day. Do all that you do for the glory of God Almighty!
We must keep walking with our eyes on our Saviour. We must stay on His narrow path. If we stumble, fall, tarry where we shouldn't, we must quickly repent, receive our Lord's forgiveness, take EVERY thought captive to His will and move on toward Him.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Bedrock Remembrance
As the Bible study wrapped up, I was blessed with so many "pearls" of wisdom. They were little thinking points to ponder throughout the days. One such pearl was the statement of "bedrock remembrance". The Hebrews, after facing the flood raged Jordan River and then safely walking through on dry ground, were asked to place stones of remembrance as a testimony throughout the ages of God's faithfulness to His people.
I like the picture of a stones of remembrance, it is good practice for us to remember all God has done for us even if we don't physically place a stone down as the Israelites tribes did. Yet I especially like the idea of bedrock for it speaks to me of a foundational piece of remembrance. The stones of remembrance are good things to have as we walk this earth, the faithfulness that God has shown us throughout our days, but the bedrock remembrance is the foundations that we build our very lives upon. This foundation is none other than Jesus Christ, the God of the Universe. We are to be firmly rooted and grounded in Him. We are to remember that He is our foundation. Our Cornerstone.
What is this bedrock of remembrance? God is the very bedrock of our existence. And this remembrance is the character of our God. God is very predictable in His character for He is unchanging. God is predictable in His character but unpredictable in His activity.And as the chaos of life ensues about us, having this bedrock of remembrance is all the more necessary.
Remembering Who God is helps us to be firmly rooted in our faith. We get to know Him better by the study of His Word. In the Gospel account written by John, we learn that the Word was with God and that the Word was (is) God. The Word?...Jesus Christ, for John tells us that the Word became Flesh. So, as we study the Word, we are learning more about God. He teaches us through His Word. And time in His Word is time with Him.
What are some things the Bible says about God? Here are just a few "I am" statements...
John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
John 1: 10 "And the Word became Flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."
John 6: 35 "I am the bread of life; he who come to Me shall not hunger, and he who believs in Me shall never thirst."
John 6:41, 48 "...I am the bread that came down out of heaven." "I am the bread of life."
John 6: 51 "I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh."
John 8:12..."I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me shall not work in the darkness, but shall have the light in his life."
John 8: 23..."I am not of this world."
John 10:9 "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."
John 10:11 "I am the Good Shepherd; the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."
John 10: 14 "I am the Good Shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know Me."
John 10: 27-29 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater than all and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."
John 10: 30 "I and the Father are One."
John 11:25 "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die..."
John 14: 6 "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me."
John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser."
John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing."
The Word of God is filled with Who God is, describing His character to us. Oh dear ones, delve into His word. Dive in and enjoy the treasures you will find.
Word studies of the attributes of God will fill your days and your mind with beautiful, acceptable meditations. Start with just one aspect of God's character...that He is merciful or that He is gracious. He is holy. He is righteous. He is just. He is perfect. He is forgiving. He is full of lovingkindness.
The Hebrew names attributed to God also reveal more about His character. A word study on these is also a blessing. He is Jehovah jireh, God our provider. Jehovah roi- our God who sees. Jehovah shalom-God our peace. The list goes on and on. Have fun with this...be blessed.
Your sister in Christ.
I like the picture of a stones of remembrance, it is good practice for us to remember all God has done for us even if we don't physically place a stone down as the Israelites tribes did. Yet I especially like the idea of bedrock for it speaks to me of a foundational piece of remembrance. The stones of remembrance are good things to have as we walk this earth, the faithfulness that God has shown us throughout our days, but the bedrock remembrance is the foundations that we build our very lives upon. This foundation is none other than Jesus Christ, the God of the Universe. We are to be firmly rooted and grounded in Him. We are to remember that He is our foundation. Our Cornerstone.
