Let us love the LORD together! Let us grow in the grace and knowledge of the LORD Jesus! Let us seek to understand who He is and what He has done! We must understand the gospel! We must understand how it affects our life and how we can apply it in every part of our lives. Oh let us love the LORD Jesus! Oh let us know Him! Let us cast off our old man by the grace of God and let us put on Christ Jesus and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires. Let us cleanse ourselves of every defilement by the blood of Christ Jesus. Since we have very great and precious promises and since we have been given every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, LET US REJOICE!!! Oh let us REJOICE because Christ has come. Let us rejoice for what He has done! let us rejoice because Christ has done what we could not. Christ has reconciled us to God by being resurrected by the power of God. Christ defeated sin! He defeated death! He conquered my heart and brought me into newness of life by the same power that God used to raise Him from the dead. Let us Rejoice because Christ has imputed His righteousness to us, in us, and we now have peace with God, the creator of heaven and earth! Oh shout to the LORD all the earth! Lift your voices to your God for He has redeemed His beloved! He has given her a spotless robe! He has made us joint heirs with Christ Jesus and He sees no blemish; not one speck of impurity is found on us. Rejoice all you His people for Christ is the propitiation for our sins!! He is our love. He is our life; the very substance that keeps us alive!
Oh come let us adore Him! Oh come lets us Adore Him! Oh come let us ADORE HIM! He is the Christ! He is LORD! Every knee will bow, on the earth, under the earth, and in heaven, and every tongue will confess that JESUS is LORD!!!!! He is King of kings and He is the Lord of lords! None compares to His greatness. None can comprehend His goodness! Who has been in His presence that has not fallen to their face and cried out for mercy? Who can stand before God, in all His glory, with 6 wing creatures hiding their faces and covering their feet, without the mediator Christ Jesus? Who can utter a word of defense to the LORD most High? Who Can stand in His presence? Who can, truly, understand His forgiveness?
What is this awesome grace that is given to us that we should be called sons and daughters of the LIVING GOD???!!! What wondrous love is this that we should be called friends of God? What joy over flows in our lives when we can boldly go to the throne of God Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, to the throne of grace, to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Who can stretch out the heavens or tell the ocean that it can only go this far? Who can breath life into dry bones and turn hearts of stone into hearts of flesh? Who can hang the earth on its axis and tell the moon when to shine? Who is it that has the power to give life and take it? Who has the sight to see all that space holds? Who can see the bottom of the ocean or the center of a planet? Who can hold all the waters of the earth in his hand? Who can call into existence the things that do not exist? Who can create everything that was ever created and have nothing be identical, down to the very last molecule that was ever created or will be created? Who can comprehend time? Who could ever touch the sun? Who could be a friend to the worst of sinners? Who could sacrifice their own son for a hate filled adulterous heathen that despises the very notion of forgiveness and love? Who can understand the heart of a person? Who can know what tomorrow will bring? Who can know their time for life? Who can know when death will take them? Who can see their future and what will become of them? Who can hold the earth in orbit, while painting the stars and galaxies, while breathing life into the womb? Who can cause light and darkness to separate? Who can tell the mountains to rise up and the valleys to sink low; who can tell the birds to fly and the deer to run and be obeyed? I will tell you who... It is Yahweh!!!!
It is the LORD God Almighty!!! It is Jehovah!! It is JESUS!!! Oh yes my brother and sister this is our God, the one true God, the ONLY living God, that can do all these things!!!! He never grows weary nor does He ever require sleep! He is before time, during time, and after time. He was the first and He will be the last. None can compare to His greatness! None can comprehend His Goodness! Their is no one like our GOD!!! There is no one like YAHWEH!!!!! He is Jehovah! He is "whatever my people need me to be"!!
Psa 118:1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psa 139:17,18 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you!
Psa 121:3 He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will never slumber.
Psa 119:81 My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.
Psa 135:13 Your name, O LORD, endures forever, your renown, O LORD, throughout all ages.
Psa 108:1-5 My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!
Psa 79:8,9 Do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name's sake!
Psa 145:13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. [The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.]
