Author: rbeaird

DID YOU HEAR WHAT PAUL SAID???


sPIRITUAL blog - Bond Servant

Romans 1:1-7 – “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; 7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  NKJV

 

Through the years, I have noticed and been guilty of reading the Bible from strictly a Western mentality.  I have contended for years that if we truly want to understand what is being said we have to understand what it meant to those who read and heard in that day.  Here in Romans Chapter 1, we find some powerful statements by the apostle Paul.

BONDSERVANT – The word is “Doulos”, which often is translated servant, but if we render it properly it means SLAVE.  It identifies one who is totally the property of his master and when Paul uses it here it is not for show but for defining purpose.  Those who heard his declaration understood that he was calling himself a SALVE of Jesus Christ and that his life was no longer his in any way but entirely the property of the LORD Jesus.  We say that but do we mean that?  He was “willingly” a slave to the LORD.

CALLED TO APOSTLESHIP – The word is “apostolos” which signifies a messenger or envoy.  He is one who has been sent on a confidential errand.  Here it goes far beyond that and means an “extraordinary messenger” sent on behalf of the Master of the Universe, God Himself.  The fact that Paul said he had been “called” to be an apostle signifies that he understood that He was joined to Jesus just as the Twelve had been.  He was truly a messenger with authority.

SEPARATED UNTO THE GOSPEL – This is important in that Paul is not just separated “from” the world but “to” the Gospel.  He has identified a specific work and a work to which he is separated.  The Gospel is his life, calling and purpose and as a SLAVE his purpose that which the LORD determines not his preference nor is it optional.  He has chosen to be exclusively committed to the purposes of God regardless of where that might lead or what the result might be.

Paul identifies this “gospel” which is timeless in the heart of God, promised through the prophets of old and is now coming to fruition.  The commitment to the “gospel” is paramount in the mind and heart of this apostle.  He has a purpose, assignment and mission in life and later would declare, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”  (2 Timothy 4:7-8). 

Paul’s life and ministry are marked by his singular commitment and dedication to his calling.  He refused to be dissuaded or diverted but set his heart to fulfilling the wishes of his LORD and MASTER to whom he considers himself a “willing slave.”  A slave for life by virtue of his choice to be completely bound by the Master’s desire.  That is an incredibly powerful message and testimony.  “I have totally committed my life, will, and desire to Him.  It is no longer my rights but His desire that controls my life and purpose.  I must decrease but He must continually increase.”   If that were the heart of each of us today, TOTALLY, we would see a revival like we have not heretofore seen.  I have not yet attained but I am, like Paul, pressing toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of Jesus.

God bless you as you reaffirm your commitment and embark on the journey of this day!

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GRACE GIVING – – Part III


Spiritual Blog - Grace Giving

2 Corinthians 8:1-7 – “Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us — see that you abound in this grace also.”  NKJV

 

             We have considered three of the pieces of evidence that one is engaged in Grace Giving so let’s consider others as well.  We know we are engaged in Grace Giving when…

  • We Give Willingly – [2 Corinthians 8:10-22]

There is a tremendous difference between PROMISE and PERFORMANCE.  The Corinthians had boasted to Titus a year earlier what they would do (v. 6) but had done nothing.  In [vv.10-12] Paul addresses WILLINGNESS because Grace Giving must come from the heart.

In my years of ministry, I have endured many offering appeals that were what I call auction offerings and coercions not examples of Grace Giving.  I have listened to heart-wrenching tales of dire need and forced myself to laugh at tired old jokes to somehow make it easier to part with my offering.  I have been scolded, shamed and almost threatened and I confess none of those stirred me to give more than I had planned to give and in honesty I have given less than I planned as a result and my becoming disgusted with what I considered a carnal approach.  We must be careful not to confuse WILLING with DOING.  If the “willingness” is sincere and in the will of God, there will be a corresponding “doing”.  Paul did not say that “willingness” was a substitute for “doing.”

I am convinced that God sees the “Gift of the Heart” as well as the “Gift in the Hand.”  If the heart wanted to do more but could not, God sees the heart.  I believe that God is more interested in the “proportion” than the “portion.”

  • We Give By Faith – [2 Corinthians 8:13-24]

Please understand I am not talking about writing a check on funds you do not have and say, “I’m giving by faith.”  I question if that is faith or presumption.  Rather step out in faith with the promise and as He puts it in your hands give it.