What is this bedrock of remembrance? God is the very bedrock of our existence. And this remembrance is the character of our God. God is very predictable in His character for He is unchanging. God is predictable in His character but unpredictable in His activity.And as the chaos of life ensues about us, having this bedrock of remembrance is all the more necessary.
Remembering Who God is helps us to be firmly rooted in our faith. We get to know Him better by the study of His Word. In the Gospel account written by John, we learn that the Word was with God and that the Word was (is) God. The Word?...Jesus Christ, for John tells us that the Word became Flesh. So, as we study the Word, we are learning more about God. He teaches us through His Word. And time in His Word is time with Him.
What are some things the Bible says about God? Here are just a few "I am" statements...
John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
John 1: 10 "And the Word became Flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."
John 6: 35 "I am the bread of life; he who come to Me shall not hunger, and he who believs in Me shall never thirst."
John 6:41, 48 "...I am the bread that came down out of heaven." "I am the bread of life."
John 6: 51 "I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh."
John 8:12..."I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me shall not work in the darkness, but shall have the light in his life."
John 8: 23..."I am not of this world."
John 10:9 "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."
John 10:11 "I am the Good Shepherd; the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."
John 10: 14 "I am the Good Shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know Me."
John 10: 27-29 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater than all and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."
John 10: 30 "I and the Father are One."
John 11:25 "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die..."
John 14: 6 "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me."
John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser."
John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing."
The Word of God is filled with Who God is, describing His character to us. Oh dear ones, delve into His word. Dive in and enjoy the treasures you will find.
Word studies of the attributes of God will fill your days and your mind with beautiful, acceptable meditations. Start with just one aspect of God's character...that He is merciful or that He is gracious. He is holy. He is righteous. He is just. He is perfect. He is forgiving. He is full of lovingkindness.
The Hebrew names attributed to God also reveal more about His character. A word study on these is also a blessing. He is Jehovah jireh, God our provider. Jehovah roi- our God who sees. Jehovah shalom-God our peace. The list goes on and on. Have fun with this...be blessed.
Your sister in Christ.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Elephants and Christians...Overcoming (more thinking on Revelation)
An amazing story which many may already be familiar is that of training an elephant.
Now elephants being the huge land mammals they are can wreak havoc in the jungle, mowing down trees or anything in their way. These herd animals can be fierce in their protection and anyone threatening them will find their life in peril. Elephants are also trainable as many have observed at the zoo or in the circus. These huge, powerful animals can be contained, not in cages, but by a post and rope. How can this be?
The training begins when the elephant is a baby. He is removed from his herd, shackled and chained to a post in the ground (not unlike Dumbo!). He fights and struggles to be free. This struggle may go on for days, weeks, perhaps months until finally the elephant is resigned to his captivity. He no longer struggles against the shackle but yields to it. He is without his herd and without his freedom. Soon, only a rope tied to the post holds this enormous beast in place. Yet we know that all this elephant, now a grown adult, would have to do is tug a bit on the rope and it might break or pull until the post comes loose from the ground and then he would enjoy freedom. So, why doesn't he? Why doesn't this animal break free but remain tied in captivity?
Some observations of the elephants training for a life in captivity parallels that of a Christian.
(1) The elephant is removed from the protection it's herd. We Christians must be aware that we do not forsake the assembling of believers and become isolated...we NEED each other. We need to be in fellowship with one another for the glory of Jesus.
(2) The elephant is then shackled to a post that securely holds it in place. Once he is resigned to this, he then is 'content' to stay shackled. He lives as though he has forgotten his freedome. This is not unlike those without Christ (which included those of us before we belonged to Christ) who are shackled to a life style of sin being born in sin. Firmly and securely tethered in this life of sin not realizing there is anything else.
(3) The elephant's ability to obtain it's freedom is in it's power and strength, yet it remains tethered. It does not enjoy the freedom that is at hand because it believes that it is forever securely bound.
