1 Peter {2:23} Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously: {2:24} Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. {2:25} For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls
Jesus committed HIMSELF to Him that judgeth righteously.
Who could that be but God?
We have to commit ourselves to Jesus just as Jesus committed Himself to His Father. A complete surrender holding nothing back at all whatsoever.
God judgeth righteously there is NO other way for Him to judge. Jesus as the Father's Son pleads before the righteous Judge for us, on our behalf asking that His sacrifice be enough for those who fully surrender their hearts and souls to Him, those who commit themselves to Him and by committing themselves to Him they commit themselves to the Father.
Jesus bare our sins- and accepting that sacrifice we should live in HIS righteousness. Can we kill our sins? Can we do away with our own sins? No and no. If we can't do away with our own sins what maks us think we can live in our own righteousness? We can't. We have to live unto Christ's righteousness- because it's by His stripes we are healed. He took the pain of our unrighteousness upon Himself and offers His righteousness in place of our unrighteousness. We have to commit ourselves to Jesus. We have to look to Him and His righteousness trusting in Him that all that is not right will be made right by Him in His time, not ours, nothing of ourselves. Does this mean sin with joy? NEVER!
We are as sheep going astray, but now the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls has us in His grasp. We have to listen to the Shepherd, follow our Shepherd's leading, trusting in Him in ALL things- He will care for us.
By the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, now and forever, by His Righteousness, by His amazing Love, may we cling to Him and all He's done for us, believing in Him now and forever!
Amen!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
We get so caught up in ourselves
We get so caught up in ourselves. I've said it before and I think I'm going to keep saying it till who knows when. It's true though and I'm just as guilty as the next person of doing the same, of getting caught up in myself. How can we not we yell and scream, we live. We are alive and asked to live in this world with all it's external temptations that give us internal temptations, that flood us with cravings for all that is bad for us! We live here, unless we lock ourselves away in seclusion as some monks and others do, with no temptation to hit us, is there a chance for us to overcome? Really? Is there? Even those monks and such, aren't they tempted with believing what they are doing is a good thing and when they believe that they are doing that good thing, aren't they counting on their own righteousness and not that of God's? Seriously. There are dangers just in living and as long as we insist on being wrapped around ourselves we'll never be free, never. As long as we keep looking at ourselves and our sinfulness and dwelling on our own inabilities we have no hope, why? Because we are placing the hope within ourselves. There's a reason for life being the way it is, there is a good reason and the one lesson we all need to learn, every single one of us is that we can't look at ourselves there is only unrighteousness there no matter what we do, no matter who or what we seem to be.
Isa. {64:6} 'But we are all as an unclean [thing,] and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags...'
That says it all so completely! We are ALL as an unclean thing, and ALL our righteousness are as filthy rags!
Does this mean we should embrace and enjoy our wickedness? God forbid. We should ever ask forgiveness and when we think the battle too hard to fight, when we believe that to give in to sin is the better way then look to Jesus, look to Him who knew no unrighteousness and yet DIED so YOU and I could live. Is giving into sin better? No. Is it easier, yes.
We find hope only in Christ, not in ourselves. And we have to give ourselves to Him completely.
1 Cor. {5:21} For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Only in Him can we have any righteousness. Only in Him, only in Christ.
It's not easy to constantly fight, especially when we war against principalities and powers and wickedness in high places. It's not easy when we long to give into the pleasures of sin and yes, they have a certain pleasure and if we want pleasure that is temporary and NOTHING compared what is waiting for us who deny ourselves the pleasures of the world now- not in hopes of gaining salvation but only through Christ's prompting, through the Holy Spirit's guiding us closer to Christ.
The easy way is the way most will take, the way we are all in danger of taking.
Matthew {7:13} Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many
there be which go in thereat: {7:14} Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
We don't want the strait and narrow it's a tricky bit of a path, we want the broad way because that is the more pleasant, more enticing path for us to take.
So as we struggle with our day to day lives and day to day temptations we have to beg Christ to help us to seek Him and His way, not our own way. Reveal our hearts to Him, our longings to be with Him living in a world without any PAIN of any sort. If you think all the pleasures we indulge ourselves in now will keep the pain of the world away, you're wrong, I'd be wrong if I thought it. For all the pleasure here the pain often outweighs the pleasure and if living for temporary pleasure is all you want from life then it's all you'll get.