Grace Giving is an adventure of faith and incredibly exciting.  When we learn to give “by grace through faith” just as we were saved we will begin to experience a wonderful liberation that transcends circumstances and frees us from the hold of things in our lives.  Instead of things possessing us we will control them and we will find a development of a wonderful new set of values and priorities.  Grace Giving enriches us as we enrich others.  Grace Giving transforms us to be more like Jesus in our lives.

             May the LORD open the wonderful world of Grace Giving in your life and allow you to know the joy and thrill of His Grace in Giving!   May His Abundant Blessings by yours always!

 

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GRACE GIVING – – Part II


Spiritual Blog - Grace Giving

2 Corinthians 8:1-7 – “Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us — see that you abound in this grace also.”  NKJV

 

             Today I’d like to pick up where we left off last time and consider the Evidence that surfaces when we enter into GRACE GIVING.  I truly hope these are beneficial in your consideration of Giving and the Grace of God.  We know we are engaged in GRACE GIVING when…

  • We Give In Spite of Circumstances. [2 Corinthians 8:1-2]

The churches Paul used as an example were in Macedonia and had or were experiencing severe difficulties.  In fact (v.2) he identifies that they not only were in affliction but a “great trial of affliction”.  They were in “deep poverty” a term used to describe a beggar who has absolutely nothing and no hope of getting anything.  Out of the lack they gave.  Do you remember the widow with her two mites that Jesus took note?  GRACE GIVING.

Their situation may have been, in part, caused by their following Christ.  They may have lost jobs, etc. as a result of their confession of Jesus.  However, the beautiful thing is their circumstances did not prevent them from “giving what they had”.  What did Peter tell the beggar at the Gate Beautiful?  “Such as I have, I give…”  They gave JOYFULLY and LIBERALLY.  Imagine that!  Great affliction and deep poverty plus GRACE equals abundant joy and amazing liberality.  That makes no sense to the natural mind.

When you have experienced the Grace of God in your life you WILL NOT use difficult circumstances as an excuse or justification to not give.  Giving becomes an act of faith and a demonstration of confidence in God and His word.  If we remember that God is still in control and He truly owns the cattle on a thousand hills and is the one who gives bread to the eater and seed to the sower we can give as He directs knowing HE CAN and HE WILL provide.

  • We Give Enthusiastically – [2 Corinthians 8:3-4]

I ask, “Is it possible to give generously and not give enthusiastically?”  Maybe but incredibly infrequently.  The Macedonian church needed no prompting or reminders, they begged to be included. (v.4).

Their giving was completely voluntary and spontaneous.  It was Grace, not Pressure that prompted their giving.  We sometimes fail to understand that Grace not only frees us from sin but it frees us from ourselves.  The Grace of God opens both the heart and the hand.

  • We Give As Jesus Gave – [2 Corinthians 8:5-9]

Jesus is ALWAYS the preeminent example for us to follow whether in service, suffering or sacrifice.  The Macedonians gave themselves to others as Jesus. [v.5]. The Macedonian’s giving was motivated by LOVE. 

What a rebuke to the church at Corinth that was enriched with spiritual blessings and gifts. (1 Corinthians 1:4-5).  They were so wrapped up in their gifts they neglected the Grace of the Spirit.  Oh, how we need balance in our lives.  Let me offer this word of caution.  You may have incredible spiritual gifts but that can never become a substitute for generous giving.

Paul made sure that the Corinthians understood he was not ordering them to give.  He was contrasting the attitudes of the believers in Macedonia with those in Corinth.  His message was that Grace Giving is an evidence of love.

Let’s pause here and pick this up again in the next devotional.  May the LORD encourage your heart and quicken your spirit to allow His Grace to permeate your entire being.  Blessings as you go through this day!

 

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GRACE GIVING…


Spiritual Blog - Grace Giving

2 Corinthians 8:1-7 – “Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us — see that you abound in this grace also.”  NKJV

 

Charity, generosity, and giving are an integral part of the biblical message and mandate.  I would suggest that it is impossible to study the Bible without being confronted with the subject of giving.  In considering the historical setting for this passage, we realize that one of the major ministries or efforts of Paul’s third missionary journey was gathering special relief offerings for the poor Christians in Judea.  He had done this before as we see in Acts 11 and now he feels directed of the Spirit of God to do it again.  It is interesting to note that Paul cited a forgotten beatitude in Acts 20:35, “…It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  I would suggest there was more than just gathering relief funds in Paul’s efforts and can see at least three additional desires in his heart.