Once we were like that elephant, tethered and without hope. But unlike it, we had NO power within ourselves to deliver us from a life of sin and to deliver us from God's wrath against sin. Yet, we who belong to Christ have been freed from the life of sin. So why do often we remain tethered to a lifestyle of sin. Why do we remain entangled in sin when we have the power through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, to live a life unto Him? Why do we allow ourselves to being captive? Jesus has opened our cell doors. We must take Him at His word and walk in freedom. Jesus has set us free and whoever Jesus sets free, he is free indeed. Jesus set us free for freedom sake.
Hebrews 12:1-3 "Therefore, since we have so great a could of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance, the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despisng the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. "
In Revelation, Jesus reminds the overcomers of the blessings to come. Who are the overcomers? We are-those in Christ Jesus. How do we have the power to overcome? It is in the finished work of the cross of Jesus Christ-the Messiah.
We are to remain in Him and obey Him. We obey Him by loving Him and loving others. When the enemy attempts to lie to us, twist God's Word and entangle us in sin...we must remember who we are in Christ. We are free! We are no longer captives. There may be struggles, especially if we allow sin to take root and entangle us. The weeding and the detangling may hurt and will be difficult. But it is worth it! Walk in freedom. Read about the Hope we have in Christ! Take courage that if there is a battle that rages, that it is because you are walking in the freedom Christ purchased for you and this ticks off your enemy and mine. His goal is to keep believers from fully recognizing all our relationship with Christ offers us.
The battle rages...but Christ is victorious and we are overcomers! Let us walk in freedom.
Now elephants being the huge land mammals they are can wreak havoc in the jungle, mowing down trees or anything in their way. These herd animals can be fierce in their protection and anyone threatening them will find their life in peril. Elephants are also trainable as many have observed at the zoo or in the circus. These huge, powerful animals can be contained, not in cages, but by a post and rope. How can this be?
The training begins when the elephant is a baby. He is removed from his herd, shackled and chained to a post in the ground (not unlike Dumbo!). He fights and struggles to be free. This struggle may go on for days, weeks, perhaps months until finally the elephant is resigned to his captivity. He no longer struggles against the shackle but yields to it. He is without his herd and without his freedom. Soon, only a rope tied to the post holds this enormous beast in place. Yet we know that all this elephant, now a grown adult, would have to do is tug a bit on the rope and it might break or pull until the post comes loose from the ground and then he would enjoy freedom. So, why doesn't he? Why doesn't this animal break free but remain tied in captivity?
Some observations of the elephants training for a life in captivity parallels that of a Christian.
(1) The elephant is removed from the protection it's herd. We Christians must be aware that we do not forsake the assembling of believers and become isolated...we NEED each other. We need to be in fellowship with one another for the glory of Jesus.
(2) The elephant is then shackled to a post that securely holds it in place. Once he is resigned to this, he then is 'content' to stay shackled. He lives as though he has forgotten his freedome. This is not unlike those without Christ (which included those of us before we belonged to Christ) who are shackled to a life style of sin being born in sin. Firmly and securely tethered in this life of sin not realizing there is anything else.
(3) The elephant's ability to obtain it's freedom is in it's power and strength, yet it remains tethered. It does not enjoy the freedom that is at hand because it believes that it is forever securely bound.
Once we were like that elephant, tethered and without hope. But unlike it, we had NO power within ourselves to deliver us from a life of sin and to deliver us from God's wrath against sin. Yet, we who belong to Christ have been freed from the life of sin. So why do often we remain tethered to a lifestyle of sin. Why do we remain entangled in sin when we have the power through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, to live a life unto Him? Why do we allow ourselves to being captive? Jesus has opened our cell doors. We must take Him at His word and walk in freedom. Jesus has set us free and whoever Jesus sets free, he is free indeed. Jesus set us free for freedom sake.
Hebrews 12:1-3 "Therefore, since we have so great a could of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance, the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despisng the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. "
In Revelation, Jesus reminds the overcomers of the blessings to come. Who are the overcomers? We are-those in Christ Jesus. How do we have the power to overcome? It is in the finished work of the cross of Jesus Christ-the Messiah.