May God help us ALL as we struggle to cling to the cross, cling to Jesus and claim HIS righteousness because we have NONE of our own. May our hope be solely in HIM, not in ourselves and any of our own actions. Choosing Christ, let that be our sole endeavor, choosing Christ and having faith in Him to see us through with the Holy Spirit's guidance.
By His unfathomable mercy and grace, now and forever!
Thank you Lord Jesus,
Amen.
Isa. {64:6} 'But we are all as an unclean [thing,] and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags...'
That says it all so completely! We are ALL as an unclean thing, and ALL our righteousness are as filthy rags!
Does this mean we should embrace and enjoy our wickedness? God forbid. We should ever ask forgiveness and when we think the battle too hard to fight, when we believe that to give in to sin is the better way then look to Jesus, look to Him who knew no unrighteousness and yet DIED so YOU and I could live. Is giving into sin better? No. Is it easier, yes.
We find hope only in Christ, not in ourselves. And we have to give ourselves to Him completely.
1 Cor. {5:21} For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Only in Him can we have any righteousness. Only in Him, only in Christ.
It's not easy to constantly fight, especially when we war against principalities and powers and wickedness in high places. It's not easy when we long to give into the pleasures of sin and yes, they have a certain pleasure and if we want pleasure that is temporary and NOTHING compared what is waiting for us who deny ourselves the pleasures of the world now- not in hopes of gaining salvation but only through Christ's prompting, through the Holy Spirit's guiding us closer to Christ.
The easy way is the way most will take, the way we are all in danger of taking.
Matthew {7:13} Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many
there be which go in thereat: {7:14} Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
We don't want the strait and narrow it's a tricky bit of a path, we want the broad way because that is the more pleasant, more enticing path for us to take.
So as we struggle with our day to day lives and day to day temptations we have to beg Christ to help us to seek Him and His way, not our own way. Reveal our hearts to Him, our longings to be with Him living in a world without any PAIN of any sort. If you think all the pleasures we indulge ourselves in now will keep the pain of the world away, you're wrong, I'd be wrong if I thought it. For all the pleasure here the pain often outweighs the pleasure and if living for temporary pleasure is all you want from life then it's all you'll get.
May God help us ALL as we struggle to cling to the cross, cling to Jesus and claim HIS righteousness because we have NONE of our own. May our hope be solely in HIM, not in ourselves and any of our own actions. Choosing Christ, let that be our sole endeavor, choosing Christ and having faith in Him to see us through with the Holy Spirit's guidance.
By His unfathomable mercy and grace, now and forever!
Thank you Lord Jesus,
Amen.
Friday, August 7, 2009
The power of God is all things
1 Cor.
{2:5} That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
{2:6} Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
{2:7} But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom,] which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
{2:8} Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it,] they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
{2:9} But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men.
What does that mean exactly? Men have their own wisdom, God another.
wisdom (wîz´dem) noun
1. Understanding of what is true, right, or lasting; insight
2. Common sense; good judgment
3. a. The sum of scholarly learning through the ages; knowledge b. Wise teachings of the ancient sages.
4. A wise outlook, plan, or course of action.
5. Wisdom. Bible. Wisdom of Solomon.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
'The sum of scholarly learning through the ages, knowledge.' Our faith is not explained in all the knowledge of the world in a logical way. Faith itself defies logic to those thinking only in facts, only in the wisdom of men.
'{2:5} That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.'
The power of God gives us faith. We can't concern ourselves with anything that would tear down our faith no matter what it might be. Not the most logical reasoning should rip the faith from us. We can't let faith rest on the wisdom man possesses, it has to rest on the power of God alone.
1 Cor. {2:6} Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
{2:7} But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom,] which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
{2:8} Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it,] they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
We speak wisdom among them that are perfect- NOT wisdom of this world.
The princes of this world might have great wisdom but it's not the wisdom that matters a bit.
The wisdom of God is a mystery, hidden wisdom- a wisdom that produced our salvation for God ordained before the world this glory. Yet all the wise of the world, those holding high positions in wisdom as the world knows it, all of the didn't know, couldn't comprehend such a mystery, such wisdom of God.