 

  • He wanted this offering to Strengthen the Unity of the Church as the Gentile congregations shared with the Jewish congregations across the sea.
  • He wanted this Evidence for the Jewish churches to prove that neither he nor the Gentile congregations were enemies.
  • He Hoped that the Generosity of the Gentiles would silence the apparent jealousy of the Jewish Christians.

 

The problem surfaced that the church at Corinth was not doing its part.  They had made promises but failed to keep them.  In fact, an entire year had been wasted (v.10).  What caused the delay?  It was the spiritual condition of the church at Corinth.  Their spiritual temperature was incredibly low.  A rule of thumb, I have found, is when a church is not spiritual they are not generous.  Likewise, when a person’s spiritual temperature is low their generosity also lessens.  Another cause was the invasion of the Judaizers, who frequently siphoned off as much money as they could.  So Paul saw a problem.  He addressed it using nine (9) different words to refer to this offering, but the one used most was GRACE.  He informed them that “giving” was truly a ministry of GRACE and FELLOWSHIP.  (v.4)  The ministry of helping others is vital but its motivation must be from the Grace of God.  I have witnessed and participated in GRACE GIVING and there is nothing which provides more joy and strength to the life and church than this.   

            Let me pose a question for your consideration:  “How Can We Know We Are Practicing Grace Giving?”  I did not ask how we can know we are giving but our giving is GRACE GIVING.  Paul uses several pieces of evidence which are evidenced when our giving is motivated by GRACE.

Although I hesitate to do so, I will pause here and consider these pieces of evidence in our next devotional.  Until then, may the LORD give you an overflow of His grace, peace, provision and power!  Blessings abundantly!

 

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PREPARATION PRECEDES BLESSING…


Spiritual Blog - Ditches

2 Kings 3:16-19 – “And he said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Make this valley full of ditches.’ 17 For thus says the LORD: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’ 18 And this is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD; He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand.”  NKJV

 

Everyone who recalls this account in the biblical record knows that the result was more than just providing water for Israel and Judah but when they prepared as directed by the prophet God worked an amazing miracle.  Not only did water flow into the ditches but when the Moabites looked at the ditches filled with a liquid substance they saw it as blood.  They thought the nations of Israel, Judah and Edom had turned on each other and the slaughter immense and rushed in to claim the spoils of victory.  That was their tragic mistake and were soundly defeated just as the prophet declared but, had they not done the preparation there would have been no blessing of victory.

There are other accounts in the Bible that clearly illustrate the need or requirement to make preparation to receive the blessings of the Lord.  The idea is rooted in the principle of “sowing and reaping”, the “law of harvest” and “giving and receiving”.   Remember in 2 Kings the widow who cried out in her dire circumstance to Elisha, he asked what she had in the house and her reply was a jar of oil.  He instructed her to gather all the vessels she could find in the house and from neighbors and as she complied the oil flowed until the vessels were filled.  She could have limited the blessing by limiting her obedience.

How about Naaman the Syrian when the prophet instructed him to dip seven times in the Jordan?  He resisted, at first, but then complied and when he did his healing became a reality.  Had he allowed his prejudice, pride, and expectation to prevent him from following the instructions and preparing for the blessing he would have died a leper in Syria!  Isaiah informed us that there had to be one who would PREPARE the way of the LORD and in Matthew we read that John the Baptist was that voice and John said, “I am not the Christ, but I am sent before Him… He must increase but I must decrease.”  John’s obedience and preparation paved the way for Messiah to be received and recognized.

There is no reconciliation without repentance, no healing for the blind man instructed to wash in the pool of Siloam and there is no blessing for you and me UNLESS we PREPARE a container in which to receive that blessing.  The Blessing is from the LORD but the obedience is our part of the equation.  The Law of Sowing and Reaping comes into play in all aspects and dimensions of life.  I heard something in my spirit about 2016 and beyond that, I will share.  I know some do not believe anyone can hear from God and I do not declare this was an audible voice but it was real in my heart and mind so I proceed.

Years ago, I was facing an imposing financial need of $500.00 to pay an obligation that was due and promised.  I realize that amount in today’s society might be considered a pittance but I had $55.00 to my name.  The Holy Spirit witnessed to my heart to “tithe on my need”.  That would mean placing $50.00 in the offering and retaining $5.00 to feed my family and care for our needs for the week.  I wanted to obey but my reason prevented me from doing so on Sunday morning and I kept the $50.00 in my pocket.  That night in the service I was so overwhelmed with the urgency and desire to obey that I literally threw the money in the offering.  I was elated and troubled at the same time.  The next day I ran an errand downtown and a person walked up to me, reached out to shake my hand and said, “Thank you for your faithfulness.”  They placed a piece of paper in my hands and I waited until I was alone to look at it and realized it was a check.  The amount was $550.00.  I cannot describe the emotion and awe I sensed in my heart.  God had done exactly what He said and had I not made the preparation through obedience I would not have received the blessing.

