Questions for Today.
1.What are you seeking most right now?
(“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33” “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for THEY WILL BE filled. Matthew 5:6” Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.Seek the LORD and His strength;Seek His face continually. Remember His wonders which He has done,His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth. Psalm 105:3-5" "For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.Gal:1-10")
2.Why are you seeking it?
(“You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you(from James 4)”
3.Do you believe that what you’re seeking is His will for your life?
(“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:13-15” "For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God. 1 Thess. 4:3:5" "The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.1 John 2:17)
5.Do you believe Jesus the Christ(Emmanuel, God with us) is in fact with you now?
(‘Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you. For I am the Lord your God' Isaiah 43:1-3)
6.Do you believe He is coming again? Are you doing anything to prepare for the Way, for the King of Kings return, or His kingdom? (I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Revelation 3:11)
(Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”Matthew 28:18-20 Also read the letters to the Churches in the book of Revelation regarding overcoming the world in Christ)
8.Do you know how much He loves you or are you seeking only a temporary earthly love?
(‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16’ ‘For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39’ ‘And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17b-19’ "The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying,"I have loved you with an everlasting love;Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.")
9.Do you believe that He has a perfect plan for you?
(“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11”)
10.Do you know Him well enough to trust Him with your life instead of just trusting in yourself?
(Psalm 65)("Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD. and whose trust is the LORD" jer.17:7)(He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,But he who walks wisely will be delivered.Proverbs 28:26)
11.Do you go to God with all your worries, fears, cares, problems? Why not?
(Cast all your anxiety(worries, desires, fears, cares) on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 ‘Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20) "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me? Jeremiah 32:27"
12.When in doubt or troubled in heart, do you try to refocus your desires and hopes on Him?
("For, "THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP THIER TONGUE FROM EVIL AND THIER LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT. THEY MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; THEY MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL." 1 Peter 3:10-12)
(‘For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:16-17’ ‘Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:30-31’ "Delightyourself in the LORD;And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. Psalm 37:4-5")
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Lord Jesus help me to remember these truths and to Keep Jesus First in my heart! :)
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
A Great Song: 'Be still, my soul'
"Psalm 94:19
When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,Your consolations delight my soul."
I didn't write this song (for those who thought I may have. It's an older hymn) but the other night I had a dream and this song was in my mind in the dream, when I woke up I remembered how much I liked it and so I thought I'd share it. God is so Good!! I'm sorry Lord Jesus for when I let my anxious thoughts multiply.
"Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.
Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine."
"Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,Your consolations delight my soul."
I didn't write this song (for those who thought I may have. It's an older hymn) but the other night I had a dream and this song was in my mind in the dream, when I woke up I remembered how much I liked it and so I thought I'd share it. God is so Good!! I'm sorry Lord Jesus for when I let my anxious thoughts multiply.
"Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.
Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine."
"Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
On Worshiping the Lord
"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:23-24
How do we worship Him in Spirit and in truth?
Through Christ Jesus living in us who is the truth and gives freely of His Spirit.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6
"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act of worship." Romans 12:1
"from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way." James 3:10
"For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh--for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Romans 8:5-13
"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:26-29
We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
How do we worship Him in Spirit and in truth?
Through Christ Jesus living in us who is the truth and gives freely of His Spirit.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6
"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act of worship." Romans 12:1
"from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way." James 3:10
"For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh--for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Romans 8:5-13
"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:26-29
We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Praise God for another year!
Heavenly Father may Your name be holy and Your will be done and Your kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven. Thank you Father for your love and for Jesus and for Your patience with me this last year. I pray that this year I'll trust in You and abide in You, and please forgive me my sins. Please use me to change this world for the better in any way that I can and strengthen my faith to fulfill Your plan for my life. Please help me to be a positive person and full of encouragement for those around me. I know how weak I am, but I also know that You use the weak things of the world, so I have high hopes. Please be with those I love and help Your church (and me as I'm part of it) to put You first and to love each other as you've commanded us. May our hearts be full of Your praises and our lives abiding with Your Spirit. Please keep us from temptation and the lies of the enemy. May Your praises, Your light, and power fill this Year with hope and blessings for those You love and those who love You. In Jesus name I pray. Thank You Lord! Amen!
Heavenly Father may Your name be holy and Your will be done and Your kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven. Thank you Father for your love and for Jesus and for Your patience with me this last year. I pray that this year I'll trust in You and abide in You, and please forgive me my sins. Please use me to change this world for the better in any way that I can and strengthen my faith to fulfill Your plan for my life. Please help me to be a positive person and full of encouragement for those around me. I know how weak I am, but I also know that You use the weak things of the world, so I have high hopes. Please be with those I love and help Your church (and me as I'm part of it) to put You first and to love each other as you've commanded us. May our hearts be full of Your praises and our lives abiding with Your Spirit. Please keep us from temptation and the lies of the enemy. May Your praises, Your light, and power fill this Year with hope and blessings for those You love and those who love You. In Jesus name I pray. Thank You Lord! Amen!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
The New Covenant in Christ Jesus
“The LORD wrote on these tablets what He had written before, the Ten Commandments He had proclaimed to you on the mountain, out of the fire, on the day of the assembly. And the LORD gave them to me. Then I came back down the mountain and put the tablets in the ark I had made, as the LORD commanded me, and they are there now. Deut. 10:4-5”
Reading through 1 kings 8:9 and 2 Chronicles and found something I hadn’t noticed before ch 5 vs 10
“There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets which Moses put there at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the sons of Israel , when they came out of Egypt. 2Chron 5:10”
Yet we know from Hebrews 9:4 that “Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.”
So we can see that this staff of miracles and bread of life that fed the Israelites from heaven was not a lasting part of His covenant under the law with Israel. In so much as that they could not keep the law, we see this clearly that by the time of 2 Chronicles these articles were no longer in the ark of testimony. But we in Christ most certainly have a better promise because Christ has entered the most holy place and is there on our behalf. And in Him the miracles(Indwelling by His Spirit, Freedom from sin, resurrection, even Knowledge, Wisdom, healing, supernatural miracles, prophesy, tongues, etc.) and manna(bread of life: God’s daily provision and faith and hope and love and the fruits of the Spirit that come from Jesus) are found abundantly once more and even the law is now written on our hearts(Heb8:10). This is all said much better in Hebrews but I like it when God shows me these interesting facts when I’m reading old testament too.
“Hebrews 8:5-7 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain." But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises. For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.”
Isn’t Jesus amazing!!!!
Reading through 1 kings 8:9 and 2 Chronicles and found something I hadn’t noticed before ch 5 vs 10
“There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets which Moses put there at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the sons of Israel , when they came out of Egypt. 2Chron 5:10”
Yet we know from Hebrews 9:4 that “Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.”
So we can see that this staff of miracles and bread of life that fed the Israelites from heaven was not a lasting part of His covenant under the law with Israel. In so much as that they could not keep the law, we see this clearly that by the time of 2 Chronicles these articles were no longer in the ark of testimony. But we in Christ most certainly have a better promise because Christ has entered the most holy place and is there on our behalf. And in Him the miracles(Indwelling by His Spirit, Freedom from sin, resurrection, even Knowledge, Wisdom, healing, supernatural miracles, prophesy, tongues, etc.) and manna(bread of life: God’s daily provision and faith and hope and love and the fruits of the Spirit that come from Jesus) are found abundantly once more and even the law is now written on our hearts(Heb8:10). This is all said much better in Hebrews but I like it when God shows me these interesting facts when I’m reading old testament too.
“Hebrews 8:5-7 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain." But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises. For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.”
Isn’t Jesus amazing!!!!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Happy Christmas Everybody!!
"John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly"
Thank you Lord God for sending Your Son Jesus, He is truly the best present!
And thank you Father in Heaven for Your love, and Your promises and Your daily encouragement and Your patience with me through all my doubts and trasspasses and selfishness. And thank You for forgiving me and mending my brokeness and keeping me in hope. And thank You for my family, my friends, and for the people that I love, and for a good life (it`s good because Your in it). Please may You be the center of my life, my first love, and the king on the throne of my heart. Thank You that you love me and please open others eyes so that they may see how much it is that You love them. Thank You Jesus for coming and being like us so that You could redeem us. These words are not enough, so may we forever praise your name!! Please deliver us from temptation and teach us to walk with You. In Jesus name Amen. Thank You Abba Father, Dad!
Thank you Lord God for sending Your Son Jesus, He is truly the best present!
And thank you Father in Heaven for Your love, and Your promises and Your daily encouragement and Your patience with me through all my doubts and trasspasses and selfishness. And thank You for forgiving me and mending my brokeness and keeping me in hope. And thank You for my family, my friends, and for the people that I love, and for a good life (it`s good because Your in it). Please may You be the center of my life, my first love, and the king on the throne of my heart. Thank You that you love me and please open others eyes so that they may see how much it is that You love them. Thank You Jesus for coming and being like us so that You could redeem us. These words are not enough, so may we forever praise your name!! Please deliver us from temptation and teach us to walk with You. In Jesus name Amen. Thank You Abba Father, Dad!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Jesus is the Truth!
"1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ(Christ meaning the messiah) has come in the flesh is from God; 3and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. 4You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." 1 John 4:1-4
Is it wrong to test whether God is the one speaking to you or not? of course not infact He tells us to in His word. Many false prophets have gone out into the world. They believe in a lie and you can know them by this great section of 1 John.
But also there are those who would try to pervert the knowledge of Christ Jesus about them we have instruction found in Galatians 1:6-8 "6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!" A strong warning to those religions who use the name of Christ Jesus falsely. One more way to know those who are from Him is spoken by Jesus in Matthew 7:15-2015"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."
Well hope this helps in decerning some of the lies out there from the enemy.
Is it wrong to test whether God is the one speaking to you or not? of course not infact He tells us to in His word. Many false prophets have gone out into the world. They believe in a lie and you can know them by this great section of 1 John.