1 Cor. {2:9} But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
This statement says so incredibly much, doesn't it? Seriously, the things God has prepared for us go way beyond our comprehension, way beyond our imaginations. The greatest thing we can imagine that is in store for us who love God, falls far short of what ways for us.
Eye hasn't seen!
Ears haven't heard!
Our hearts are clueless.
God's love is way beyond our own.
May we grasp hold of our Lord and Savior and never let go of Him, letting our faith, a faith given and helped by Him, please Him. May His wisdom be real to us, He's all wise, all knowing.
The power of God is that faith. The power of God is all things.
By His grace and mercy, by His love now and forever!
Amen.
{2:5} That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
{2:6} Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
{2:7} But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom,] which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
{2:8} Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it,] they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
{2:9} But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men.
What does that mean exactly? Men have their own wisdom, God another.
wisdom (wîz´dem) noun
1. Understanding of what is true, right, or lasting; insight
2. Common sense; good judgment
3. a. The sum of scholarly learning through the ages; knowledge b. Wise teachings of the ancient sages.
4. A wise outlook, plan, or course of action.
5. Wisdom. Bible. Wisdom of Solomon.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
'The sum of scholarly learning through the ages, knowledge.' Our faith is not explained in all the knowledge of the world in a logical way. Faith itself defies logic to those thinking only in facts, only in the wisdom of men.
'{2:5} That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.'
The power of God gives us faith. We can't concern ourselves with anything that would tear down our faith no matter what it might be. Not the most logical reasoning should rip the faith from us. We can't let faith rest on the wisdom man possesses, it has to rest on the power of God alone.
1 Cor. {2:6} Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
{2:7} But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom,] which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
{2:8} Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it,] they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
We speak wisdom among them that are perfect- NOT wisdom of this world.
The princes of this world might have great wisdom but it's not the wisdom that matters a bit.
The wisdom of God is a mystery, hidden wisdom- a wisdom that produced our salvation for God ordained before the world this glory. Yet all the wise of the world, those holding high positions in wisdom as the world knows it, all of the didn't know, couldn't comprehend such a mystery, such wisdom of God.
1 Cor. {2:9} But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
This statement says so incredibly much, doesn't it? Seriously, the things God has prepared for us go way beyond our comprehension, way beyond our imaginations. The greatest thing we can imagine that is in store for us who love God, falls far short of what ways for us.
Eye hasn't seen!
Ears haven't heard!
Our hearts are clueless.
God's love is way beyond our own.
May we grasp hold of our Lord and Savior and never let go of Him, letting our faith, a faith given and helped by Him, please Him. May His wisdom be real to us, He's all wise, all knowing.
The power of God is that faith. The power of God is all things.
By His grace and mercy, by His love now and forever!
Amen.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
It should be all about JESUS and Him crucified
1 Cor.
{2:1} And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with
excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the
testimony of God. {2:2} For I determined not to know any
thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
The IMPORTANT thing- not excellency in speaking; not excellency in wisdom; not holding a PHD in religion, or in public speaking, or in charisma- but rather KNOWING Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
We tend to give credit to people who are naturally attractive and well poised. We tend to give our attention to those who can make us feel good about ourselves. We look up to people who are sheer genius and go- now why couldn't I have done/thought of that? Our hats go off to those who are accomplished in society. We applaud those who can come across as someone you can trust just by speaking to us. How many people have lost millions of dollars over the years to those who have 'talked them' out of their life savings? These brilliant, captivating people who seemingly have an excellency of speech with a healthy side order of wisdom can bilk hundreds, thousands of people and yet we still are amazed and wowed by those who make us feel good about OURSELVES. A man cannot talk another man into investing thousands of dollars unless they've made the person feel good about what they are doing. The best way to talk a man out of his money is to make it seem like he is doing the SMART thing, the WISE thing, the GOOD thing, the thing that will prove to be right in their own eyes. The more you can convince a man of HIS own genius the more money you can take from him.
Is it any wonder at all that Paul says here - I came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom declaring unto you the testimony of God. It really is no wonder at all. Paul wasn't a smooth talker, able to sway with his special charasmatic manner or brilliant wisdom as the world knew. Paul was determined to just know Jesus Christ and Him crucified- that's it! To know Christ! To know the wonder of the cross! If more of us would seek the wonder of the cross and get our minds off ourselves and the superficial things how much better off we would be. If instead of looking to Christ to puff ourselves up we looked to Him just to KNOW Him our eyes would be taken off our selves and trained up the only righteousness that exists, Christ's.
