"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.." (II Corinthians 9:15)
God’s ‘unspeakable’ gift to us was His Son, Jesus. Of Himself, Jesus said, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water." (John 4:10)
Because of God’s wonderful gift, we can have other gifts such as a ‘gift of a relationship with God’. John 1:12 states that all who receive Him, those who believe in His name, He gives the right to be called the sons and daughters of God.
He also gives the ‘gift of His Grace’. Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by Grace you have been saved…" We have received the ‘gift of Eternal Life’, as according to Romans 6:23 "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
One reason I think of God’s gift as being unspeakable, and perhaps part of Paul’s thinking in II Corinthians 9:15, is that it is greater than we can grasp with our finite minds. Jesus is God, 2nd person in the Trinity, totally God. Yet in order to become the propitiation for man’s sin, He had to take on a human body. In doing so He had to become a human being. Now we have something beyond our imagination, something incredible, beyond words, unspeakable. He was still God, just as though He had never been man; yet He was man as though He had never been God.
And He did this as a gift to each of us. "For God so loved the world that He gave (this Unspeakable Gift) His only begotten son, that whosoever believes on Him will have eternal life." (John 3:16)
So at this Christmas season as we open our gifts from those we love, let us remember the most indescribable, most unspeakably amazing gift of all, ours just for the taking. This gift is Jesus, all wrapped up in love!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Tea Cups
They mostly just sit in my cabinet gathering dust, but a few years ago I used them every week for awhile. It was after I had retired, and during the day I was home alone most of the time. As I had my devotions one day, I was impressed with the well known verse from Revelation 3:20 that states Jesus said He would come in and ‘sup’ with me; so I decided to provide a place for this. I would set out a couple of my special teacups, fill them with coffee or tea and imagine my Lord sitting with me, to ‘sup’ with me. It was very easy to just tell Him my heart as we had our ‘tea party’.
This brings to mind ‘cups’ that our Savior mentioned in the Scripture. The first one, which stands out to me, was in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before He was crucified. He prayed "O Father if it be possible, let this ‘cup’ pass away from me." I have read different thoughts on this; some say He was afraid of the physical part. I do not believe it was physical at all. I believe it was my sin and your sin that He knew He would bear. He was not to just carry it as a load, He would drink this ‘cup’ of sin, and it would become a part of Him. He knew it was at this point of time when sin and God would clash, and God would have to turn away from His Son. Oh, what a bitter cup!
Jesus accepted that first ‘cup’, and now He can offer us a ‘cup’, the cup of communion as He says "this is my blood which was shed for you, drink ye all of it." Are you ready to drink of that cup? Am I ready to accept what He did on Calvary and give Him my life, and my all? Are you?
When we have given Him our life, we will then be able to do as He asks in Matthew 10:42: "whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is my disciple, surely I declare to you he shall not lose his reward."
I may have some lovely bone china teacups, probably valuable only to me, but He provides the blessings to fill my spiritual cup, to last for all eternity.
"Fill my cup, Lord,
I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more—
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!
(By Richard Blanchard)
Friday, October 28, 2011
A Worm to a Butterfly
"Strip yourselves of your former nature (put off and discard your old unrenewed self) which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion: And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind (having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude), And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, (Godlike) in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24 (Amplified)
For years I had the prayer that God would take me, this worm of a human being, and turn me into a butterfly. Make me what Ephesians 4:24 states, "created in God’s image, in true righteousness and holiness." Then as I began studying God’s Word, I realized, I already am a butterfly. The day I accepted Christ as my Savior, I became a new being. Isaiah 61:3 tells me, He took my ashes and gave me beauty. In Isaiah 61:10 it states "(You) clothed me with garments of salvation, (You) have wrapped me in a robe of righteousness…as a bride adorned with her jewels." II Corinthians 5:17 says, "if any person is in Christ he is a new creation." And in Colossians 3:10 (amplified) "And have clothed yourself with the new spiritual self, which is renewed and remolded into...knowledge after the image of Him who created it."
Wow! I already am a beautiful new creation in God’s sight! I have a new spiritual self! And someday I shall even have a new body, a glorified body, and one like Christ’s glorified body. David is one who realized this when he stated in Psalm 17:15 "I shall be satisfied when I wake in thy likeness." Paul tells us in Philippians 3:21 "(Lord Jesus Christ) shall change our lowly body that it may be fashioned like his glorious body…"
You see, I am already a butterfly, what more could I ask for. My soul is a new creation, and soon, my body will be also.
Thank you, Lord, for taking this worm and making me into a butterfly! Amen
*From the heart of CC
For years I had the prayer that God would take me, this worm of a human being, and turn me into a butterfly. Make me what Ephesians 4:24 states, "created in God’s image, in true righteousness and holiness." Then as I began studying God’s Word, I realized, I already am a butterfly. The day I accepted Christ as my Savior, I became a new being. Isaiah 61:3 tells me, He took my ashes and gave me beauty. In Isaiah 61:10 it states "(You) clothed me with garments of salvation, (You) have wrapped me in a robe of righteousness…as a bride adorned with her jewels." II Corinthians 5:17 says, "if any person is in Christ he is a new creation." And in Colossians 3:10 (amplified) "And have clothed yourself with the new spiritual self, which is renewed and remolded into...knowledge after the image of Him who created it."
Wow! I already am a beautiful new creation in God’s sight! I have a new spiritual self! And someday I shall even have a new body, a glorified body, and one like Christ’s glorified body. David is one who realized this when he stated in Psalm 17:15 "I shall be satisfied when I wake in thy likeness." Paul tells us in Philippians 3:21 "(Lord Jesus Christ) shall change our lowly body that it may be fashioned like his glorious body…"
You see, I am already a butterfly, what more could I ask for. My soul is a new creation, and soon, my body will be also.
"Like developing butterflies,
We are to shed the cocoon
Of our sinful nature that we might
Emerge into the beauty of Christ."
(Unknown)
Thank you, Lord, for taking this worm and making me into a butterfly! Amen
*From the heart of CC
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Hands
Not too long ago, I was looking at my hands. They now have many brown spots, that we call age spots. (Maybe they are sort of like the rings on the tree, the more rings, the older it is; with hands, the more spots, the older the person.) The skin itself is beginning to get that transparent look, and when pinched up, it stays up. I remember as children when my siblings and I would do that to my grandmothers' hands, and we would laugh and giggle.
But these hands haven't always been this way. There was a time very long ago when they were much smaller, chubby and dimpled, and they would reach up and grab the big hand of my father or mother and feel safe. Even when my children were small, these hands were smooth, slender, the skin tight, and there were no spots. They would reach down and grab the small hand of my son or daughter to keep them safe. These hands would throw a ball, color a picture, or wipe a tear. But time brings about changes, and the young become the old. Just as the dark hair turns white, so the hands change and begin to show their age.
As I sit here musing over my hands, I am reminded of another pair of hands, the hands of our Savior. He used his hands to touch the blind, the sick, the dead; bringing healing and life. It was His hands that were nailed to the cross in my stead. It is His hands, His precious hands that hold me. He has said "He holds me in the palm of his hand" and "No man can pluck me out of His hand". Jn 10:28. Thank you , Jesus, for your blessed hands.
But these hands haven't always been this way. There was a time very long ago when they were much smaller, chubby and dimpled, and they would reach up and grab the big hand of my father or mother and feel safe. Even when my children were small, these hands were smooth, slender, the skin tight, and there were no spots. They would reach down and grab the small hand of my son or daughter to keep them safe. These hands would throw a ball, color a picture, or wipe a tear. But time brings about changes, and the young become the old. Just as the dark hair turns white, so the hands change and begin to show their age.
As I sit here musing over my hands, I am reminded of another pair of hands, the hands of our Savior. He used his hands to touch the blind, the sick, the dead; bringing healing and life. It was His hands that were nailed to the cross in my stead. It is His hands, His precious hands that hold me. He has said "He holds me in the palm of his hand" and "No man can pluck me out of His hand". Jn 10:28. Thank you , Jesus, for your blessed hands.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Common Sense
Recently I received an e-mail about an OBIT of the late Mr. Common Sense. I will give some of it here so you can get the gist of it:
"Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. …He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Life isn’t always fair; and maybe it was my fault….. His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. i.e. A 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student. It declined further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or aspirin to a student, but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses…Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. "
Just what is Common Sense that it could so easily slip away and so few notice?
Webster’s Dictionary definition is: "Ordinary good sense or sound practical judgment."
Here is what the Bible says about it, found in Jeremiah 10:23: "…It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps." To me this is saying it is just not in us to have sound practical judgment or ‘Common Sense’. Proverbs 16:3 gives us instructions on how to have this "Common Sense" however: "Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established." So when one stays close to the Lord, He will help our thoughts to be as with ‘Common Sense.’ If we will stay tuned in to the Lord, we will hear a word behind us say ‘this is the way, walk in it’. (Isaiah 30:21).
Our Lord will guide our steps, direct our path, protect us from harm when we establish our thoughts on Him, and he will give us ordinary good sense known as "Common Sense".
*Webster New World Dictionary
*From the heart of CC
"Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. …He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Life isn’t always fair; and maybe it was my fault….. His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. i.e. A 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student. It declined further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or aspirin to a student, but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses…Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. "
Just what is Common Sense that it could so easily slip away and so few notice?
Webster’s Dictionary definition is: "Ordinary good sense or sound practical judgment."
Here is what the Bible says about it, found in Jeremiah 10:23: "…It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps." To me this is saying it is just not in us to have sound practical judgment or ‘Common Sense’. Proverbs 16:3 gives us instructions on how to have this "Common Sense" however: "Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established." So when one stays close to the Lord, He will help our thoughts to be as with ‘Common Sense.’ If we will stay tuned in to the Lord, we will hear a word behind us say ‘this is the way, walk in it’. (Isaiah 30:21).
Our Lord will guide our steps, direct our path, protect us from harm when we establish our thoughts on Him, and he will give us ordinary good sense known as "Common Sense".
*Webster New World Dictionary
*From the heart of CC
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Intervention
I just can not seem to stay away. When God gives me a thought I love to write it down, and then as I look it over I think "I must share this"; so what better way than to put it in a 'blog'. I am also changing the name to "Gens from the Heart". Or maybe later I will think about something else, like "Gems from the Word". After all, the gems I find are found in God's Word, and then he speaks them to my heart.
Recently I came across a new thought on the word "Intercession". The verse is from Hebrews 7:25 (KJV):
Recently I came across a new thought on the word "Intercession". The verse is from Hebrews 7:25 (KJV):
"Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him,
seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them."
The word for 'intercession' in the Greek is 'intugehano'. This word 'intugehano' actually means 'intervention'. In the verse in Hebrews where it says Jesus is in heaven 'interceding' for us, he is actually 'intervening' for us. He is coming between my sin and the Holy Father.
Our Father in Heaven cannot look on sin, yet he can look at me because He sees me perfect because Jesus 'intervened' for me. He sees the perfection of Jesus, the Holy and perfect Son, because Jesus intervened and took the fall. Because of Jesus, God the Father now looks beyond my faults, beyond my sin, and sees the one who 'intervened' now sitting at His right hand 'interceding' for this unworthy sinner who is saved by Grace. What a God!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Bloggy Break
After nearly 4 years of blogging, either daily or once a week, I have decided it is time to take a "bloggy break". I have been rereading comments received over these past years, and pray for each one of you. I look forward to seeing you in Glory some day soon!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Z is for 'Zion'
Unless one of my readers knows of a "Z" name for God, I have been unable to find one. The word Zion however, has a very Biblical meaning. In Psalm 87 it states the Lord loves the gates of Zion, and calls it the City of God’.
The word Zion occurs over 150 times in the Bible and is referred to both as the ‘city of God’ and the ‘city of David’.
The name Zion originally referred to an ancient Jebusite fortress, and after David captured this stronghold, it was called the ‘city of David’. In II Samuel 5:7 it says "Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David."
In the New Testament the name Zion is given a spiritual meaning as God’s spiritual kingdom, the heavenly Jerusalem. In Hebrews 12:22 it says "But ye are come unto Mount Zion and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem…". When the term "Mount Zion" is used, it usually is referring to the heavenly Zion as in Rev. 14:1 "And I looked and lo, a Lamb (Jesus) stood on Mount Zion…".
So it is, as the Bible progresses, the word Zion transitions from referring primarily to the physical city of Jerusalem, to the more spiritual context of our future home, the heavenly Jerusalem.
I can think of no better way to end our trip through the alphabet, praising our Adonai, our Immanuel, our Rock, bowing before our Yahweh, than to look forward to the day when we shall march through the gates of Zion; that beautiful city of God.
The word Zion occurs over 150 times in the Bible and is referred to both as the ‘city of God’ and the ‘city of David’.
The name Zion originally referred to an ancient Jebusite fortress, and after David captured this stronghold, it was called the ‘city of David’. In II Samuel 5:7 it says "Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David."
In the New Testament the name Zion is given a spiritual meaning as God’s spiritual kingdom, the heavenly Jerusalem. In Hebrews 12:22 it says "But ye are come unto Mount Zion and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem…". When the term "Mount Zion" is used, it usually is referring to the heavenly Zion as in Rev. 14:1 "And I looked and lo, a Lamb (Jesus) stood on Mount Zion…".
So it is, as the Bible progresses, the word Zion transitions from referring primarily to the physical city of Jerusalem, to the more spiritual context of our future home, the heavenly Jerusalem.
I can think of no better way to end our trip through the alphabet, praising our Adonai, our Immanuel, our Rock, bowing before our Yahweh, than to look forward to the day when we shall march through the gates of Zion; that beautiful city of God.
"We’re marching to Zion,
Beautiful, beautiful Zion,
We’re marching upward to Zion,
The beautiful City of God."
-----By Robert Lowry
Monday, August 15, 2011
Y is for Yahweh
From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia on the Internet, the word ‘Yahweh’ is transcribed into Roman letters as YHWH. This form of four letters is known as the Tetragrammation. The most likely meaning of the name may be "He brings Into Existence Whatever Exists".
Yay! They got it right! Our God does bring into existence whatever exists. All things are made by Him!
The Bible (which I believe to be the true and inspired Word of God) describes ‘Yahweh’ as the One True God. God said "I am Yahweh your God who brought you out of Egypt, where you lived as slaves. You shall have no other gods to rival me." Yahweh demanded the roll of the one true God in the hearts and the minds of Israel. "Hear Israel: Yahweh is our God; Yahweh is one: and you shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your might." As Christians, we believe Jesus is the human incarnation of Yahweh.
Yahweh (Yah-ve) is sometimes referred to as Jehovah, with the primary meaning of "self-existent one". The ‘tetragrammation’ of YHWH, was considered too sacred to be spoken aloud, so other names were used for names that would be uttered. To add vowel points to YHWH, it makes it sound like ‘Yehova’, and thus the later word of Jehovah, meaning "My Lord."
To the name Jehovah, we see various names added to reveal His character. For example, when God provided the ram in the thicket for Abraham, he came to know God as Jehovah-Jireh, (He will Provide). When God revealed himself to David as the Shepherd, David called Him Jehovah-Rohi, the Lord our shepherd. We discussed ‘Nissi’ as our ‘N’ word a few weeks ago, giving the name Jehovah-Nissi; the Lord is my banner. This shows that Jehovah is the Lord, and the added name helps us understand ‘Who He is’.
We need to spend time praising God simply for who He is by using His various names:
He is Jehovah-elyon—"The Lord most High"
He is Jehovah-shalom—The Lord our peace"
He is my Yahweh, my Jehovah, The King of Glory! (Psalm 24:7)
Yay! They got it right! Our God does bring into existence whatever exists. All things are made by Him!
