The Way to Permanent Faith
Indeed the hour is coming . . . that you will be scattered . . . —John 16:32
Jesus was not rebuking the disciples in this passage. Their faith was real, but it was disordered and unfocused, and was not at work in the important realities of life. The disciples were scattered to their own concerns and they had interests apart from Jesus Christ. After we have the perfect relationship with God, through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, our faith must be exercised in the realities of everyday life. We will be scattered, not into service but into the emptiness of our lives where we will see ruin and barrenness, to know what internal death to God’s blessings means. Are we prepared for this? It is certainly not of our own choosing, but God engineers our circumstances to take us there. Until we have been through that experience, our faith is sustained only by feelings and by blessings. But once we get there, no matter where God may place us or what inner emptiness we experience, we can praise God that all is well. That is what is meant by faith being exercised in the realities of life.". . . you . . . will leave Me alone." Have we been scattered and have we left Jesus alone by not seeing His providential care for us? Do we not see God at work in our circumstances? Dark times are allowed and come to us through the sovereignty of God. Are we prepared to let God do what He wants with us? Are we prepared to be separated from the outward, evident blessings of God? Until Jesus Christ is truly our Lord, we each have goals of our own which we serve. Our faith is real, but it is not yet permanent. And God is never in a hurry. If we are willing to wait, we will see God pointing out that we have been interested only in His blessings, instead of in God Himself. The sense of God’s blessings is fundamental". . . be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" ( John 16:33 ). Unyielding spiritual fortitude is what we need.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Heedfulness or Hypocrisy?
Heedfulness or Hypocrisy in Ourselves?
If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death —1 John 5:16
If we are not heedful and pay no attention to the way the Spirit of God works in us, we will become spiritual hypocrites. We see where other people are failing, and then we take our discernment and turn it into comments of ridicule and criticism, instead of turning it into intercession on their behalf. God reveals this truth about others to us not through the sharpness of our minds but through the direct penetration of His Spirit. If we are not attentive, we will be completely unaware of the source of the discernment God has given us, becoming critical of others and forgetting that God says, ". . . he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death." Be careful that you don’t become a hypocrite by spending all your time trying to get others right with God before you worship Him yourself.
One of the most subtle and illusive burdens God ever places on us as saints is this burden of discernment concerning others. He gives us discernment so that we may accept the responsibility for those souls before Him and form the mind of Christ about them (see Philippians 2:5 ). We should intercede in accordance with what God says He will give us, namely, "life for those who commit sin not leading to death." It is not that we are able to bring God into contact with our minds, but that we awaken ourselves to the point where God is able to convey His mind to us regarding the people for whom we intercede.
Can Jesus Christ see the agony of His soul in us? He can’t unless we are so closely identified with Him that we have His view concerning the people for whom we pray. May we learn to intercede so wholeheartedly that Jesus Christ will be completely and overwhelmingly satisfied with us as intercessors.
If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death —1 John 5:16
If we are not heedful and pay no attention to the way the Spirit of God works in us, we will become spiritual hypocrites. We see where other people are failing, and then we take our discernment and turn it into comments of ridicule and criticism, instead of turning it into intercession on their behalf. God reveals this truth about others to us not through the sharpness of our minds but through the direct penetration of His Spirit. If we are not attentive, we will be completely unaware of the source of the discernment God has given us, becoming critical of others and forgetting that God says, ". . . he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death." Be careful that you don’t become a hypocrite by spending all your time trying to get others right with God before you worship Him yourself.
One of the most subtle and illusive burdens God ever places on us as saints is this burden of discernment concerning others. He gives us discernment so that we may accept the responsibility for those souls before Him and form the mind of Christ about them (see Philippians 2:5 ). We should intercede in accordance with what God says He will give us, namely, "life for those who commit sin not leading to death." It is not that we are able to bring God into contact with our minds, but that we awaken ourselves to the point where God is able to convey His mind to us regarding the people for whom we intercede.
Can Jesus Christ see the agony of His soul in us? He can’t unless we are so closely identified with Him that we have His view concerning the people for whom we pray. May we learn to intercede so wholeheartedly that Jesus Christ will be completely and overwhelmingly satisfied with us as intercessors.
1Peter4
1Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 7The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 18
1After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. 2With a mighty voice he shouted: "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil[a] spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird. 3For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries."
Sunday, March 29, 2009
through contrition only
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good amen
ROM. Xii.twentyone
If we wish to overcome evil, we must overcome it by good. The True way to over come evil is by the way
Of the Cross.
If we wish to conquer the enemy in our own internal battle field, it must be by means of the Cross. Scripture alone will not conquer death, nor daily readings, but only by contrition of heart.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth
ROM. Xii.twentyone
If we wish to overcome evil, we must overcome it by good. The True way to over come evil is by the way
Of the Cross.
If we wish to conquer the enemy in our own internal battle field, it must be by means of the Cross. Scripture alone will not conquer death, nor daily readings, but only by contrition of heart.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth
I HAVE noticed that wherever there has been
A faithful following of the Lord in a consecrated soul,
Several things have inevitably followed, sooner or later.
Meekness and quietness of spirit become in time the characteristics of the daily life.
A submissive acceptance of the will of God as it comes in the hourly events of each day
Pliability in the hands of God to do or to suffer all the good pleasure of His will Amen
TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE
CONSECRATED
LORD
TO THEE AMEN TAKE MY MOMENTS
AND MY DAYS
LET THEM FLOW
IN CEASELESS PRAISE AMEN
A faithful following of the Lord in a consecrated soul,
Several things have inevitably followed, sooner or later.
Meekness and quietness of spirit become in time the characteristics of the daily life.