But also there are those who would try to pervert the knowledge of Christ Jesus about them we have instruction found in Galatians 1:6-8 "6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!" A strong warning to those religions who use the name of Christ Jesus falsely. One more way to know those who are from Him is spoken by Jesus in Matthew 7:15-2015"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."
Well hope this helps in decerning some of the lies out there from the enemy.
Matthew 5:11-12
"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12
These words found in the gospel of Matthew chapter 5 bring us a truth straight from the mouth of Jesus the anointed one; the only son of God the creator, Who came to bring peace between God and man and destroy the works of Satan. This He accomplished on the cross by taking our sin upon Himself and dieing in our place. No longer can the accuser accuse us, for in Jesus we have been made righteous(made to be in communion once more with God the Father). He is our peace and the peace/sin/guilt offering between Man and God. A one time offering to God the Father (and more than sufficient for all eternity) Who was most pleased to accept it. These words found in Matthew pronounce a promise and a blessing. Note that He did not say "if people insult you and persecute you" but "when", we must not expect a life free from the hate of those who reject and hate Jesus, but we can take courage and know that we are blessed by God for believing and remaining in Him.
These words found in the gospel of Matthew chapter 5 bring us a truth straight from the mouth of Jesus the anointed one; the only son of God the creator, Who came to bring peace between God and man and destroy the works of Satan. This He accomplished on the cross by taking our sin upon Himself and dieing in our place. No longer can the accuser accuse us, for in Jesus we have been made righteous(made to be in communion once more with God the Father). He is our peace and the peace/sin/guilt offering between Man and God. A one time offering to God the Father (and more than sufficient for all eternity) Who was most pleased to accept it. These words found in Matthew pronounce a promise and a blessing. Note that He did not say "if people insult you and persecute you" but "when", we must not expect a life free from the hate of those who reject and hate Jesus, but we can take courage and know that we are blessed by God for believing and remaining in Him.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Believe in Jesus
In Christ is found hope, and faith that refines,
So that we may cope, defeating sins crimes,
Our Saviour is He, Who rose from the grave,
He let our hearts see, the love that He gave,
For He took the sentence, of death we deserved,
Removing the fence, between sheep and shepherd,
We now have a guide, to lead us each day,
No longer we hide, from our Lord in dismay,
So now let us walk, in the way that He’s shown,
In true love not just talk, and by Love we’ll be known.
His love and kindness, forever will rain,
On the one who believes in His glorious name,
So that we may cope, defeating sins crimes,
Our Saviour is He, Who rose from the grave,
He let our hearts see, the love that He gave,
For He took the sentence, of death we deserved,
Removing the fence, between sheep and shepherd,
We now have a guide, to lead us each day,
No longer we hide, from our Lord in dismay,
So now let us walk, in the way that He’s shown,
In true love not just talk, and by Love we’ll be known.
His love and kindness, forever will rain,
On the one who believes in His glorious name,
Friday, November 27, 2009
Trust in Jesus!!
(Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understandings, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall make thy paths straight.)
Life can be so confusing, filled with so many questions, wanders and hopes. Sometimes I get so frustrated because I’ve misinterpreted something or think that one of my greatest hopes is just too impossible or unlikely, but then I try to take my eyes off the situation and trust God instead. When I think I’ve failed or overstepped my bounds it’s good to know that we have a Father who can and does straighten our paths. Why do I lean so much on my own understanding of people, situations, hopes, or dreams? God is able to do the impossible and if He has placed something on our hearts or in our path then He is more than able to bring about His will. Truth be told, the Lord has probably already made a straight way before us and it’s just our own doubts stopping our feet from walking life’s paths and stopping those hopes from becoming reality. I’m so thankful that Jesus loves me and has a plan from my life. And that He waits patiently and doesn’t take away a path just because we hesitate, but instead He grabs our hand (shaking though it may be) and leads us in His Will. I’m so thankful that He can and will bring in people to share it with me. I’m so thankful that despite the times I feel alone He does really have a future for me, and people ready to love and defend me, and people that I can love and defend. I guess why I’m writing this is that.... Hope is a wonderful thing, but it’s even more wonderful when we have faith and know that He is the fulfiller of our hopes, both heavenly and earthly. So have faith, and takes steps toward the hopes He has given you, even the seemingly impossible ones!!
(Romans 4:18-22 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.) (Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the steadfast belief of things not seen.)
We who believe in Jesus are one in Him and He loves to give us good things and to share with us His love. Praise God!!
Life can be so confusing, filled with so many questions, wanders and hopes. Sometimes I get so frustrated because I’ve misinterpreted something or think that one of my greatest hopes is just too impossible or unlikely, but then I try to take my eyes off the situation and trust God instead. When I think I’ve failed or overstepped my bounds it’s good to know that we have a Father who can and does straighten our paths. Why do I lean so much on my own understanding of people, situations, hopes, or dreams? God is able to do the impossible and if He has placed something on our hearts or in our path then He is more than able to bring about His will. Truth be told, the Lord has probably already made a straight way before us and it’s just our own doubts stopping our feet from walking life’s paths and stopping those hopes from becoming reality. I’m so thankful that Jesus loves me and has a plan from my life. And that He waits patiently and doesn’t take away a path just because we hesitate, but instead He grabs our hand (shaking though it may be) and leads us in His Will. I’m so thankful that He can and will bring in people to share it with me. I’m so thankful that despite the times I feel alone He does really have a future for me, and people ready to love and defend me, and people that I can love and defend. I guess why I’m writing this is that.... Hope is a wonderful thing, but it’s even more wonderful when we have faith and know that He is the fulfiller of our hopes, both heavenly and earthly. So have faith, and takes steps toward the hopes He has given you, even the seemingly impossible ones!!
(Romans 4:18-22 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.) (Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the steadfast belief of things not seen.)
We who believe in Jesus are one in Him and He loves to give us good things and to share with us His love. Praise God!!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
A Poem of Praise
Wake up! For it is morning, open your eyes and see His light,
He frees the soul from mourning and He gives the heart delight,
He is Jesus, God’s anointed, King of Kings with God He’s one,
Praise His Holy name forever, Giving Praises to the Son,
He endured our shame and died for us to make us each His Own,
He rose from the grave to reign again and sit upon His throne,
Now His love beyond all measure, offered to them who will believe,
Shall make the contrite born again, and set the captive sinner free,
Rejoice O world and give your praise, to Him who gives you grace,
Remain in Him ‘till He returns eternal life to face.
He frees the soul from mourning and He gives the heart delight,
He is Jesus, God’s anointed, King of Kings with God He’s one,
Praise His Holy name forever, Giving Praises to the Son,
He endured our shame and died for us to make us each His Own,
He rose from the grave to reign again and sit upon His throne,
Now His love beyond all measure, offered to them who will believe,
Shall make the contrite born again, and set the captive sinner free,
Rejoice O world and give your praise, to Him who gives you grace,
Remain in Him ‘till He returns eternal life to face.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Joshua ch.1-5 (some thoughts)
The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh received their inheritance of the Promised Land on the east side of the Jordan River. However, they were not allowed to enter their rest (land) until they had helped the rest of Israel get theirs on the west side of the Jordan River. Did the rest of Israel really need their help? No (aside from maybe some moral support), God was the one winning all the battles, and often in some pretty amazing ways. I think as Christians today we too often view our salvation as an individualistic/personal goal or promise. It’s true Jesus died for me, and that God loves ME more than I could probably ever know. This is all true and more than wonderful, but then we seem to, instead of living this new life of hope for His name, tend to forget that we are one body in Christ. That Jesus died for the sins of the whole world and that all who believes will have everlasting life. So if we are one body though individual members of it, we must by faith use the gifts we’ve been given for the building up and sustaining of the body (Church). We must lift up the fallen, supply the needy, encourage the persevering, and care for and love all those who call on His name. Just like in our bodies the heart pumps the blood, the lungs provide the oxygen, and our body’s parts work together for the whole. What happens if there are some rogue cells acting on their own; caring only for themselves, and living in the body propagating cells that are likewise renegade? We call them cancer and the whole body suffers for their sake, until it’s cured or the cancer removed.
We mustn’t ignore other believers who are struggling like the rich man did to Lazarus (Luke 16:19) regardless if they are on our door steps or half way around the world. We have been given a measure and if we freely give we shall freely receive. Sure we may say true things like, “God will help them. After all He loves them too, besides He doesn’t need me. And realistically speaking I couldn’t do much of anything anyhow.” But the bride of Christ Jesus is a collective and just like this passage in Joshua we must join together as Christ’s church/body, together claiming His promises until we all receive of His goodness upon His return. So let’s not be selfish and ignore His word.
Matthew 25:31-46 31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. 34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me.' 37"Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? 38When did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or needing clothes and clothe You? 39When did we see You sick or in prison and go to visit You?' 40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.' 41"Then He will say to those on His left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite Me in, I needed clothes and You did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and You did not look after Me.' 44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help You?' 45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.' 46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
So then we in Christ will bear good fruit. Don't be afraid of your old self and fleshly lusts but remember that in Christ we are a new creation, so put that old nature to death (so to speak) let us not be deceived by the enemy and become selfish lay bouts who are too caught up in our society, in its worries, pleasures, and riches that we bear no good fruit. The Fruits of His Spirit are Love, joy, Peace, Patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These are gifts from Him that we bear not produce. Let us do the good, which we can now by His grace do, and together rejoice in the love of God!
We mustn’t ignore other believers who are struggling like the rich man did to Lazarus (Luke 16:19) regardless if they are on our door steps or half way around the world. We have been given a measure and if we freely give we shall freely receive. Sure we may say true things like, “God will help them. After all He loves them too, besides He doesn’t need me. And realistically speaking I couldn’t do much of anything anyhow.” But the bride of Christ Jesus is a collective and just like this passage in Joshua we must join together as Christ’s church/body, together claiming His promises until we all receive of His goodness upon His return. So let’s not be selfish and ignore His word.