The Bible (which I believe to be the true and inspired Word of God) describes ‘Yahweh’ as the One True God. God said "I am Yahweh your God who brought you out of Egypt, where you lived as slaves. You shall have no other gods to rival me." Yahweh demanded the roll of the one true God in the hearts and the minds of Israel. "Hear Israel: Yahweh is our God; Yahweh is one: and you shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your might." As Christians, we believe Jesus is the human incarnation of Yahweh.
Yahweh (Yah-ve) is sometimes referred to as Jehovah, with the primary meaning of "self-existent one". The ‘tetragrammation’ of YHWH, was considered too sacred to be spoken aloud, so other names were used for names that would be uttered. To add vowel points to YHWH, it makes it sound like ‘Yehova’, and thus the later word of Jehovah, meaning "My Lord."
To the name Jehovah, we see various names added to reveal His character. For example, when God provided the ram in the thicket for Abraham, he came to know God as Jehovah-Jireh, (He will Provide). When God revealed himself to David as the Shepherd, David called Him Jehovah-Rohi, the Lord our shepherd. We discussed ‘Nissi’ as our ‘N’ word a few weeks ago, giving the name Jehovah-Nissi; the Lord is my banner. This shows that Jehovah is the Lord, and the added name helps us understand ‘Who He is’.
We need to spend time praising God simply for who He is by using His various names:
He is Jehovah-elyon—"The Lord most High"
He is Jehovah-shalom—The Lord our peace"
He is my Yahweh, my Jehovah, The King of Glory! (Psalm 24:7)
Monday, August 8, 2011
X is for Xristo
The X we often see used as Xmas, is actually the Greek symbol for ‘Chi’, ‘Christo, or ‘Xristo’. In early times it was actually used for Christ Himself.
The exact origin of X for Christ is difficult to pinpoint. Some have said it began in the first century AD, when symbols were readily used. Some Bible scholars feel it was later, around the 13th century along with Christian abbreviations and symbols used in the middle ages. It is also believed that early Christians put an X symbol above their doors to identify themselves to other believers and yet keeping their faith secret.
When the Gutenberg printing press was invented in 1436, each letter was individually set by placing a block in a strip. Typesetting was tedious and expensive, so in order to save time and money one short cut was using an X for Christ when printing the bible.
This letter used in place of Christ had a long Christian history until more recent years when the history of it has faded or not been passed on; therefore it has now become misunderstood. Many Christians feel by using X as in Xmas, they are leaving Christ out, but it is actually the same word, by using Greek symbols.
Other uses for the ‘X’ for ‘Chris’ are Xtina, for the name ‘Christina’; Xtal for ‘crystal’. Florists use it as in ‘Xant’ for ‘Chrysanthemum’.
So next time you hear the word Xmas, instead of being upset, share a bit of Christian history and your knowledge of Greek letters and symbols.
My Prayer: Lord, as a child of God, with power and wisdom from You, help me not to be so quick to find fault with expressions and words I do not understand. Help me rather, to show discernment and study to show myself approved unto God, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. Amen
The exact origin of X for Christ is difficult to pinpoint. Some have said it began in the first century AD, when symbols were readily used. Some Bible scholars feel it was later, around the 13th century along with Christian abbreviations and symbols used in the middle ages. It is also believed that early Christians put an X symbol above their doors to identify themselves to other believers and yet keeping their faith secret.
When the Gutenberg printing press was invented in 1436, each letter was individually set by placing a block in a strip. Typesetting was tedious and expensive, so in order to save time and money one short cut was using an X for Christ when printing the bible.
This letter used in place of Christ had a long Christian history until more recent years when the history of it has faded or not been passed on; therefore it has now become misunderstood. Many Christians feel by using X as in Xmas, they are leaving Christ out, but it is actually the same word, by using Greek symbols.
Other uses for the ‘X’ for ‘Chris’ are Xtina, for the name ‘Christina’; Xtal for ‘crystal’. Florists use it as in ‘Xant’ for ‘Chrysanthemum’.
So next time you hear the word Xmas, instead of being upset, share a bit of Christian history and your knowledge of Greek letters and symbols.
My Prayer: Lord, as a child of God, with power and wisdom from You, help me not to be so quick to find fault with expressions and words I do not understand. Help me rather, to show discernment and study to show myself approved unto God, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. Amen
Monday, August 1, 2011
W is for Word
At the beginning of John’s Gospel, John refers to Jesus as the ‘Logos’ (LO-gos), the Word. He is using the Greek term of logos for the One that created the universe by speaking it into existence (by the ‘breath of His mouth’. Psalm 33:6)
The Scofield Bible’s notes on the Greek word of "logos" is that it means a thought or concept, and the expression of utterance of a thought. As a designation of Christ, Logos shows that in Him are embodied all the treasures of the divine wisdom, the collective thought of God, and that He is from eternity. As "the Word" or ‘logos’ everything about Jesus speaks to us of God—his teaching, miracles, suffering, death and resurrection. It is Jesus voice as "The Word" that calls us.
John goes on to say in verse 14 that the Word was made flesh and made his dwelling among us". In the Greek, "made his dwelling" is linked to the word for ‘tent’ or ‘tabernacle’. Jesus, as the Word made flesh, became a man, or like his brothers, to dwell (tabernacle) among us and through Him we could perceive God’s glory. He is the Word calling out to us, healing our spiritual deafness and bringing us back to God.
We are to respond to Jesus, The Word, with both faith and faithfulness, reproducing Christ’s life so that Word may become one with us.
My prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the Only Word, made flesh, and speaking your love to us in this dark world. Give me ears to hear your word, and a heart to do your will. Make me eager and able to proclaim your word in season and out, confident in your life-giving power and in your enduring love. Amen
The Scofield Bible’s notes on the Greek word of "logos" is that it means a thought or concept, and the expression of utterance of a thought. As a designation of Christ, Logos shows that in Him are embodied all the treasures of the divine wisdom, the collective thought of God, and that He is from eternity. As "the Word" or ‘logos’ everything about Jesus speaks to us of God—his teaching, miracles, suffering, death and resurrection. It is Jesus voice as "The Word" that calls us.
John goes on to say in verse 14 that the Word was made flesh and made his dwelling among us". In the Greek, "made his dwelling" is linked to the word for ‘tent’ or ‘tabernacle’. Jesus, as the Word made flesh, became a man, or like his brothers, to dwell (tabernacle) among us and through Him we could perceive God’s glory. He is the Word calling out to us, healing our spiritual deafness and bringing us back to God.
We are to respond to Jesus, The Word, with both faith and faithfulness, reproducing Christ’s life so that Word may become one with us.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men."
…. John 1:1-4My prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the Only Word, made flesh, and speaking your love to us in this dark world. Give me ears to hear your word, and a heart to do your will. Make me eager and able to proclaim your word in season and out, confident in your life-giving power and in your enduring love. Amen
Monday, July 25, 2011
V is for Vine
In John 15:1, Jesus says of Himself, "I am the Vine". The vine of the grape is the trunk that brings sap up from the roots into the branches. The sap must be allowed to flow freely into the branch in order to produce fruit. The vine gives its life to the branch by the branch staying attached to the vine.
A good crop of grapes does not just happen. A good vineyard has a dedicated "vinedresser" whom in the case of a child of God, is God the Father. Each branch is important to the vinedresser, to bring forth the finest crop possible.
If a branch is left to itself it straggles over rocks and handy tree trunks. Or it may fall to the ground and creep along in the dirt and mud. The vinedresser will come along, clean off the branch, prune it where needed, and tie it close to the vine. Soon the branch is thriving again. The branch must remain totally dependent on the vine, close to it, pruned here, pruned there, in order to bring forth much fruit.
Jesus said He is the true Vine. His followers, me included, are the branches. We are created for a living relationship with the Vine, (Jesus), and the Vine, (Jesus), gives His life to the branch.
A good crop of grapes does not just happen. A good vineyard has a dedicated "vinedresser" whom in the case of a child of God, is God the Father. Each branch is important to the vinedresser, to bring forth the finest crop possible.
If a branch is left to itself it straggles over rocks and handy tree trunks. Or it may fall to the ground and creep along in the dirt and mud. The vinedresser will come along, clean off the branch, prune it where needed, and tie it close to the vine. Soon the branch is thriving again. The branch must remain totally dependent on the vine, close to it, pruned here, pruned there, in order to bring forth much fruit.
Jesus said He is the true Vine. His followers, me included, are the branches. We are created for a living relationship with the Vine, (Jesus), and the Vine, (Jesus), gives His life to the branch.
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit He prunes that it may bear more fruit. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit…By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit."
John 15:1-2, 5,8
Monday, July 18, 2011
U is for 'Unspeakable Gift'
The word ‘unspeakable’ does not mean to not talk about something, but that that something is so wonderful, there are no words to explain it. God’s special gift to us is ‘unspeakable’; it is amazing; it is beyond our comprehension. This gift is Jesus, all wrapped up in love.
God’s ‘unspeakable’ gift to us was His Son, Jesus. Of Himself, Jesus said, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water." (John 4:10)
Because of God’s wonderful gift, we can have other gifts such as a ‘gift of a relationship with God’. John 1:12 states that all who receive Him, those who believe in His name, He gives the right to be called the sons and daughters of God.
He also gives the ‘gift of His Grace’. Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by Grace you have been saved…" We have received the ‘gift of Eternal Life’, as according to Romans 6:23 "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
One reason I think of God’s gift as being unspeakable, and perhaps part of Paul’s thinking in II Corinthians 9:15, is that it is greater than we can grasp with our finite minds. Jesus was God, 2nd person in the Trinity, totally God. Yet in order to become the propitiation for man’s sin, He had to take on a human body. In doing so He had to become a human being. Now we have something beyond our imagination, something incredible, beyond words, unspeakable. He was still God, just as though He had never been man; yet He was man as though He had never been God.
And He did this as a gift to each of us. "For God so loved the world that He gave (this Unspeakable Gift) His only begotten son, that whosoever believes on Him will have eternal life." (John 3:16)
So accept His ‘Unspeakable Gift’. He paid the price so that all you have to do is take the gift He offers. Jesus is the Unspeakable Gift!!
God’s ‘unspeakable’ gift to us was His Son, Jesus. Of Himself, Jesus said, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water." (John 4:10)
Because of God’s wonderful gift, we can have other gifts such as a ‘gift of a relationship with God’. John 1:12 states that all who receive Him, those who believe in His name, He gives the right to be called the sons and daughters of God.
He also gives the ‘gift of His Grace’. Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by Grace you have been saved…" We have received the ‘gift of Eternal Life’, as according to Romans 6:23 "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
One reason I think of God’s gift as being unspeakable, and perhaps part of Paul’s thinking in II Corinthians 9:15, is that it is greater than we can grasp with our finite minds. Jesus was God, 2nd person in the Trinity, totally God. Yet in order to become the propitiation for man’s sin, He had to take on a human body. In doing so He had to become a human being. Now we have something beyond our imagination, something incredible, beyond words, unspeakable. He was still God, just as though He had never been man; yet He was man as though He had never been God.
And He did this as a gift to each of us. "For God so loved the world that He gave (this Unspeakable Gift) His only begotten son, that whosoever believes on Him will have eternal life." (John 3:16)
So accept His ‘Unspeakable Gift’. He paid the price so that all you have to do is take the gift He offers. Jesus is the Unspeakable Gift!!
Monday, July 11, 2011
T is for Teacher
In New Testament times, the role of the teacher was well defined. Jesus role was that of what was called in the Greek, "didaskalos", meaning ‘teacher’ or master, and it fell within the parameters of the Rabbi. In Matthew 5:1 and Luke 5:3 it mentions that Jesus ‘sat’ while He taught. This was the way the contemporary teachers of that day did their teaching and He often appeared at the synagogues where He would do His teaching.
The disciples are compared to students, and they often referred to Jesus as ‘Master’ or ‘Teacher’. When Jesus appeared to Mary in the garden after His resurrection, she called Him "Rabboni", which is a form of ‘Rabbi’ meaning ‘teacher.
Jesus as a teacher, was to bring man closer to the kingdom of God. He was the ‘ultimate’ of teachers, since He was personally One with God. In His words: "I and my Father are one." (John 10:13)
Jesus is our "Rabboni", our "Master", and our "Teacher". Yet He is a humble teacher. In John 13:13 he washed the disciples feet and said "You call Me the Teacher (Master) and the Lord, and you are right in doing so…(vs.14) If I then have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet…" He taught by example.
He was the ‘ultimate’ Teacher.
Even after Jesus had returned to Heaven, His instruction was the basis of the teaching in the epistles and the rest of the New Testament. The role of teaching, even today, is a gift given by the Holy Spirit and this teaching and preaching is all based on the instruction of Jesus and the witness of His resurrection.
He was the ‘ultimate’ Teacher.
Jesus, the Teacher, gave this command to His disciples is Matthew 28: 19,20, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.
He is our awesome, ‘ultimate’ Teacher.
The disciples are compared to students, and they often referred to Jesus as ‘Master’ or ‘Teacher’. When Jesus appeared to Mary in the garden after His resurrection, she called Him "Rabboni", which is a form of ‘Rabbi’ meaning ‘teacher.
Jesus as a teacher, was to bring man closer to the kingdom of God. He was the ‘ultimate’ of teachers, since He was personally One with God. In His words: "I and my Father are one." (John 10:13)
Jesus is our "Rabboni", our "Master", and our "Teacher". Yet He is a humble teacher. In John 13:13 he washed the disciples feet and said "You call Me the Teacher (Master) and the Lord, and you are right in doing so…(vs.14) If I then have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet…" He taught by example.
He was the ‘ultimate’ Teacher.
Even after Jesus had returned to Heaven, His instruction was the basis of the teaching in the epistles and the rest of the New Testament. The role of teaching, even today, is a gift given by the Holy Spirit and this teaching and preaching is all based on the instruction of Jesus and the witness of His resurrection.
He was the ‘ultimate’ Teacher.
Jesus, the Teacher, gave this command to His disciples is Matthew 28: 19,20, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.
He is our awesome, ‘ultimate’ Teacher.
Monday, July 4, 2011
S is for Shepherd
To think of Jesus as our Shepherd is one of the most tender images given to us. Our Lord compares Himself to a Shepherd all throughout the Scriptures. This reminds us of our dependency on Him, as well as His watchful, protecting care.
Shepherding was a very important occupation in ancient Palestine, so the people of that day understood the metaphors of sheep and shepherd. A shepherd is responsible for the physical survival and well being of the flock, and sheep are known to be an animal totally dependent on the shepherd. The shepherd is the one to find them pastures, and it is said they need to have still waters, so the shepherd also finds them quiet streams or watering holes. David, having been a shepherd knew this when he wrote Psalm 23:3: “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, He leadeth me beside the still waters.”
Without a shepherd to carefully watch over the flock, the sheep scatter and become easy prey for wild animals and thieves. A good shepherd will defend his flock with his own life. In John 10:11 Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
The shepherd’s life was a nomad’s life, and he spent many lonely hours entertaining himself by talking to his sheep. In this way the sheep came to know the shepherd’s voice. Therefore when the sheep mixed with other flocks, such as at the watering holes, they had no difficulty separating the animals, for each animal knew its shepherd’s voice. In John 10:4 Jesus said “My sheep hear my voice and follow me.”
The shepherd counted his sheep each morning and evening and would call each one by name. In John 10:3 it states: “…and the sheep hear his voice; and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.”
“He tends his flock like a shepherd
He gathers the lambs in his arms
And carries them close to his heart;
He gently leads those that have young.”