A submissive acceptance of the will of God as it comes in the hourly events of each day
Pliability in the hands of God to do or to suffer all the good pleasure of His will Amen
TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE
CONSECRATED
LORD
TO THEE AMEN TAKE MY MOMENTS
AND MY DAYS
LET THEM FLOW
IN CEASELESS PRAISE AMEN
I HAVE noticed that wherever there has been a faithful
Following of the Lord
There is sweetness in provocation
Calmness in the midst of turmoil and bustle
Yieldingness to the wishes of God
Insensibility to slights and affronts
Deliverance from care and fear
Absence of worry or anxiety
All these , and many similar graces,
Are invariably found to be the natural outward development
Of that inward life which is hid with Christ in God Amen
Following of the Lord
There is sweetness in provocation
Calmness in the midst of turmoil and bustle
Yieldingness to the wishes of God
Insensibility to slights and affronts
Deliverance from care and fear
Absence of worry or anxiety
All these , and many similar graces,
Are invariably found to be the natural outward development
Of that inward life which is hid with Christ in God Amen
The only condition of salvation
Acts 16 Verse
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved...
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved...
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
rely on God and put no trust in man
Behold, God puts no trust in His holy ones
and the heavens are not pure in His sight
Job 15:15
and the heavens are not pure in His sight
Job 15:15
he who STANDS AND HEARS HIM
A person cannot receive anything unless it is given him from UP ABOVE.
The one who has the bride is the Bridegroom.
The friend of the Bridegroom,
WHO STANDS AND HEARS HIM,
REJOICES GREATLY
AT THE BRIDEGROOMS VOICE
The one who has the bride is the Bridegroom.
The friend of the Bridegroom,
WHO STANDS AND HEARS HIM,
REJOICES GREATLY
AT THE BRIDEGROOMS VOICE
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Keep an OPEN MIND
Keep an open mind and a clear conscious to hear God's Voice. Proverbs 3:5 "Lean not on your own understanding" Numbers 12:6 " When a prophet of the Lord is among you, I reveal myself to Him in visions, I speak to Him in dreams." Jeremiah 28:9 "But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the Lord only if His predictions come true." 1 Corinthians 14:3 "But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort." 2 Peter 1:21 "For prophesy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:17-21 "In the last days, God says, "I will pour out my Holy Spirit on all people. your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women. I will pour out my spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will turn into darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. and everyone who asks for Jesus and knows me, will be saved." Ezekiel 2:4-8 "Say to them, this is what the Sovereign Lord says! And whether they listen or fail to listen-for they are a rebellious house-they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house. but you, son of man listen to what I say to you, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. Do not rebel like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you. You must speak my words to them. Stay Awake, be careful how you hear!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Carnally Minded
Am I Carnally Minded?
Where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal . . . ? —1 Corinthians 3:3
The natural man, or unbeliever, knows nothing about carnality. The desires of the flesh warring against the Spirit, and the Spirit warring against the flesh, which began at rebirth, are what produce carnality and the awareness of it. But Paul said, "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" ( Galatians 5:16 ). In other words, carnality will disappear.
Are you quarrelsome and easily upset over small things? Do you think that no one who is a Christian is ever like that? Paul said they are, and he connected these attitudes with carnality. Is there a truth in the Bible that instantly awakens a spirit of malice or resentment in you? If so, that is proof that you are still carnal. If the process of sanctification is continuing in your life, there will be no trace of that kind of spirit remaining.
If the Spirit of God detects anything in you that is wrong, He doesn’t ask you to make it right; He only asks you to accept the light of truth, and then He will make it right. A child of the light will confess sin instantly and stand completely open before God. But a child of the darkness will say, "Oh, I can explain that." When the light shines and the Spirit brings conviction of sin, be a child of the light. Confess your wrongdoing, and God will deal with it. If, however, you try to vindicate yourself, you prove yourself to be a child of the darkness.
What is the proof that carnality has gone? Never deceive yourself; when carnality is gone you will know it-it is the most real thing you can imagine. And God will see to it that you have a number of opportunities to prove to yourself the miracle of His grace. The proof is in a very practical test. You will find yourself saying, "If this had happened before, I would have had the spirit of resentment!" And you will never cease to be the most amazed person on earth at what God has done for you on the inside.
Where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal . . . ? —1 Corinthians 3:3
The natural man, or unbeliever, knows nothing about carnality. The desires of the flesh warring against the Spirit, and the Spirit warring against the flesh, which began at rebirth, are what produce carnality and the awareness of it. But Paul said, "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" ( Galatians 5:16 ). In other words, carnality will disappear.
Are you quarrelsome and easily upset over small things? Do you think that no one who is a Christian is ever like that? Paul said they are, and he connected these attitudes with carnality. Is there a truth in the Bible that instantly awakens a spirit of malice or resentment in you? If so, that is proof that you are still carnal. If the process of sanctification is continuing in your life, there will be no trace of that kind of spirit remaining.
If the Spirit of God detects anything in you that is wrong, He doesn’t ask you to make it right; He only asks you to accept the light of truth, and then He will make it right. A child of the light will confess sin instantly and stand completely open before God. But a child of the darkness will say, "Oh, I can explain that." When the light shines and the Spirit brings conviction of sin, be a child of the light. Confess your wrongdoing, and God will deal with it. If, however, you try to vindicate yourself, you prove yourself to be a child of the darkness.
What is the proof that carnality has gone? Never deceive yourself; when carnality is gone you will know it-it is the most real thing you can imagine. And God will see to it that you have a number of opportunities to prove to yourself the miracle of His grace. The proof is in a very practical test. You will find yourself saying, "If this had happened before, I would have had the spirit of resentment!" And you will never cease to be the most amazed person on earth at what God has done for you on the inside.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Jehovah's full case against Israel
HEAR THIS, O YE THAT SWALLOW UP
THE NEEDY, EVEN TO MAKE THE POOR
OF THE LAND TO FAIL
SAYING, WHEN WILL THE NEW MOON
BE GONE, THAT WE MAY SELL CORN?