Matthew 25:31-46 31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. 34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me.' 37"Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? 38When did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or needing clothes and clothe You? 39When did we see You sick or in prison and go to visit You?' 40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.' 41"Then He will say to those on His left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite Me in, I needed clothes and You did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and You did not look after Me.' 44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help You?' 45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.' 46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
So then we in Christ will bear good fruit. Don't be afraid of your old self and fleshly lusts but remember that in Christ we are a new creation, so put that old nature to death (so to speak) let us not be deceived by the enemy and become selfish lay bouts who are too caught up in our society, in its worries, pleasures, and riches that we bear no good fruit. The Fruits of His Spirit are Love, joy, Peace, Patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These are gifts from Him that we bear not produce. Let us do the good, which we can now by His grace do, and together rejoice in the love of God!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Jonah and the whale or Gospel of Jesus
Luke 11:29,30 and 32 “As the crowds were increasing, He began to say, "This generation is a wicked generation; it seeks for a sign, and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. “
Mathew 12:39-41 “But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; for just as JONAH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. "The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.”
Jonah took a message of destruction to the city of Nineveh. He did not come to them declaring that they must be keepers of the law, but he did reason to himself that they would repent and receive mercy. They were not given any further instructions in regard to self-righteousness, such as they must now keep the law like the Israelites. They simply believed the word of God concerning them and hoped for mercy. They put their trust in God that He is gracious, merciful and a giver of salvation. The king of Nineveh himself spoke these words
“let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands. Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish.” Jonah a man under the law and not grace foresaw God’s mercy and at first rebelled against the Idea of their salvation apart from works, knowing that if they simply repented God would spare their city from the promise of destruction. In fact it wasn’t until He was made an example in the likeness of Christ, i.e. His being in the belly of the fish as good as dead for three days, that he was ready to accept this message of God’s undeserved mercy and to take such a message to them. For He placed His hope in God for his own salvation apart from works while in the belly of the fish, and finished the prayer found in Jonah chapter two with the proclamation concerning Jesus Himself “Salvation is from the Lord.”
Jesus proclaims this sign of Jonah to be now the only sign to the wicked generation that seeks for a sign. The sign of His death and resurrection, indeed there can be, nor is any greater sign of God’s love and salvation than this. This sign of Jonah through Christ is the very gospel of grace. The people of Nineveh did not receive their temporal salvation except through God’s mercy and grace by believing the word of God through His prophet Jonah. Just as those who now here the gospel of Christ and believe will receive eternal salvation and on top of that His life as a free gift of grace from the one and only living God.
Baptism is a washing that is likewise by grace and not an act of self-righteousness. One does not nor can baptise oneself but is baptised by another. Baptism is then not a self cleansing act but a petition to God for a clean conscience (1 Peter 3:21) a cleansing that only God can provide through the resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Therefore we baptise one another (according to the commission of Jesus found in Matthew’s gospel ch28vs16-20) in the name of God the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. As doing it in His name on His behalf acting as His body on the earth for the cleansing of the one seeking after the grace and good news of Christ Jesus. Baptism is a sign to us of our victory in Christ Jesus over sin and death. It declares our freedom from the slavery of sin and the condemnation of the Law, in that in baptism we have died with Christ and the law holds no power over things that have died (read Romans ch.6 and 7). It shows us that we can do nothing for our own righteousness and salvation but like the Ninevites we must forsake sin and believe in the free gift of God’s mercy and love. Being washed and made perfect by the act of God and not of ourselves. We died with Christ and because He was raised up so we too live in a newness of life. That is why we are called born again and saints for we are no longer slaves to unrighteousness but to righteousness. Let us rejoice for God is so good! We also see that when God spared the Ninevites the religious Jonah despised that mercy. Let us not be so captivated by self-righteousness that we, like Jonah did when he left the city, ignorantly reject God's mercy. For we have be given this gracious gift of salvation which is found in Christ Jesus. For I see today too much the false gospels going out into the world, proclaiming that once saved in Christ we are still under the Judgement of the Law. That being now saved in Christ if we fail in keeping the Ten commandments we are hell bound. that is not the gospel to be put under a yoke even God's chosen nation could not bear. I'm not saying not to keep the law, what I'm saying is that in Christ Who fulfilled the law we are free from its condemnation. The Apostle Paul tells us plainly(Romans 8:1) that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Jesus never said to people He had healed and saw had faith in Him “Go and keep the law.” In fact He said to the woman caught in adultery who He didn't condemn “Go and sin no more.” If that was a command then He gave her no hope, but if a promise then praise God He keeps those whom He saves. You see, Jesus, who came to complete the Law, would not have commanded that woman to do something beyond her capabilities as some cruel joke. No indeed when He said “Go and sin no more” it was a promise. He knew full well the salvation and freedom He was bringing to the world. The salvation we receive from Jesus is of an eternal nature. Its the gospel that frees us from sin and promises us that we can now, because of our oneness with Christ, sin no more.
“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned-- for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:12-21”
So you see Baptism is a promise to the believer of Holiness, and is carried out by Him through His body the church. For the believer is saved and made righteous by Jesus through faith, but baptism working together with faith promises a clear conscience, proclaiming that God has done for them what they could never do for themselves, that their eternal life is cleansed and made holy forever, so that they may be with the Lord forever. Not as an act of human or self cleansing but by an act of God. Nineveh was a picture of temporal grace given by faith and repentance, but Christ is eternal grace. History shows us that the Ninevites could not keep themselves from sinning. Despite their repentant heart they could not free themselves from the curse and ultimately have disappeared from the earth. But Jesus lives in those who believe in Him and keeps and perfects us. Praise God. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whomsoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
Do you know and trust in how much God loves you? He loved you enough to give His beloved son so that we might be saved. He paid the price for our sin and then some! Jesus was more than enough for a payment for the sins of the world. So now in Him we are promised life and freedom from sin forever. Believe it! He loves you!
Mathew 12:39-41 “But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; for just as JONAH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. "The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.”
Jonah took a message of destruction to the city of Nineveh. He did not come to them declaring that they must be keepers of the law, but he did reason to himself that they would repent and receive mercy. They were not given any further instructions in regard to self-righteousness, such as they must now keep the law like the Israelites. They simply believed the word of God concerning them and hoped for mercy. They put their trust in God that He is gracious, merciful and a giver of salvation. The king of Nineveh himself spoke these words
“let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands. Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish.” Jonah a man under the law and not grace foresaw God’s mercy and at first rebelled against the Idea of their salvation apart from works, knowing that if they simply repented God would spare their city from the promise of destruction. In fact it wasn’t until He was made an example in the likeness of Christ, i.e. His being in the belly of the fish as good as dead for three days, that he was ready to accept this message of God’s undeserved mercy and to take such a message to them. For He placed His hope in God for his own salvation apart from works while in the belly of the fish, and finished the prayer found in Jonah chapter two with the proclamation concerning Jesus Himself “Salvation is from the Lord.”
Jesus proclaims this sign of Jonah to be now the only sign to the wicked generation that seeks for a sign. The sign of His death and resurrection, indeed there can be, nor is any greater sign of God’s love and salvation than this. This sign of Jonah through Christ is the very gospel of grace. The people of Nineveh did not receive their temporal salvation except through God’s mercy and grace by believing the word of God through His prophet Jonah. Just as those who now here the gospel of Christ and believe will receive eternal salvation and on top of that His life as a free gift of grace from the one and only living God.
Baptism is a washing that is likewise by grace and not an act of self-righteousness. One does not nor can baptise oneself but is baptised by another. Baptism is then not a self cleansing act but a petition to God for a clean conscience (1 Peter 3:21) a cleansing that only God can provide through the resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Therefore we baptise one another (according to the commission of Jesus found in Matthew’s gospel ch28vs16-20) in the name of God the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. As doing it in His name on His behalf acting as His body on the earth for the cleansing of the one seeking after the grace and good news of Christ Jesus. Baptism is a sign to us of our victory in Christ Jesus over sin and death. It declares our freedom from the slavery of sin and the condemnation of the Law, in that in baptism we have died with Christ and the law holds no power over things that have died (read Romans ch.6 and 7). It shows us that we can do nothing for our own righteousness and salvation but like the Ninevites we must forsake sin and believe in the free gift of God’s mercy and love. Being washed and made perfect by the act of God and not of ourselves. We died with Christ and because He was raised up so we too live in a newness of life. That is why we are called born again and saints for we are no longer slaves to unrighteousness but to righteousness. Let us rejoice for God is so good! We also see that when God spared the Ninevites the religious Jonah despised that mercy. Let us not be so captivated by self-righteousness that we, like Jonah did when he left the city, ignorantly reject God's mercy. For we have be given this gracious gift of salvation which is found in Christ Jesus. For I see today too much the false gospels going out into the world, proclaiming that once saved in Christ we are still under the Judgement of the Law. That being now saved in Christ if we fail in keeping the Ten commandments we are hell bound. that is not the gospel to be put under a yoke even God's chosen nation could not bear. I'm not saying not to keep the law, what I'm saying is that in Christ Who fulfilled the law we are free from its condemnation. The Apostle Paul tells us plainly(Romans 8:1) that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Jesus never said to people He had healed and saw had faith in Him “Go and keep the law.” In fact He said to the woman caught in adultery who He didn't condemn “Go and sin no more.” If that was a command then He gave her no hope, but if a promise then praise God He keeps those whom He saves. You see, Jesus, who came to complete the Law, would not have commanded that woman to do something beyond her capabilities as some cruel joke. No indeed when He said “Go and sin no more” it was a promise. He knew full well the salvation and freedom He was bringing to the world. The salvation we receive from Jesus is of an eternal nature. Its the gospel that frees us from sin and promises us that we can now, because of our oneness with Christ, sin no more.