I've heard the saying- 'You are making this ALL about YOU.' Have you heard that? Maybe you've had a disagreement with someone and there's a bit of arguing and the retort that is thrown into your face is- 'You are making this ALL about YOU.' Arguments usually result when one person believes they are right and another not quite so right. One person believes their thoughts and such are on the right track, while another's aren't. The last argument you had- think about it if you can, did you want to drive your own opinion, your own beliefs, your own point home? Did you want to get the other person to somehow agree that you are in the right over them? If they'd just stop arguing and listen to... who? You? Yes. If they'd just stop all their fussing and see reason, why they'd surely see your point of view on the matter. Why do they have to be so stubborn?
Don't you see, it's all about US.
When it should be all about JESUS and Him crucified. The power of God is in the cross. Knowing Jesus and Him crucified should be our ONLY concern.
The other saying, 'What would Jesus do?' Is very appropriate in the sense, what would the Lord Jesus have me doing in light of His crucifiction; what would Jesus have me do to glorify Him to point all others and myself solely to Him and the cross? We can't get caught up in this - I know what Jesus would do and bad me, I'm doing just the opposite or I know what Jesus would do and look at me, I'm doing it. Our doing anything other than seeking Him in the wonder of the cross is nothing. We could help fifty old ladies across the street because we believe that's what Jesus would do, but unless we know Jesus as our constant and personal Lord and Savior we could do what Jesus would do forever and still not be known by Him.
May the Lord turn our eyes solely upon Him and His wondrous sacrifice. Make we seek to know Christ and Him crucified first and foremost. That is- KNOW CHRIST, not know ourselves. We must seek to know CHRIST not self even in the light of Christ. Christ first always!
By His mercy, by His grace, by His love and sacrifice we are saved, now and forever.
Amen.
{2:1} And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with
excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the
testimony of God. {2:2} For I determined not to know any
thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
The IMPORTANT thing- not excellency in speaking; not excellency in wisdom; not holding a PHD in religion, or in public speaking, or in charisma- but rather KNOWING Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
We tend to give credit to people who are naturally attractive and well poised. We tend to give our attention to those who can make us feel good about ourselves. We look up to people who are sheer genius and go- now why couldn't I have done/thought of that? Our hats go off to those who are accomplished in society. We applaud those who can come across as someone you can trust just by speaking to us. How many people have lost millions of dollars over the years to those who have 'talked them' out of their life savings? These brilliant, captivating people who seemingly have an excellency of speech with a healthy side order of wisdom can bilk hundreds, thousands of people and yet we still are amazed and wowed by those who make us feel good about OURSELVES. A man cannot talk another man into investing thousands of dollars unless they've made the person feel good about what they are doing. The best way to talk a man out of his money is to make it seem like he is doing the SMART thing, the WISE thing, the GOOD thing, the thing that will prove to be right in their own eyes. The more you can convince a man of HIS own genius the more money you can take from him.
Is it any wonder at all that Paul says here - I came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom declaring unto you the testimony of God. It really is no wonder at all. Paul wasn't a smooth talker, able to sway with his special charasmatic manner or brilliant wisdom as the world knew. Paul was determined to just know Jesus Christ and Him crucified- that's it! To know Christ! To know the wonder of the cross! If more of us would seek the wonder of the cross and get our minds off ourselves and the superficial things how much better off we would be. If instead of looking to Christ to puff ourselves up we looked to Him just to KNOW Him our eyes would be taken off our selves and trained up the only righteousness that exists, Christ's.
I've heard the saying- 'You are making this ALL about YOU.' Have you heard that? Maybe you've had a disagreement with someone and there's a bit of arguing and the retort that is thrown into your face is- 'You are making this ALL about YOU.' Arguments usually result when one person believes they are right and another not quite so right. One person believes their thoughts and such are on the right track, while another's aren't. The last argument you had- think about it if you can, did you want to drive your own opinion, your own beliefs, your own point home? Did you want to get the other person to somehow agree that you are in the right over them? If they'd just stop arguing and listen to... who? You? Yes. If they'd just stop all their fussing and see reason, why they'd surely see your point of view on the matter. Why do they have to be so stubborn?