REJOICE FOR YOU ARE REDEEMED!!!!!!!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Theory of Love
What is this measure of love I find creeping up in my heart? A flood of emotions melt all thoughts of pain in the past. How is this possible and how can this be? All these emotions come so naturally. There is a scare and there is a warning for these emotions will give no mercy. If acted upon nothing short of destruction will over take my soul. These emotions will promise fulfillment and sanctification but only through deceit. How can I cave into these desires and nullify Gods peace. Get understanding and gain wisdom, these shall guide the feet of the righteous. All wisdom points me down the path of patience and grace. Patience in waiting on the Lord and grace for trusting that He will not withhold any good gift.
How shall I go against all that I believe and become a traitor to my very mind? Love so refreshing and growing so strong. A friendship lasting, raising to the everlasting throne. Questions flooding friends mouths and ears trying to figure out if what they see is real. A love so transparent that it draws all men to crave and desire more.
Do you destroy a friendship for a chance for love? Is it better to allow this friendship to grow into an irresistible grace. A power so real that it will paint a perfect picture of true love. A love flowing through every vein and pouring out of every smile. To allow myself to surrender to this love is not needful to bring about the obvious! This love conquers all true possessors of it's grace. All thoughts of past satisfactions become void of all attraction. The times love was thought to be found is now seen as obsolete. Forgiveness for past mistakes washes all shame and jealousy away.
How can one look at all the faults and failures and still look into my eyes with a longing, rather wanting. A wanting for my love, my embrace. What can compare to this love? What selfish want could ever satisfy? A connection so close to grabbing a hold of the very craving given before the foundation of the world. Should a love so great and so strong be rushed into like soldiers storming a castle? Should a love so precious and so fragile be handled like a baby? How shall a love like this be embraced? How can a man accept a gift that can never be repaid or compensated for?
How is it that a vessel that is stained can be seen as spotless? How can some one still love though all defilement's are laid out in the open to be seen. Can a man create a love as rich and perfect as this? Can a man change his very nature to hide all signs of imperfections?
Where does this love come form? Where does this love abide? Is it not with the one that is taken captive by it? Can this love be awakened by the feelings and emotions of the flesh? Is this Love awakened by the very voice that cries into the depth of the natural longing? Oh let this love not be rushed into nor let it be overlooked.
Why do so many allow their hearts to be overrun with lesser loves? Why did I let down the guard of my heart to wants that would rip it apart?
True love is conquering and captivating! True love is not rushed but embraced! True love is not shown by jealous actions leading to lack of trust and questing. True love is always wanting and longing for the conquering joy that over took them. True love learns how to please, gratify, and intoxicate the one that captured their soul with a love that is far more passionate than any love that can be created within oneself.
Oh, do not allow lesser and unworthy loves to take over your passion and mind. Only a conquering love is worthy to be embraced. Love that is patient, kind, peaceful, rejoicing in truth, enduring all things, always seeking to please others, is a love worth fighting for. This love that conquers every corner of the heart is a love that abides forever. This love will be embraced by all captive to it!
Get wisdom and get understanding for they will prove to be a light in darkness. Oh let this love not be rushed into nor let it be overlooked. Only let this capturing love be tested! Resist it, fight it, and make it prove itself to be true. Follow not reason nor intellect! Guard against it, learn about its motives and tactics, and understand its desires. Then and only then can you be freed from its wrath! Only through Patience will this love be seen as beautiful. Pursue love, yes, and seek it out, only do not be deceived by the emotions! For true love is only tested by patience! At the proper time and when the battle seems overwhelming, the conqueror will over run you and true love will pour in like never experienced. This love can not be explained with elegant words that charm the ears and captivate the emotions with such impact that it devastates the mind. Only do not be deceived by the lesser loves that promise an embrace that will be sweet as honey but upon guarding against them they are proven to be bitter, weak, and not worthy to be the captor of your heart. Remember, test the love that approaches the battle field. Only do not be deceived by the beauty of it's promises. Guard and never let down your banner and you must never allow a lesser love to capture your heart! Seek out true love and it will be found by patience and guarding.
Nothing would please lesser loves more than for us to believe their promise for a wedding feast only to leave you as an adulterous bride.
How shall I go against all that I believe and become a traitor to my very mind? Love so refreshing and growing so strong. A friendship lasting, raising to the everlasting throne. Questions flooding friends mouths and ears trying to figure out if what they see is real. A love so transparent that it draws all men to crave and desire more.