“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned-- for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:12-21”
So you see Baptism is a promise to the believer of Holiness, and is carried out by Him through His body the church. For the believer is saved and made righteous by Jesus through faith, but baptism working together with faith promises a clear conscience, proclaiming that God has done for them what they could never do for themselves, that their eternal life is cleansed and made holy forever, so that they may be with the Lord forever. Not as an act of human or self cleansing but by an act of God. Nineveh was a picture of temporal grace given by faith and repentance, but Christ is eternal grace. History shows us that the Ninevites could not keep themselves from sinning. Despite their repentant heart they could not free themselves from the curse and ultimately have disappeared from the earth. But Jesus lives in those who believe in Him and keeps and perfects us. Praise God. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whomsoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
Do you know and trust in how much God loves you? He loved you enough to give His beloved son so that we might be saved. He paid the price for our sin and then some! Jesus was more than enough for a payment for the sins of the world. So now in Him we are promised life and freedom from sin forever. Believe it! He loves you!
Thursday, April 09, 2009
The day before Easter Friday
God is so good!!!!!
Some things to remember in light of Easter:
Many may ask themselves what work can we do for the one who took our punishment, and gave us eternal life, and on top of that filled our hearts with the love and light of Christ Jesus?
“Therefore they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” John 6:28-29
We who believe in Him are born again new creations, so now we can live in faith, hope, and love.
Even our faith is such a blessed gift as He is the author and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Eph.5:8-9
Praise God for His faith, hope, and love!
Jesus is our hope and life the first born from the dead, conquering the sting of death. “"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 15:55-57 We no longer need to fear death and the righteous punishment of God the Father. For in His love He sent His son to take our sin and punishment. His perfect love in Christ Jesus now casts out all fear. “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
“We love because He first loved us.” 1John 4:19
We can now truly love because of Him. Love is from God and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God, for God is love. To love for us now is both a command and a promise "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35" “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8” “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him. John 14:21" “And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. 1John 3:23” “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 john 5:3-5”
Praise God for He abides in us giving us and fulfilling in us faith, hope, and love.
“By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us, God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 1 john 4:9-18”
So what work can we do for the one who took our punishment and on top of that gave us eternal life? By ourselves... very little more than filthy rags(Isaiah 64:6), but through Him we can rejoice and be glad and give Him Glory, believing in Jesus and loving each other.
What shall I render to the LORD
For all His benefits toward me?
I will take up the cup of salvation,
And call upon the name of the LORD. Psalms 116:12-13
Have a Great Easter!!
Some things to remember in light of Easter:
Many may ask themselves what work can we do for the one who took our punishment, and gave us eternal life, and on top of that filled our hearts with the love and light of Christ Jesus?
“Therefore they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” John 6:28-29
We who believe in Him are born again new creations, so now we can live in faith, hope, and love.
Even our faith is such a blessed gift as He is the author and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Eph.5:8-9
Praise God for His faith, hope, and love!
Jesus is our hope and life the first born from the dead, conquering the sting of death. “"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 15:55-57 We no longer need to fear death and the righteous punishment of God the Father. For in His love He sent His son to take our sin and punishment. His perfect love in Christ Jesus now casts out all fear. “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
“We love because He first loved us.” 1John 4:19
We can now truly love because of Him. Love is from God and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God, for God is love. To love for us now is both a command and a promise "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35" “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8” “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him. John 14:21" “And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. 1John 3:23” “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 john 5:3-5”
Praise God for He abides in us giving us and fulfilling in us faith, hope, and love.
“By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us, God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 1 john 4:9-18”
So what work can we do for the one who took our punishment and on top of that gave us eternal life? By ourselves... very little more than filthy rags(Isaiah 64:6), but through Him we can rejoice and be glad and give Him Glory, believing in Jesus and loving each other.
What shall I render to the LORD
For all His benefits toward me?
I will take up the cup of salvation,
And call upon the name of the LORD. Psalms 116:12-13
Have a Great Easter!!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Church the Body of Christ Jesus (2-3)
Church the Body of Christ Jesus (2)
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and does them, will be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24
Continuing on from before, Christ Jesus is the head of the church. But it’s not as if without the church He has no physical body and is just a head and incomplete. Jesus, although one with God the Father, became a human like us and has His own body which which is now a glorified one. So how is the Church His body? God is the creator and all things are possible for Him, but let’s look at another example of our oneness with Him. Since the beginning God made this mystery as a promise:
“The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, ' for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Genesis 2:23-24”
Similarly we who are in Christ are of one spirit. So that while at death the two by flesh are no longer one flesh, yet for us the promise is that we are one with Christ not only in flesh but in His eternal Spirit, and so death no longer has any hold over us. Death can no longer separate us, who are in Christ, from God the Father, because we are one with Him in Spirit, knowing this we have all the more reason to live holy lives.
“By His power God raised the Lord from the dead, and He will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, ‘The two will become one flesh.’ But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.1 Corinthians 6:14-20”
The Church is called the bride of Christ and as such we have become ONE with God. Just as a man and woman through marriage become one flesh/body so we the Church are one body. Being then fully unified with God and each other in the vows, love, and promises of Christ Jesus our Lord, should we carry on as individuals, caring only for ourselves and our personal relationship with Christ? Should a bride once married carry on/act/live as though she has no head/husband? No she must forsake her old life and be one with her husband as He is with her. So we who are the bride of Christ Jesus must forsake our “single” life of sin (not at all saying that everyone in the church must be married here, this is speaking only of our life in Christ) and be obedient to our head/husband Jesus Christ. Yes, we have a personal relationship with Christ, but we can’t neglect one another because of that. Especially since in our personal relationship with Him, Jesus commands us to love each other. Not merely in word and tongue but in deed and truth(or in action and from the inner most being), so that we can be one with Him and the Father by the power of His Holy Spirit working in us. Praise God that He loves us so much!
Church the body of Christ Jesus (3)
If the body is dead apart from Christ can the individual member be alive apart from the body? For example, can a hand, no longer attached to the arm receive the supply needed (blood, nerve impulses, etc.) to function. My point here is that we NEED each other. Why? Because that is the way God created us to have unity with Christ... as a body (a group of parts creating a whole). Now although there may be exceptions to this rule, as it is Christ Jesus who ultimately supplies our need. His desire is for one body, and He will bring those exceptions to be unified with His body, so that we, being fully supplied together, may love each other as He works in/through us. Now some may say “What about a lone missionary, aren’t they on their own and apart from the body?” Of course not. They remain a vital part and Christ has many Christians praying for and supporting them being one with them in Spirit. Distance doesn’t separate the members of Christ’s body. If they are in fact working in/for the body of Christ then Christ the head keeps them unified. The principle then is: The body/church, although right now seemingly made up people who are separated by flesh, distance and even time, is in truth alive together in our Lord Christ Jesus by His Spirit. Our whereabouts on this earth does not separate us from Christ nor from His body. The problem comes with Christian’s mistaken belief today that we can be unified with Jesus and His body and yet be separate from the Church. This is absurd, the Church is His body. I’m not talking about non believing congregations, those who call themselves Christians or Christ followers and yet reject Jesus Christ’s teaching and Lordship. Let us not also be deceived and reject His word, we are to be one together with Him and the Father as Jesus who is the Word abides in us. One member must not suffer alone nor one rejoice alone. Salvation is for all who receive Jesus the Anointed one of God, joining together in His death and resurrection. He calls us to be one, a bride together of the Lamb. So let us put on love which is the perfect bond of unity.
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that you have sent Me. I have given them the glory that you gave Me, that they may be one as We are one” John 17:20-22
May we be faithful as He is faithful, and together be unified in obedience to Christ Jesus our Lord and Master (head).
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and does them, will be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24
Continuing on from before, Christ Jesus is the head of the church. But it’s not as if without the church He has no physical body and is just a head and incomplete. Jesus, although one with God the Father, became a human like us and has His own body which which is now a glorified one. So how is the Church His body? God is the creator and all things are possible for Him, but let’s look at another example of our oneness with Him. Since the beginning God made this mystery as a promise:
“The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, ' for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Genesis 2:23-24”
Similarly we who are in Christ are of one spirit. So that while at death the two by flesh are no longer one flesh, yet for us the promise is that we are one with Christ not only in flesh but in His eternal Spirit, and so death no longer has any hold over us. Death can no longer separate us, who are in Christ, from God the Father, because we are one with Him in Spirit, knowing this we have all the more reason to live holy lives.
“By His power God raised the Lord from the dead, and He will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, ‘The two will become one flesh.’ But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.1 Corinthians 6:14-20”
The Church is called the bride of Christ and as such we have become ONE with God. Just as a man and woman through marriage become one flesh/body so we the Church are one body. Being then fully unified with God and each other in the vows, love, and promises of Christ Jesus our Lord, should we carry on as individuals, caring only for ourselves and our personal relationship with Christ? Should a bride once married carry on/act/live as though she has no head/husband? No she must forsake her old life and be one with her husband as He is with her. So we who are the bride of Christ Jesus must forsake our “single” life of sin (not at all saying that everyone in the church must be married here, this is speaking only of our life in Christ) and be obedient to our head/husband Jesus Christ. Yes, we have a personal relationship with Christ, but we can’t neglect one another because of that. Especially since in our personal relationship with Him, Jesus commands us to love each other. Not merely in word and tongue but in deed and truth(or in action and from the inner most being), so that we can be one with Him and the Father by the power of His Holy Spirit working in us. Praise God that He loves us so much!