Don't you see, it's all about US.
When it should be all about JESUS and Him crucified. The power of God is in the cross. Knowing Jesus and Him crucified should be our ONLY concern.
The other saying, 'What would Jesus do?' Is very appropriate in the sense, what would the Lord Jesus have me doing in light of His crucifiction; what would Jesus have me do to glorify Him to point all others and myself solely to Him and the cross? We can't get caught up in this - I know what Jesus would do and bad me, I'm doing just the opposite or I know what Jesus would do and look at me, I'm doing it. Our doing anything other than seeking Him in the wonder of the cross is nothing. We could help fifty old ladies across the street because we believe that's what Jesus would do, but unless we know Jesus as our constant and personal Lord and Savior we could do what Jesus would do forever and still not be known by Him.
May the Lord turn our eyes solely upon Him and His wondrous sacrifice. Make we seek to know Christ and Him crucified first and foremost. That is- KNOW CHRIST, not know ourselves. We must seek to know CHRIST not self even in the light of Christ. Christ first always!
By His mercy, by His grace, by His love and sacrifice we are saved, now and forever.
Amen.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness
1 Cor. {1:18} For the preaching of the cross is to them that
perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the
power of God.
The power of God is found where? In the cross.
Ro. {1:16} For I am not ashamed of the
gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to
every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the
Greek. {1:17} For therein is the righteousness of God
revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall
live by faith.
Ro. {1:24}
But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks,
Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Christ is the power of God. Jesus dying for us and being resurrected by God is the power of God. Who could have resurrected Jesus from the dead but God? None. Only God had the power to resurrected the dead Christ. Jesus when he preached and wrought miracles for the three and a half years of His ministry preached it and wrought the miracles through God. Jesus even said -
John {5:19} 'Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.'
John {8:28} Then said Jesus unto
them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye
know that I am [he,] and [that] I do nothing of myself; but
as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. {8:29}
And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me
alone; for I do always those things that please him.
God- the power of God. Those that are saved will know that the cross is the embodiment of God's power. God is revealed to us through His Son.
There is nothing greater than the power of God, nothing!
To those that perish they won't care about the power of God found in the cross, to them it is foolishness.
We have no power of our own this is the message of the cross. No power to save ourselves whatsoever. Whenever we get it in our heads that we are losing salvation because we aren't good enough, trying hard enough, that our sins are too many, too binding, too overwhelming we have to remember salvation isn't something we'll EVER be good enough for. We could NOT save ourselves that power is in the cross through the sacrifice of our Savior, God's Son, Jesus Christ!
Holding fast to the cross, clinging to the cross needs to be real to us because it represents all that has been done on our behalf. It is a forever reminder of our helplessness and Christ's Righteousness which we must understand is ours through Him. He presents His sacrifice on our behalf, His righteousness. He doesn't stand before the Father and say... She/He was good- but rather through faith they believe I can save them through my righteousness. They believe in me, and in believing in me they believe in Your power, the believe in You.
May God bless and keep us in that faith that we need so desperately to please Him. I cry out as a man of old- Lord I believe! Help thou my unbelief!
While Satan tries his hardest to get us to look inward at our unrighteousness and to take our eyes from the cross, we must cling ever tighter to it, ever tighter!
By the mercy, the grace, the love of Jesus Christ may we be found righteous in HIM and HIM alone, not with any bit our ourselves, only, always Him!
Amen.
perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the
power of God.
The power of God is found where? In the cross.
Ro. {1:16} For I am not ashamed of the
gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to
every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the
Greek. {1:17} For therein is the righteousness of God
revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall
live by faith.
Ro. {1:24}
But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks,
Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Christ is the power of God. Jesus dying for us and being resurrected by God is the power of God. Who could have resurrected Jesus from the dead but God? None. Only God had the power to resurrected the dead Christ. Jesus when he preached and wrought miracles for the three and a half years of His ministry preached it and wrought the miracles through God. Jesus even said -
John {5:19} 'Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.'
John {8:28} Then said Jesus unto
them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye
know that I am [he,] and [that] I do nothing of myself; but
as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. {8:29}
And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me
alone; for I do always those things that please him.