AND THE SABBATH, THAT WE MAY SET
FORTH WHEAT? MAKING THE EPHAH
SMALL, AND THE SHEKEL GREAT, AND
FALSIFYING THE BALANCES BY DECEIT?
THE LORD HATH SWORN BY THE EXCELLENCY
OF JACOB, SURELY I WILL NEVER FORGET
ANY OF THEIR WORKS
AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THAT DAY,
SAITH THE LORD GOD, THAT I WILL CAUSE
THE SUN TO GO DOWN AT NOON, AND I WILL
DARKEN THE EARTH IN THE CLEAR DAY AMEN
THE NEEDY, EVEN TO MAKE THE POOR
OF THE LAND TO FAIL
SAYING, WHEN WILL THE NEW MOON
BE GONE, THAT WE MAY SELL CORN?
AND THE SABBATH, THAT WE MAY SET
FORTH WHEAT? MAKING THE EPHAH
SMALL, AND THE SHEKEL GREAT, AND
FALSIFYING THE BALANCES BY DECEIT?
THE LORD HATH SWORN BY THE EXCELLENCY
OF JACOB, SURELY I WILL NEVER FORGET
ANY OF THEIR WORKS
AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THAT DAY,
SAITH THE LORD GOD, THAT I WILL CAUSE
THE SUN TO GO DOWN AT NOON, AND I WILL
DARKEN THE EARTH IN THE CLEAR DAY AMEN
Saturday, March 21, 2009
It is no longer a faith in faith...
Identified or Simply Interested?
I have been crucified with Christ . . . —Galatians 2:20
The inescapable spiritual need each of us has is the need to sign the death certificate of our sin nature. I must take my emotional opinions and intellectual beliefs and be willing to turn them into a moral verdict against the nature of sin; that is, against any claim I have to my right to myself. Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ . . . ." He did not say, "I have made a determination to imitate Jesus Christ," or, "I will really make an effort to follow Him"-but-"I have been identified with Him in His death." Once I reach this moral decision and act on it, all that Christ accomplished for me on the Cross is accomplished in me. My unrestrained commitment of myself to God gives the Holy Spirit the opportunity to grant to me the holiness of Jesus Christ.
". . . it is no longer I who live . . . ." My individuality remains, but my primary motivation for living and the nature that rules me are radically changed. I have the same human body, but the old satanic right to myself has been destroyed.
". . . and the life which I now live in the flesh," not the life which I long to live or even pray that I live, but the life I now live in my mortal flesh-the life which others can see, "I live by faith in the Son of God . . . ." This faith was not Paul’s own faith in Jesus Christ, but the faith the Son God had given to him (see Ephesians 2:8 ). It is no longer a faith in faith, but a faith that transcends all imaginable limits-a faith that comes only from the Son of God.
I have been crucified with Christ . . . —Galatians 2:20
The inescapable spiritual need each of us has is the need to sign the death certificate of our sin nature. I must take my emotional opinions and intellectual beliefs and be willing to turn them into a moral verdict against the nature of sin; that is, against any claim I have to my right to myself. Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ . . . ." He did not say, "I have made a determination to imitate Jesus Christ," or, "I will really make an effort to follow Him"-but-"I have been identified with Him in His death." Once I reach this moral decision and act on it, all that Christ accomplished for me on the Cross is accomplished in me. My unrestrained commitment of myself to God gives the Holy Spirit the opportunity to grant to me the holiness of Jesus Christ.
". . . it is no longer I who live . . . ." My individuality remains, but my primary motivation for living and the nature that rules me are radically changed. I have the same human body, but the old satanic right to myself has been destroyed.
". . . and the life which I now live in the flesh," not the life which I long to live or even pray that I live, but the life I now live in my mortal flesh-the life which others can see, "I live by faith in the Son of God . . . ." This faith was not Paul’s own faith in Jesus Christ, but the faith the Son God had given to him (see Ephesians 2:8 ). It is no longer a faith in faith, but a faith that transcends all imaginable limits-a faith that comes only from the Son of God.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Enmity toward God and self-love of others
"The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but the prayer of the upright is His delight" Prov. 15:8
The love of human beings for self is the moral governor
in the soul and is nothing but the height of idolatry
in its enmity toward God.
The person that is at enmity with God in all that he does
may be the nicest of human beings as far as other people
can tell.
That person that is so sweet may go to prayer meetings
and plead with God for the physical and emotional well-being
of others and perhaps even for the salvation of others, but
without love in that persons soul those prayers go unanswered
and are at enmity with God.
In the modern world self-love is considered a necessity to get by
and even to be morally correct. The necessary consequence of supreme
self-love, however, is enmity with God. The Greatest Commandment
is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.
Then any love for self or for our neighbor must flow from a love
for Him. Any love of self that does not flow from a primary love
of Him is idolatry and is clearly to be at enmity with Him. The supreme
love of a human being is to be reserved for God and for Him alone.
Scripture tells us this in other words as well: "If anyone comes to Me,
and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and
brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple"
Luke 14:26
Surely this verse requires a supreme love to God in all things
and shows us how easy it is to fall into idolatry. It is so easy
to love family and friends simply from a love for self and think
that we have true love. When we think we have true love, we
think that we have God and so use our idolatrous love of others
to confirm us in our sin. In other words, it is very easy to use
our enmity with God as a ''biblical'' reason to justify ourselves
into thinking we have love.
The Bible commands people to honor their fathers and mothers.
However, one cannot truly love them apart from having the Spirit
who works the fruit of love in the soul and one cannot truly love them
apart from loving God with the whole being. Yet when a person has
been raised in a family where the people are knit together is some
close way it is very easy to think that they have true love for each other.
True love must always come through knowing Him personally and through
a personal relationship where Christ rules the roost, not where self runs the show.