Church the body of Christ Jesus (3)
If the body is dead apart from Christ can the individual member be alive apart from the body? For example, can a hand, no longer attached to the arm receive the supply needed (blood, nerve impulses, etc.) to function. My point here is that we NEED each other. Why? Because that is the way God created us to have unity with Christ... as a body (a group of parts creating a whole). Now although there may be exceptions to this rule, as it is Christ Jesus who ultimately supplies our need. His desire is for one body, and He will bring those exceptions to be unified with His body, so that we, being fully supplied together, may love each other as He works in/through us. Now some may say “What about a lone missionary, aren’t they on their own and apart from the body?” Of course not. They remain a vital part and Christ has many Christians praying for and supporting them being one with them in Spirit. Distance doesn’t separate the members of Christ’s body. If they are in fact working in/for the body of Christ then Christ the head keeps them unified. The principle then is: The body/church, although right now seemingly made up people who are separated by flesh, distance and even time, is in truth alive together in our Lord Christ Jesus by His Spirit. Our whereabouts on this earth does not separate us from Christ nor from His body. The problem comes with Christian’s mistaken belief today that we can be unified with Jesus and His body and yet be separate from the Church. This is absurd, the Church is His body. I’m not talking about non believing congregations, those who call themselves Christians or Christ followers and yet reject Jesus Christ’s teaching and Lordship. Let us not also be deceived and reject His word, we are to be one together with Him and the Father as Jesus who is the Word abides in us. One member must not suffer alone nor one rejoice alone. Salvation is for all who receive Jesus the Anointed one of God, joining together in His death and resurrection. He calls us to be one, a bride together of the Lamb. So let us put on love which is the perfect bond of unity.
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that you have sent Me. I have given them the glory that you gave Me, that they may be one as We are one” John 17:20-22
May we be faithful as He is faithful, and together be unified in obedience to Christ Jesus our Lord and Master (head).
Friday, February 20, 2009
Church, the body of Christ Jesus
Jesus is the head of His church which is called both Christ’s bride and body. I’m writing this because we often negate this truth in our individual walk in the Christian life. Perhaps from a lack of understanding this mystery or maybe something else, but regardless of the reason, I have found myself on both sides and wanted to commit to paper what my mind tends to forget on the subject.
I begin by reiterating something I often overlooked in some of the letters by the Apostle Paul. Can the hand, arm or any other part of the physical body function without instruction or command from its head/brain? Similarly we, who believing in Jesus are born again and grafted spiritually into His body, must be obedient to His living word in us. For without His instruction, authority, and Spirit working through us and with us we can do nothing and are as dead. Can your hands, eyes, or body express love, an action, or emotion apart from the brain telling them what to do or how to do it? We all know that a body without a head is a corpse and useless. So we, when we were without Christ, were dead and useless, being fully unable to walk by His Spirit and bear the very evident actions of true life. A body might appear to still have life without its head. Somewhat like a chickens body can run around impulsively after losing its head to a chopping block, but in time the ultimate result is unmistakable...death. The good news is that through Christ Jesus we have new life. A life that is true and everlasting, for we are now a part of Christ’s eternal body. If we are His body, then, we can do nothing apart from Him, insomuch as He is the head. In contrast to that everything He empowers us to do, we can do, as we are now one with Him by faith. Now the body needs in it blood to supply, repair, heal, protect against disease etc. So we the Church can do nothing apart from His Holy Spirit’s presence in us. He graciously gives the body/church life and the abilities (gifts) it needs to function and live as more than a cold heap of flesh and bones. It is His Spirit that softens and warms our hearts. (It should be noted here that the abilities and gifts of His Spirit are not suddenly subject to our human or fleshly whims. They are subject to Christ`s will working in us. By faith, via His gifts, we act and carry out Christ`s will in the body (church) for the common good of one another, to the glory of Christ Jesus and God our Father. If certain gifts aren`t evident in the church, chances are that the body is: Not putting Christ Jesus first, struggling with faithlessness, or perhaps, those gifts may not be needed to fulfill Christ`s will at that given time. That said, the fruits of the Spirit of Christ should always remain evident, though all the gifts disappear. His word says there remains faith, hope, and love.)
The principle here is that apart from Christ Jesus’ Spirit working in and through His church it cannot function or bear the fruits of life and of His Spirit. The human body without a head and blood is functionless and dead. We the people of the Church, through faith and so Christ’s body, must look to Him in all we do, for apart from Him we can do nothing. If He tells us to love and obey we do so with the ability Christ as our head provides. Here’s a simple example: No one could get away with saying “My body acts on its own so don`t hold me accountable.” But rather we know that their brain, mind (will) and spirit control their body, telling it what to do. I write this knowing that we are individuals and as individuals try to act alone, but now by His grace we can be united and be one together with each other and His Spirit, acting together for the greater good of the church.
So what then?
1. Abide in Jesus and He will live in and through you. Apart from Him we are dead, but in Him is eternal life.
2. The body/church can do whatever the head (Jesus the Christ) tells it to do. Whether that be to “Love the Lord God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind and love our neighbour as our self.” Or to perform great signs and wonders in His name. All things are possible in Christ because, simply put, it is not we who do these things but His Spirit working through us teaching us to be in His likeness. We see then the principle that He is both our willing and doing as we abide in Him. That is why we pray “Our Father in heaven Hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Because it is God who by His grace works these things in His body the church.
3. 1 Timothy 1:5 “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” Love is Christ`s ultimate work in us, as part of His body He will love though us and teach us to love.
4. Trust Jesus! Do not fret if you cannot perform every day some amazing sign for your own edification or what you think is good. Christ will work through His body so be faithful to keep on praying and persevering and acting according to the faith He has given you. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Therefore rejoice that your name is written in the lambs book of life and don`t chase after fleshly hopes and desires. Trust that He works all things to the good of those who love Him. Be confident that the work of Christ Jesus is being done in and through you according to His will and faithfulness as you abide in Him and so are a part of His body.
5. That said His gifts are amazing, don`t doubt but believe and act for He is faithful. Humble yourself therefore under the mighty hand of God and He WILL exalt you in His time. Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you!
6. Rejoice!
I begin by reiterating something I often overlooked in some of the letters by the Apostle Paul. Can the hand, arm or any other part of the physical body function without instruction or command from its head/brain? Similarly we, who believing in Jesus are born again and grafted spiritually into His body, must be obedient to His living word in us. For without His instruction, authority, and Spirit working through us and with us we can do nothing and are as dead. Can your hands, eyes, or body express love, an action, or emotion apart from the brain telling them what to do or how to do it? We all know that a body without a head is a corpse and useless. So we, when we were without Christ, were dead and useless, being fully unable to walk by His Spirit and bear the very evident actions of true life. A body might appear to still have life without its head. Somewhat like a chickens body can run around impulsively after losing its head to a chopping block, but in time the ultimate result is unmistakable...death. The good news is that through Christ Jesus we have new life. A life that is true and everlasting, for we are now a part of Christ’s eternal body. If we are His body, then, we can do nothing apart from Him, insomuch as He is the head. In contrast to that everything He empowers us to do, we can do, as we are now one with Him by faith. Now the body needs in it blood to supply, repair, heal, protect against disease etc. So we the Church can do nothing apart from His Holy Spirit’s presence in us. He graciously gives the body/church life and the abilities (gifts) it needs to function and live as more than a cold heap of flesh and bones. It is His Spirit that softens and warms our hearts. (It should be noted here that the abilities and gifts of His Spirit are not suddenly subject to our human or fleshly whims. They are subject to Christ`s will working in us. By faith, via His gifts, we act and carry out Christ`s will in the body (church) for the common good of one another, to the glory of Christ Jesus and God our Father. If certain gifts aren`t evident in the church, chances are that the body is: Not putting Christ Jesus first, struggling with faithlessness, or perhaps, those gifts may not be needed to fulfill Christ`s will at that given time. That said, the fruits of the Spirit of Christ should always remain evident, though all the gifts disappear. His word says there remains faith, hope, and love.)
The principle here is that apart from Christ Jesus’ Spirit working in and through His church it cannot function or bear the fruits of life and of His Spirit. The human body without a head and blood is functionless and dead. We the people of the Church, through faith and so Christ’s body, must look to Him in all we do, for apart from Him we can do nothing. If He tells us to love and obey we do so with the ability Christ as our head provides. Here’s a simple example: No one could get away with saying “My body acts on its own so don`t hold me accountable.” But rather we know that their brain, mind (will) and spirit control their body, telling it what to do. I write this knowing that we are individuals and as individuals try to act alone, but now by His grace we can be united and be one together with each other and His Spirit, acting together for the greater good of the church.
So what then?
1. Abide in Jesus and He will live in and through you. Apart from Him we are dead, but in Him is eternal life.
2. The body/church can do whatever the head (Jesus the Christ) tells it to do. Whether that be to “Love the Lord God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind and love our neighbour as our self.” Or to perform great signs and wonders in His name. All things are possible in Christ because, simply put, it is not we who do these things but His Spirit working through us teaching us to be in His likeness. We see then the principle that He is both our willing and doing as we abide in Him. That is why we pray “Our Father in heaven Hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Because it is God who by His grace works these things in His body the church.
3. 1 Timothy 1:5 “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” Love is Christ`s ultimate work in us, as part of His body He will love though us and teach us to love.
4. Trust Jesus! Do not fret if you cannot perform every day some amazing sign for your own edification or what you think is good. Christ will work through His body so be faithful to keep on praying and persevering and acting according to the faith He has given you. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Therefore rejoice that your name is written in the lambs book of life and don`t chase after fleshly hopes and desires. Trust that He works all things to the good of those who love Him. Be confident that the work of Christ Jesus is being done in and through you according to His will and faithfulness as you abide in Him and so are a part of His body.
5. That said His gifts are amazing, don`t doubt but believe and act for He is faithful. Humble yourself therefore under the mighty hand of God and He WILL exalt you in His time. Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you!
6. Rejoice!
Monday, August 18, 2008
A Thought on Eternal Life vs Eternal Existence
"Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. John 17:3"
How many people today seek after eternal life? Many seek after everlasting existence, but how many seek life…that is to know the only true God and Jesus who He sent?