……Isaiah 40:11
My prayer: Gentle Shepherd, with you as my Shepherd, I shall not want for any good thing. You lead me in pastures green, and you restore my soul. Help me to listen for your voice, and follow you all the days of my life. And when I reach the end of my way on earth, you will go with me through the valley of the shadow of death, and receive me to yourself in Glory. You are my Shepherd-King, and I praise you! Amen
Shepherding was a very important occupation in ancient Palestine, so the people of that day understood the metaphors of sheep and shepherd. A shepherd is responsible for the physical survival and well being of the flock, and sheep are known to be an animal totally dependent on the shepherd. The shepherd is the one to find them pastures, and it is said they need to have still waters, so the shepherd also finds them quiet streams or watering holes. David, having been a shepherd knew this when he wrote Psalm 23:3: “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, He leadeth me beside the still waters.”
Without a shepherd to carefully watch over the flock, the sheep scatter and become easy prey for wild animals and thieves. A good shepherd will defend his flock with his own life. In John 10:11 Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
The shepherd’s life was a nomad’s life, and he spent many lonely hours entertaining himself by talking to his sheep. In this way the sheep came to know the shepherd’s voice. Therefore when the sheep mixed with other flocks, such as at the watering holes, they had no difficulty separating the animals, for each animal knew its shepherd’s voice. In John 10:4 Jesus said “My sheep hear my voice and follow me.”
The shepherd counted his sheep each morning and evening and would call each one by name. In John 10:3 it states: “…and the sheep hear his voice; and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.”
“He tends his flock like a shepherd
He gathers the lambs in his arms
And carries them close to his heart;
He gently leads those that have young.”
……Isaiah 40:11
My prayer: Gentle Shepherd, with you as my Shepherd, I shall not want for any good thing. You lead me in pastures green, and you restore my soul. Help me to listen for your voice, and follow you all the days of my life. And when I reach the end of my way on earth, you will go with me through the valley of the shadow of death, and receive me to yourself in Glory. You are my Shepherd-King, and I praise you! Amen
Monday, June 27, 2011
R is for Rock
‘Rock’ is used throughout the Scriptures both in actuality and figurative. When the Israelites were making their trek through the wilderness, the rock was used on more than one occasion to quench their thirst. Caves in the rocks were used for refuge; our Lord’s burial was carved out of a rock in the Garden.
In the Figurative sense, the hardness of the rock gives the image of one whose mind is set. As examples, Isaiah 50:7 says: “…therefore have I set my face like a ‘flint’ (stone), and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” In Jeremiah 5:3: “…They have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.” Another figurative way is to show God’s power by the shattering of the rock in Jeremiah 23:29: “Is not my word like a fire? Saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?”
The enduring quality of the Rock makes it an apt name for Yahweh (God) as it depicts permanence and stability. God is a mighty Rock who protects and saves. In Deuteronomy 32:4 Moses states: “He is the Rock, his work is perfect…” In I Samuel 2:2 in Hannah’s prayer she says: “There is none holy like the Lord; for there is none beside thee, neither is there any Rock like our God.”
In the New Testament, in Romans 9:33 and I Peter 2:8 Christ is called the ‘stumbling stone and Rock of offense.” He is also referred to this in Isaiah 8:14 as “a rock that will make them fall.” Jesus was the Rock over which the Jewish people would stumble and reject, yet He would become the capstone (Matthew 21:42) and the Cornerstone for the foundation of the Church. Jesus Christ came to be our Rock-Messiah, in which we can rest, believe and be saved. David said in Psalm 18:1,2: “I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my Rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my Rock, in Whom I take refuge.” Throughout the Bible it says God is the Rock and that Jesus is the Rock. Therefore, we know that Jesus is God Incarnate, and He is our Rock
“You are the Rock and there is no other
A tower of strength, You are my shelter
Lord, You are my hope eternal
You are the Rock that is higher than I
Lead me to the Rock, lead me to the Rock
Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I,
--By Paul Baloche
In the Figurative sense, the hardness of the rock gives the image of one whose mind is set. As examples, Isaiah 50:7 says: “…therefore have I set my face like a ‘flint’ (stone), and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” In Jeremiah 5:3: “…They have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.” Another figurative way is to show God’s power by the shattering of the rock in Jeremiah 23:29: “Is not my word like a fire? Saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?”
The enduring quality of the Rock makes it an apt name for Yahweh (God) as it depicts permanence and stability. God is a mighty Rock who protects and saves. In Deuteronomy 32:4 Moses states: “He is the Rock, his work is perfect…” In I Samuel 2:2 in Hannah’s prayer she says: “There is none holy like the Lord; for there is none beside thee, neither is there any Rock like our God.”
In the New Testament, in Romans 9:33 and I Peter 2:8 Christ is called the ‘stumbling stone and Rock of offense.” He is also referred to this in Isaiah 8:14 as “a rock that will make them fall.” Jesus was the Rock over which the Jewish people would stumble and reject, yet He would become the capstone (Matthew 21:42) and the Cornerstone for the foundation of the Church. Jesus Christ came to be our Rock-Messiah, in which we can rest, believe and be saved. David said in Psalm 18:1,2: “I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my Rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my Rock, in Whom I take refuge.” Throughout the Bible it says God is the Rock and that Jesus is the Rock. Therefore, we know that Jesus is God Incarnate, and He is our Rock
“You are the Rock and there is no other
A tower of strength, You are my shelter
Lord, You are my hope eternal
You are the Rock that is higher than I
Lead me to the Rock, lead me to the Rock
Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I,
--By Paul Baloche
Monday, June 20, 2011
Q is for Quickening Spirit
In I Corinthians 15:45 we read in the King James Version that “…the first Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a Quickening Spirit…” Since Jesus Christ is the second or last Adam, it would be a name given to Him.
Let us take a look at both words ‘Quickening’ and ‘Spirit’ and find the true meaning behind this name.
Quickening means
1) To give life, make alive.
2) It is to cause to live, to restore life.
3) A pregnant woman is said to feel a ‘quickening’ when she first feels life in her womb.
4) It is used as a metaphor of seeds being quickened into life, as with germinating.
For the word Spirit:
1) Refers to Spirit (of God)
2) Spirit (of Christ)
3) Spirit (of truth)
4) Holy Spirit, third Person of the Trinity
When we put the two words together, we have Jesus as the Quickening Spirit, as He quickens us ‘alive’ by taking us from death to life spiritually. Jesus, by His life saving power can spiritually arouse, invigorate and restore the life within us. We are dead in our sin, but the Lord, as a Quickening Spirit gives life, gives joy, and gives inner peace.
The Lord desires to make each of us alive unto Him. He desires to fill us with His Spirit, that we will experience the quickening of the Holy Spirit working within us. Jesus is the one who gives life, the Quickener, and He gives it by the power of the Holy Spirit. One writer has said that: “the Holy Spirit is the medium through which the Mediator, Jesus Christ, mediates.”
The Amplified Version of I Cor 15:45 reads: “…the first Adam became a living being (an individual personality); the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving Spirit (restoring the dead to life).
My Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Jesus, our Quickening Spirit, who breathes life into us through the Holy Spirit. I pray each one reading this will be blessed, quickened and filled with the fullness of You, our living God. I pray this with thanksgiving in the wonderful name of Your precious Son, Jesus Christ, our Quickening Spirit. Amen
Let us take a look at both words ‘Quickening’ and ‘Spirit’ and find the true meaning behind this name.
Quickening means
1) To give life, make alive.
2) It is to cause to live, to restore life.
3) A pregnant woman is said to feel a ‘quickening’ when she first feels life in her womb.
4) It is used as a metaphor of seeds being quickened into life, as with germinating.
For the word Spirit:
1) Refers to Spirit (of God)
2) Spirit (of Christ)
3) Spirit (of truth)
4) Holy Spirit, third Person of the Trinity
When we put the two words together, we have Jesus as the Quickening Spirit, as He quickens us ‘alive’ by taking us from death to life spiritually. Jesus, by His life saving power can spiritually arouse, invigorate and restore the life within us. We are dead in our sin, but the Lord, as a Quickening Spirit gives life, gives joy, and gives inner peace.
The Lord desires to make each of us alive unto Him. He desires to fill us with His Spirit, that we will experience the quickening of the Holy Spirit working within us. Jesus is the one who gives life, the Quickener, and He gives it by the power of the Holy Spirit. One writer has said that: “the Holy Spirit is the medium through which the Mediator, Jesus Christ, mediates.”
The Amplified Version of I Cor 15:45 reads: “…the first Adam became a living being (an individual personality); the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving Spirit (restoring the dead to life).
My Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Jesus, our Quickening Spirit, who breathes life into us through the Holy Spirit. I pray each one reading this will be blessed, quickened and filled with the fullness of You, our living God. I pray this with thanksgiving in the wonderful name of Your precious Son, Jesus Christ, our Quickening Spirit. Amen
Monday, June 13, 2011
P is for Paraklete
According to ‘Wikipedia’, the word Paraklete means “advocate or helper”. In the Greek it is the word for “comforter”. It is spelled as “parakletos”, meaning coming along side.
In the New Testament we find in I John 2:1 it is speaking of Jesus Himself as the Paraklete. In John 14 Jesus says that He will send another comforter—“another Paraklete”. From Him saying ‘another’ it would indicate Jesus was already our Paraklete, and he would be sending another to take His place when He returned to the Father. The notes from the Scofield Bible explains further by saying Christ is the Christians ‘Paraklete’ with the Father and pleads the believer’s cause with God when that Christian sins.
The Holy Spirit is the Christians indwelling “Paraklete” to help each one, and to make intercession to the Father for us. Romans 8:26 states “The Spirit also helps our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we should.” He is the Spirit of Truth, teaching the believer and guiding him into the truth, convicting of sin, righteousness and judgement.
God the heavenly Father has come alongside through the Person of the Holy Spirit. He has put His everlasting arms around us and gives us strength and comfort, through our “parakletos” the Holy Spirit.
“When we think we can’t go one more step
When the race becomes painful beyond endurance
When our hearts feel heavy,
When our mind’s become dull,
When our spirits are burned out
We have the “Parakletos” who comes along side us.”
From Anne Graham Lotz book: “Just Give me Jesus”
In the New Testament we find in I John 2:1 it is speaking of Jesus Himself as the Paraklete. In John 14 Jesus says that He will send another comforter—“another Paraklete”. From Him saying ‘another’ it would indicate Jesus was already our Paraklete, and he would be sending another to take His place when He returned to the Father. The notes from the Scofield Bible explains further by saying Christ is the Christians ‘Paraklete’ with the Father and pleads the believer’s cause with God when that Christian sins.
The Holy Spirit is the Christians indwelling “Paraklete” to help each one, and to make intercession to the Father for us. Romans 8:26 states “The Spirit also helps our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we should.” He is the Spirit of Truth, teaching the believer and guiding him into the truth, convicting of sin, righteousness and judgement.
God the heavenly Father has come alongside through the Person of the Holy Spirit. He has put His everlasting arms around us and gives us strength and comfort, through our “parakletos” the Holy Spirit.
“When we think we can’t go one more step
When the race becomes painful beyond endurance
When our hearts feel heavy,
When our mind’s become dull,
When our spirits are burned out
We have the “Parakletos” who comes along side us.”
From Anne Graham Lotz book: “Just Give me Jesus”
Monday, June 6, 2011
O is for Omego
Omega is the last or the 24th letter of the Greek alphabet. The word is in two parts: “O” and “mega”, with the term “Meaga” actually meaning “great”. The name itself originated in the Byzantine Period or Medieval Greek Period.
The word “Omega” is usually used to indicate the last or the eventual boundary or finish of a group. It is often used with “Alpha” which is the beginning and the first letter of the Greek alphabet. In the Bible, Jesus Christ used this to describe Himself as the “Alpha and Omega”; or the start and the finish, beginning and the end.
In Revelation 21:6 Christ said, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega…” He was signifying that something had been completed.
When we think of Christ’s words that He is the ‘Alpha and Omega’, He is saying that He was here from the very start of all things, and will be at the very end of life, as we know it. He was the one who initiated creation, and He will be here to usher us into our eternal home.
Several aspects come to mind that shows how Jesus Christ is the Omega. One is that He is the final revelation of God. To explain, look at John 1:18. “No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.” Another verse from John 12:45: “When a man looks at me, he sees the One who sent me.” In II Cor. 4:6 it says: “God…made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Christ.” Until this time the Jewish people were too awed by God to even say His name. Now in the person of Jesus—The Omega—He gave His final revelation.
Another aspect of Jesus as ‘Omega’ is that with Jesus we have the completion of the bridge once again being opened for man to be able to reach God. Jesus finished the plan on the Cross when He said, “it is finished.” He was not stating that He was dying, but stating that by dying He had now accomplished what He had come to do, pay the penalty for sin. He also put an end to the law when He died. Romans 10:4 says: “Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”
Jesus, as ‘Omega’ is bringing all things to an end. History is moving toward the finish line. Since the Cross, we are now living in ‘the last days’ as it says in Mark 1:15: “The time has come.” Acts 2:17 states “In these last days…”; and in Hebrews 1:2 “but in these last days he has spoken through His Son.” We now are living “in these last days” at the “end of the ages”. Time will be no more, and we will move into eternity. God’s time has come because Jesus Christ, the Omega has come.
We already mentioned that Jesus is the final revelation of God. Another aspect is that Jesus is the final ultimate manifestation of the Glory of God. In the New Testament we learn that there is no revelation of the Glory of God beyond Jesus. John 1:14 states “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His Glory, the Glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of Grace and truth.” John 12:28 says “Father, glorify Your name…I have glorified it and will glorify it again.” And then in John 17:1 we read: “Father, the time has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You.”
We must live with the knowledge that all-human history and all of God’s purposes move toward Jesus Christ, and is brought to its ultimate goal in and by Jesus. He is our Omega, The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. So be it!
The word “Omega” is usually used to indicate the last or the eventual boundary or finish of a group. It is often used with “Alpha” which is the beginning and the first letter of the Greek alphabet. In the Bible, Jesus Christ used this to describe Himself as the “Alpha and Omega”; or the start and the finish, beginning and the end.
In Revelation 21:6 Christ said, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega…” He was signifying that something had been completed.
When we think of Christ’s words that He is the ‘Alpha and Omega’, He is saying that He was here from the very start of all things, and will be at the very end of life, as we know it. He was the one who initiated creation, and He will be here to usher us into our eternal home.
Several aspects come to mind that shows how Jesus Christ is the Omega. One is that He is the final revelation of God. To explain, look at John 1:18. “No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.” Another verse from John 12:45: “When a man looks at me, he sees the One who sent me.” In II Cor. 4:6 it says: “God…made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Christ.” Until this time the Jewish people were too awed by God to even say His name. Now in the person of Jesus—The Omega—He gave His final revelation.
Another aspect of Jesus as ‘Omega’ is that with Jesus we have the completion of the bridge once again being opened for man to be able to reach God. Jesus finished the plan on the Cross when He said, “it is finished.” He was not stating that He was dying, but stating that by dying He had now accomplished what He had come to do, pay the penalty for sin. He also put an end to the law when He died. Romans 10:4 says: “Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”
Jesus, as ‘Omega’ is bringing all things to an end. History is moving toward the finish line. Since the Cross, we are now living in ‘the last days’ as it says in Mark 1:15: “The time has come.” Acts 2:17 states “In these last days…”; and in Hebrews 1:2 “but in these last days he has spoken through His Son.” We now are living “in these last days” at the “end of the ages”. Time will be no more, and we will move into eternity. God’s time has come because Jesus Christ, the Omega has come.