Are you still making decisions before Him?
This must stop inorder for Jesus to rule and rein over your body. Keep yourself honest before
our risen Lord and stop before it's too late. Amen
but the prayer of the upright is His delight" Prov. 15:8
The love of human beings for self is the moral governor
in the soul and is nothing but the height of idolatry
in its enmity toward God.
The person that is at enmity with God in all that he does
may be the nicest of human beings as far as other people
can tell.
That person that is so sweet may go to prayer meetings
and plead with God for the physical and emotional well-being
of others and perhaps even for the salvation of others, but
without love in that persons soul those prayers go unanswered
and are at enmity with God.
In the modern world self-love is considered a necessity to get by
and even to be morally correct. The necessary consequence of supreme
self-love, however, is enmity with God. The Greatest Commandment
is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.
Then any love for self or for our neighbor must flow from a love
for Him. Any love of self that does not flow from a primary love
of Him is idolatry and is clearly to be at enmity with Him. The supreme
love of a human being is to be reserved for God and for Him alone.
Scripture tells us this in other words as well: "If anyone comes to Me,
and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and
brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple"
Luke 14:26
Surely this verse requires a supreme love to God in all things
and shows us how easy it is to fall into idolatry. It is so easy
to love family and friends simply from a love for self and think
that we have true love. When we think we have true love, we
think that we have God and so use our idolatrous love of others
to confirm us in our sin. In other words, it is very easy to use
our enmity with God as a ''biblical'' reason to justify ourselves
into thinking we have love.
The Bible commands people to honor their fathers and mothers.
However, one cannot truly love them apart from having the Spirit
who works the fruit of love in the soul and one cannot truly love them
apart from loving God with the whole being. Yet when a person has
been raised in a family where the people are knit together is some
close way it is very easy to think that they have true love for each other.
True love must always come through knowing Him personally and through
a personal relationship where Christ rules the roost, not where self runs the show.
Are you still making decisions before Him?
This must stop inorder for Jesus to rule and rein over your body. Keep yourself honest before
our risen Lord and stop before it's too late. Amen
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Abraham's Life of Faith
Abraham’s Life of Faith
He went out, not knowing where he was going —Hebrews 11:8
In the Old Testament, a person’s relationship with God was seen by the degree of separation in that person’s life. This separation is exhibited in the life of Abraham by his separation from his country and his family. When we think of separation today, we do not mean to be literally separated from those family members who do not have a personal relationship with God, but to be separated mentally and morally from their viewpoints. This is what Jesus Christ was referring to in Luke 14:26.
Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led. But it does mean loving and knowing the One who is leading. It is literally a life of faith, not of understanding and reason—a life of knowing Him who calls us to go. Faith is rooted in the knowledge of a Person, and one of the biggest traps we fall into is the belief that if we have faith, God will surely lead us to success in the world.
The final stage in the life of faith is the attainment of character, and we encounter many changes in the process. We feel the presence of God around us when we pray, yet we are only momentarily changed. We tend to keep going back to our everyday ways and the glory vanishes. A life of faith is not a life of one glorious mountaintop experience after another, like soaring on eagles’ wings, but is a life of day—in and day—out consistency; a life of walking without fainting (see Isaiah 40:31). It is not even a question of the holiness of sanctification, but of something which comes much farther down the road. It is a faith that has been tried and proved and has withstood the test. Abraham is not a type or an example of the holiness of sanctification, but a type of the life of faith—a faith, tested and true, built on the true God. "Abraham believed God. . ." (Romans 4:3).
He went out, not knowing where he was going —Hebrews 11:8
In the Old Testament, a person’s relationship with God was seen by the degree of separation in that person’s life. This separation is exhibited in the life of Abraham by his separation from his country and his family. When we think of separation today, we do not mean to be literally separated from those family members who do not have a personal relationship with God, but to be separated mentally and morally from their viewpoints. This is what Jesus Christ was referring to in Luke 14:26.
Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led. But it does mean loving and knowing the One who is leading. It is literally a life of faith, not of understanding and reason—a life of knowing Him who calls us to go. Faith is rooted in the knowledge of a Person, and one of the biggest traps we fall into is the belief that if we have faith, God will surely lead us to success in the world.
The final stage in the life of faith is the attainment of character, and we encounter many changes in the process. We feel the presence of God around us when we pray, yet we are only momentarily changed. We tend to keep going back to our everyday ways and the glory vanishes. A life of faith is not a life of one glorious mountaintop experience after another, like soaring on eagles’ wings, but is a life of day—in and day—out consistency; a life of walking without fainting (see Isaiah 40:31). It is not even a question of the holiness of sanctification, but of something which comes much farther down the road. It is a faith that has been tried and proved and has withstood the test. Abraham is not a type or an example of the holiness of sanctification, but a type of the life of faith—a faith, tested and true, built on the true God. "Abraham believed God. . ." (Romans 4:3).
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Will I bring myself Up To THIS LEVEL?
Will I Bring Myself Up to This Level?
. . . perfecting holiness in the fear of God —2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, having these promises. . . ." I claim God’s promises for my life and look to their fulfillment, and rightly so, but that shows only the human perspective on them. God’s perspective is that through His promises I will come to recognize His claim of ownership on me. For example, do I realize that my "body is the temple of the Holy Spirit," or am I condoning some habit in my body which clearly could not withstand the light of God on it? (1 Corinthians 6:19 ). God formed His Son in me through sanctification, setting me apart from sin and making me holy in His sight (see Galatians 4:19 ). But I must begin to transform my natural life into spiritual life by obedience to Him. God instructs us even in the smallest details of life. And when He brings you conviction of sin, do not "confer with flesh and blood," but cleanse yourself from it at once ( Galatians 1:16 ). Keep yourself cleansed in your daily walk.