I was thinking about this last night, after watching a anime about high school relationships (boy was it full of drama), and the thought occurred to me that we are so deluded as to what life really is! Think about the common human view of "life" after death. If people are true to themselves they'll admit that death isn't/can't "be it" or the end of existence. We all feel/know that there has to be more. "He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Eccl.3:11" And so we come up with theories. What is Heaven and Hell in the mind of a common American? Hell is a place where the devil is king and punishes people because they wanted to have a fun existence and "party down." The people who commit social and moral indignities; things like drinking(alcohol), smoking, sex, drugs, murder, swearing, uncouth practical jokes (burning feces on a neighbors door step) etc. are sure to end up there. Whereas heaven, is a place where you get wings, a harp and some Philadelphia cream cheese while sitting in clouds surrounded by naked babies. Or it's a party with dancing, attractive people and a jazz band, where God is a king and if you don't behave you'll be sent to H, E, double hockey sticks.
Neither view involves eternal life, but instead everlasting existence, because neither view involves knowing Jesus. I think that is why Jesus said the road is narrow that leads to life and few find it. Because life isn't mere existence, it is something more wonderful than we can imagine…the ability to know and be one with God! "Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may be one as We are one: I in them and You in me." Don't we who call ourselves Christians understand the significance of these words? We get to share in oneness with God! How could we not rejoice in all things if we remember this truth?
Perhaps it's that we often neglect the wonder that is knowing God and having true life. Maybe we think it's not a big deal because it's a free gift or because it's available for all who would believe and therefore less "special." Or maybe it's because we don't really want life, we just want an existence forever pleasuring in our own delights, ignoring the fact that they can't truly satisfy. I love the picture of this that C.S. Lewis gives in his book "The Great Divorce." It shows people that want to save their existence instead of have true life with the source of life and therefore find hell and run to it, without being sent there. "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." For as long as we want an existence that is selfish and based on our "being" only, we will never be able to have Spiritual union and oneness with God, which is life! For Christ came to bring the word of life, one in which there is a unity and knowledge of the life source, God the Father. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge because you have rejected knowledge…(Hosea 4:6)"
Why do we grumble and complain? Is it because we don't understand the love of God? For truly if we did, wouldn't we be like Moses and not the Israelites, like the prophets and not the people, or like Christ a servant of all first, and not like ourselves greedy little master "want to be." For if we recognize God's Lordship and submit to Him then we will be able to know Him. This is life, to know God and Jesus. If we love Him we will abide in His word and He shall personally bring us to communion with the Father. So rejoice in the hope of life, an honor without precedence, that God would choose part of His creation to share His person and eternity with. Quit complaining about the now, and rejoice in the hope of true life!
Now some may say in this life we have troubles. Indeed we will, for Christ suffered first and those who follow Him will also suffer because of the enemy, so that they may be made perfect through His sufferings. Yet, it has been also said He will give us His peace and not only that but as we serve Him He will be in us and with us.
What then is left? "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well. Mark 16:15-18" Often today there are those who "hold to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; avoid such men as these… (They're) always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." Why? Because they don't want to know Him, "For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God (from 2timothy3)" These are strong words of warning, I hope we will abide in Him with our whole hearts, mind, will, and strength.
Let us go to the Author of life through the Son of His love and grace and know Him. Rejecting the wicked things of this existence and receiving life; we will hold on to truth and shall walk with the Lord God.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me. Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
"Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Hebrews 2:14-15”
How many people today seek after eternal life? Many seek after everlasting existence, but how many seek life…that is to know the only true God and Jesus who He sent?
I was thinking about this last night, after watching a anime about high school relationships (boy was it full of drama), and the thought occurred to me that we are so deluded as to what life really is! Think about the common human view of "life" after death. If people are true to themselves they'll admit that death isn't/can't "be it" or the end of existence. We all feel/know that there has to be more. "He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Eccl.3:11" And so we come up with theories. What is Heaven and Hell in the mind of a common American? Hell is a place where the devil is king and punishes people because they wanted to have a fun existence and "party down." The people who commit social and moral indignities; things like drinking(alcohol), smoking, sex, drugs, murder, swearing, uncouth practical jokes (burning feces on a neighbors door step) etc. are sure to end up there. Whereas heaven, is a place where you get wings, a harp and some Philadelphia cream cheese while sitting in clouds surrounded by naked babies. Or it's a party with dancing, attractive people and a jazz band, where God is a king and if you don't behave you'll be sent to H, E, double hockey sticks.
Neither view involves eternal life, but instead everlasting existence, because neither view involves knowing Jesus. I think that is why Jesus said the road is narrow that leads to life and few find it. Because life isn't mere existence, it is something more wonderful than we can imagine…the ability to know and be one with God! "Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may be one as We are one: I in them and You in me." Don't we who call ourselves Christians understand the significance of these words? We get to share in oneness with God! How could we not rejoice in all things if we remember this truth?
Perhaps it's that we often neglect the wonder that is knowing God and having true life. Maybe we think it's not a big deal because it's a free gift or because it's available for all who would believe and therefore less "special." Or maybe it's because we don't really want life, we just want an existence forever pleasuring in our own delights, ignoring the fact that they can't truly satisfy. I love the picture of this that C.S. Lewis gives in his book "The Great Divorce." It shows people that want to save their existence instead of have true life with the source of life and therefore find hell and run to it, without being sent there. "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." For as long as we want an existence that is selfish and based on our "being" only, we will never be able to have Spiritual union and oneness with God, which is life! For Christ came to bring the word of life, one in which there is a unity and knowledge of the life source, God the Father. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge because you have rejected knowledge…(Hosea 4:6)"
Why do we grumble and complain? Is it because we don't understand the love of God? For truly if we did, wouldn't we be like Moses and not the Israelites, like the prophets and not the people, or like Christ a servant of all first, and not like ourselves greedy little master "want to be." For if we recognize God's Lordship and submit to Him then we will be able to know Him. This is life, to know God and Jesus. If we love Him we will abide in His word and He shall personally bring us to communion with the Father. So rejoice in the hope of life, an honor without precedence, that God would choose part of His creation to share His person and eternity with. Quit complaining about the now, and rejoice in the hope of true life!
Now some may say in this life we have troubles. Indeed we will, for Christ suffered first and those who follow Him will also suffer because of the enemy, so that they may be made perfect through His sufferings. Yet, it has been also said He will give us His peace and not only that but as we serve Him He will be in us and with us.
What then is left? "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well. Mark 16:15-18" Often today there are those who "hold to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; avoid such men as these… (They're) always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." Why? Because they don't want to know Him, "For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God (from 2timothy3)" These are strong words of warning, I hope we will abide in Him with our whole hearts, mind, will, and strength.
Let us go to the Author of life through the Son of His love and grace and know Him. Rejecting the wicked things of this existence and receiving life; we will hold on to truth and shall walk with the Lord God.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me. Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
"Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Hebrews 2:14-15”
Monday, June 16, 2008
Baptism - Power and Purpose
Baptism – What &Why
I’m a little curious of the full significance of baptism in the life of a believer. I was told that it was not necessary for salvation but still very important for a Christian’s maturity. Following some baptism classes that I took before my own baptism when I was fourteen years of age, I understood that baptism was the responsibility of the maturing Christian. A seemingly powerless symbol to declare being “born again” as it symbolized our spiritual death and new life found in Jesus Christ. I was told it was to be a witness to others (usually Christian family and friends), a declaration to them of my choice in following Jesus Christ. That was it…holding no other significance… as much as I understood.
Originally that was enough, to walk in obedience in declaring my faith and love for God. However, the more I read of God’s word, the less this view of baptism meant to me. It seemed like it was missing some of the truth in its purpose and power.
When I was sixteen to eighteen years old (I can’t remember exactly when) I once had to give a report before my church congregation, at a youth baptismal service, about its significance. I found and studied as many Bible verses regarding baptism and its purpose as I could (around ten verses at the time) the week prior to the service. I couldn’t seem to put the pieces of understanding together at that time in my life (thanks to my teenage brain). The night of the service came and all I could think to do was read the congregation some of the verses, confirm the obedience and symbolic nature of baptism and concluded with “I think its important that you all get baptized” hoping that God could fill in the rest. Now, although I do believe God used me in my weakness, nevertheless, that left me feeling quite ashamed at my ignorance and lack of understanding on the subject. And since then I have just held its purpose as an act of faith (nothing wrong with that, but I like to strive on to maturity)
And so now about ten years later and with the help of God’s Spirit teaching me I’d like to look at it again.
Dictionary definition: Baptism - the ritualistic sprinkling of water on the head or immersion of the body into water as an action of initiation, dedication, etc. considered a sacrament (a visible sign of an inward grace) in both the Protestant and Catholic Church.
Through further study I still believe that water baptism is a declaration of oneness (like a marriage ceremony) with God the Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. And it should not be forgotten that baptism is a sacrament (a holy command given by Jesus Christ to all those who believe) and should not merely be overlooked because people don’t understand it’s purpose or are to proud and think that they don’t need it to be saved so it can’t be that important. That is an arrogant, rebellious, and disobedient way of thinking about baptism by water. Jesus instituted it, just as He commanded us to remember Him in the Lord’s Supper and to love each other he also commanded us to baptize and be baptized.
Here are a few more things I’ve learned about the purpose and power of baptism. I put it in point form so as not to have to write a book and it does require some Bible studying on the part of the reader. The purposes for baptism are underlined under the sub headings of water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Supporting verses are found under each purpose. All in all I hope it’s a blessing, from God and not just me.