We are to remain in Him and obey Him. We obey Him by loving Him and loving others. When the enemy attempts to lie to us, twist God's Word and entangle us in sin...we must remember who we are in Christ. We are free! We are no longer captives. There may be struggles, especially if we allow sin to take root and entangle us. The weeding and the detangling may hurt and will be difficult. But it is worth it! Walk in freedom. Read about the Hope we have in Christ! Take courage that if there is a battle that rages, that it is because you are walking in the freedom Christ purchased for you and this ticks off your enemy and mine. His goal is to keep believers from fully recognizing all our relationship with Christ offers us.
The battle rages...but Christ is victorious and we are overcomers! Let us walk in freedom.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Fan Club or Family Member?
Matthew 7:20-23 Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord did we not prophesy in Your name and in Your name cast our demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'
Our God created us to have and enjoy relationships. Ultimately, He desires us to enter in to His company, the privilege which He purchased for us. This relationship is what separates Christianity from all other religions. Not the superficial Christianity of believing in God-for even the demons believe in Him and tremble, but the Christianity that demands a relationship with the Everlasting God. This Christianity is the repentant, lifestyle of faith that will allow us to stand before God's throne and have Jesus confess to His Father that we are His. This relationship is an open invitation to all who would believe and receive Christ. Yet it is exclusive in that only those who do enter in by the narrow way-through the Way, the Truth and the Life-Jesus Christ, may have a relationship with God the Father through Jesus the Son. We are no longer on the outside, but part of God's family
I share the following explanation of relationship's importance:
There are several bands that I have enjoyed over the years. I've love the music of Earth, Wind and Fire, Peter Frampton, the Beatles, Poco to name a few. And then when I became a Christian, I was blessed by the music of Keith Green, Sweet Comfort Band, 2nd Chapter of Acts, and later in my walk wiht Christ, the music of Steven Curtis Chapman, Newsong, Mercy Me, Casting Crowns, and Big Daddy Weave, to name a few.
Though I love music and enjoyed listening to it...loudly. I never became a fan member of any band or musician. And now becoming a fan is as easy as liking something on FaceBook and with a click of a button, you can become a fan of different organizations or artists or musicians.
Many people enjoy being a fan and being a part of something. Some people even aspire to be the "best fan" club member. This is the person may be one who organizes events for this fan club. The best fan might also have every marketing gimmick related to the fan club. This best fan will be able to tell you all about the fan club, as well as every fact, every detail of the person the club is organized for.
The best fan might even get back stage passes after an event. BUT...will the "best fan" be known? Will he be recognized? If this best fan just showed up backstage with no introduction, would he be recognized? Would the person be pleased to see this best fan and want to spend time with him? Would this best fan be invited to holiday family gatherings or special family events? Would this best fan enjoy vacations with his idol? No...none of this would happen.
Why? Because there is no relationship? At the end of the day, the musician or whoever is idolized, will go on with life and not think on the best fan because the musician has no relationship with him. The best fan isn't known.
Yet, in contrast, the family members may go backstage after the event and they are greeted with great joy and pleasure for they know one another. They belong together and being family members, they recognize one another.
The Scripture in Matthew 7:20-23, describes the difference between a fan of Jesus and a follower of Jesus. We may be very excited about things spiritual and do many Bible studies and many "good works" in the name of Christ, BUT if we do not belong to Him, He will not "know" us. We must accept His invitation to become joint-heir with Him. This is done only through His work on the cross. We can contribute NOTHING to this finished work. I Peter 3:18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the Just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit.
The good works in Christ Jesus come later...we just need to believe and receive His work.
God's invitation is accessible and welcoming to all yet it is exclusive to those who receive it through the One Way, Jesus Christ.
John 6:35, 37, 40 Jesus said- "I am the bread of life, he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst...All that the Father gives to Me shall come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out...For this is the will of My Fathers, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life and I Myself will raise him up on that last day."