Do you destroy a friendship for a chance for love? Is it better to allow this friendship to grow into an irresistible grace. A power so real that it will paint a perfect picture of true love. A love flowing through every vein and pouring out of every smile. To allow myself to surrender to this love is not needful to bring about the obvious! This love conquers all true possessors of it's grace. All thoughts of past satisfactions become void of all attraction. The times love was thought to be found is now seen as obsolete. Forgiveness for past mistakes washes all shame and jealousy away.
How can one look at all the faults and failures and still look into my eyes with a longing, rather wanting. A wanting for my love, my embrace. What can compare to this love? What selfish want could ever satisfy? A connection so close to grabbing a hold of the very craving given before the foundation of the world. Should a love so great and so strong be rushed into like soldiers storming a castle? Should a love so precious and so fragile be handled like a baby? How shall a love like this be embraced? How can a man accept a gift that can never be repaid or compensated for?
How is it that a vessel that is stained can be seen as spotless? How can some one still love though all defilement's are laid out in the open to be seen. Can a man create a love as rich and perfect as this? Can a man change his very nature to hide all signs of imperfections?
Where does this love come form? Where does this love abide? Is it not with the one that is taken captive by it? Can this love be awakened by the feelings and emotions of the flesh? Is this Love awakened by the very voice that cries into the depth of the natural longing? Oh let this love not be rushed into nor let it be overlooked.
Why do so many allow their hearts to be overrun with lesser loves? Why did I let down the guard of my heart to wants that would rip it apart?
True love is conquering and captivating! True love is not rushed but embraced! True love is not shown by jealous actions leading to lack of trust and questing. True love is always wanting and longing for the conquering joy that over took them. True love learns how to please, gratify, and intoxicate the one that captured their soul with a love that is far more passionate than any love that can be created within oneself.
Oh, do not allow lesser and unworthy loves to take over your passion and mind. Only a conquering love is worthy to be embraced. Love that is patient, kind, peaceful, rejoicing in truth, enduring all things, always seeking to please others, is a love worth fighting for. This love that conquers every corner of the heart is a love that abides forever. This love will be embraced by all captive to it!
Get wisdom and get understanding for they will prove to be a light in darkness. Oh let this love not be rushed into nor let it be overlooked. Only let this capturing love be tested! Resist it, fight it, and make it prove itself to be true. Follow not reason nor intellect! Guard against it, learn about its motives and tactics, and understand its desires. Then and only then can you be freed from its wrath! Only through Patience will this love be seen as beautiful. Pursue love, yes, and seek it out, only do not be deceived by the emotions! For true love is only tested by patience! At the proper time and when the battle seems overwhelming, the conqueror will over run you and true love will pour in like never experienced. This love can not be explained with elegant words that charm the ears and captivate the emotions with such impact that it devastates the mind. Only do not be deceived by the lesser loves that promise an embrace that will be sweet as honey but upon guarding against them they are proven to be bitter, weak, and not worthy to be the captor of your heart. Remember, test the love that approaches the battle field. Only do not be deceived by the beauty of it's promises. Guard and never let down your banner and you must never allow a lesser love to capture your heart! Seek out true love and it will be found by patience and guarding.
Nothing would please lesser loves more than for us to believe their promise for a wedding feast only to leave you as an adulterous bride.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Election/Truth
Romans 13: 1-7 says to “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed."
The Bible covers all matters of life with perfect clarity. There are sometimes when we need to seek deeper into the heart and mind of Christ to truly learn what He is saying. In Romans 2:6-8 Paul says that God "will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury." And you ask "what does this have to do with the election?" I beg of you to bear with me for a moment as I make my case! Paul picks this theme of "seeking" back up in chapter 3 verse 11 with, "no one understands; no one seeks for God." Paul starts off in chapter 2 with laying a foundation that if you are "by patience in well-doing" seek the things of God for Christ glory you will have eternal life. Paul then talks of the unrighteous man that does not OBEY the truth because he is self-seeking. So we can see through this that everyone is seeking something whether it be Christ glory or their own and by seeking their own they condemn themselves and gain, for their seeking, the wrath of the creator of the heavens and earth.