I sense in my spirit and believe that the Holy Spirit has spoken to my heart that the first 100 days of 2016 will determine and shape the next 1,000 days.  That what we do in the first 100 days will be preparation for the next 1,000.  Exactly what that means to each person will be different but I sense we are being told to MAKE PREPARATION in Obedience and then observe how He does what He does as a result.

  God bless you as you obey the Voice of the Spirit of God and prepare your hearts for his overflowing blessings and promises.   

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THE GLORY – Part III


Spiritual Blog - Glroy

Colossians 1:24-29 – “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.”  NKJV

  

Let’s take another step in our consideration of THE GLORY of God that is revealed to and lives in our hearts.  The question that needs to be addressed is, “What is sin?”  A very simplistic answer is UNLOVE.  It is the disobedience that issues forth from that UNLOVE.  What happens when we sin?  What does sin do to us?  It blows us apart!  That is why sinners are so tragic, they are blown apart on the inside.  The Good News is that when we receive Jesus who is the Love and Glory of God we are made WHOLE.  Deep down at the foundation of our beings we are made WELL.  God’s kind of Love inside us is making us well, together and whole.  Therefore, we are not ashamed because it is the power to make people whole that has come to us.  The Gospel works!  This is the Good News that puts people back together again.

I have had Christians tell of their frustration in taking one step forward and two back or two forward and one back in their walk.  Do not allow frustration to overtake you for it is “from GLORY to GLORY.”  This is a process and the process is not over.  We being changed from Glory to Glory, but never forget we are being changed!  Please hear me!  It is not that we are trying to get the Glory or trying to Love like God Loves.  The Bible does not teach that one day you will have arrived and made it to spiritual perfection here on earth.  That is the idea presented in some teaching I have heard.  You tried and tried, struggled, prayed and worked and with a little help you have finally achieved perfection.  NO!  It is “Christ IN YOU, the Hope of Glory.”   It is not you.  It is not your struggle that somehow, someway, someday you reached the pinnacle.  It is HIM!  It is Christ IN us.  It is Jesus living His life through us.  It is not us trying to be like Him it is Him being Himself in us.  Can you see the problem in the idea of trying to be like Jesus?  That puts Him on the outside as the ultimate example and leaves us in hopeless despair trying to be like Him.  That is not GOOD NEWS!  The Good News declares, “God not only says that I have sinned and He has forgiven me, but He tells me that I am helpless but He has come to LIVE His Life IN ME and THROUGH ME!”  

Philippians 2:12, “Work out your own salvation…” has become a major stumbling block for much of the church world today.  This verse simply says, “Go out there and LOVE as Jesus loved.  Work out your [sozo]. Love, forgive and put aside resentment anger while allowing compassion and tenderness to live in your heart.  God and be like Jesus.  Work out your own salvation!”  HOW?  I am not kidding, HOW?  This verse declares, “With fear and trembling.”  That is very interesting.  What does that mean?  It is a Greek expression meaning:  “Work out your own salvation, with no trust whatsoever in your own ability.”  So, how do we do that?  The apostle told us to go do it and we understand that we are not to trust in ourselves…  The problem is most do not finish the verse.  The rest of the verse declares, “…for it is God, who works IN YOU to will and do of His Good Pleasure.”  That’s the picture.  He is INSIDE of us and brings a WANT TO and the POWER to do it.  God doesn’t obliterate me as the old song “all of Him, and none of me” suggests.

Let me give you an example that might help.  If someone sings a solo in church and you say to them, “That really ministered to me.  It was a tremendous blessing.”  But they say, in intended humility, “It wasn’t me, it was the LORD.”  My thought is, “I could have sworn it was you on the platform.”  You were, at least, a participant in the song!  “For I live…”  We are never more alive than when we are IN CHRIST.  Do not trust yourself, it is CHRIST IN YOU.  That means we can celebrate our uniqueness, I live, yet not I…