I must cleanse myself from all filthiness in my flesh and my spirit until both are in harmony with the nature of God. Is the mind of my spirit in perfect agreement with the life of the Son of God in me, or am I mentally rebellious and defiant? Am I allowing the mind of Christ to be formed in me? (see Philippians 2:5 ). Christ never spoke of His right to Himself, but always maintained an inner vigilance to submit His spirit continually to His Father. I also have the responsibility to keep my spirit in agreement with His Spirit. And when I do, Jesus gradually lifts me up to the level where He lived-a level of perfect submission to His Father’s will— where I pay no attention to anything else. Am I perfecting this kind of holiness in the fear of God? Is God having His way with me, and are people beginning to see God in my life more and more?
Be serious in your commitment to God and gladly leave everything else alone. Literally put God first in your life.
. . . perfecting holiness in the fear of God —2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, having these promises. . . ." I claim God’s promises for my life and look to their fulfillment, and rightly so, but that shows only the human perspective on them. God’s perspective is that through His promises I will come to recognize His claim of ownership on me. For example, do I realize that my "body is the temple of the Holy Spirit," or am I condoning some habit in my body which clearly could not withstand the light of God on it? (1 Corinthians 6:19 ). God formed His Son in me through sanctification, setting me apart from sin and making me holy in His sight (see Galatians 4:19 ). But I must begin to transform my natural life into spiritual life by obedience to Him. God instructs us even in the smallest details of life. And when He brings you conviction of sin, do not "confer with flesh and blood," but cleanse yourself from it at once ( Galatians 1:16 ). Keep yourself cleansed in your daily walk.
I must cleanse myself from all filthiness in my flesh and my spirit until both are in harmony with the nature of God. Is the mind of my spirit in perfect agreement with the life of the Son of God in me, or am I mentally rebellious and defiant? Am I allowing the mind of Christ to be formed in me? (see Philippians 2:5 ). Christ never spoke of His right to Himself, but always maintained an inner vigilance to submit His spirit continually to His Father. I also have the responsibility to keep my spirit in agreement with His Spirit. And when I do, Jesus gradually lifts me up to the level where He lived-a level of perfect submission to His Father’s will— where I pay no attention to anything else. Am I perfecting this kind of holiness in the fear of God? Is God having His way with me, and are people beginning to see God in my life more and more?
Be serious in your commitment to God and gladly leave everything else alone. Literally put God first in your life.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Beware of counterfeiting the True Love
Beware of counterfeiting the love of God by following your own natural human emotions, sympathies, or understandings. That will only serve to revile and abuse the true love of God.
Be a successor
Paul spoke of the importance of controlling his own body so that it would not take him in the wrong direction. He said, "I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest . . . I myself should become disqualified" ( 1 Corinthians 9:27 ).
Monday, March 16, 2009
One Orientation
"If you love me, you will obey what I command." -John 14:15 "Jesus said to her, 'Give Me a drink' " (John 4:7). How many of us are expecting Jesus Christ to quench our thirst when we should be satisfying Him! We should be pouring out our lives, investing our total beings, not drawing on Him to satisfy us. "The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing His work." -John 14:10 That means lives of pure, uncompromised, and unrestrained devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ, which will be satisfying to Him wherever He may send us. Beware of anything that competes with your loyalty to Jesus Christ. The greatest competitor of true devotion to Jesus is the service we do for Him. "As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one this is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. -Luke 10:38-42 It is easier to serve than to pour out our lives completely for Him. The goal of the call of God is His sanctification, not simply that we should do something for Him. We are not sent to do battle for God, but to be used by God in His battles. Are we a Martha, and more devoted to service for Jesus and others than we are to Jesus Christ Himself? Christ calls us all to be Mary's; sitting at the Lords feet, gazing up at Him ready to do what you are told.
Listen and serve Him...one orientation.
Listen and serve Him...one orientation.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Set like flint
Isaiah 50:7 (New International Version)
7 Because the Sovereign LORD helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame.
7 Because the Sovereign LORD helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
You are that one's slave
. . . you are that one’s slaves whom you obey . . . —Romans 6:16
The first thing I must be willing to admit when I begin to examine what controls and dominates me is that I am the one responsible for having yielded myself to whatever it may be. If I am a slave to myself, I am to blame because somewhere in the past I yielded to myself. Likewise, if I obey God I do so because at some point in my life I yielded myself to Him.
If a child gives in to selfishness, he will find it to be the most enslaving tyranny on earth. There is no power within the human soul itself that is capable of breaking the bondage of the nature created by yielding. For example, yield for one second to anything in the nature of lust, and although you may hate yourself for having yielded, you become enslaved to that thing. (Remember what lust is— "I must have it now," whether it is the lust of the flesh or the lust of the mind.) No release or escape from it will ever come from any human power, but only through the power of redemption. You must yield yourself in utter humiliation to the only One who can break the dominating power in your life, namely, the Lord Jesus Christ. ". . . He has anointed Me . . . to proclaim liberty to the captives . . ." ( Luke 4:18 and Isaiah 61:1 ).
When you yield to something, you will soon realize the tremendous control it has over you. Even though you say, "Oh, I can give up that habit whenever I like," you will know you can’t. You will find that the habit absolutely dominates you because you willingly yielded to it. It is easy to sing, "He will break every fetter," while at the same time living a life of obvious slavery to yourself. But yielding to Jesus will break every kind of slavery in any person’s life.
The first thing I must be willing to admit when I begin to examine what controls and dominates me is that I am the one responsible for having yielded myself to whatever it may be. If I am a slave to myself, I am to blame because somewhere in the past I yielded to myself. Likewise, if I obey God I do so because at some point in my life I yielded myself to Him.