So how does Romans 13 relate to chapter 3 verse 11 where Paul says that no one understands and no one is seeking God? I think it relates in this way but first I must lay a foundation for what, I believe, goes into seeking. Upon seeking something you have to believe that which you are seeking is going to bring you into a deeper understanding of aspects of life. One cannot seek something, anything, without devoting oneself whole heartily into the truth of that which is being sought. It is utterly absurd to think that you are gaining deeper understanding by not devoting your life to that particular subject. You cannot understand how a painter paints without spending hours with the painter trying to discern and understand why every stroke is placed the way it is brushed onto the canvas. Yes it is true you can have some insight into a subject without having full knowledge but you cannot be intimately acquainted and truly understands the how and the why of the subject.
My attempt to tie all of these thoughts together may become futile but I pray I will be able to establish my point with enough clarity that you will be able to hear my heart on this matter.
The Government is God's servant for our good. We are to submit to their authority willingly and without grumbling or complaining. This is to honor Christ Jesus. It does not matter who won the election!! God had established this before He formed the world! He was not thrown off by this election and the outcome of who won. What He grieves over is the response of His people and how they look so unlike His Son. Christ desires us to grow in a deeper knowledge and understanding of who He is and what He desires for us to accomplish on earth as His ambassadors and I can promise you it is not arguing over an election that will be redone in 4 years.
So this is my problem with this whole matter that I am trying to address: We as disciples of Christ are making a spectacle out of the Lord we claim to love by claiming to be wise on matters that we are truly ignorant of. We have no understanding of the deeper matters of politics or the way the constitution is being forgotten and if a few of us actually have this understanding of political matters then by our anger or frustration we make void all the knowledge we have of the way things were established in America. This knowledge is made void because when we seek to educate others we come across as legalistic and ignorant of what is really is happening in "this life" or "today". Nobody likes someone to tell them why this is bad or why they need to change! This world needs leaders and Christ Jesus has made us a kingdom of priest so that we can lead this world in the direction that will benefit it the most. We must not just speak out but live out the direction we need to go. The head coach at TECH, Steve Mullins, used to tell us "your actions are speaking so loud I can't hear what you are saying." In Romans 15:1-3 Paul says' "We who are strong have an OBLIGATION to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself..."
I'm tired of people bashing the way this country is running things!! I'm tired of everyone pointing out everything that is wrong in our society! I'm tired of hate flowing through Christians veins because they want America to conform to what they view as correct and moral! I'm tired of people arguing over principle and what they see as truth! I'm tired of the separation that I see amongst believers!!! I'm tired of all this ignorance flowing through the body of Christ and being voiced by the wrong mouths!! If we do not have a clear understanding of what the Lord Jesus truly requires of His disciples then we have no business speaking for Him!!! In summary we do not have the mind of Christ!!!
When we look at this life and see it through the light of the Word we, as disciples, can find understanding in circumstances that are outside of our intimate control and thus be able to rest in the peace that Christ offers through His redemptive Blood. There is absolutely no reason to become anxious about the problems this world is displaying for we are not of this world. We are pilgrims just passing through and have no need in becoming entangled in the offers of this world. Now I want to make myself clear on this subject on the grounds of "in the world not of the world." What I am NOT saying is that we should just sit and be quite while the rest of mankind just works itself out but what I am saying is that our attitudes and ACTIONS should have no fleshly connections at all. We cannot allow our emotions to overtake us to the point of forgetting that we were cleansed from our former ways. We have to keep in mind that the people in this world do not care about how we feel or why we believe a certain way. If you can think back to when your own pride directed your life you will quickly realize that you are not very far removed from the ignorance that is in this world.
Remember no one understands because no one seeks after the Lord Jesus Christ who by His life and death has set us free from elementary thoughts and has given us grace to grow up into mature manhood where we are no longer tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine but we are grounded being held by the Lord Jesus as our eternal anchor. We are no longer trapped by the futile ways of thinking. We have been given the truth and it has set us free!
Proverbs speaks of seeking after wisdom and James says that if anyone lacks wisdom they should ask the Lord Jesus who gives to all freely and without partiality but they must ask in faith and if one is asking for wisdom then they are not asking in vain nor are they asking out of pride. No my friend they are seeking the truth and have come to realize it only comes from the TRUTH which plainly said is Christ Jesus. Proverbs 4:7, 8 says, "The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you IF you embrace her." We must seek and never become complacent with the knowledge or understanding we have. We must never be satisfied with the limited insight we are given. "Blessed are those that HUNGER and THRUST for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied"-Matthew 5:6.