Are you following me?  We are working out our own salvation with no trust in ourselves but in Him who lives in and through us.  It is not trying to be LIKE HIM.  It is Him being HIMSELF in us.  That causes me to remember the teaching of Jesus on the Vine and Branches.  Remember He said, “I am the true vine and you are the branches.  Abide in Me and you will bring forth much fruit.”   A Vine Branch is the most useless branch in the world.  If a vine branch isn’t producing grapes it is totally useless.  Jesus choose this illustration purposefully.  The Vine itself is invisible.  It is an invisible life that comes through a trunk and will inevitably produce a leaf which produces a flower which results in Grapes.  I have never seen a VINE.  I have seen it expressed in a leaf, flower, grape or branch.  That is the only way I can touch the Vine.  It comes through a branch and is expressed.  The branch of the vine will do that.  All it has to do is be in the main trunk.  It simply has to be in a position to receive.  The branch does nothing!  It is not the life but the life flows through it.

Jesus is that invisible life that is flowing through us!  Remember the words of our Lord in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest…”  The word “rest” means recreation or vacation.  Jesus declares, “Come unto me all you who are weary and heaven laden and I will give you a vacation.”  What is a vacation?  When you cease working!   Jesus was not addressing the group we would call sinners, He is speaking to believers!  He is saying if you are tired of working and working trying to be good and be like Me, STOP just come to Me and I will be that in and through you!  Being a Christian means you get to quit working trying to be like Him you simply begin allowing Him to be Himself through you.

I know that is super simplistic but I hope you understand that your willpower will not make you like Him.  Only Him living His life through you can do that.  We need to learn to be Human Beings, not simply Human Doings.  Lord, I pray that You help us grasp the truth that it is, “Christ in us, the hope of glory” and not of works that we have or will do.  It is you being you in our lives and in that position and condition we radiate the Love of God to the world.

            Blessings as you go through this day!

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THE GLORY – Part II


Spiritual Blog - Glory

Colossians 1:24-29 – “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.”  NKJV

In continuing with the thought of GOD’S GLORY, we need to consider an expression of love revealed in the Gospels.  Remember the first miracle in Cana of Galilee?  A wedding feast of a nameless couple and they have run out of wine.  That is bad!  Did you notice how Jesus did the miracle?  He did it quietly without fanfare.  He took approximately 180 gallons of water and no one knew it was happening.  Why?  So that no one would suffer embarrassment.  The host and the couple would have been humiliated with the revelation that they had run out of wine.  John said that when the water was turned into wine this was the FIRST TIME that Jesus had showed forth HIS GLORY!

Now, you might rightly ask, “What is so glorious about turning water into wine at a wedding feast?”  The fact that Jesus had incredible compassion on a couple of young people is amazing.  HE CARED!  When God became flesh and dwelt among us, it broke His heart to see a couple of young people embarking on a life together facing potential humiliation.  When John witnessed what Jesus did I can hear him say, “Now, there is the Glory of God!”  He demonstrated compassion, graciousness and caring in a very powerful manner.  John 17:22 is one of the most amazing verses in the Gospels.  Jesus was praying and it is vital that we hear Him.  “And the Glory which You gave Me I have given to them, that they may be one as We are one.”   It is “I” in them and “You” in Me that they may be perfected in UNITY.  You cannot miss what He said.  Jesus said that THE GLORY He has or is, He has given to all who believe.  The Glory is, “Jesus in us and we live through Him with His love shed abroad in our hearts.” 

Our natural minds have difficulty taking that in.  I am by nature a realist but the HOPE of the believer is not limited to the natural mind. The natural mind does not understand the things of God nor the desire that God has for us.  The natural mind would settle for being a “Good Christian.”  Whereas the mind of the Spirit of God is that THE GLORY that Jesus has is IN US shining forth to the world.  We are those who HOPE!  He declared it, therefore, I long for my life to be a reflection of “Christ in me.”  This is not intended to be a picture of what we will be in heaven but here and now on planet earth.

If you remember back to your childhood Sunday school days when the teacher quoted 1 Corinthians 2:9 and they’d stop the quotation saying, “That is Heaven.”  But in verse 10 we find, “But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit…”  The natural mind, natural eye, the natural ear cannot comprehend but the Spirit of God does and we are spirit beings. He communicates truth to our spirits.  The Amplified reads, “But to us, God has unveiled and revealed them to us by His Spirit.”   That is HOPE!  You and I can go through this day and the rest of our lives expecting the Love of God to be in our lives and radiate out from us.  We can Love as Jesus Loved!  That is a revelation of the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18 is a most interesting passage, “We all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the Glory of the Lord are being transformed into the same image, from Glory to Glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”  Another translation renders it, “We are constantly being transfigured into His very own Image, in every increasing splendor from one degree of Glory to another.”   That “IS” happening to us!  Therefore, never get down on yourself or be unfair to yourself. You ARE NOT the person you were or the person you will be.  There are things falling away from your life daily, things you never dreamed would go.  You have loved persons you never thought you could love.  YOU ARE and HAVE FORGIVEN!