God- the power of God. Those that are saved will know that the cross is the embodiment of God's power. God is revealed to us through His Son.
There is nothing greater than the power of God, nothing!
To those that perish they won't care about the power of God found in the cross, to them it is foolishness.
We have no power of our own this is the message of the cross. No power to save ourselves whatsoever. Whenever we get it in our heads that we are losing salvation because we aren't good enough, trying hard enough, that our sins are too many, too binding, too overwhelming we have to remember salvation isn't something we'll EVER be good enough for. We could NOT save ourselves that power is in the cross through the sacrifice of our Savior, God's Son, Jesus Christ!
Holding fast to the cross, clinging to the cross needs to be real to us because it represents all that has been done on our behalf. It is a forever reminder of our helplessness and Christ's Righteousness which we must understand is ours through Him. He presents His sacrifice on our behalf, His righteousness. He doesn't stand before the Father and say... She/He was good- but rather through faith they believe I can save them through my righteousness. They believe in me, and in believing in me they believe in Your power, the believe in You.
May God bless and keep us in that faith that we need so desperately to please Him. I cry out as a man of old- Lord I believe! Help thou my unbelief!
While Satan tries his hardest to get us to look inward at our unrighteousness and to take our eyes from the cross, we must cling ever tighter to it, ever tighter!
By the mercy, the grace, the love of Jesus Christ may we be found righteous in HIM and HIM alone, not with any bit our ourselves, only, always Him!
Amen.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
I sought the LORD, and he heard me
Ps. {34:4} I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Isa. {66:1} Thus saith the LORD, The heaven [is] my throne, and the earth [is] my footstool: where [is] the house that ye build unto me? and where [is] the place of my rest? {66:2} For all those [things] hath mine hand made, and all those [things] have been, saith the LORD: but to this [man] will I look, [even] to [him that is] poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
{66:3} He that killeth an ox [is as if] he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, [as if] he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, [as if he offered] swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, [as if] he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. {66:4} I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose [that] in which I delighted not.
God knows. God understands the depths of selfishess the human heart holds. Everything must be our way. We delight in the things we bring about, of what we believe is our own accord. The delusions we hold are full. Ask, and people well tell you that self-sufficiency is the prize for which we should strive. Self assurance, self love, self adoration, self...self...we are deluded with self. We are told to look inwards to our own powers, find our inner strength, inner peace. We are filled with the idea that we control our own lives and try to tell someone something different and they'll nod and smile, or argue with their logic.
God will use the delusions people hold because He has tried to get them to see that without Him, their Creator they are nothing and they wouldn't believe. He's tried and tried and tried... but consistently people choose to look inward, not outward, to glorify self not God. They think they are doing good but their good is evil. The keep looking to themselves for salvation as if they controlled it, as if they had power to give or take it away. Salvation exists not because we've designed it or reject it, or accept it. Salvation exists and we have to believe it. We can choose to believe it or not, but our choice won't alter it's existence. Yes, we are allowed our delusions because we wouldn't have it any other way. There is no wonder so few will be ready for Christ when He returns. The idea of giving up self for anything is repugnant to us. We've been taught from childhood to think of ourselves first. We call it self-preservation and make it seem as if without thinking of ourselves first we are condemning ourselves. Us first, then others second, and the few who can go beyond that are the oddities. Giving up self and giving us over to God. God first is possible through faith and faith alone, by Christ and His righteousness because we have none of ourselves. By His mercy! By His Grace! By His love! May the Holy Spirit fill us and keep us. May we not suffer under any delusion the devil may bring before us to keep us from the Love of God in Jesus Christ, our Savior. By His Grace may we be delivered of all our fears and may our unbelief be helped and by Jesus' love and mercy, by His power may we have the faith we need to be His completely.
Amen.
Isa. {66:1} Thus saith the LORD, The heaven [is] my throne, and the earth [is] my footstool: where [is] the house that ye build unto me? and where [is] the place of my rest? {66:2} For all those [things] hath mine hand made, and all those [things] have been, saith the LORD: but to this [man] will I look, [even] to [him that is] poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
{66:3} He that killeth an ox [is as if] he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, [as if] he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, [as if he offered] swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, [as if] he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. {66:4} I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose [that] in which I delighted not.