If a child gives in to selfishness, he will find it to be the most enslaving tyranny on earth. There is no power within the human soul itself that is capable of breaking the bondage of the nature created by yielding. For example, yield for one second to anything in the nature of lust, and although you may hate yourself for having yielded, you become enslaved to that thing. (Remember what lust is— "I must have it now," whether it is the lust of the flesh or the lust of the mind.) No release or escape from it will ever come from any human power, but only through the power of redemption. You must yield yourself in utter humiliation to the only One who can break the dominating power in your life, namely, the Lord Jesus Christ. ". . . He has anointed Me . . . to proclaim liberty to the captives . . ." ( Luke 4:18 and Isaiah 61:1 ).
When you yield to something, you will soon realize the tremendous control it has over you. Even though you say, "Oh, I can give up that habit whenever I like," you will know you can’t. You will find that the habit absolutely dominates you because you willingly yielded to it. It is easy to sing, "He will break every fetter," while at the same time living a life of obvious slavery to yourself. But yielding to Jesus will break every kind of slavery in any person’s life.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
ONE
It is difficult to get into stride with God,
because He has different
ways of doing things,
and we have to be
trained
and
disciplined
in God's Way.
because He has different
ways of doing things,
and we have to be
trained
and
disciplined
in God's Way.
Getting into and becoming One
In learning to walk with God,
there is always the difficulty
of getting into His stride, but
once we have done so, the only
characteristics that exhibits itself
is the very life of God Himself.
The individual person is merged
into a personal oneness with God,
and God's stride
and God's power are alone exhibited.
there is always the difficulty
of getting into His stride, but
once we have done so, the only
characteristics that exhibits itself
is the very life of God Himself.
The individual person is merged
into a personal oneness with God,
and God's stride
and God's power are alone exhibited.
In Stride [....]
"Enoch walked with God..." Genesis 5:24
The true test of a person's spiritual life and character
is not what he does in the extraordinary moments of life,
but what he does during the ordinary times when there is
nothing tremendous or exciting happening. A person's worth
is revealed in his attitude toward the ordinary things of life when
he is not under the spotlight.
It is painful work to get in step with God and to keep pace with Him...
it means getting your second wind spiritually.
The true test of a person's spiritual life and character
is not what he does in the extraordinary moments of life,
but what he does during the ordinary times when there is
nothing tremendous or exciting happening. A person's worth
is revealed in his attitude toward the ordinary things of life when
he is not under the spotlight.
It is painful work to get in step with God and to keep pace with Him...
it means getting your second wind spiritually.
OTHERS MAY: YOU CANNOT
If God has called you to be really like Jesus He will draw you into a life
of crucifixion and humility, and put upon you such demands of obedience,
that you will not be able to follow other people, or measure yourself by
other Christians, and in many ways He will seem to let other people do
things which He will not let you do.
Other Christians and ministers who seem very religious and useful, may
push themselves, pull wires, and work schemes to carry out their plans,
but you cannot do it, and if you attempt it, you will meet with such
failure and rebuke from the Lord as to make you sorely penitent.
Others may boast of themselves, of their work, of their successes, of
their writings, but the Holy Spirit will not allow you to do any such
thing, and if you begin it, He will lead you into some deep mortification
that will make you despise yourself and all your good works.
Others may be allowed to succeed in making money, or may have a legacy
left to them, but it is likely God will keep you poor, because He wants
you to have something far better than gold, namely, a helpless dependence
upon Him, that He may have the privilege of supplying your needs day by
day out of an unseen treasury.
The Lord may let others be honored and put forward, and keep you hidden
in obscurity, because He wants to produce some choice fragrant fruit for
His coming glory, which can only be produced in the shade. He may let
others be great, but keep you small. He may let others do a work for Him
and get the credit for it, but He will make you work and toil on without
knowing how much you are doing; and then to make your work still more
precious He may let others get credit for the work which you have done,
and thus make YOUR REWARD TEN TIMES GREATER WHEN JESUS COMES.
The Holy Spirit will put a strict watch over you, with a jealous love, and
will rebuke you for little words and feelings or for wasting your time,
which other Christians never feel distressed over. So make up your mind
that God is an Infinitely Sovereign Being, and has a right to do as He
pleases with His own. He may not explain to you a thousand things which
puzzle your reason in His dealings with you, but if you absolutely sell
yourself to be His love slave, He will wrap you up in Jealous Love, and
bestow upon you many blessings which come only to those who are in the
inner circle.
Settle it forever, then that you are to DEAL DIRECTLY WITH THE HOLY
SPIRIT, and that He is to have the privilege of tying your tongue, or
chaining your hand, or closing your eyes, in ways that He does not seem
to use with others. Now, when you are so possessed with the living God
that you are, in your secret heart, pleased and delighted over this
PECULIAR, PERSONAL, PRIVATE, JEALOUS GUARDIANSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OVER YOUR LIFE, then you will have found the vestibule
of Heaven.
of crucifixion and humility, and put upon you such demands of obedience,
that you will not be able to follow other people, or measure yourself by
other Christians, and in many ways He will seem to let other people do
things which He will not let you do.
Other Christians and ministers who seem very religious and useful, may
push themselves, pull wires, and work schemes to carry out their plans,
but you cannot do it, and if you attempt it, you will meet with such
failure and rebuke from the Lord as to make you sorely penitent.
Others may boast of themselves, of their work, of their successes, of
their writings, but the Holy Spirit will not allow you to do any such
thing, and if you begin it, He will lead you into some deep mortification
that will make you despise yourself and all your good works.
Others may be allowed to succeed in making money, or may have a legacy
left to them, but it is likely God will keep you poor, because He wants
you to have something far better than gold, namely, a helpless dependence
upon Him, that He may have the privilege of supplying your needs day by
day out of an unseen treasury.