The Bible declares that the purpose of God is to conform you to the Image of His Son.  Worldly hope is laced with disappointment but biblical hope has God written in it.  Romans 5:5, “And HOPE does not disappoint, because the Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts.”  Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the Power of God unto Salvation…”  Salvation does not mean simply saved from Hell.  The Greek is [sozo] – To make whole or well.  The Gospel has the Power of God for SOZO – Wholeness.  He is granting us TOTAL HEALING of the Spirit!

I still have some things I’d like to share on this subject so I will hit the pause button and hold my thoughts until tomorrow.  Until that time, it is my genuine prayer and desire that the LORD of Host infuses in your hearts Biblical Hope.  May His Glory be revealed in you powerfully.  BLESSINGS!

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THE GLORY – Reveals Biblical Hope…


Spiritual Blog - Glory

 

Colossians 1:24-29 – “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.”  NKJV

 

Biblical HOPE is incredibly powerful and vital to those seeking to Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk and Live the Life in Christ.  It grips my heart each time I read, “Christ in you, the HOPE of Glory.”  Immediately, I contemplate the question, “What is Glory?”  I have previously given a definition of Glory as LOVE but a complete definition would be – “The Outshining of God.”  In that, it is WHO GOD IS and who God is, shines forth reaching and blessing man.  God is Love so Glory is Love but it is more it is WHO GOD IS shining forth.

In the Old Testament they “saw” the presence of God.  It came forth as a light or brightness that was virtually indescribable.  Remember Paul on the Road to Damascus and the Light (Christ) he encountered?  The Glory of God means the very heart of God.  It is Him shining forth to man.  Moses appeared to be fascinated with that and from the time God revealed Himself at the burning bush, Moses could not live with what He had seen of God, He was driven to know more.  Remember in Exodus 33:18 he prayed, “…Please show me Your Glory.”  God’s response was, “I Myself will make all My Goodness pass before you.  I will proclaim the Name of the LORD before you…”  That is important!

WHAT IS IN A NAME?  A name in the Bible didn’t simply mean the identifier by which you were called.  It always reflected CHARACTER or who you were or would be.  Therefore, God said, “I will reveal my Glory/Name” and in the next chapter, we read, “The LORD passed in front of Moses and proclaimed…”  (34:6). In that moment, a shimmering outshining uncreated light who is God passed before Moses and in the midst of it Moses heard, “This is Who I am.”  Moses saw the LORD, who is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness pass before him.

Lovingkindness is an interesting word.  There is a passage in the Bible that sums it up neatly, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  It means, “I will love you, love you, love you and never let you go!”  It is the idea that no matter where we go God is going to cling to us because He loves us.  That is Lovingkindness.  I can almost hear the conversation between God and Moses.  God saying, “Moses, you want to know what this Radiant Light is.  You want to know Who I am, My Glory.  I am Graciousness and Compassion.  I deal with people in a manner they do not deserve because I LOVE THEM.  I am slow to anger, abounding in a love that will never let you go.  This is who I am.”  That is the nature of God.

Romans 3:23 declares, “For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God.”  Interesting!  One definition of SIN is, “man has come short of loving as God loves.”  The Glory of God is His LOVE!  That truly is the essence of sin for out of love comes obedience and in the Garden disobedience plunged the human race into darkness but at the Cross love lifted the race out of the miry clay and offers a rock to stand on in the Light of God’s Love.  Jesus comes as the revelation of God’s Glory.  In John 1:14, “…we beheld His glory, the Glory of the Only Begotten of the Father…”  John declared that as He walked with Him, the Word, the Eternal Out-speaking of God, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His Glory.  WE SAW LOVE!  We witnessed in Jesus a Love that was unearthly and beyond this planet.  We saw THE GLORY OF GOD!

There is much more to say but I will pause here and wait until tomorrow to proceed.  Until then I pray the LORD of Hosts shed His love abroad in your hearts and you walk as demonstrations of God’s Glory in your present world.  BLESSINGS!