We already mentioned that Jesus is the final revelation of God. Another aspect is that Jesus is the final ultimate manifestation of the Glory of God. In the New Testament we learn that there is no revelation of the Glory of God beyond Jesus. John 1:14 states “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His Glory, the Glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of Grace and truth.” John 12:28 says “Father, glorify Your name…I have glorified it and will glorify it again.” And then in John 17:1 we read: “Father, the time has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You.”
We must live with the knowledge that all-human history and all of God’s purposes move toward Jesus Christ, and is brought to its ultimate goal in and by Jesus. He is our Omega, The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. So be it!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
N is for Nissi
When put together with the name of Jehovah, it means, “The Lord is my Banner”, Jehovah-Nissi. Moses was the first to use this name in Exodus 17 when the Israelites were fighting the Amelikites. As long as Moses held his arms high, the Israelites were winning. After the battle ended, he built his alter called “The Lord is my banner” as he knew the victory belonged to God.
We also have warfare going on within our hearts, the war of the Spirit against the flesh. In Galatians 5:17 it states: “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh”. And in Vs. 18 “But if ye be led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” Just as Moses held high his arms as a banner to the Lord, thus giving victory to the Israelites over the Amelikites, so we hold to the control of the Spirit and we will have victory over the flesh.
Another portion that speaks to me of Jehovah-Nissi is in Song of Solomon. This book typifies God’s love for Israel in the Old Testament, and it reminds us of Jesus’ relationship with the church in the New Testament. In chapter 2 verse 4 from the Amplified Version, it says “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love (for love waved as a protecting and comforting banner over my head when I was near him). “
Jehovah-Nissi is descriptive of God’s covering. He protects, encourages, and is proud of us. God’s banner is behind us, and over us. He leads us with the banner of His love.
We can walk in victory today because we know Jehovah-Nissi can bring salvation and freedom and eternal life. We go out with joy, raising the banner high, and we are led forth with peace. (Isaiah 55:12)
We also have warfare going on within our hearts, the war of the Spirit against the flesh. In Galatians 5:17 it states: “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh”. And in Vs. 18 “But if ye be led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” Just as Moses held high his arms as a banner to the Lord, thus giving victory to the Israelites over the Amelikites, so we hold to the control of the Spirit and we will have victory over the flesh.
Another portion that speaks to me of Jehovah-Nissi is in Song of Solomon. This book typifies God’s love for Israel in the Old Testament, and it reminds us of Jesus’ relationship with the church in the New Testament. In chapter 2 verse 4 from the Amplified Version, it says “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love (for love waved as a protecting and comforting banner over my head when I was near him). “
Jehovah-Nissi is descriptive of God’s covering. He protects, encourages, and is proud of us. God’s banner is behind us, and over us. He leads us with the banner of His love.
We can walk in victory today because we know Jehovah-Nissi can bring salvation and freedom and eternal life. We go out with joy, raising the banner high, and we are led forth with peace. (Isaiah 55:12)
Monday, May 23, 2011
M is for Majesty
Though Majesty is more of a descriptive word than a title, it is used to describe our Lord’s worth and authority above all that is and was and is to come. He is my Majesty. He is Your Majesty. He has all wisdom. He is King of all kings, and Lord of all lords.
According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, Majesty is a noun. It is 1) the dignity or power of a sovereign. 2) It is sovereign power. The title is used in speaking to or of a sovereign, and is preceded by “Your’ or by ‘His or Her’.
In Job 37:22, Job said that with God is awe-inspiring Majesty. David wrote whole Psalms to the Majesty of God (See Psalm 93). In II Peter 1:16 Peter said he had been an eyewitness of His Majesty. He had been there at the ‘Transfiguration’. He had been there when Jesus rose from the dead, and he had seen him ascend into heaven. He had first hand knowledge of His Majesty.
Writers and songwriters down through the years have sought to express the Majesty of our God. Stu Garrard/Martin Smith have written:
“Majesty, Majesty
Your grace has found me just as I am
Empty handed, but alive in Your hands.
Majesty, Majesty
Forever I am changed by Your love
In the presence of Your Majesty.”
Bill and Gloria Gaither have given us this familiar chorus, one I love hearing sung b y a large choir or congregation. I cannot help but join in with:
“Majesty, Worship His Majesty
Unto Jesus be all glory, honor and praise!
Majesty, Kingdom, Authority
Flows from His throne
Unto His own
His anthem raise.
So exalt, lift up on high
The name of Jesus.
Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus the King.
Majesty, worship His Majesty
Jesus who died, now glorified
King of all kings.”
AMEN, MAJESTY!
According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, Majesty is a noun. It is 1) the dignity or power of a sovereign. 2) It is sovereign power. The title is used in speaking to or of a sovereign, and is preceded by “Your’ or by ‘His or Her’.
In Job 37:22, Job said that with God is awe-inspiring Majesty. David wrote whole Psalms to the Majesty of God (See Psalm 93). In II Peter 1:16 Peter said he had been an eyewitness of His Majesty. He had been there at the ‘Transfiguration’. He had been there when Jesus rose from the dead, and he had seen him ascend into heaven. He had first hand knowledge of His Majesty.
Writers and songwriters down through the years have sought to express the Majesty of our God. Stu Garrard/Martin Smith have written:
“Majesty, Majesty
Your grace has found me just as I am
Empty handed, but alive in Your hands.
Majesty, Majesty
Forever I am changed by Your love
In the presence of Your Majesty.”
Bill and Gloria Gaither have given us this familiar chorus, one I love hearing sung b y a large choir or congregation. I cannot help but join in with:
“Majesty, Worship His Majesty
Unto Jesus be all glory, honor and praise!
Majesty, Kingdom, Authority
Flows from His throne
Unto His own
His anthem raise.
So exalt, lift up on high
The name of Jesus.
Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus the King.
Majesty, worship His Majesty
Jesus who died, now glorified
King of all kings.”
AMEN, MAJESTY!
Monday, May 16, 2011
L is for Lamb
When Jesus came to earth the 1st time, He came to be a sacrifice. He came as a Lamb for sinners slain. John the Baptist introduced Him as the “Lamb of God”. One cannot really understand this title without having some knowledge of the practice of animal sacrifice in the Bible.
The sacrificial system provided a way for God’s people to approach Him even though they had sinned. Those who were offering sacrifices understood the animal was a symbol of themselves and their desire to offer their own lives to God. This sacrificial system of the Scripture represents God’s way of instructing man what it means to approach a holy God.
To the Jewish people the lamb represented innocence and gentleness. According to the Mosaic Law, the lamb sacrificed must be a male, without blemish, firstborn of the flock. Isaiah likened our Savior, Jesus, to the lamb of sacrifice when he wrote in Isaiah 53:7 “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth. He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter and a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” The lamb is a symbol of meekness, humility and a willingness to submit to the will of the master. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God; He is male, sinless and without blemish. He is willing to submit to His fathers will.
In Revelation we have the ‘lamb’ mentioned 29 times. Here the ‘Lamb who was slain’ now lives and reigns victorious.
Rev. 7:17 “For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd; and He will guide them to the springs of the waters of life; and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Rev 17:14 “…and the Lamb will triumph over them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings…”
Rev. 19:7 “let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb has come.”
When the Lamb comes the 2nd time, those who have been covered by His blood by accepting Christ as their sacrifice, will be kept safe. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (the Lamb of God) that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
The sacrificial system provided a way for God’s people to approach Him even though they had sinned. Those who were offering sacrifices understood the animal was a symbol of themselves and their desire to offer their own lives to God. This sacrificial system of the Scripture represents God’s way of instructing man what it means to approach a holy God.
To the Jewish people the lamb represented innocence and gentleness. According to the Mosaic Law, the lamb sacrificed must be a male, without blemish, firstborn of the flock. Isaiah likened our Savior, Jesus, to the lamb of sacrifice when he wrote in Isaiah 53:7 “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth. He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter and a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” The lamb is a symbol of meekness, humility and a willingness to submit to the will of the master. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God; He is male, sinless and without blemish. He is willing to submit to His fathers will.
In Revelation we have the ‘lamb’ mentioned 29 times. Here the ‘Lamb who was slain’ now lives and reigns victorious.
Rev. 7:17 “For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd; and He will guide them to the springs of the waters of life; and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Rev 17:14 “…and the Lamb will triumph over them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings…”
Rev. 19:7 “let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb has come.”
When the Lamb comes the 2nd time, those who have been covered by His blood by accepting Christ as their sacrifice, will be kept safe. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (the Lamb of God) that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Monday, May 9, 2011
K is for KING
“Behold a king shall reign in righteousness” (Isaiah 32:1). For years the Jewish people longed for their coming ‘king’ to restore them as a nation to their freedom and former glory. This King would be their Messiah, and in thinking Jesus might be their Messiah, they called Him “Son of David”. They thought their messianic king, the righteous one to come from the line of David, was among them. He even rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, a sign of both peace and humility.
They were right in all ways except the timing. At His 1st coming, He came as a sacrifice; but one day He will be revealed as the greatest of all kings. Then He will not come on a donkey, but it says in Rev. 19:11 “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.” Then going to verse 16 it states: “on His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: “King of kings and Lord of lords.”
The following is an article called “My King Is…” by Dr. S.M. Lockridge. When I read it I felt my excitement and praise build until at the end I was also shouting, “That’s my King! AMEN!” Read it and Praise our King!
“The Bible says my King is a seven-way king…He’s the King of the Jews; that’s a racial king…He’s the King of Israel; that’s a national King…He’s the King of Righteousness…He’s the King of the Ages…He’s the King of Heaven…He’s the King of Glory…He’s the King of kings, and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King. Well…I wonder, do you know Him?
David said, “The Heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is a sovereign King. No means of measure can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply. No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings. He’s enduringly strong…He’s entirely sincere…He’s eternally steadfast…He’s immortally graceful…He’s imperially powerful…He’s impartially merciful…Do you know Him?
He’s the greatest phenomenon that ever crossed the horizon of this world. He’s God’s Son…He’s a sinner’s Savior…He’s the centerpiece of civilization…He stands in the solitude of Himself…He’s august…He’s unique…He’s unparalleled…He’s unprecedented…He’s the loftiest idea in literature…He’s the highest personality in philosophy…He’s the supreme problem in highest criticism…He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology…He’s the cardinal necessity for spiritual religion…He’s the miracle of the age…He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him…He’s the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Savior…I wonder if you know Him today?
He supplies strength for the weak…He’s available for the tempted and the tried…He sympathizes and He saves…He strengthens and sustains…He guards and He guides…He heals the sick…He cleanses lepers…He forgives sinners…He discharges debtors...He delivers captives…He defends the feeble…He blesses the young…He serves the unfortunate…He regards the aged…He rewards the diligent…and He beautifies the meek…I wonder if you know Him?
Well, my King…is the King…He’s the key to knowledge…He’s the wellspring to wisdom…He’s the doorway of deliverance…He’s the pathway of peace…He’s the roadway of righteousness…He’s the highway of holiness…He’s the gateway of glory…Do you know Him?
Well…His office is manifold…His promise is sure…His light is matchless…His goodness is limitless…His mercy is everlasting…His love never changes…His word is enough…His grace is sufficient…His reign is righteous…and His yoke is easy, and his burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you, but He’s indescribable…He’s incomprehensible…He’s invincible…He’s irresistible.
Well, you can’t get Him out of your mind…You can’t get Him off of your hand…You can’t out live Him, and you can’t live without Him…The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him…Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him…The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree…Herod couldn’t kill Him…Death couldn’t handle Him, and the grave couldn’t hold Him. Yes!!! that’s my King, that’s my King!
Father…"Thine is the Kingdom…and the Power…and the Glory…Forever"…and ever, and ever, and ever, and ever. How long is that? And ever…and ever…and when you get through with all the forevers, then…AMEN!…AMEN! "
They were right in all ways except the timing. At His 1st coming, He came as a sacrifice; but one day He will be revealed as the greatest of all kings. Then He will not come on a donkey, but it says in Rev. 19:11 “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.” Then going to verse 16 it states: “on His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: “King of kings and Lord of lords.”
The following is an article called “My King Is…” by Dr. S.M. Lockridge. When I read it I felt my excitement and praise build until at the end I was also shouting, “That’s my King! AMEN!” Read it and Praise our King!
“The Bible says my King is a seven-way king…He’s the King of the Jews; that’s a racial king…He’s the King of Israel; that’s a national King…He’s the King of Righteousness…He’s the King of the Ages…He’s the King of Heaven…He’s the King of Glory…He’s the King of kings, and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King. Well…I wonder, do you know Him?
David said, “The Heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is a sovereign King. No means of measure can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply. No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings. He’s enduringly strong…He’s entirely sincere…He’s eternally steadfast…He’s immortally graceful…He’s imperially powerful…He’s impartially merciful…Do you know Him?
He’s the greatest phenomenon that ever crossed the horizon of this world. He’s God’s Son…He’s a sinner’s Savior…He’s the centerpiece of civilization…He stands in the solitude of Himself…He’s august…He’s unique…He’s unparalleled…He’s unprecedented…He’s the loftiest idea in literature…He’s the highest personality in philosophy…He’s the supreme problem in highest criticism…He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology…He’s the cardinal necessity for spiritual religion…He’s the miracle of the age…He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him…He’s the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Savior…I wonder if you know Him today?
He supplies strength for the weak…He’s available for the tempted and the tried…He sympathizes and He saves…He strengthens and sustains…He guards and He guides…He heals the sick…He cleanses lepers…He forgives sinners…He discharges debtors...He delivers captives…He defends the feeble…He blesses the young…He serves the unfortunate…He regards the aged…He rewards the diligent…and He beautifies the meek…I wonder if you know Him?
Well, my King…is the King…He’s the key to knowledge…He’s the wellspring to wisdom…He’s the doorway of deliverance…He’s the pathway of peace…He’s the roadway of righteousness…He’s the highway of holiness…He’s the gateway of glory…Do you know Him?
Well…His office is manifold…His promise is sure…His light is matchless…His goodness is limitless…His mercy is everlasting…His love never changes…His word is enough…His grace is sufficient…His reign is righteous…and His yoke is easy, and his burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you, but He’s indescribable…He’s incomprehensible…He’s invincible…He’s irresistible.
Well, you can’t get Him out of your mind…You can’t get Him off of your hand…You can’t out live Him, and you can’t live without Him…The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him…Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him…The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree…Herod couldn’t kill Him…Death couldn’t handle Him, and the grave couldn’t hold Him. Yes!!! that’s my King, that’s my King!
Father…"Thine is the Kingdom…and the Power…and the Glory…Forever"…and ever, and ever, and ever, and ever. How long is that? And ever…and ever…and when you get through with all the forevers, then…AMEN!…AMEN! "
Monday, May 2, 2011
J is for Jesus
The name Jesus was the personal name given to our Lord and Christ. When the angel told Joseph it was OK to take Mary to be his wife because the babe she carried was a miracle of God and from the Holy Spirit, he was told to call the baby ‘Jesus’, because He would save His people from their sins.
Back in Jesus day, “Jesus” was a common name. To distinguish our Lord from others of that name, He was referred to as Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus son of Joseph, Jesus the Nazarene. And later on in Scripture He was refered to as “Jesus Christ” as though Christ were the surname.
In the Greek, the word is “Iesous” (yay-sous) equivalent of the Hebrew “Yeshua”, translated to Joshua in English. The name Joshua is the oldest name containing Yahweh, a name for God so sacred it was considered too holy to pronounce. Both the name of “Jesus” and “Joshua” mean “Yahweh is help” or “Yahweh is salvation”.
Yahweh is God’s personal name in the Old Testament, and Jesus is the personal name of our Redeemer, Christ, in the New Testament. With “Yahweh is salvation”, we have Jesus as Yahweh come to earth. Jesus Himself said that if you have seen Him, you have seen the Father (John 14:9). So no longer is God a distant God, but through Jesus He is God becoming one with us, God reaching out in mercy, God nailed to the Cross, and God rising from the grave to show us the way of life. Jesus, is the name above all names, glorious Savior, blessed Redeemer.