Baptism - Power and Purpose
As found in scripture
Baptism by/in/through Water
Sanctification/consecration (being set apart for God)-
In the Israelites baptism by Moses (1 cor.10:2-13)
In the Anointing the Levites (Lev.8:6)
Israel by blood (Ex.24:6-8)
In the baptism of Jonah
Baptism of believers in Jesus (1 Cor.6:11)
Cleansing (from past sins and unholiness)-
In the Flood
In the Levitical Laws (Num.19)
Israel (Lev.14:8 and throughout Num.8:6-8&19:7)
In the baptism of Jonah
Baptism of believers in Jesus (1 Cor.6:11, Eph.5:25-26, Acts 22:16, Heb.10:22)
Repentance-
In the baptism of John (Acts 13:24&19:4, Matt.3:6&11, Mk.1:4&8, Lk.3:3)
In the baptism of Jonah
In the baptism of believers in Jesus (Jn. 3:22&4:1-2, Acts 2:38&19:4-6)
Obedience-
(Obeying God’s command then undergoing baptism)
The Flood (Noah building the ark)
The Israelites (taking Passover/leaving Egypt)
Death of Jesus (Lk.12:50, Matt.20:22, Mrk.10:38)
The baptism of believers in Jesus (Acts 2:38&10:48&19:1-6&22:16)
Discipleship/Kinship (to God or man)-
In the Israelites baptism by Moses
In the baptism of John (Acts 18:25, Acts 19:3)
Baptism of believers (Matt.28:19, Jn.4:1-2, Gal 3:26-28, Acts 19:5, 1Cor.1:12-15)
In the anointing of the Levites
Joining in Christ’s death and victory leading to life/freedom from sin/death(and the curse)-
The Flood (1 Peter 3:18-21)
In the Israelites baptism by Moses (1 cor.10:2-13)
Baptism of believers (Rom.6:2-4, Col.2:12)
Jonah (ch 2 ending with his proclamation “salvation is from the Lord” which is what the name Jesus means)
A sign of God’s faithfulness-
Baptism of Jesus (Matt 3:16)
Death of Jesus (Lk.12:50, Matt.20:22, Mrk.10:38)
The baptism of believers in Jesus (Mk.16:16)
In the Israelites baptism by Moses (1 cor.10:2-13)
A declaration of faith/placing of oneself under authority-
In the anointing of the Levites
In the anointing of the Kings (1Sam.16:13)
Baptism of Jesus (Lk.12:50)
In the Israelites baptism by Moses
The baptism of Jesus (by John the Baptist)
In the baptism of John (Acts 19:3, Lk.7:29-30)
The baptism in Jesus of believers (Mk.16:16, Acts 18:8, 1Pet. 3:21, 1Cor.1:12-15)
The baptism of Jonah (Ch 2)
Judgment-
In the Flood (2 Peter 3:5-6)
Jonah in the sea (read Jonah)
Death of Jesus (Lk.12:50, Matt.20:22, Mrk.10:38)
Baptism of believers in Jesus (Rom.6:2-4)
A sign/promise given by God of Salvation/Redemption-
In the Israelites baptism by Moses (1 cor.10:2-13)
The baptism of believers in Jesus (Heb.10:22, Mk.16:16, Rom.6, Acts 18:8, Titus 3:5)
A sign of commitment/oneness with someone (like that of marriage)-
In the Israelites baptism by Moses
Jesus to the Father(Matt. 3:16, Mk.1:10, Lk.3:22, John 1:32)
Baptism in Jesus of believers (Eph.5:25-26, 1Cor.1:12-15&12:13, Gal 3:26-28, Rom.6:2-4)
Purification leading to a clean conscience-
Ceremonial washings of Old Testament Law
In the baptism of believers in Jesus (Heb. 10:22, 1Pet.3:21)
A sign/foretelling/shadow of the baptism of Fire/the Holy Ghost-
In the Flood (2 Peter 3)
In the Israelites baptism by Moses (1 cor.10:2-13)
In the anointing of the Levites Hebrews
In the anointing of the Kings
In the baptism of John (Lk.3:16, Acts 1:5, Mk.1:8)
In the baptism of believers in Jesus (Acts 2:38)
Baptism by/in/through Fire/Spirit of God
Sanctification/Purification-
In the Heavens & Earth destroyed by fire & new heaven and new earth coming from God’s Spirit to last forever dedicated to God.(2 Peter 3:7&10-13, Hebrews 12:26-28, Rev.21:1)
The Church/bride of Christ in baptism and receiving of His Spirit (Lk.3:16, Matt.3:11, Mk.1:8, Acts.2:3, Rom.15:6&16, 2Thes.2:13, 1Cor.6:11, 1Peter 1:2)
Cleansing (from sins/curse bringing eternal holiness)-
The Church/believers (Heb.9:14, Is.4:4, 1Cor.6:11, Titus3:5, Ez.36:26-27)
Anointing-
Baptism of Jesus (Is.61:1, Lk.4:18, Acts10:38)
In the Church (1Jn.2:20&27, 2Cor.1:21-22)
Freedom from the Law/sin/death-
(Mk.16:16, Gal.5:1&16-25, Ez.36:26-27)
A seal of God’s faithfulness/promises and Love-
2Cor.1: 22, Eph.1:13-14, Romans 5:5
Obedience-
(Obeying God’s command then undergoing baptism)
Acts 5:32, Acts 10:44-47, Acts 19:1-6
A seal/contract of commitment/unity with God a oneness (like that of marriage)-
(Ez.36:26-27, John 14:16-17,1Cor 12:13, 2Cor.1:21-22&13:14, Gal 3:26-28)
A seal given by God of Salvation/Redemption-
Mk.16:16, 2Cor.1:21-22, Acts 10:44-48, Eph.1:13-14&4:30, Titus 3:5
The impartation of Spiritual fruits/gifts and teaching of truth-
Luke12:12, John 14:26, John16:13-15,Acts 1:8,Acts 2:4, 1 John 2:27, Romans 9:1, 1 Corinthians ch12, Hebrews 2:4, 2 Peter 1:21
Judgment-
John 16:8-11
The world and the wicked (Is.66:15-16, 2 Peter 3:7&10-13, Hebrews 12:26-28, Rev.21:1)
The people of Israel/bride of Christ (Isaiah 4:3-5, Heb4:11-13)
Sodom and Gomorrah (Lk.17:29, 2Pet.2:6, Jude 1:7)
Something interesting I noticed is the many connections between baptism by water and baptism by the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ. Why get baptized in water? To obey God and to declare your willingness to love, honor and obey Him. To receive His promise of sanctification and to repent and be cleansed, rejecting the old solitary self and become a new person. Just as a husband and wife become one in the flesh so we become one in Spirit with God. Can some be married without ceremony? Yes, but this is God’s plan and He desires us to physically, mentally, and spiritually chose Him.
P.S. something interesting about baptism is the report of the Apostle Peter in the book of Acts chapter 10. Some gentiles listened and believed the report of Peter concerning Jesus and were filled by God’s Spirit and then Peter commanded them to be water baptized. So obviously the significance of baptism is not something to be overlooked by even Spirit filled believers.
“Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?" And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days. Acts 10:47-48”
I’m a little curious of the full significance of baptism in the life of a believer. I was told that it was not necessary for salvation but still very important for a Christian’s maturity. Following some baptism classes that I took before my own baptism when I was fourteen years of age, I understood that baptism was the responsibility of the maturing Christian. A seemingly powerless symbol to declare being “born again” as it symbolized our spiritual death and new life found in Jesus Christ. I was told it was to be a witness to others (usually Christian family and friends), a declaration to them of my choice in following Jesus Christ. That was it…holding no other significance… as much as I understood.
Originally that was enough, to walk in obedience in declaring my faith and love for God. However, the more I read of God’s word, the less this view of baptism meant to me. It seemed like it was missing some of the truth in its purpose and power.
When I was sixteen to eighteen years old (I can’t remember exactly when) I once had to give a report before my church congregation, at a youth baptismal service, about its significance. I found and studied as many Bible verses regarding baptism and its purpose as I could (around ten verses at the time) the week prior to the service. I couldn’t seem to put the pieces of understanding together at that time in my life (thanks to my teenage brain). The night of the service came and all I could think to do was read the congregation some of the verses, confirm the obedience and symbolic nature of baptism and concluded with “I think its important that you all get baptized” hoping that God could fill in the rest. Now, although I do believe God used me in my weakness, nevertheless, that left me feeling quite ashamed at my ignorance and lack of understanding on the subject. And since then I have just held its purpose as an act of faith (nothing wrong with that, but I like to strive on to maturity)
And so now about ten years later and with the help of God’s Spirit teaching me I’d like to look at it again.
Dictionary definition: Baptism - the ritualistic sprinkling of water on the head or immersion of the body into water as an action of initiation, dedication, etc. considered a sacrament (a visible sign of an inward grace) in both the Protestant and Catholic Church.
Through further study I still believe that water baptism is a declaration of oneness (like a marriage ceremony) with God the Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. And it should not be forgotten that baptism is a sacrament (a holy command given by Jesus Christ to all those who believe) and should not merely be overlooked because people don’t understand it’s purpose or are to proud and think that they don’t need it to be saved so it can’t be that important. That is an arrogant, rebellious, and disobedient way of thinking about baptism by water. Jesus instituted it, just as He commanded us to remember Him in the Lord’s Supper and to love each other he also commanded us to baptize and be baptized.
Here are a few more things I’ve learned about the purpose and power of baptism. I put it in point form so as not to have to write a book and it does require some Bible studying on the part of the reader. The purposes for baptism are underlined under the sub headings of water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Supporting verses are found under each purpose. All in all I hope it’s a blessing, from God and not just me.