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THE INFINITE VICTORY OF CHRIST – – Part IV


Spiritual Blog - Prayer

Ephesians 6:10 – “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” NKJV

  

I would suggest that the real Battle in Jesus’ Infinite Victory was fought in the Garden of Gethsemane.  This is where Jesus went through the agonies of which we read.  The Bible account only scratches the surface but are hints as to what was going on inside.  It was the Agony that was producing clots of blood which oozed from his pores.  The entire gamut of emotions raged in His being.  No human had every experienced what He was experiencing.

Hebrews 5:7, “In the days of His flesh when He offered up His prayers and supplications with loud cryings and tears…”  [Gethsemane].  “He prayed to Him that was able to save Him from death.  Who was heard because of His piety.  Although He was a Son, He learned obedience in the things He suffered.”  It was in Gethsemane Jesus faced and learned an Obedience He had never faced before.  He faced a CHOICE.  He saw Himself becoming SIN, our sin.  “He who knew no sin…” Now that one is going to take our sin on Himself and the entire sewer of human evil is going to meet and focus in Him.  That is incredible!  Jesus accepted that in Obedience.  In fact, Isaiah 53 tells us, “It pleased the LORD to bruise Him…The LORD laid oh Him the iniquity of us all.”  In Obedience, Jesus took our Iniquity.

Imagine the one who knew no sin standing before the throne of heaven accused of breaking every law and of unlove.  He stood before the courts of heaven AS SIN.  This is not a game.  It is not changing hats.  IT IS REAL.  Jesus faced the full hatred of the devil and the worst hell can hurl at Him.  He is, for that moment, under the devil’s power because sin is upon Him and that places Him in the hands of the devil.

Remember He is not standing there as one individual but the entire race.  He is going to meet the Lie and meet him unrestrained not as Job where the devil has restraints and could not kill Job.  This is the only time Jesus cried not, “My Father” but “My God” and followed that with “why has Thou forsaken Me?”  Jesus knew that no one had ever been or would ever be as dead as He at that moment.  He OBEYS “for” us and “as” us to save us.

Let me give you something more.  This is not a picture that we readily grasp.  Someone takes our place and what happens to them happens to us.  Remember the story of David and Goliath.  There was basically as a stalemate between the Israelites and the Philistines.  The challenge was “Let ONE champion come out and whoever wins would win for the entire nation.”  When Jesus went into Gethsemane He is ALL OF US.  He is the entire race!  Whatever happens, to Him happens to us.  The cup Jesus was given was to restore fellowship to God for the entire race.  This is ULTIMATE OBEDIENCE.  Jesus is forsaken by the Father. He lost all sense of the presence and love of the Father. It was the awful darkness of rejection and He experienced the Father’s wrath against sin.  In the midst of all that He OBEYS!  I truly do not believe we grasp what happened and view it romantically as a nice story.  It was horrendous!

The Cross was the place of the Curse, the Curse of Eden and the Curse of the Law.  Satan is drawn to this one.  I am convinced that Satan did not understand the Other Law that if one dies for another they all go free.  He only saw a potential victory.  When Jesus was placed on the Cross it was the Father saying to the devil, “Do your worst.”  When Jesus died on the Cross evil had done its worst and it failed.  Jesus is still there because He was the sinless sacrifice for sin and by His victory we all can go free!  The devil’s power and authority have been broken.  The First Adam gave Him control the Last Adam took it back. 

 When Jesus rose from the dead, death was now dead.  Satan was totally stripped of his authority and power.  Ephesians 1:19 – “The working of the strength of His might, which He brought about in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in heavenly places, far above all rule, and authority and power, and dominion, and every name that is named.”  Colossians 2:15 – “When He had disarmed the rulers, and authorities He made a public display of them having triumphed over them.”  Revelation 5:6 – “I saw a Lamb as it had been slain.  And He came up to the Throne and He heard the multitudes upon multitudes of the ages saying, worthy is the Lam.  For thou, hast redeemed us by thy blood…”

    WE ARE FREE!   Free by the Blood of the Lamb!  Philippians 2:8 – “Unto Him was given a Name which is above every name.  That at the Name of Jesus, every knee should bow and every tongue confesses that He is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Jesus not only said the devil was the “strongman” but that the “strongman” could be BOUND and then His possessions taken.  Jesus took us from the devil…  Revelation 20 describes the Cross as the devil being bound.  He no longer has power.  The Psalmist said, “You have broken the teeth of the evil one.”  That is the picture of a shepherd.  When wild dogs or other animals would attack the shepherd would take his staff and break out their teeth.  They may continue to scare the sheep but cannot harm them because they are toothless.