In closing from a poem written by my mother, called “A Name”:
Yes, there is something about that Name—Jesus.
Back in Jesus day, “Jesus” was a common name. To distinguish our Lord from others of that name, He was referred to as Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus son of Joseph, Jesus the Nazarene. And later on in Scripture He was refered to as “Jesus Christ” as though Christ were the surname.
In the Greek, the word is “Iesous” (yay-sous) equivalent of the Hebrew “Yeshua”, translated to Joshua in English. The name Joshua is the oldest name containing Yahweh, a name for God so sacred it was considered too holy to pronounce. Both the name of “Jesus” and “Joshua” mean “Yahweh is help” or “Yahweh is salvation”.
Yahweh is God’s personal name in the Old Testament, and Jesus is the personal name of our Redeemer, Christ, in the New Testament. With “Yahweh is salvation”, we have Jesus as Yahweh come to earth. Jesus Himself said that if you have seen Him, you have seen the Father (John 14:9). So no longer is God a distant God, but through Jesus He is God becoming one with us, God reaching out in mercy, God nailed to the Cross, and God rising from the grave to show us the way of life. Jesus, is the name above all names, glorious Savior, blessed Redeemer.
Therefore also God highly exalted Him,
And bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
That at the name of Jesus Every knee shall bow,
of those who are in heaven, and on earth and under the earth,
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2:9-11)
“When my heart feels empty and longing
And there’s a void that will not be filled,
And there’s an ache that is truly suffering
And a pain that cannot be stilled,
There’s a Name that I love to whisper
For that Name brings contentment and peace.
The name is the name of my Jesus
Whose love for me never can cease.”
Yes, there is something about that Name—Jesus.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
The Curse and the GLORY of the Cross
In Bible days the act of nailing or binding a person to a cross or tree was considered the cruelest and most shameful method of capital punishment. Anyone hanging on a tree according to Deuteronomy 21:23 is cursed by God. Because of the stigma and curse on anyone ‘hanged on a tree’ the idea of a crucified savior was foolishness to the Greeks and a stumbling block to the Jews (I Corinthians 1:23). Yet Jesus willingly took the curse and humiliation of the law and as Galatians 3:13 tells us “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.” Thus He became the means of freeing people from the curse of Sin.
Jesus did not just ‘die’ in our place—He became a “Curse” of the worst kind, for you and for me. He received the total rejection by the Father so that we could be “accepted” in the beloved. He bore the utter darkness died alone as the Father had to turn His back on His beloved and only Begotten Son, so that we would not have to die alone.
“Because Jesus Christ did what God wanted Him to do, we are all purified from the sin by the offering that he made of His own body once and for all. Every Jewish priest performs his services every day and offers the same sacrifices many times; but these sacrifices can never take away sins. Christ however, offered one sacrifice for sins, an offering that is effective forever, and then He sat down at the right side of God. There He now waits until God puts His enemies as a footstool under his feet. With one sacrifice, then, He has made perfect forever those who are purified from sin”. (Hebrews 10:10-14 –The Good News New Testament).
The work of the Cross was to atone for the sin of the world, our sin. Atonement itself is life changing. Yet redemption is free through the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. All who accept His payment for their redemption become new creatures in Christ. This is the GLORY OF THE CROSS! Lives are altered and redirected by it!
But we cannot leave our Savior on the Cross. On the third day He rose, triumphant over sin, hell and death! Death has lost and Life has won! He lives, our Savior lives!
Have a Glorious Resurrection Day knowing we serve a Risen Savior! Praise God, He lives!!
Jesus did not just ‘die’ in our place—He became a “Curse” of the worst kind, for you and for me. He received the total rejection by the Father so that we could be “accepted” in the beloved. He bore the utter darkness died alone as the Father had to turn His back on His beloved and only Begotten Son, so that we would not have to die alone.
“Because Jesus Christ did what God wanted Him to do, we are all purified from the sin by the offering that he made of His own body once and for all. Every Jewish priest performs his services every day and offers the same sacrifices many times; but these sacrifices can never take away sins. Christ however, offered one sacrifice for sins, an offering that is effective forever, and then He sat down at the right side of God. There He now waits until God puts His enemies as a footstool under his feet. With one sacrifice, then, He has made perfect forever those who are purified from sin”. (Hebrews 10:10-14 –The Good News New Testament).
The work of the Cross was to atone for the sin of the world, our sin. Atonement itself is life changing. Yet redemption is free through the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. All who accept His payment for their redemption become new creatures in Christ. This is the GLORY OF THE CROSS! Lives are altered and redirected by it!
But we cannot leave our Savior on the Cross. On the third day He rose, triumphant over sin, hell and death! Death has lost and Life has won! He lives, our Savior lives!
Have a Glorious Resurrection Day knowing we serve a Risen Savior! Praise God, He lives!!
Monday, April 18, 2011
I is for Immanuel
In Matthew 1:23 it states “they shall call His name Immanuel, which, being interpreted, is God with us.” Why, you may ask, was Jesus not called Immanuel as His given name? My notes in my Scofield Bible say that ‘according to Hebrew usage, the name does not represent a title, but a characterization. It shows that He really was “God with us”. It also shows that the diety of Christ, our anointed one, was emphasized at the very beginning of the New Testament.
The word “Immanuel” consists of two Hebrew words: ‘El’, meaning God and ‘Immanu’, meaning “With us”. It is pronounced ‘ih-MAN-yoo-el’, and is used only three times in Scripture; the first appears in Isaiah 7:14, with prophetic words spoken by Isaiah about 700 years before Christ. It is used again in Isaiah 8:8, and then in our verse of Matthew 1:23, which is quoting from Isaiah. Matthew is applying it to the child to be born of Mary, the virgin betrothed to Joseph. In Jesus, God would become a man that He could save the world and bring man back to God. Through Jesus, Immanuel, God with us, would redeem and restore this relationship between man and God.
David tell us how God is with us as our ‘Immanuel’ in Psalm 139:7-10:
“If I go up to the heavens, you are there,
If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
If I settle on the far side of the sea,
Even there Your hand will guide me,
Your right hand will hold me fast.”
How can we lose? What do we fear? Immanuel, God is with me.
A 4th century prayer known as St. Patrick’s Breastplate, says:
“Christ be beside me, Christ be before me,
Christ be behind me, King of my heart;
Christ be within me, Christ be below me
Christ be above me, never to part.”
‘Immanuel’, God with us.
He is our God
He is truly with us!
The word “Immanuel” consists of two Hebrew words: ‘El’, meaning God and ‘Immanu’, meaning “With us”. It is pronounced ‘ih-MAN-yoo-el’, and is used only three times in Scripture; the first appears in Isaiah 7:14, with prophetic words spoken by Isaiah about 700 years before Christ. It is used again in Isaiah 8:8, and then in our verse of Matthew 1:23, which is quoting from Isaiah. Matthew is applying it to the child to be born of Mary, the virgin betrothed to Joseph. In Jesus, God would become a man that He could save the world and bring man back to God. Through Jesus, Immanuel, God with us, would redeem and restore this relationship between man and God.
David tell us how God is with us as our ‘Immanuel’ in Psalm 139:7-10:
“If I go up to the heavens, you are there,
If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
If I settle on the far side of the sea,
Even there Your hand will guide me,
Your right hand will hold me fast.”
How can we lose? What do we fear? Immanuel, God is with me.
A 4th century prayer known as St. Patrick’s Breastplate, says:
“Christ be beside me, Christ be before me,
Christ be behind me, King of my heart;
Christ be within me, Christ be below me
Christ be above me, never to part.”
‘Immanuel’, God with us.
He is our God
He is truly with us!
Monday, April 11, 2011
H is for High Priest
The role of the priest is to bring the people to God. In the Israelite Nation, the priesthood consisted of three groups: The High Priest, the ordinary priests and the Levites. The High Priest was the only one authorized to enter the most Holy Place, and that only 3 times a year.
In the New Testament, Jesus is identified as our High Priest. He paid the sacrifice once for all, and now He is the One who faithfully bears us into God’s presence.
As our great High Priest, it is Jesus perfect offering that has won for us complete forgiveness. In Hebrews 5 it tells us that in the office of the high priest of the Israelites, he not only offered sacrifices for the people, but also for himself because he is also a weak human. But Christ, the anointed one of God, became our High Priest as He had already given Himself as the ultimate sacrifice.
There are several ways in which Jesus meets all the requirements needed to be a High Priest. First of all, He has a human body. Hebrews 2:17 (NIV) states “For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest…” He was human just as though he had never been God, but He was also totally God as though He had never been human.
The second reason is that being human He could also sympathize with we ignorant sinners. In Hebrews 4:15 (NIV) it states “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet without sin.”
The third reason is that He was ordained of God. In Hebrews 5:4 it states “no one takes this honor upon himself, he must be ordained of God…” God the Father chose his eternal Son to be our eternal High Priest.
A fourth way Jesus earned the right to become the High Priest was through His suffering. Isaiah 50: 5-7 prophetically portrays Christ: “I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting…” In the Garden of Gethsemane, our Lord experienced intense agony to the point of sweating blood. He was not agonizing over his coming physical death, (many people experienced physical death by crucifixion), but it was the fact that he was about to die for the sin of the world. He, who knew no sin, would become the worst sinner as he bore the sin of the whole world. He was about to suffer what is called ‘the second death’ and to be forsaken by His Father. He knew about suffering!
We needed to have a perfect High Priest, and Jesus was perfect, as He perfectly obeyed the Father. He then became the perfect mediator as well as a perfect victim on our behalf. He alone is qualified to be our Perfect High Priest. Christ became the source of our eternal salvation. Jesus only is the ‘well of salvation’ to which all must come and drink. Jesus is the Eternal High Priest, because His sacrifice, given once for all, obtained eternal redemption.
The Eternal Son
Gives us Eternal salvation,
In which we can be eternally secure.
He is our Perfect and Eternal High Priest!
In the New Testament, Jesus is identified as our High Priest. He paid the sacrifice once for all, and now He is the One who faithfully bears us into God’s presence.
As our great High Priest, it is Jesus perfect offering that has won for us complete forgiveness. In Hebrews 5 it tells us that in the office of the high priest of the Israelites, he not only offered sacrifices for the people, but also for himself because he is also a weak human. But Christ, the anointed one of God, became our High Priest as He had already given Himself as the ultimate sacrifice.
There are several ways in which Jesus meets all the requirements needed to be a High Priest. First of all, He has a human body. Hebrews 2:17 (NIV) states “For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest…” He was human just as though he had never been God, but He was also totally God as though He had never been human.
The second reason is that being human He could also sympathize with we ignorant sinners. In Hebrews 4:15 (NIV) it states “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet without sin.”
The third reason is that He was ordained of God. In Hebrews 5:4 it states “no one takes this honor upon himself, he must be ordained of God…” God the Father chose his eternal Son to be our eternal High Priest.
A fourth way Jesus earned the right to become the High Priest was through His suffering. Isaiah 50: 5-7 prophetically portrays Christ: “I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting…” In the Garden of Gethsemane, our Lord experienced intense agony to the point of sweating blood. He was not agonizing over his coming physical death, (many people experienced physical death by crucifixion), but it was the fact that he was about to die for the sin of the world. He, who knew no sin, would become the worst sinner as he bore the sin of the whole world. He was about to suffer what is called ‘the second death’ and to be forsaken by His Father. He knew about suffering!
We needed to have a perfect High Priest, and Jesus was perfect, as He perfectly obeyed the Father. He then became the perfect mediator as well as a perfect victim on our behalf. He alone is qualified to be our Perfect High Priest. Christ became the source of our eternal salvation. Jesus only is the ‘well of salvation’ to which all must come and drink. Jesus is the Eternal High Priest, because His sacrifice, given once for all, obtained eternal redemption.
The Eternal Son
Gives us Eternal salvation,
In which we can be eternally secure.
He is our Perfect and Eternal High Priest!
Monday, April 4, 2011
G is for Gate
We take the word Gate from Jesus claim in John 10:7: "I am the Door for the sheep." Several translations use the term ‘Gate’ for ‘Door’, and since we already did a name for D, we shall use the name ‘Gate’.
You may be asking "How can Jesus be called a 'Gate’?" A good way to explain how this term can be applied to our Lord is by taking a look back to the Shepherds of the Bible times. It was, and perhaps still is, a common thing for the shepherd to place his sheep into a sheepfold for the night for safety. Then instead of closing a gate, the shepherd himself would lie down in the doorway making himself as a human door. Should anything try to get to the sheep, it would first have to go through the shepherd.
Do you see the significance here? The first time I read about this I felt excited, awed, and thankful all at once! What a beautiful picture of my Lord’s protection. No matter what comes my way, be it sickness, poverty, injury, death, it must go through my Shepherd first. Jesus is the Gate; nothing gets by Him that is not allowed.
Anyone who tried to get in any other way than through the ‘Gate’ will be called a thief (see John 10:1) In verse 9 of John 10, it tells us that Jesus is the ‘Gate’ and that anyone who does go through this ‘Gate’ will be safe.
Here are some excepts from John 10 from "The Message" translation: "If a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the Gate, you know he is up to no good…I am the Gate for the sheep…All those others are up to no good…I am the Gate. (Repeated twice for emphasis). Anyone who goes through me will be cared for…"
There is no other way or name under heaven, given among men, whereby we can come to the Father, other that through the Gate, Jesus.
You may be asking "How can Jesus be called a 'Gate’?" A good way to explain how this term can be applied to our Lord is by taking a look back to the Shepherds of the Bible times. It was, and perhaps still is, a common thing for the shepherd to place his sheep into a sheepfold for the night for safety. Then instead of closing a gate, the shepherd himself would lie down in the doorway making himself as a human door. Should anything try to get to the sheep, it would first have to go through the shepherd.
Do you see the significance here? The first time I read about this I felt excited, awed, and thankful all at once! What a beautiful picture of my Lord’s protection. No matter what comes my way, be it sickness, poverty, injury, death, it must go through my Shepherd first. Jesus is the Gate; nothing gets by Him that is not allowed.
Anyone who tried to get in any other way than through the ‘Gate’ will be called a thief (see John 10:1) In verse 9 of John 10, it tells us that Jesus is the ‘Gate’ and that anyone who does go through this ‘Gate’ will be safe.
Here are some excepts from John 10 from "The Message" translation: "If a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the Gate, you know he is up to no good…I am the Gate for the sheep…All those others are up to no good…I am the Gate. (Repeated twice for emphasis). Anyone who goes through me will be cared for…"
There is no other way or name under heaven, given among men, whereby we can come to the Father, other that through the Gate, Jesus.
Monday, March 28, 2011
F is for Father
When Jesus was teaching the disciples to pray, He said to begin this way: "Our Father in Heaven." (Matthew 6:9) In the same chapter, verse 31 and 32, He tells us not to worry about what we eat or drink or wear because: "your heavenly Father knows that you need them."
The Hebrew word of 'Ab', or Aramaic 'Abba' means Daddy or Papa. This eventually came to mean "dear father". A few years ago I heard a very strong Christian, a church leader, begin her prayer with "Dear Daddy". I felt very uncomfortable with this, totally against the way I had been brought up and feeling this was being disrespectful. Yet, in Scripture we are told that through faith we may each one of us call Him "Abba" which as we said in English is "daddy".