The Lord may let others be honored and put forward, and keep you hidden
in obscurity, because He wants to produce some choice fragrant fruit for
His coming glory, which can only be produced in the shade. He may let
others be great, but keep you small. He may let others do a work for Him
and get the credit for it, but He will make you work and toil on without
knowing how much you are doing; and then to make your work still more
precious He may let others get credit for the work which you have done,
and thus make YOUR REWARD TEN TIMES GREATER WHEN JESUS COMES.
The Holy Spirit will put a strict watch over you, with a jealous love, and
will rebuke you for little words and feelings or for wasting your time,
which other Christians never feel distressed over. So make up your mind
that God is an Infinitely Sovereign Being, and has a right to do as He
pleases with His own. He may not explain to you a thousand things which
puzzle your reason in His dealings with you, but if you absolutely sell
yourself to be His love slave, He will wrap you up in Jealous Love, and
bestow upon you many blessings which come only to those who are in the
inner circle.
Settle it forever, then that you are to DEAL DIRECTLY WITH THE HOLY
SPIRIT, and that He is to have the privilege of tying your tongue, or
chaining your hand, or closing your eyes, in ways that He does not seem
to use with others. Now, when you are so possessed with the living God
that you are, in your secret heart, pleased and delighted over this
PECULIAR, PERSONAL, PRIVATE, JEALOUS GUARDIANSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OVER YOUR LIFE, then you will have found the vestibule
of Heaven.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Watch for the storms of God
I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision —Acts 26:19
If we lose "the heavenly vision" God has given us, we alone are responsible— not God. We lose the vision because of our own lack of spiritual growth. If we do not apply our beliefs about God to the issues of everyday life, the vision God has given us will never be fulfilled. The only way to be obedient to "the heavenly vision" is to give our utmost for His highest— our best for His glory.
This can be accomplished only when we make a determination to continually remember God’s vision. But the acid test is obedience to the vision in the details of our everyday life— sixty seconds out of every minute, and sixty minutes out of every hour, not just during times of personal prayer or public meetings.
"Though it tarries, wait for it . . ." ( Habakkuk 2:3 ). We cannot bring the vision to fulfillment through our own efforts, but must live under its inspiration until it fulfills itself. We try to be so practical that we forget the vision. At the very beginning we saw the vision but did not wait for it. We rushed off to do our practical work, and once the vision was fulfilled we could no longer even see it. Waiting for a vision that "tarries" is the true test of our faithfulness to God. It is at the risk of our own soul’s welfare that we get caught up in practical busy-work, only to miss the fulfillment of the vision.
Watch for the storms of God. The only way God plants His saints is through the whirlwind of His storms. Will you be proven to be an empty pod with no seed inside? That will depend on whether or not you are actually living in the light of the vision you have seen. Let God send you out through His storm, and don’t go until He does. If you select your own spot to be planted, you will prove yourself to be an unproductive, empty pod. However, if you allow God to plant you, you will "bear much fruit" ( John 15:8 ).
It is essential that we live and "walk in the light" of God’s vision for us ( 1 John 1:7 ).
If we lose "the heavenly vision" God has given us, we alone are responsible— not God. We lose the vision because of our own lack of spiritual growth. If we do not apply our beliefs about God to the issues of everyday life, the vision God has given us will never be fulfilled. The only way to be obedient to "the heavenly vision" is to give our utmost for His highest— our best for His glory.
This can be accomplished only when we make a determination to continually remember God’s vision. But the acid test is obedience to the vision in the details of our everyday life— sixty seconds out of every minute, and sixty minutes out of every hour, not just during times of personal prayer or public meetings.
"Though it tarries, wait for it . . ." ( Habakkuk 2:3 ). We cannot bring the vision to fulfillment through our own efforts, but must live under its inspiration until it fulfills itself. We try to be so practical that we forget the vision. At the very beginning we saw the vision but did not wait for it. We rushed off to do our practical work, and once the vision was fulfilled we could no longer even see it. Waiting for a vision that "tarries" is the true test of our faithfulness to God. It is at the risk of our own soul’s welfare that we get caught up in practical busy-work, only to miss the fulfillment of the vision.
Watch for the storms of God. The only way God plants His saints is through the whirlwind of His storms. Will you be proven to be an empty pod with no seed inside? That will depend on whether or not you are actually living in the light of the vision you have seen. Let God send you out through His storm, and don’t go until He does. If you select your own spot to be planted, you will prove yourself to be an unproductive, empty pod. However, if you allow God to plant you, you will "bear much fruit" ( John 15:8 ).
It is essential that we live and "walk in the light" of God’s vision for us ( 1 John 1:7 ).
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Have you ever gone out this way?
2To this he replied: "Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran. 3'Leave your country and your people,' God said, 'and go to the land I will show you.' Acts 7:2-3
"Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:2-3 As we look at the church as a whole we see so many indications of weakness, failure, sin, and shortcoming, that we are compelled to ask, how can this be? Is there any excuse for the church of Christ to be living in such a low state? Is it actually possible for God's people to always live in the joy and strength of their God?
In Christian work our initiative and motivation are too often simply the result of realizing that there is work to be done and that we must do it. Yet that is never the attitude of a spiritually vigorous saint, his aim is to achieve the realization of Jesus The Christ in every set of circumstances AMEN
Saturday, March 7, 2009
The Surrendered Life
I have been crucified with Christ . . . —Galatians 2:20
To become one with Jesus Christ, a person must be willing not only to give up sin, but also to surrender his whole way of looking at things. Being born again by the Spirit of God means that we must first be willing to let go before we can grasp something else. The first thing we must surrender is all of our pretense or deceit. What our Lord wants us to present to Him is not our goodness, honesty, or our efforts to do better, but real solid sin. Actually, that is all He can take from us. And what He gives us in exchange for our sin is real solid righteousness. But we must surrender all pretense that we are anything, and give up all our claims of even being worthy of God’s consideration.