Baptism - Power and Purpose
As found in scripture
Baptism by/in/through Water
Sanctification/consecration (being set apart for God)-
In the Israelites baptism by Moses (1 cor.10:2-13)
In the Anointing the Levites (Lev.8:6)
Israel by blood (Ex.24:6-8)
In the baptism of Jonah
Baptism of believers in Jesus (1 Cor.6:11)
Cleansing (from past sins and unholiness)-
In the Flood
In the Levitical Laws (Num.19)
Israel (Lev.14:8 and throughout Num.8:6-8&19:7)
In the baptism of Jonah
Baptism of believers in Jesus (1 Cor.6:11, Eph.5:25-26, Acts 22:16, Heb.10:22)
Repentance-
In the baptism of John (Acts 13:24&19:4, Matt.3:6&11, Mk.1:4&8, Lk.3:3)
In the baptism of Jonah
In the baptism of believers in Jesus (Jn. 3:22&4:1-2, Acts 2:38&19:4-6)
Obedience-
(Obeying God’s command then undergoing baptism)
The Flood (Noah building the ark)
The Israelites (taking Passover/leaving Egypt)
Death of Jesus (Lk.12:50, Matt.20:22, Mrk.10:38)
The baptism of believers in Jesus (Acts 2:38&10:48&19:1-6&22:16)
Discipleship/Kinship (to God or man)-
In the Israelites baptism by Moses
In the baptism of John (Acts 18:25, Acts 19:3)
Baptism of believers (Matt.28:19, Jn.4:1-2, Gal 3:26-28, Acts 19:5, 1Cor.1:12-15)
In the anointing of the Levites
Joining in Christ’s death and victory leading to life/freedom from sin/death(and the curse)-
The Flood (1 Peter 3:18-21)
In the Israelites baptism by Moses (1 cor.10:2-13)
Baptism of believers (Rom.6:2-4, Col.2:12)
Jonah (ch 2 ending with his proclamation “salvation is from the Lord” which is what the name Jesus means)
A sign of God’s faithfulness-
Baptism of Jesus (Matt 3:16)
Death of Jesus (Lk.12:50, Matt.20:22, Mrk.10:38)
The baptism of believers in Jesus (Mk.16:16)
In the Israelites baptism by Moses (1 cor.10:2-13)
A declaration of faith/placing of oneself under authority-
In the anointing of the Levites
In the anointing of the Kings (1Sam.16:13)
Baptism of Jesus (Lk.12:50)
In the Israelites baptism by Moses
The baptism of Jesus (by John the Baptist)
In the baptism of John (Acts 19:3, Lk.7:29-30)
The baptism in Jesus of believers (Mk.16:16, Acts 18:8, 1Pet. 3:21, 1Cor.1:12-15)
The baptism of Jonah (Ch 2)
Judgment-
In the Flood (2 Peter 3:5-6)
Jonah in the sea (read Jonah)
Death of Jesus (Lk.12:50, Matt.20:22, Mrk.10:38)
Baptism of believers in Jesus (Rom.6:2-4)
A sign/promise given by God of Salvation/Redemption-
In the Israelites baptism by Moses (1 cor.10:2-13)
The baptism of believers in Jesus (Heb.10:22, Mk.16:16, Rom.6, Acts 18:8, Titus 3:5)
A sign of commitment/oneness with someone (like that of marriage)-
In the Israelites baptism by Moses
Jesus to the Father(Matt. 3:16, Mk.1:10, Lk.3:22, John 1:32)
Baptism in Jesus of believers (Eph.5:25-26, 1Cor.1:12-15&12:13, Gal 3:26-28, Rom.6:2-4)
Purification leading to a clean conscience-
Ceremonial washings of Old Testament Law
In the baptism of believers in Jesus (Heb. 10:22, 1Pet.3:21)
A sign/foretelling/shadow of the baptism of Fire/the Holy Ghost-
In the Flood (2 Peter 3)
In the Israelites baptism by Moses (1 cor.10:2-13)
In the anointing of the Levites Hebrews
In the anointing of the Kings
In the baptism of John (Lk.3:16, Acts 1:5, Mk.1:8)
In the baptism of believers in Jesus (Acts 2:38)
Baptism by/in/through Fire/Spirit of God
Sanctification/Purification-
In the Heavens & Earth destroyed by fire & new heaven and new earth coming from God’s Spirit to last forever dedicated to God.(2 Peter 3:7&10-13, Hebrews 12:26-28, Rev.21:1)
The Church/bride of Christ in baptism and receiving of His Spirit (Lk.3:16, Matt.3:11, Mk.1:8, Acts.2:3, Rom.15:6&16, 2Thes.2:13, 1Cor.6:11, 1Peter 1:2)
Cleansing (from sins/curse bringing eternal holiness)-
The Church/believers (Heb.9:14, Is.4:4, 1Cor.6:11, Titus3:5, Ez.36:26-27)
Anointing-
Baptism of Jesus (Is.61:1, Lk.4:18, Acts10:38)
In the Church (1Jn.2:20&27, 2Cor.1:21-22)
Freedom from the Law/sin/death-
(Mk.16:16, Gal.5:1&16-25, Ez.36:26-27)
A seal of God’s faithfulness/promises and Love-
2Cor.1: 22, Eph.1:13-14, Romans 5:5
Obedience-
(Obeying God’s command then undergoing baptism)
Acts 5:32, Acts 10:44-47, Acts 19:1-6
A seal/contract of commitment/unity with God a oneness (like that of marriage)-
(Ez.36:26-27, John 14:16-17,1Cor 12:13, 2Cor.1:21-22&13:14, Gal 3:26-28)
A seal given by God of Salvation/Redemption-
Mk.16:16, 2Cor.1:21-22, Acts 10:44-48, Eph.1:13-14&4:30, Titus 3:5
The impartation of Spiritual fruits/gifts and teaching of truth-
Luke12:12, John 14:26, John16:13-15,Acts 1:8,Acts 2:4, 1 John 2:27, Romans 9:1, 1 Corinthians ch12, Hebrews 2:4, 2 Peter 1:21
Judgment-
John 16:8-11
The world and the wicked (Is.66:15-16, 2 Peter 3:7&10-13, Hebrews 12:26-28, Rev.21:1)
The people of Israel/bride of Christ (Isaiah 4:3-5, Heb4:11-13)
Sodom and Gomorrah (Lk.17:29, 2Pet.2:6, Jude 1:7)
Something interesting I noticed is the many connections between baptism by water and baptism by the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ. Why get baptized in water? To obey God and to declare your willingness to love, honor and obey Him. To receive His promise of sanctification and to repent and be cleansed, rejecting the old solitary self and become a new person. Just as a husband and wife become one in the flesh so we become one in Spirit with God. Can some be married without ceremony? Yes, but this is God’s plan and He desires us to physically, mentally, and spiritually chose Him.
P.S. something interesting about baptism is the report of the Apostle Peter in the book of Acts chapter 10. Some gentiles listened and believed the report of Peter concerning Jesus and were filled by God’s Spirit and then Peter commanded them to be water baptized. So obviously the significance of baptism is not something to be overlooked by even Spirit filled believers.
“Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?" And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days. Acts 10:47-48”
Monday, August 28, 2006
Homeliness
I was thinking tonight about myself, and my life up until now. I have always considered myself, in the flesh, to be a homely and unattractively plain fellow. No need to try and flatter or tell me otherwise(I'm not fishing for compliments), I know that we all see ourselves differently, and people see us differently than we see ourselves. But still there are a lot of us that lower our worth because of our minds image. And many of us that lower others worth, thanks to the gift of sight we tend to misuse. God gave us a worth! How much are we worth? We are worth the blood of Christ Jesus His son... a treasure beyond our thoughts and understanding. So we must not let ourselves be deceived and we must quit deceiving others with our sneers and judging looks and comments.
But now I'll come to my point: As I was feeling a little blue and upset that I couldn't woo whoever I wished or make a crowd swoon by my smile (yeah... I'm ashamed to say I was in one of those silly fleshy moods, in which I'm thinking about me and not Christ) Then a joy occurred to me...I am, if only in my minds eye, more like Jesus if I am unbecomingly average. For that is what God did...He didn't just make Himself of no reputation, but He also made Himself to be no handsome and dashing jewish model nor a rugged, burly muscleman. His picture was definitely not in the fashion magazines of the time.
"He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed him not."" Just as many were astonished at you, My people, So His appearance was marred more than any man and His form more than the sons of men. (Excerpts from Isaiah)"
My point is this, that we are blessed to be in His likeness and if we find ourselves "homely" so what! For we are made in a likeness to how He made Himself on this earth. An honor nothing else in all of creation can bear. He is now all beauty and has been glorified! And soon we will be blessed to be more like Him because we will see Him as He is!
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.1 John 3:1-3"
So truly, we are blessed because He loves us, and the sooner we can forget about ourselves the better.
Why am I so selfish? Why do I turn from looking at Jesus and look back at myself? Why do I sometimes forget truth and so judge myself and others? Lord Jesus, help me to keep my eyes on You and You alone!
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Interesting Principles
God began to show me that His Word alone is our standard of judgement; that it can be explained only by the Holy Spirit; and that in our day, as well as in former times, He is the teacher of the people."~George Muller
Muller had the opinion that to lay up stores or hoard money was inconsistent with a life of faith. Lest God send then to their hoardings before answering their prayers. A life of trust forbids laying up treasures for unforeseen needs, since with God "No emergency is unforeseen and no want unprovided for."~Muller
This is from a biography on George Muller that I'm currently reading. It's actually a very good read, and is full of encouragement for those who are desiring to live by faith! I'm only just starting the fifth chapter and already I am being strengthened in the faith department. I plan on writing a more thorough book report when I'm finished the book, but for now I just thought that those were some interesting quotes that I thought I'd share!
Muller had the opinion that to lay up stores or hoard money was inconsistent with a life of faith. Lest God send then to their hoardings before answering their prayers. A life of trust forbids laying up treasures for unforeseen needs, since with God "No emergency is unforeseen and no want unprovided for."~Muller
This is from a biography on George Muller that I'm currently reading. It's actually a very good read, and is full of encouragement for those who are desiring to live by faith! I'm only just starting the fifth chapter and already I am being strengthened in the faith department. I plan on writing a more thorough book report when I'm finished the book, but for now I just thought that those were some interesting quotes that I thought I'd share!
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