Three places in the New Testament, God the Father is referred to as "Abba". Mark 14:36 when Jesus was pouring out His heart to the Father, sweating drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, His cry was to "Abba". The verse says "Abba, Father" or "Father, my Father". To put it even plainer as to the Hebrew and Aramaic interpretation, He was saying "Daddy, my very own daddy."
In Romans 8:14, 15 it is telling us that the believer is a 'son' (or daughter) of God, and we can cry "Abba, Father'. Then in Galations 4:6 it says we have the Spirit of Jesus to confirm that we are sons and daughters, by crying out for us "Abba, Father".
How can we have such a close association with God that we can call Him Father, or Daddy? We become God's children by placing our trust in Jesus Christ as Lord. God receives us into His family and our sins are forgiven. When our 'Daddy' looks at us, He sees us as a pure and forgiven child because of what Jesus did on Calvary.
I may never feel the freedom to actually talk to God as my "Daddy" (He will always be thought of as 'Father' or 'Abba, Father' by me), but I will never criticize anyone who feels this freedom to do so. Our God is a loving compassionate Father, and because of Jesus going to the Cross and paying the debt of sin, we who have put our trust in Him, Jesus, now have the freedom to enter the Throne Room of God and cry out to Him "Abba, Father".
My Prayer: Father, my Father, I thank You for the gift of becoming Your child. I thank You for being my refuge and providing all my needs. May I always glorify You and may others see me as Your child. I would like to hear "she has her Father's eyes", and may my eyes be a reflection of your love and image. Amen
The Hebrew word of 'Ab', or Aramaic 'Abba' means Daddy or Papa. This eventually came to mean "dear father". A few years ago I heard a very strong Christian, a church leader, begin her prayer with "Dear Daddy". I felt very uncomfortable with this, totally against the way I had been brought up and feeling this was being disrespectful. Yet, in Scripture we are told that through faith we may each one of us call Him "Abba" which as we said in English is "daddy".
Three places in the New Testament, God the Father is referred to as "Abba". Mark 14:36 when Jesus was pouring out His heart to the Father, sweating drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, His cry was to "Abba". The verse says "Abba, Father" or "Father, my Father". To put it even plainer as to the Hebrew and Aramaic interpretation, He was saying "Daddy, my very own daddy."
In Romans 8:14, 15 it is telling us that the believer is a 'son' (or daughter) of God, and we can cry "Abba, Father'. Then in Galations 4:6 it says we have the Spirit of Jesus to confirm that we are sons and daughters, by crying out for us "Abba, Father".
How can we have such a close association with God that we can call Him Father, or Daddy? We become God's children by placing our trust in Jesus Christ as Lord. God receives us into His family and our sins are forgiven. When our 'Daddy' looks at us, He sees us as a pure and forgiven child because of what Jesus did on Calvary.
I may never feel the freedom to actually talk to God as my "Daddy" (He will always be thought of as 'Father' or 'Abba, Father' by me), but I will never criticize anyone who feels this freedom to do so. Our God is a loving compassionate Father, and because of Jesus going to the Cross and paying the debt of sin, we who have put our trust in Him, Jesus, now have the freedom to enter the Throne Room of God and cry out to Him "Abba, Father".
My Prayer: Father, my Father, I thank You for the gift of becoming Your child. I thank You for being my refuge and providing all my needs. May I always glorify You and may others see me as Your child. I would like to hear "she has her Father's eyes", and may my eyes be a reflection of your love and image. Amen
Monday, March 21, 2011
E is for Elohim
In Genesis 1:1 it states: "In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth." The word ‘Elohim’ (e-lo-HEEM) is the plural of El (or possibly Eloah) and is the first name for God given in the Bible. He is God, our Creator, and the Creator of all.
The name Elohim is used more than 2500 times in the Hebrew Bible, and it is used 32 times in the very first chapter of Genesis. The fact that it is a plural word is not because it indicates many gods, but to emphasize the majesty of the one true God. It also indicates the trinity—Father, Son and Holy Spirit, One God in Three Persons.
This ancient name for God shows God is mighty with creative powers, as well as having total authority and sovereignty. Jesus of course, knew this name, and used a form of it when on the Cross, calling His Father "Eloi, Eloi…" (My God, My God)
Our God, Elohim, is creator of all heaven and earth, night and day, seas and land, animals and man. David gave praise to this and to the unchangeable nature of God in Psalm 102:25-27a:
"In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,
And the heavens are the works of Your hands.
They will perish, but You remain,
They will all wear out like a garment,
Like clothing You will change them
And they will be discarded.
But You remain the same."
Elohim, My God, You are the Mighty One who made everything out of nothing by the breath of your mouth. Help me to know You more and more as my very own Creator, who made me and placed me on earth for a reason. I will magnify Your name forever. Amen
The name Elohim is used more than 2500 times in the Hebrew Bible, and it is used 32 times in the very first chapter of Genesis. The fact that it is a plural word is not because it indicates many gods, but to emphasize the majesty of the one true God. It also indicates the trinity—Father, Son and Holy Spirit, One God in Three Persons.
This ancient name for God shows God is mighty with creative powers, as well as having total authority and sovereignty. Jesus of course, knew this name, and used a form of it when on the Cross, calling His Father "Eloi, Eloi…" (My God, My God)
Our God, Elohim, is creator of all heaven and earth, night and day, seas and land, animals and man. David gave praise to this and to the unchangeable nature of God in Psalm 102:25-27a:
"In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,
And the heavens are the works of Your hands.
They will perish, but You remain,
They will all wear out like a garment,
Like clothing You will change them
And they will be discarded.
But You remain the same."
Elohim, My God, You are the Mighty One who made everything out of nothing by the breath of your mouth. Help me to know You more and more as my very own Creator, who made me and placed me on earth for a reason. I will magnify Your name forever. Amen
Monday, March 14, 2011
D is for Deliverer
In the New World Dictionary, the #1 explanation of what ‘deliver’ or deliverer means: "to set free or save from evil, danger, or restraint; liberate (delivered from bondage.)." In Romans 11:26 Paul wrote "And so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob". Matthew 6:13 in the Lord’s Prayer states: "…but Deliver us from evil…" A favorite of mine is Psalm 18:2 "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust."
From these verses we see that it was in God’s plan to be our Deliverer. To help understand the word even better, we need to take a short look at the past. The whole history of the Jewish people is really a dramatic one. They have had a history of suffering, slavery, and pain. In Egypt they were in slavery, so in the desert, and even after they conquered Palestine. The very small period of independence was during the time of David and Solomon. After the death of Solomon, the kingdom was divided into two parts, Judea in the south and Israel to the North. In about 600 BC Jerusalem was destroyed and the people carried into captivity. Israel and Judea were wiped out as a political power and did not rise again until 1947. All the time those two kingdoms were looking for a Deliverer.
All of the history of humanity has been a struggle, and humanity as a whole has been looking for an ideal, for a Deliverer. No man is going to meet the needs of humanity, save one, and He is the one the prophets spoke about who would crush the seed of the serpent. These prophets were to prepare the way to the only Deliverer, and that is Jesus Christ. Jesus was sent to earth to give Himself for the sins of all mankind, to rescue us from the power of the present evil age—a world ruled by Satan and filled with cruelty, temptation, tragedy and deception. Jesus came to be the Deliverer.
Jesus is our Deliverer if we will put our trust in Him, accept that He paid the price and let Him into our hearts. This doesn’t immediately remove us from this world of sin, but we are no longer enslaved to it; we are delivered from the power of sin with Jesus life in us. Then when we die, we know that we will be delivered from Satan’s clutches and be with the Lord Jesus, our Deliverer, in heaven for eternity.
My Deliverer
You rescued me
From all that held me captive
My Deliverer
You set me free
Now I’m alive and can live
So every moment I will give you praise
My Deliverer!
--Mandisa
From these verses we see that it was in God’s plan to be our Deliverer. To help understand the word even better, we need to take a short look at the past. The whole history of the Jewish people is really a dramatic one. They have had a history of suffering, slavery, and pain. In Egypt they were in slavery, so in the desert, and even after they conquered Palestine. The very small period of independence was during the time of David and Solomon. After the death of Solomon, the kingdom was divided into two parts, Judea in the south and Israel to the North. In about 600 BC Jerusalem was destroyed and the people carried into captivity. Israel and Judea were wiped out as a political power and did not rise again until 1947. All the time those two kingdoms were looking for a Deliverer.
All of the history of humanity has been a struggle, and humanity as a whole has been looking for an ideal, for a Deliverer. No man is going to meet the needs of humanity, save one, and He is the one the prophets spoke about who would crush the seed of the serpent. These prophets were to prepare the way to the only Deliverer, and that is Jesus Christ. Jesus was sent to earth to give Himself for the sins of all mankind, to rescue us from the power of the present evil age—a world ruled by Satan and filled with cruelty, temptation, tragedy and deception. Jesus came to be the Deliverer.
Jesus is our Deliverer if we will put our trust in Him, accept that He paid the price and let Him into our hearts. This doesn’t immediately remove us from this world of sin, but we are no longer enslaved to it; we are delivered from the power of sin with Jesus life in us. Then when we die, we know that we will be delivered from Satan’s clutches and be with the Lord Jesus, our Deliverer, in heaven for eternity.
My Deliverer
You rescued me
From all that held me captive
My Deliverer
You set me free
Now I’m alive and can live
So every moment I will give you praise
My Deliverer!
--Mandisa
Monday, March 7, 2011
C is for Christ
Most of us are familiar with the name "Christ", usually used as part of the personal name of Jesus Christ. Even the non-believer is heard to use it as an expletive. How it came to be that, I have never understood other than another way of Satan endeavoring to turn man’s thoughts away from Christ as our Redeemer.
According the Wikipedia, the Greek word of "khristos" means "anointed one", and is a translation of the Hebrew word "Masiah" translated into English as Messiah. Both the words of Christ and Messiah mean, "anointed one". In the Old Testament when the promised one, the Messiah to come, was referred to, He was referred to as "The anointed one". The New Testament identified Jesus as Christ, the "Anointed One" 530 times. Jesus was not anointed with oil, but He was anointed with the Holy Spirit at His baptism.
In Biblical times oil was used for many things. It was also used for sacred purposes such as Israel’s high priests when taking that office. Some of Israel’s kings, especially from the line of David, were anointed by pouring the oil on the head in a circle to form a crown.
In Luke 9:20 Jesus asked Peter "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered "You are ‘The Christ of God’. In Matthew 16:16 he was quoted as saying "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God". He was admitting that Jesus was the Messiah, the Anointed One from God.
Acts 2:36 states "Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ (our anointed one)."
Christ, God’s ‘Anointed One’ finished the job He came to do. Halleluia, what a Saviour! Amen
According the Wikipedia, the Greek word of "khristos" means "anointed one", and is a translation of the Hebrew word "Masiah" translated into English as Messiah. Both the words of Christ and Messiah mean, "anointed one". In the Old Testament when the promised one, the Messiah to come, was referred to, He was referred to as "The anointed one". The New Testament identified Jesus as Christ, the "Anointed One" 530 times. Jesus was not anointed with oil, but He was anointed with the Holy Spirit at His baptism.
In Biblical times oil was used for many things. It was also used for sacred purposes such as Israel’s high priests when taking that office. Some of Israel’s kings, especially from the line of David, were anointed by pouring the oil on the head in a circle to form a crown.
In Luke 9:20 Jesus asked Peter "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered "You are ‘The Christ of God’. In Matthew 16:16 he was quoted as saying "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God". He was admitting that Jesus was the Messiah, the Anointed One from God.
Acts 2:36 states "Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ (our anointed one)."
Hymns of Praise then let us sing
Unto Christ, our heavenly King
Who endured the Cross and grave
Sinners to redeem and save.
Unto Christ, our heavenly King
Who endured the Cross and grave
Sinners to redeem and save.
Christ, God’s ‘Anointed One’ finished the job He came to do. Halleluia, what a Saviour! Amen
Monday, February 28, 2011
B is for Bridegroom
Among the titles for God is the one used often for Christ, that of Bridegroom. The description of the Bridegroom is actually used 14 times in the New Testament. The Church is called the ‘bride of Christ’, and therefore as the Bride, is spiritually united with Christ, the Bridegroom.
When I was a young girl, my friends and I would often discuss what we wanted in a husband, in our bridegroom. Of course we wanted him to be handsome and rich, definitely rich! It would be nice if he was an important person, maybe president of the country. He should be a good person, and be a faithful husband.
How do all these fantasies of the perfect husband compare to Christ as the perfect Bridegroom? One book of the Old Testament I enjoy reading when comparing Jesus to the Bridegroom, is the Song of Solomon. He is said to be fair and ruddy, his appearance is excellent, stately and majestic. Our bridegroom, Jesus, will be the desire of all nations, one of beauty and majesty.
As to our Bridegrooms riches, they are infinite. He is heir of all things, and as His bride, we will be ‘jointheirs’ with Christ.
Will our Bridegroom be Important? Yes, He is the Son of the Most High God, Prince of Kings of the earth. He is equal to the Father, and Ruler of the Universe. Human language has no way of describing His glory—it is beyond words. It is through Him we live, and move, and have our being (Acts 17:28).
Jesus love passes all understanding. We are told His compassion’s are new every morning. His mercy and loving-kindness endures forever (Psalm 136). He loved His Bride so much He paid the price of sin and died in her place. He is willing to cover His bride with His own righteousness. He rejoices over the bride, and delights in her. Now, if that’s not ‘love’, what is!?
Will He be faithful? Truth and Faithfulness are Attributes of the nature of our Bridegroom. He will never change, which is another Attribute—Immutability. He is as faithful now as He ever will be or has been. He is ALL Faithful.
Christ will soon come to claim the bride, and we will reign with the Bridegroom for eternity. In the book of Revelation we read about our new home, the New Jerusalem. In John 14:2 He said He is preparing this home for us now.
"Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
And give Him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come
And His bride has made herself ready,
Fine linen, bright and clean
Was given her to wear." Rev. 19:6-9
I for one can hardly wait to join my Bridegroom at that Celebration Banquet, our Wedding Feast. In Revelation 22:17 we are told "The Holy Spirit and the bride (true believers) say, Come!" and vs. 21 "Yes, come Lord Jesus!" Your Bride is waiting.
When I was a young girl, my friends and I would often discuss what we wanted in a husband, in our bridegroom. Of course we wanted him to be handsome and rich, definitely rich! It would be nice if he was an important person, maybe president of the country. He should be a good person, and be a faithful husband.
How do all these fantasies of the perfect husband compare to Christ as the perfect Bridegroom? One book of the Old Testament I enjoy reading when comparing Jesus to the Bridegroom, is the Song of Solomon. He is said to be fair and ruddy, his appearance is excellent, stately and majestic. Our bridegroom, Jesus, will be the desire of all nations, one of beauty and majesty.
As to our Bridegrooms riches, they are infinite. He is heir of all things, and as His bride, we will be ‘jointheirs’ with Christ.
Will our Bridegroom be Important? Yes, He is the Son of the Most High God, Prince of Kings of the earth. He is equal to the Father, and Ruler of the Universe. Human language has no way of describing His glory—it is beyond words. It is through Him we live, and move, and have our being (Acts 17:28).
Jesus love passes all understanding. We are told His compassion’s are new every morning. His mercy and loving-kindness endures forever (Psalm 136). He loved His Bride so much He paid the price of sin and died in her place. He is willing to cover His bride with His own righteousness. He rejoices over the bride, and delights in her. Now, if that’s not ‘love’, what is!?
Will He be faithful? Truth and Faithfulness are Attributes of the nature of our Bridegroom. He will never change, which is another Attribute—Immutability. He is as faithful now as He ever will be or has been. He is ALL Faithful.