Once we have done that, the Spirit of God will show us what we need to surrender next. Along each step of this process, we will have to give up our claims to our rights to ourselves. Are we willing to surrender our grasp on all that we possess, our desires, and everything else in our lives? Are we ready to be identified with the death of Jesus Christ?
We will suffer a sharp painful disillusionment before we fully surrender. When people really see themselves as the Lord sees them, it is not the terribly offensive sins of the flesh that shock them, but the awful nature of the pride of their own hearts opposing Jesus Christ. When they see themselves in the light of the Lord, the shame, horror, and desperate conviction hit home for them.
If you are faced with the question of whether or not to surrender, make a determination to go on through the crisis, surrendering all that you have and all that you are to Him. And God will then equip you to do all that He requires of you.
To become one with Jesus Christ, a person must be willing not only to give up sin, but also to surrender his whole way of looking at things. Being born again by the Spirit of God means that we must first be willing to let go before we can grasp something else. The first thing we must surrender is all of our pretense or deceit. What our Lord wants us to present to Him is not our goodness, honesty, or our efforts to do better, but real solid sin. Actually, that is all He can take from us. And what He gives us in exchange for our sin is real solid righteousness. But we must surrender all pretense that we are anything, and give up all our claims of even being worthy of God’s consideration.
Once we have done that, the Spirit of God will show us what we need to surrender next. Along each step of this process, we will have to give up our claims to our rights to ourselves. Are we willing to surrender our grasp on all that we possess, our desires, and everything else in our lives? Are we ready to be identified with the death of Jesus Christ?
We will suffer a sharp painful disillusionment before we fully surrender. When people really see themselves as the Lord sees them, it is not the terribly offensive sins of the flesh that shock them, but the awful nature of the pride of their own hearts opposing Jesus Christ. When they see themselves in the light of the Lord, the shame, horror, and desperate conviction hit home for them.
If you are faced with the question of whether or not to surrender, make a determination to go on through the crisis, surrendering all that you have and all that you are to Him. And God will then equip you to do all that He requires of you.
To love God is to be drawn up and out of ourselves and into Him. In loving Him, we become
incarnate of Him. God descends into us and we are drawn into Him. As we abide in Christ--
we die to the old self, that bent toward self-centerdness, self-will, becoming our own god.
To dwell in His Presence
means choosing union
and communion with
God rather than one's
own seperateness.
"You must be born again" John 3:7...."unless one is
born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God" John 3:3
incarnate of Him. God descends into us and we are drawn into Him. As we abide in Christ--
we die to the old self, that bent toward self-centerdness, self-will, becoming our own god.
To dwell in His Presence
means choosing union
and communion with
God rather than one's
own seperateness.
"You must be born again" John 3:7...."unless one is
born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God" John 3:3
Friday, March 6, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Doing good to all
7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
GALATIANS VI
GALATIANS VI
just obedience
I.
11I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. 12I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. 13For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15But when God, who set me apart from [birth] (by rebirth) and called me by his grace, was pleased 16to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, 17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. 18Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days. 19I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord's brother. 20I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. 21Later I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23They only heard the report: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." 24And they praised God because of me.
Footnotes: GALATIANS
When God speaks, never discuss it with anyone. Just obey and leave the consequences up to Him Amen
11I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. 12I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. 13For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15But when God, who set me apart from [birth] (by rebirth) and called me by his grace, was pleased 16to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, 17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. 18Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days. 19I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord's brother. 20I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. 21Later I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23They only heard the report: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." 24And they praised God because of me.
Footnotes: GALATIANS
When God speaks, never discuss it with anyone. Just obey and leave the consequences up to Him Amen
Monday, March 2, 2009
Granted.
But they were broken off because of unbelief
and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant,
but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural
branches, he will not spare you either.
Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God:
sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided
that you continue in His kindness.
Otherwise, you also will be cut off.
Rom. xi. twenty through twenty-two
But they were broken off because of unbelief
and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant,
but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural
branches, he will not spare you either.
Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God:
sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided
that you continue in His kindness.
Otherwise, you also will be cut off.
Rom. xi. twenty through twenty-two
on judgment
This is what we speak not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing Spiritual truths in Spiritual words.
The man without the Spirit does not except the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgment about all things, but he himself is not subject to any mans judgment: "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?"
But [we] have the mind of Christ. I Cor. II:Xiii-Xvi
[we]: implies that a death has occurred and our old way of thinking has been replaced with His we must render our brain inorder for His to be functioning, Shut down our will and commonsense and ask for His to replace ours. That we may receive the mind of Christ. When we have received His mind, it is no longer our will nor our thoughts but His will and His thoughts. The reason the world doesnot hate you is because you are of it. The moment you decide to render yourself and your thoughts, Christ will make His home in your heart and mind and the world will no longer be your friend, because Christ within you will start reveal that your own ways are bad along with the world and will start to truly love your neighbors as yourself. This will result in rejection and persecution. This takes courage and strength!!! May you fight the good fight of faith and join in on Christ's afflictions and persections Amen
The man without the Spirit does not except the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgment about all things, but he himself is not subject to any mans judgment: "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?"
But [we] have the mind of Christ. I Cor. II:Xiii-Xvi
[we]: implies that a death has occurred and our old way of thinking has been replaced with His we must render our brain inorder for His to be functioning, Shut down our will and commonsense and ask for His to replace ours. That we may receive the mind of Christ. When we have received His mind, it is no longer our will nor our thoughts but His will and His thoughts. The reason the world doesnot hate you is because you are of it. The moment you decide to render yourself and your thoughts, Christ will make His home in your heart and mind and the world will no longer be your friend, because Christ within you will start reveal that your own ways are bad along with the world and will start to truly love your neighbors as yourself. This will result in rejection and persecution. This takes courage and strength!!! May you fight the good fight of faith and join in on Christ's afflictions and persections Amen
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