God knows. God understands the depths of selfishess the human heart holds. Everything must be our way. We delight in the things we bring about, of what we believe is our own accord. The delusions we hold are full. Ask, and people well tell you that self-sufficiency is the prize for which we should strive. Self assurance, self love, self adoration, self...self...we are deluded with self. We are told to look inwards to our own powers, find our inner strength, inner peace. We are filled with the idea that we control our own lives and try to tell someone something different and they'll nod and smile, or argue with their logic.
God will use the delusions people hold because He has tried to get them to see that without Him, their Creator they are nothing and they wouldn't believe. He's tried and tried and tried... but consistently people choose to look inward, not outward, to glorify self not God. They think they are doing good but their good is evil. The keep looking to themselves for salvation as if they controlled it, as if they had power to give or take it away. Salvation exists not because we've designed it or reject it, or accept it. Salvation exists and we have to believe it. We can choose to believe it or not, but our choice won't alter it's existence. Yes, we are allowed our delusions because we wouldn't have it any other way. There is no wonder so few will be ready for Christ when He returns. The idea of giving up self for anything is repugnant to us. We've been taught from childhood to think of ourselves first. We call it self-preservation and make it seem as if without thinking of ourselves first we are condemning ourselves. Us first, then others second, and the few who can go beyond that are the oddities. Giving up self and giving us over to God. God first is possible through faith and faith alone, by Christ and His righteousness because we have none of ourselves. By His mercy! By His Grace! By His love! May the Holy Spirit fill us and keep us. May we not suffer under any delusion the devil may bring before us to keep us from the Love of God in Jesus Christ, our Savior. By His Grace may we be delivered of all our fears and may our unbelief be helped and by Jesus' love and mercy, by His power may we have the faith we need to be His completely.
Amen.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Christ's
Ro. {15:30} Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus
Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive
together with me in [your] prayers to God for me
For the Lord Jesus Christ's sake.
For the love of the Spirit.
1 Cor. {4:9} For I think
that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were
appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the
world, and to angels, and to men. {4:10} We [are] fools for
Christ’s sake, but ye [are] wise in Christ; we [are] weak, but
ye [are] strong; ye [are] honourable, but we [are] despised.
{4:11} Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and
thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain
dwellingplace; {4:12} And labour, working with our own
hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer
it: {4:13} Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the
filth of the world, [and are] the offscouring of all things
unto this day. {4:14} I write not these things to shame you,
but as my beloved sons I warn [you. ]{4:15} For though ye
have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet [have ye] not
many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you
through the gospel.
1 Cor. {7:22} For he that is called in the Lord, [being] a servant, is
the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, [being]
free, is Christ’s servant. {7:23} Ye are bought with a price;
be not ye the servants of men. {7:24} Brethren, let every
man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
Let every man wherein he is called-
therein abide with God.
1 Cor {15:21} For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also
the resurrection of the dead. {15:22} For as in Adam all die,
even so in Christ shall all be made alive. {15:23} But every
man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they
that are Christ’s at his coming. {15:24} Then [cometh] the
end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God,
even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and
all authority and power. {15:25} For he must reign, till he
hath put all enemies under his feet. {15:26} The last enemy
[that] shall be destroyed [is] death. {15:27} For he hath put
all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are
put under [him, it is] manifest that he is excepted, which did
put all things under him. {15:28} And when all things shall
be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be
subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may
be all in all.
Afterward...
They that are Christ's at his coming.
2 Cor. {5:20}
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did
beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ’s stead, be ye
reconciled to God. {5:21} For he hath made him [to be] sin
for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in him.
We pray you in Christ's stead...
be ye reconciled to God.
2 Cor. {12:10} Therefore I take
pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am
weak, then am I strong.
For Christ's sake...
for when I am weak then am I strong.
Gal. {5:24}
And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the
affections and lusts. {5:25} If we live in the Spirit, let us
also walk in the Spirit. {5:26} Let us not be desirous of vain
glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
They that are Christ's...
have crucified the flesh.
If we live in the Spirit...
let us also walk in the Spirit.
Eph. {4:32} And be ye kind one to another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for
Christ’s sake hath forgiven you
Forgiving one another...
even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
1 Pet. {4:12} Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery
trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing
happened unto you: {4:13} But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are
partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be
revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. {4:14} If
ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye;] for
the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part
he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Rejoice...
inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings.