Christ will soon come to claim the bride, and we will reign with the Bridegroom for eternity. In the book of Revelation we read about our new home, the New Jerusalem. In John 14:2 He said He is preparing this home for us now.
"Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
And give Him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come
And His bride has made herself ready,
Fine linen, bright and clean
Was given her to wear." Rev. 19:6-9
I for one can hardly wait to join my Bridegroom at that Celebration Banquet, our Wedding Feast. In Revelation 22:17 we are told "The Holy Spirit and the bride (true believers) say, Come!" and vs. 21 "Yes, come Lord Jesus!" Your Bride is waiting.
Monday, February 21, 2011
A is for Adonai
"Your NAME is like perfume poured out." S of S 1:3
"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your NAME in all the earth!" Psalm 8:1
"The NAME of the Lord is a strong tower…" Proverbs 18:10
What is in a name? There have been many names used for God down through the ages, and many of these are used because of the meaning behind the name. For the next few months I am going to go through the alphabet, thinking about a different name for God each week, and writing a brief, though hopefully enlightening synopsis of that name. It is my sincere thought that as Christians, we must continually be learning and growing in the Lord, so what better way than to learn about Him through His names.
To begin this exercise, I have chosen the name of Adonai. I have heard this name from time to time, but never did know the meaning behind it. There are other ‘A’ names that come to mind, such as Almighty, Alpha, and Anointed One, but I love saying the word "Adonai" pronounced (A-do-NAI). It catches my heart some way.
Adonai is the Hebrew name for ‘My Lord’. It is used in the Hebrew reading as a substitute for the name YHWH, Yahweh (Yah-ve) or Jehovah, with the primary meaning of "self-existant one". YHWH is called a ‘Tetragrammation’, using the 4 consonants of the Hebrew name for God. YHWH was considered too sacred to be spoken aloud, so the word ‘Adonai’ (Lord) is substituted for the name in utterance. The vowels of Adonai or Elohim (God) are inserted in the Hebrew texts so that the modern reconstruction of YHWH is Yahweh or Jehovah.
The first part of the word "Adon", means "steward administrator, master or Lord." By adding the "ai" this intensifies the meaning to mean the Lord of all, or Supreme Lord. Therefore, by using the title Adonai, we are emphasizing that God is sovereign, giving Him Lordship. It also places us in the role of servant, that is servant to our Lord, our Adonai.
The chorus to a song sung by Avalon:
"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your NAME in all the earth!" Psalm 8:1
"The NAME of the Lord is a strong tower…" Proverbs 18:10
What is in a name? There have been many names used for God down through the ages, and many of these are used because of the meaning behind the name. For the next few months I am going to go through the alphabet, thinking about a different name for God each week, and writing a brief, though hopefully enlightening synopsis of that name. It is my sincere thought that as Christians, we must continually be learning and growing in the Lord, so what better way than to learn about Him through His names.
To begin this exercise, I have chosen the name of Adonai. I have heard this name from time to time, but never did know the meaning behind it. There are other ‘A’ names that come to mind, such as Almighty, Alpha, and Anointed One, but I love saying the word "Adonai" pronounced (A-do-NAI). It catches my heart some way.
Adonai is the Hebrew name for ‘My Lord’. It is used in the Hebrew reading as a substitute for the name YHWH, Yahweh (Yah-ve) or Jehovah, with the primary meaning of "self-existant one". YHWH is called a ‘Tetragrammation’, using the 4 consonants of the Hebrew name for God. YHWH was considered too sacred to be spoken aloud, so the word ‘Adonai’ (Lord) is substituted for the name in utterance. The vowels of Adonai or Elohim (God) are inserted in the Hebrew texts so that the modern reconstruction of YHWH is Yahweh or Jehovah.
The first part of the word "Adon", means "steward administrator, master or Lord." By adding the "ai" this intensifies the meaning to mean the Lord of all, or Supreme Lord. Therefore, by using the title Adonai, we are emphasizing that God is sovereign, giving Him Lordship. It also places us in the role of servant, that is servant to our Lord, our Adonai.
The chorus to a song sung by Avalon:
Adonai, I lift up my heart and I cry
My Adonai.
You are the maker of each moment
Father of my hope and freedom,
Oh, my Adonai.
My Adonai.
You are the maker of each moment
Father of my hope and freedom,
Oh, my Adonai.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Who is the Holy Spirit?
When we think of Jesus, we know He had a human body so we have no difficulty in thinking of Him as a person. But to think of the Holy Spirit as a Spirit, and still a person is a bit harder for us to do. So we often hear it asked: Who is the Holy Spirit? What does He do? Where is He?
First of all, Who is The Holy Spirit? In Anne Graham Lotz’ book "Just Give me Jesus", she states that He is "another Jesus". When Jesus told His disciples another would be sent after He was gone, He said it was another just like Himself: He is exactly like Jesus, the Spirit of Jesus. In John 14:16 Jesus told them the Father would send "another counselor". In the Amplified Version it gives six other descriptions: Comforter, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and He Stands by. Can you imagine this? You have someone in your life to meet all these needs.
Another aspect of "Who the Spirit is", is that He is a person. Though He is a Spirit, He is a personality. He is co-equal, co-existent and co-eternal with God the Father, and Jesus the Son.
What the Spirit is NOT, regardless of our human imagery, He is NOT a ‘dove’, or a ‘flame of fire’, or an ‘experience’ or an ‘it’, or a ‘ghost.’ He is a spirit-person. He has a mind, intellect, and a will. Being one with the Father and Son, they have one will and work together in everything.
Where is the Holy Spirit now? Since that day of Pentecost over 2000 years ago, the Holy Spirit has dwelt within any person who has invited Jesus to come in. Anyone who has put their faith and trust in Jesus, accepting the sacrifice which He made at Calvary’s Cross, the Holy Spirit will make His residence in that life. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to His children. He is a permanent resident in the lives of each believer. He will never leave us or forsake us.
What does the Holy Spirit do? His main purpose for man is to reveal the Truth of God. He also convicts us of sin. The Holy Spirit gives power. At creation it says in Genesis 1 that He hovered over the ‘face of the deep’. He hovers over our minds to help us understand the truths of God. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is the power that dwells within each believer. This same power that hung the stars in place now resides in every believer.
The Nicene Creed, which I have quoted from before, also pays tribute to the Holy Spirit as being Himself God and equal to the Father and Son:
I believe in the Holy Spirit
The Lord and giver of life,
Which proceedeth from the Father and the Son,
Who with the Father and Son together
Is worshipped and glorified.
First of all, Who is The Holy Spirit? In Anne Graham Lotz’ book "Just Give me Jesus", she states that He is "another Jesus". When Jesus told His disciples another would be sent after He was gone, He said it was another just like Himself: He is exactly like Jesus, the Spirit of Jesus. In John 14:16 Jesus told them the Father would send "another counselor". In the Amplified Version it gives six other descriptions: Comforter, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and He Stands by. Can you imagine this? You have someone in your life to meet all these needs.
Another aspect of "Who the Spirit is", is that He is a person. Though He is a Spirit, He is a personality. He is co-equal, co-existent and co-eternal with God the Father, and Jesus the Son.
What the Spirit is NOT, regardless of our human imagery, He is NOT a ‘dove’, or a ‘flame of fire’, or an ‘experience’ or an ‘it’, or a ‘ghost.’ He is a spirit-person. He has a mind, intellect, and a will. Being one with the Father and Son, they have one will and work together in everything.
Where is the Holy Spirit now? Since that day of Pentecost over 2000 years ago, the Holy Spirit has dwelt within any person who has invited Jesus to come in. Anyone who has put their faith and trust in Jesus, accepting the sacrifice which He made at Calvary’s Cross, the Holy Spirit will make His residence in that life. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to His children. He is a permanent resident in the lives of each believer. He will never leave us or forsake us.
What does the Holy Spirit do? His main purpose for man is to reveal the Truth of God. He also convicts us of sin. The Holy Spirit gives power. At creation it says in Genesis 1 that He hovered over the ‘face of the deep’. He hovers over our minds to help us understand the truths of God. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is the power that dwells within each believer. This same power that hung the stars in place now resides in every believer.
The Nicene Creed, which I have quoted from before, also pays tribute to the Holy Spirit as being Himself God and equal to the Father and Son:
I believe in the Holy Spirit
The Lord and giver of life,
Which proceedeth from the Father and the Son,
Who with the Father and Son together
Is worshipped and glorified.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Who is Jesus?
As we said last week, we get to know God through Jesus, and what He did for us. Jesus is unique, revealed in His conception and miraculous birth from a virgin. He was sinless, and His powerful teachings have been carried down through the ages.
In Isaiah, 700 years before Christ was born, Isaiah wrote in 7:14 "Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name, Emmanuel." Unique? Yes! Never in the history of the earth had this happened before or since Jesus birth, let alone to be predicted centuries before it came about.
He was sinless. II Cor 5:21 states Christ, who knew no sin, became sin for us; and in I John 3:5 we read "and in Him is no sin." I like to read the description of a scene in heaven, which John describes for us in Revelation 5. There was a scroll, which could only be opened by one worthy, one who was sinless and victorious. No one in heaven or earth was worthy until in verse 5 it says, "see, the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Jesus) the Root of David, has won. He can open the scroll…" He alone was the perfect Lamb and the Son of God, Jesus. He was the ‘lamb without blemish’ from I Peter 1:19.
Jesus gave many sermons while He lived among men. The most well known is probably the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5. He gave over 60 recorded parables listed in the four Gospels. Because of what John said in John 21:25, we know there was so much more: "And there are also many other things which Jesus did. If they should be all recorded one by one (in detail) I suppose that even the world itself could not contain (have room for) the books that would be written."
What about Jesus as God and how He fits into eternity past? In Colossians 1:17 it says, "Christ existed before all things…" He said of Himself in John 8:58 "Before Abraham was born, ‘I Am’…" "I AM" is a name for God, so He is saying He is God. In John 5:18 He claims equality with God.
When Christ was on earth He did not hesitate to use the plural form when speaking of Himself, the Father, and the Spirit. John 10:30 states "We will come unto Him, and make our abode with him." And again "I and my Father are one." Jesus has always existed, and He will live forever! He is eternal.
Over 1600 years ago church fathers wrote the "Nicene Creed" which condenses the teaching of the New Testament as to the Son as one with the Father:
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ
The only-begotten Son of God,
Begotten of Him before all ages,
God of God, Light of Light,
Very God of Very God,
Begotten, not made,
Being of one substance with the Father,
By whom all things are made.
There is so much here we do not understand, as to think about God we must use our human-thoughts, and words, in trying to explain our Creator. So I leave you with this very brief description of Who Is Jesus. But this one thing I do know: I know He is my Savior, my Redeemer, I adore Him, I love Him, and that’s enough for me! So be it!
In Isaiah, 700 years before Christ was born, Isaiah wrote in 7:14 "Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name, Emmanuel." Unique? Yes! Never in the history of the earth had this happened before or since Jesus birth, let alone to be predicted centuries before it came about.
He was sinless. II Cor 5:21 states Christ, who knew no sin, became sin for us; and in I John 3:5 we read "and in Him is no sin." I like to read the description of a scene in heaven, which John describes for us in Revelation 5. There was a scroll, which could only be opened by one worthy, one who was sinless and victorious. No one in heaven or earth was worthy until in verse 5 it says, "see, the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Jesus) the Root of David, has won. He can open the scroll…" He alone was the perfect Lamb and the Son of God, Jesus. He was the ‘lamb without blemish’ from I Peter 1:19.
Jesus gave many sermons while He lived among men. The most well known is probably the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5. He gave over 60 recorded parables listed in the four Gospels. Because of what John said in John 21:25, we know there was so much more: "And there are also many other things which Jesus did. If they should be all recorded one by one (in detail) I suppose that even the world itself could not contain (have room for) the books that would be written."
What about Jesus as God and how He fits into eternity past? In Colossians 1:17 it says, "Christ existed before all things…" He said of Himself in John 8:58 "Before Abraham was born, ‘I Am’…" "I AM" is a name for God, so He is saying He is God. In John 5:18 He claims equality with God.
When Christ was on earth He did not hesitate to use the plural form when speaking of Himself, the Father, and the Spirit. John 10:30 states "We will come unto Him, and make our abode with him." And again "I and my Father are one." Jesus has always existed, and He will live forever! He is eternal.
Over 1600 years ago church fathers wrote the "Nicene Creed" which condenses the teaching of the New Testament as to the Son as one with the Father:
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ
The only-begotten Son of God,
Begotten of Him before all ages,
God of God, Light of Light,
Very God of Very God,
Begotten, not made,
Being of one substance with the Father,
By whom all things are made.
There is so much here we do not understand, as to think about God we must use our human-thoughts, and words, in trying to explain our Creator. So I leave you with this very brief description of Who Is Jesus. But this one thing I do know: I know He is my Savior, my Redeemer, I adore Him, I love Him, and that’s enough for me! So be it!
Monday, January 31, 2011
What is God Like?
The question is often asked, "what is God like?" The Bible simply states that GOD IS. The Bible itself does not argue the point. The first words in Genesis are "In the beginning—God." This is not God’s beginning, this is man’s beginning. This is the beginning of Creation and time. God always has been; He always will be! His eternal existence is powerfully expressed in two words: God IS. Look at Hebrews 11:6 (NASB) "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that HE IS…"
‘God Is’ can also be translated ‘God Exists’. God exists before time, He will exist forever. Now, I am very finite. I cannot think much before ‘time’. I always come to a wall, or beginning. But God always existed. Here is where faith accepts what we cannot understand.
God is incomprehensible, so why should I say that if I cannot understand it that it cannot be so. Here is what A.W.Tozer says about it: "When we try to imagine what God is like we must of necessity use that-which-is-not-God as the raw material for our minds to work on. Hence, whatever we visualize God to be, He is not, for we have constructed our image out of that which He has made and what He has made is not God. If we insist upon trying to imagine Him, we end with an idol made not with hands but with thoughts; and an idol of the mind is as offensive to God as an idol of the hand."
How then can we know God? The Bible says simply "through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Matthew 11:27). Jesus said of Himself in John 14:9: "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father…"
God in His love, however, has declared certain things to be true about Himself. These are called Attributes, which I wrote about in 2009, October through December. To name a few: Love, Goodness, Faithfulness, Justice, Omnipresence, Omniscience, and Omnipotent. Because He is God, He is all of each one of these. He is not more of one or less of another, but all, of all of His Attributes.
Sovereign Father, heavenly King,
Thee we now presume to sing;
Glad thine Attributes confess,
Glorious all, and numberless.
--By Charles Wesley
Prayer: Oh Lord, Our Almighty God, Help us to realize that you are beyond our understanding. You are such a great and awesome God. How can we ever know the fullness of who You are? Open our eyes to see new truths as we worship and Praise you.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
‘God Is’ can also be translated ‘God Exists’. God exists before time, He will exist forever. Now, I am very finite. I cannot think much before ‘time’. I always come to a wall, or beginning. But God always existed. Here is where faith accepts what we cannot understand.
God is incomprehensible, so why should I say that if I cannot understand it that it cannot be so. Here is what A.W.Tozer says about it: "When we try to imagine what God is like we must of necessity use that-which-is-not-God as the raw material for our minds to work on. Hence, whatever we visualize God to be, He is not, for we have constructed our image out of that which He has made and what He has made is not God. If we insist upon trying to imagine Him, we end with an idol made not with hands but with thoughts; and an idol of the mind is as offensive to God as an idol of the hand."
How then can we know God? The Bible says simply "through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Matthew 11:27). Jesus said of Himself in John 14:9: "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father…"
God in His love, however, has declared certain things to be true about Himself. These are called Attributes, which I wrote about in 2009, October through December. To name a few: Love, Goodness, Faithfulness, Justice, Omnipresence, Omniscience, and Omnipotent. Because He is God, He is all of each one of these. He is not more of one or less of another, but all, of all of His Attributes.