Not only did the Last Adam defeat the devil but He brought forth a New Race (New Creations in Christ) filled with the Glory of God.  He brought forth a new race of Lovers!  Therefore, there are two races in the world.  Those who only go back to the First Adam and those who miraculously come forth from the Last Adam.  This new race finds themselves in the midst of a hostile world that would destroy them but if we are in the FINALLY, we are reminded that the world we face is a DEFEATED ONE!

You do not continue to try to win what you have won.  You do not continue to try to win a war that is won. You live in the victory of that triumph!  That is why the message is not to fight, fight, fight but STAND, STAND, STAND!  Jesus’ Victory was total and complete.  We are more than conquerors through Him UNLESS we continue to believe the Lie!  I never make fun of the devil for I respect power.  I know where the real power is, it is behind the bars of the Cross and I stand in the Name of Jesus.  He is Lord!

Now is the time that we stop trying to win a won war and start enforcing and enjoying the Infinite Victory of Christ!  God bless you as you go through this day!

 

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THE INFINITE VICTORY OF CHRIST – Part III


Spiritual Blog - Strongman

Ephesians 6:10 – “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”  NKJV

In continuing with consideration of the Infinite Victory of Christ and our Triumph I call your attention to the LORD’s description of the devil in the Gospels where, He called him “the strongman” and described the human race as the “strongman’s possession.”  The devil holds the unregenerate race in his control.  I am not saying they are demon possessed but bound.  I am describing a condition in which man who was made to walk in the Glory of God, filled with that Glory and radiate that Glory is bound by the devil.

What is the Glory?  What is it that we have come short of in our sin?  Exodus 33 & 34 informs us that the Glory of God is LOVE!  It is the love that God is.  It is the love that will not let us go.  It is the love that will die for its enemies.  It is the Agape of God.  Do you get that picture?  Man, made in the Image of God, was made to be a receiver and reflector of that Glory.  That man was made to radiate the Love of God everywhere.  He was made to be Lord over the Earth so that the whole Earth might be filled with the Glory of God.  This Earth was to be ruled by mankind who would radiate the Glory of God!  That is the plan and man blew it.

That was the Plan but there is a problem.  All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God.  But what is the definition of sin?  A super simplistic definition would be failing to love as God loves.  That would make sin Unlove!  Sin is missing the mark and the mark was obedience.  Sin is not the “acts” we so often call sin but the disobedience wherein man lost his identity (united with God) and the meaning of life (to love as God loves).  This man came out of the Garden of Eden lost.  He can no longer fulfill his purpose and he is confused, stumbling through life trying to make sense of it all.  He is living in darkness, bound by the evil one.

There is another law that I am convinced the devil didn’t know nor did man.  It was a law outside of time.  Here in time, there is “The Law” but there was “Another Law” echoed by Peter when He said, “The lamb slain BEFORE the foundation of the world.”  Before there was time, a planet, man or the devil in the heart of God there was a Royal Law that is bound up in Who God is.  It is His nature.  It is the Law that “One who is sinless can take the place and be the substitute for the sinner.”  The sinless one can lift the curse!

When God said NO to the fig leaves and clothed them with the fur of an animal the idea was there.  The animal had to die so their shame could be covered.  Then God gave the cryptic word to Adam and Eve that one day the seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent.  See it?  Someone would come and be a deliverer!  In fact, all the sacrifices of the Old Testament are hints of this Law.  The animal dies in our place so when Jesus comes and is identified as “The Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the World” we see the Law in full effect.  The Bible calls Jesus THE LAST ADAM, not the second one.  He is the LAST because IT IS FINISHED!  The work of salvation complete!  The doorway to Eternal Salvation has been opened.

The First Adam was DISOBEDIENT the Last Adam was OBEDIENT.  Philippians 2 declares that He was obedient even to the death on the Cross.  That is the point of the temptation of Jesus.  The devil was trying to draw Him out into disobedience but Jesus obeyed.  That brought us to the Grand Finale for it is the Obedience of Jesus that broke the power of the devil.  It is that Obedience that brought forth a New Race who are ONE WITH CHRIST!  The First Adam brought forth a race and the Last Adam brings forth a race.

Obedience must be freely chosen.  It cannot be coerced or forced.  Jesus, when He went to the Cross, did so willingly and voluntarily.  He chooses to take the place of all mankind and thereby is the one who stripped the devil of his power and authority.

I know I am going long but there is a bit more I desire to share and will do so tomorrow.  Until then may the Lord bless you and keep you is my prayer!  Blessings!

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