For Christ's sake; those that are Christ's; Christ's sufferings; are Christ's; Christ's stead; Christ's servant.
We are Christ's. We belong to Christ.
We must live in the Spirit, the Spirit Christ gives to us.
Have you ever felt compelled by the Spirit? I'm not talking some mystical otherworldly experience but rather have you ever felt the tugging of a Spirit within you to go against the natural man in you? The Holy Spirit is real and has been given to us so that we may live in Christ.
Ps. {51:10} Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit
within me.
{51:11} Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy
spirit from me.
{51:12} Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with
thy] free spirit.
By the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ may the Holy Spirit live in us, sealing us, making us Christ's forever and ever. Please Lord, take not thy Holy Spirit from us, from me. By faith, through Christ's righteousness none of my own but through His alone, forever and ever.
Amen.
Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive
together with me in [your] prayers to God for me
For the Lord Jesus Christ's sake.
For the love of the Spirit.
1 Cor. {4:9} For I think
that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were
appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the
world, and to angels, and to men. {4:10} We [are] fools for
Christ’s sake, but ye [are] wise in Christ; we [are] weak, but
ye [are] strong; ye [are] honourable, but we [are] despised.
{4:11} Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and
thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain
dwellingplace; {4:12} And labour, working with our own
hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer
it: {4:13} Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the
filth of the world, [and are] the offscouring of all things
unto this day. {4:14} I write not these things to shame you,
but as my beloved sons I warn [you. ]{4:15} For though ye
have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet [have ye] not
many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you
through the gospel.
1 Cor. {7:22} For he that is called in the Lord, [being] a servant, is
the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, [being]
free, is Christ’s servant. {7:23} Ye are bought with a price;
be not ye the servants of men. {7:24} Brethren, let every
man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
Let every man wherein he is called-
therein abide with God.
1 Cor {15:21} For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also
the resurrection of the dead. {15:22} For as in Adam all die,
even so in Christ shall all be made alive. {15:23} But every
man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they
that are Christ’s at his coming. {15:24} Then [cometh] the
end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God,
even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and
all authority and power. {15:25} For he must reign, till he
hath put all enemies under his feet. {15:26} The last enemy
[that] shall be destroyed [is] death. {15:27} For he hath put
all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are
put under [him, it is] manifest that he is excepted, which did
put all things under him. {15:28} And when all things shall
be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be
subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may
be all in all.
Afterward...
They that are Christ's at his coming.
2 Cor. {5:20}
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did
beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ’s stead, be ye
reconciled to God. {5:21} For he hath made him [to be] sin
for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in him.
We pray you in Christ's stead...
be ye reconciled to God.
2 Cor. {12:10} Therefore I take
pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am
weak, then am I strong.
For Christ's sake...
for when I am weak then am I strong.
Gal. {5:24}
And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the
affections and lusts. {5:25} If we live in the Spirit, let us
also walk in the Spirit. {5:26} Let us not be desirous of vain
glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
They that are Christ's...
have crucified the flesh.
If we live in the Spirit...
let us also walk in the Spirit.
Eph. {4:32} And be ye kind one to another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for
Christ’s sake hath forgiven you
Forgiving one another...
even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
1 Pet. {4:12} Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery
trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing
happened unto you: {4:13} But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are
partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be
revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. {4:14} If
ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye;] for
the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part
he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Rejoice...
inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings.
For Christ's sake; those that are Christ's; Christ's sufferings; are Christ's; Christ's stead; Christ's servant.
We are Christ's. We belong to Christ.
We must live in the Spirit, the Spirit Christ gives to us.
Have you ever felt compelled by the Spirit? I'm not talking some mystical otherworldly experience but rather have you ever felt the tugging of a Spirit within you to go against the natural man in you? The Holy Spirit is real and has been given to us so that we may live in Christ.
Ps. {51:10} Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit
within me.
{51:11} Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy
spirit from me.
{51:12} Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with
thy] free spirit.
By the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ may the Holy Spirit live in us, sealing us, making us Christ's forever and ever. Please Lord, take not thy Holy Spirit from us, from me. By faith, through Christ's righteousness none of my own but through His alone, forever and ever.
Amen.
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