Sovereign Father, heavenly King,
Thee we now presume to sing;
Glad thine Attributes confess,
Glorious all, and numberless.
--By Charles Wesley
Prayer: Oh Lord, Our Almighty God, Help us to realize that you are beyond our understanding. You are such a great and awesome God. How can we ever know the fullness of who You are? Open our eyes to see new truths as we worship and Praise you.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
Monday, January 24, 2011
Inspiration from the Psalms III
Psalm 136
Many receive blessings from reading the Psalms. I have been going through them as my Old Testament reading on my journey through the Bible once again. It has taken me several months, as sometimes I reread a Psalm for several days; or I will take a verse and ponder it and look up Scripture that links to it. I am truly inspired by the Psalms.
I felt especially thrilled when I read Psalm 136 a few days ago. Oh yes, I read it before, probably several times, but suddenly I saw it. There are 26 verses in the Psalm, and all 26 of them end with the phrase "for His mercy and loving-kindness endures forever."
I am not gifted with the ability to put my thoughts into verse as my Mother was, and which I have shared, but I do enjoy delving into words and meanings. So first we are going to look at "Mercy".
Mercy is an Attribute of God, which means it is one of His characteristics, and a fact about God. Because He is God, Mercy to God is not a temporary mood to be turned on when God has a good day. As an Attribute, Mercy has always been, from eternity past and throughout eternity future. It will never be more or less because it is infinite. So God’s ‘mercies’ will be always the same. When we think God’s not as merciful to us, it only means that man’s unbelief is keeping man from experiencing God’s mercy. God’s mercy does not change. In God’s mercy He provided a way of salvation, but we have a responsibility to believe, accept His mercy that is available to us through Jesus Christ. God’s mercies are forever.
God tells us over and over that He is merciful in both the Old and New Testaments, but the Old Testament has 4 times as much to say about it, and a lot of this is through the Psalms.
Next we have His "Loving-Kindness". Another one of God’s Attributes, or true a fact of God’s character, is Goodness or Kindness. It is this divine goodness that disposes Him to be kind, tenderhearted and take pleasure in His people. A.W. Tozer states that "the goodness of God is the drive behind all the blessings He daily bestows upon us".
A saint who lived 600 years ago, wrote on "The Revelations of Divine Love", in which she lists some of the blessings God has given in our behalf. After each blessing listed, she adds "of His goodness", very much as the Psalmist does in Psalm 136 by adding "His loving-kindness" after each blessing and verse.
As an Attribute of God, Divine goodness is self-caused, infinite, perfect and eternal. And because God is unchanging, He never varies in the intensity of His loving-kindness.
Prayer:
O Lord, How can we thank you enough for your mercy and loving kindness, which reaches down to, our deepest needs? It gives us beauty for ashes, and joy for mourning, and it changes our heaviness into a garment of praise! We bless and magnify thy mercy and loving-kindness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Many receive blessings from reading the Psalms. I have been going through them as my Old Testament reading on my journey through the Bible once again. It has taken me several months, as sometimes I reread a Psalm for several days; or I will take a verse and ponder it and look up Scripture that links to it. I am truly inspired by the Psalms.
I felt especially thrilled when I read Psalm 136 a few days ago. Oh yes, I read it before, probably several times, but suddenly I saw it. There are 26 verses in the Psalm, and all 26 of them end with the phrase "for His mercy and loving-kindness endures forever."
I am not gifted with the ability to put my thoughts into verse as my Mother was, and which I have shared, but I do enjoy delving into words and meanings. So first we are going to look at "Mercy".
Mercy is an Attribute of God, which means it is one of His characteristics, and a fact about God. Because He is God, Mercy to God is not a temporary mood to be turned on when God has a good day. As an Attribute, Mercy has always been, from eternity past and throughout eternity future. It will never be more or less because it is infinite. So God’s ‘mercies’ will be always the same. When we think God’s not as merciful to us, it only means that man’s unbelief is keeping man from experiencing God’s mercy. God’s mercy does not change. In God’s mercy He provided a way of salvation, but we have a responsibility to believe, accept His mercy that is available to us through Jesus Christ. God’s mercies are forever.
God tells us over and over that He is merciful in both the Old and New Testaments, but the Old Testament has 4 times as much to say about it, and a lot of this is through the Psalms.
Next we have His "Loving-Kindness". Another one of God’s Attributes, or true a fact of God’s character, is Goodness or Kindness. It is this divine goodness that disposes Him to be kind, tenderhearted and take pleasure in His people. A.W. Tozer states that "the goodness of God is the drive behind all the blessings He daily bestows upon us".
A saint who lived 600 years ago, wrote on "The Revelations of Divine Love", in which she lists some of the blessings God has given in our behalf. After each blessing listed, she adds "of His goodness", very much as the Psalmist does in Psalm 136 by adding "His loving-kindness" after each blessing and verse.
As an Attribute of God, Divine goodness is self-caused, infinite, perfect and eternal. And because God is unchanging, He never varies in the intensity of His loving-kindness.
Prayer:
O Lord, How can we thank you enough for your mercy and loving kindness, which reaches down to, our deepest needs? It gives us beauty for ashes, and joy for mourning, and it changes our heaviness into a garment of praise! We bless and magnify thy mercy and loving-kindness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Monday, January 17, 2011
Inspiration From the Psalms II
A few months ago I used a poem my mother had written, inspired by a Psalm. This week I am giving another of her poems inspired by Psalm 130:1: "Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord."
At a time when a loved one is taken from us through death, we feel we can not sink any lower in our grief; Or when we see our sin for what it is, we cry out with Paul: "O wretched man that I am!" (Romans 7:24) and we sink into the pit of despair. Yet our Lord sees us; He will reach down to our deepest needs and literally bring us up out of the depth of despair or sorrow. He reaches down to our deepest needs, and draws us up, placing us on the solid rock, and that Rock is Jesus:
Out of the depths of sinning,
All hopeless, lost, undone,
I cried unto Thee, my Savior,
And there the victory won.
My heart is weak and wayward,
My soul is wounded and sore,
But He reaches the depth of my greatest need,
Restores His joy once more.
At a time when a loved one is taken from us through death, we feel we can not sink any lower in our grief; Or when we see our sin for what it is, we cry out with Paul: "O wretched man that I am!" (Romans 7:24) and we sink into the pit of despair. Yet our Lord sees us; He will reach down to our deepest needs and literally bring us up out of the depth of despair or sorrow. He reaches down to our deepest needs, and draws us up, placing us on the solid rock, and that Rock is Jesus:
Out of the depths of sorrow,
The midnight of despair,
I cried unto thee, my Savior,
And found Thee waiting there.
Oh, joy in the midst of darkness,
Oh, peace I can not understand,
For He reaches the depths of my sorrow
And holds me by my hand.
The midnight of despair,
I cried unto thee, my Savior,
And found Thee waiting there.
Oh, joy in the midst of darkness,
Oh, peace I can not understand,
For He reaches the depths of my sorrow
And holds me by my hand.
Out of the depths of sinning,
All hopeless, lost, undone,
I cried unto Thee, my Savior,
And there the victory won.
My heart is weak and wayward,
My soul is wounded and sore,
But He reaches the depth of my greatest need,
Restores His joy once more.
Out of the depths of suffering,
The darkness of physical pain,
When weakness and need engulfed me,
I cried unto Thee again.
Oh, help in the midst of weakness,
Oh, courage He doth impart,
For He reaches the depth of my suffering,
Pours healing into my heart.
The darkness of physical pain,
When weakness and need engulfed me,
I cried unto Thee again.
Oh, help in the midst of weakness,
Oh, courage He doth impart,
For He reaches the depth of my suffering,
Pours healing into my heart.
Into the depths of sorrow
My Savior went for me;
Into the depths for sinners
He went to make me free;
Into the depths of suffering
He went for me indeed;
And He went that I might not cry in vain
Out of my depths of need.
My Savior went for me;
Into the depths for sinners
He went to make me free;
Into the depths of suffering
He went for me indeed;
And He went that I might not cry in vain
Out of my depths of need.
---Written by Marjorie S. Paton
Monday, January 10, 2011
Self-Control
Our very last ‘fruit of the Spirit’ is called "Self-Control", or may be referred to as ‘temperance’. When we have our whole life under the control of the Holy Spirit, then we will display ‘self-control’. This is the mastery we must continually strive for.
As I read the papers, watch the news on TV and look around at our present generation, it would seem we have no concept of self-control. Here are examples of what I mean: rise in credit card bankruptcies, rise in divorces, mini-riots, road rage, sexual promiscuity, as well as all sorts of addictions. We have lost the concept of ‘temperance’, which is listed in the Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22,23. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, self-control."
The Bible tells us of several areas where ‘self-control’ needs to be applied:
1. Self-control of what I do and how I behave. Paul was fearful of being disqualified due to out of control fleshly desires. In I Corinthians 9:27 he spoke of controlling his body as an athlete must do: "but I keep under my body and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself will be cast away".
2. Self-control is needed over what we say. Did you know that over 150 times the Bible speaks about the tongue? It likens it to a fire, and in Ephesians 4:25, 29 it tells us to not let any corrupt communication come from the mouth.
3. We should have self-control over our feelings. This is against today’s culture where we are told that if we want something, or it feels good, it can’t be wrong. In Proverbs 25:28 wise Solomon said that he that had no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
4. We need self-control over our thoughts. The mind is where it all begins. If a person’s thoughts can be controlled, the person can be controlled. This is the premise behind ‘brain-washing’. In II Corinthians 10:5 it says we must "cast down imaginations and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
Temperance is not simply self-control at all, it is Spirit-control; and here are some simple steps to help us tap in to this power of the Holy Spirit. First we need to identify the problem areas. Find the weak spot. Second, we need to confess any sin to God. Thirdly, we need to make ourselves accountable. Find a prayer partner to help with accountability. Ecc. 4:12 states "two are better than one." And last, we must ‘die’ to our desires. Crucify self every day. Paul said, "I am crucified with Christ" (Galatians 2:20) and it must be every day. II Corinthians 4:16 says the inner man is renewed every day.
In closing, here is what Max Lucado says about letting the spiritual reign supreme:
"I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I refuse to let what will rot rule even today! I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be fattened only by love. I will be impassioned only by faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control!!"
As I read the papers, watch the news on TV and look around at our present generation, it would seem we have no concept of self-control. Here are examples of what I mean: rise in credit card bankruptcies, rise in divorces, mini-riots, road rage, sexual promiscuity, as well as all sorts of addictions. We have lost the concept of ‘temperance’, which is listed in the Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22,23. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, self-control."
The Bible tells us of several areas where ‘self-control’ needs to be applied:
1. Self-control of what I do and how I behave. Paul was fearful of being disqualified due to out of control fleshly desires. In I Corinthians 9:27 he spoke of controlling his body as an athlete must do: "but I keep under my body and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself will be cast away".
2. Self-control is needed over what we say. Did you know that over 150 times the Bible speaks about the tongue? It likens it to a fire, and in Ephesians 4:25, 29 it tells us to not let any corrupt communication come from the mouth.
3. We should have self-control over our feelings. This is against today’s culture where we are told that if we want something, or it feels good, it can’t be wrong. In Proverbs 25:28 wise Solomon said that he that had no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
4. We need self-control over our thoughts. The mind is where it all begins. If a person’s thoughts can be controlled, the person can be controlled. This is the premise behind ‘brain-washing’. In II Corinthians 10:5 it says we must "cast down imaginations and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
Temperance is not simply self-control at all, it is Spirit-control; and here are some simple steps to help us tap in to this power of the Holy Spirit. First we need to identify the problem areas. Find the weak spot. Second, we need to confess any sin to God. Thirdly, we need to make ourselves accountable. Find a prayer partner to help with accountability. Ecc. 4:12 states "two are better than one." And last, we must ‘die’ to our desires. Crucify self every day. Paul said, "I am crucified with Christ" (Galatians 2:20) and it must be every day. II Corinthians 4:16 says the inner man is renewed every day.
In closing, here is what Max Lucado says about letting the spiritual reign supreme:
"I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I refuse to let what will rot rule even today! I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be fattened only by love. I will be impassioned only by faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control!!"
Monday, January 3, 2011
Meekness
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, self-control; " (Galatians 5:22,23)
This week our Fruit of the Spirit for discussion is Meekness, often referred to as "Humility’; and true meekness is a humility coupled with strength.
Again we go to Jesus as our example. In Matthew 11:29 Jesus says of Himself "…I am meek and lowly (humble) in heart...". Moses is the only other person in the Bible who is referred to as ‘humble. In Numbers 12:3 it states: "Now the man Moses was very meek (gentle, kind, and humble) above all the men who were upon the face of the earth." Both Jesus and Moses were very strong men, physically and spiritually.
Humility can be characterized by the absence of pride. Humility is being able to understand that God can work through others, or even that others may get the glory for something you did, in order to accomplish His will. An example of what I mean here comes from my father. His occupation for many years had been taking the sermon preached by a well-known radio minister, and rewriting it to put it in book form. He also would write articles and books on certain subjects that would be published in the name of the better known minister. Someone asked my father one time if it bothered him to have what he wrote being published and glory given to another person. He simple smiled, pointing heavenward and said "Oh no. You see, I know who keeps the books." He was just willing to be used in any way that God’s work would be the most effective.
True meekness is humility learning to be submissive to the sovereign will of God. True humility is able to love, and love is the very first fruit listed. True love is a humble love as that person is ‘other-directed’, always wanting to serve. True humility will want to encourage others, and enjoys seeing others succeed.
As we allow the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit of humility in us, we learn to forget ourselves. We will be able to say as John the Baptist did in John 3:30: "He must increase; but I must decrease."
True Humility will be able to say:
This week our Fruit of the Spirit for discussion is Meekness, often referred to as "Humility’; and true meekness is a humility coupled with strength.
Again we go to Jesus as our example. In Matthew 11:29 Jesus says of Himself "…I am meek and lowly (humble) in heart...". Moses is the only other person in the Bible who is referred to as ‘humble. In Numbers 12:3 it states: "Now the man Moses was very meek (gentle, kind, and humble) above all the men who were upon the face of the earth." Both Jesus and Moses were very strong men, physically and spiritually.
Humility can be characterized by the absence of pride. Humility is being able to understand that God can work through others, or even that others may get the glory for something you did, in order to accomplish His will. An example of what I mean here comes from my father. His occupation for many years had been taking the sermon preached by a well-known radio minister, and rewriting it to put it in book form. He also would write articles and books on certain subjects that would be published in the name of the better known minister. Someone asked my father one time if it bothered him to have what he wrote being published and glory given to another person. He simple smiled, pointing heavenward and said "Oh no. You see, I know who keeps the books." He was just willing to be used in any way that God’s work would be the most effective.
True meekness is humility learning to be submissive to the sovereign will of God. True humility is able to love, and love is the very first fruit listed. True love is a humble love as that person is ‘other-directed’, always wanting to serve. True humility will want to encourage others, and enjoys seeing others succeed.
As we allow the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit of humility in us, we learn to forget ourselves. We will be able to say as John the Baptist did in John 3:30: "He must increase; but I must decrease."
True Humility will be able to say:
"Not I, but Christ, be honored, loved, exalted.
Not I, but Christ, be seen, be known, be heard;
Not I, but Christ, in every look and action,
Not I, but Christ, in every thought and word.
--Unknown
Not I, but Christ, be seen, be known, be heard;
Not I, but Christ, in every look and action,
Not I, but Christ, in every thought and word.
--Unknown
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