John 14:16-17, 21 Jesus said- And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom th world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you....He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me; and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father , and I will love him, and will disclose Myself to him."
May none who might read this find themselves as a Fan of Jesus Christ but a family member of the One True, Triune God. Jesus words describe what will happen to fan members...on the last day-the most important day-the fans of Jesus Christ won't be known.
John 10:27-30 The Words of Jesus- "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are One."
Our God created us to have and enjoy relationships. Ultimately, He desires us to enter in to His company, the privilege which He purchased for us. This relationship is what separates Christianity from all other religions. Not the superficial Christianity of believing in God-for even the demons believe in Him and tremble, but the Christianity that demands a relationship with the Everlasting God. This Christianity is the repentant, lifestyle of faith that will allow us to stand before God's throne and have Jesus confess to His Father that we are His. This relationship is an open invitation to all who would believe and receive Christ. Yet it is exclusive in that only those who do enter in by the narrow way-through the Way, the Truth and the Life-Jesus Christ, may have a relationship with God the Father through Jesus the Son. We are no longer on the outside, but part of God's family
I share the following explanation of relationship's importance:
There are several bands that I have enjoyed over the years. I've love the music of Earth, Wind and Fire, Peter Frampton, the Beatles, Poco to name a few. And then when I became a Christian, I was blessed by the music of Keith Green, Sweet Comfort Band, 2nd Chapter of Acts, and later in my walk wiht Christ, the music of Steven Curtis Chapman, Newsong, Mercy Me, Casting Crowns, and Big Daddy Weave, to name a few.
Though I love music and enjoyed listening to it...loudly. I never became a fan member of any band or musician. And now becoming a fan is as easy as liking something on FaceBook and with a click of a button, you can become a fan of different organizations or artists or musicians.
Many people enjoy being a fan and being a part of something. Some people even aspire to be the "best fan" club member. This is the person may be one who organizes events for this fan club. The best fan might also have every marketing gimmick related to the fan club. This best fan will be able to tell you all about the fan club, as well as every fact, every detail of the person the club is organized for.
The best fan might even get back stage passes after an event. BUT...will the "best fan" be known? Will he be recognized? If this best fan just showed up backstage with no introduction, would he be recognized? Would the person be pleased to see this best fan and want to spend time with him? Would this best fan be invited to holiday family gatherings or special family events? Would this best fan enjoy vacations with his idol? No...none of this would happen.
Why? Because there is no relationship? At the end of the day, the musician or whoever is idolized, will go on with life and not think on the best fan because the musician has no relationship with him. The best fan isn't known.
Yet, in contrast, the family members may go backstage after the event and they are greeted with great joy and pleasure for they know one another. They belong together and being family members, they recognize one another.
The Scripture in Matthew 7:20-23, describes the difference between a fan of Jesus and a follower of Jesus. We may be very excited about things spiritual and do many Bible studies and many "good works" in the name of Christ, BUT if we do not belong to Him, He will not "know" us. We must accept His invitation to become joint-heir with Him. This is done only through His work on the cross. We can contribute NOTHING to this finished work. I Peter 3:18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the Just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit.
The good works in Christ Jesus come later...we just need to believe and receive His work.
God's invitation is accessible and welcoming to all yet it is exclusive to those who receive it through the One Way, Jesus Christ.
John 6:35, 37, 40 Jesus said- "I am the bread of life, he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst...All that the Father gives to Me shall come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out...For this is the will of My Fathers, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life and I Myself will raise him up on that last day."
John 14:16-17, 21 Jesus said- And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom th world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you....He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me; and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father , and I will love him, and will disclose Myself to him."
May none who might read this find themselves as a Fan of Jesus Christ but a family member of the One True, Triune God. Jesus words describe what will happen to fan members...on the last day-the most important day-the fans of Jesus Christ won't be known.
John 10:27-30 The Words of Jesus- "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are One."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)