We must never allow ourselves to become so angry, frustrated, or upset at a situation that we forget that if it was not for the grace of the Lord Jesus then we would not even be able to think the way we are able to think. We would not even desire for America to be a better country. Our thoughts would be as foolish and ignorant as the people we talk to. Our speech would be so ignorant that we would not even recognize the person speaking. Better yet we would stand in amazement that these words are truly coming from our mouths. We cannot forget that it is the Lord that establishes kingdoms and it is the Lord that tears kingdoms down. He gives and takes away. Before I seek to heal this country I must seek to do everything in my power to help the Body of Christ that is in America, become healthy again. So healthy that each and every disciple will be able to impact their individual community for Christ in such a way that even if those around do not seek the Lord they will still become better people with a better understanding of why it is important to do this or that a certain way. I must be patient and do what honors the Lord. Proverbs 11:11, 12 says, "By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown. Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent." We must lead by our actions!!! There will be times to speak out but it must never be in a way that belittles someone and we must never allow ourselves to become frustrated to the point in a conversation that we forget to set a guard over our mouth. James 3:2 says, "... if anyone is does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body."
DO NOT allow your frustration to make you become ignorant. Only when the disciples of the Lord Jesus start living out the teachings of His word in humility, meekness, respect, and love will God allow this nation to quit destroying herself from the inside. Government is God's servant for our good. We cannot change what God has instituted but what we can change is the way we live our lives for the next three years so that all will see the light.
Shake and Shine,
Zach
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Crush Satan #2
One thing I can't stand is for a football team to quit playing before the game is over!! I'm not going to discuss whether or not football shows Christ love or not but what I am going to talk about is how I can relate a team that quits before the game is over to our spiritual life...
I finally got a few guys on board with encouraging their teammates on the field. It’s amazing how you play when you know that someone is depending on you and is needing you to keep fighting. We started yelling simple things over and over again. I found myself repeating "Let’s Go" before every snap. I don't think my yelling did much but it seemed to turn the tide. We ended up losing the game but for a quarter we gave everything we had and almost pulled off an amazing comeback. We pulled within 3 because we didn't quit. Final score was 45-42. Imagine what would have happened if we had just stayed down in the 3rd. Imagine what would have happened if we would have played like we did in the 4th at the start of the game.
So now for the application of the story. There is never any reason to give up or slow down. We are in the fight and we have a choice to fight or lay down and die. So, to put it back in football terms, since you are already on the field... FIGHT!!!!!!!!! There is no reason not to play the game when you’re on the field! It is ludicrous to think that someone would train for a race and then get a little bit into the race and decide to quit running or decide that since they are not going to win they might as well quit. It is preposterous to believe that you are defeated before the clock has run out of time.
One day the clock of life will run out but it hasn't yet. It is a shame to Christ that there are so many "believers" that decide to slow down in the race so that they might not get "burned out." Christ is in your life to burn. He is not there to be a little candle light. This light has to be seen from the hilltop and that means it has to be blazing. Never give up!! Keep up the fight!! Let’s go!! Let’s run!! Stay focused!! We still have time to honor the Lord!! It doesn't matter if all seems lost. you give it your all and "leave it all on the field!" It doesn't matter if you find yourself down by 50. You keep fighting; you keep playing!!! The game is not over so don't act like it is!!!
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. There is no need to hold your head down in defeat because it appears all is lost. There is still time on the clock! Start fighting NOW! Get in the game! Never quit!! Never give in!! Keep up the fight!! LET’S GO!!!!!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Crush Satan
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. - Romans 16:20
What a great and wonderful promise this is that the God of peace, our Lord Jesus, the Creator, will crush Satan under your feet! He is not the God of wrath to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Notice it's His attribute of peace not grace, mercy, or sovereignty but peace that will crush Satan (not that these other attributes will not play a part in crushing Satan but in the context of this verse it is His peace). Satan hates it when Christ's followers are at peace; when they are content with Jesus and finding in Him their satisfaction for every longing. O dear believer won't you sit under the Lord Jesus wing and be sheltered by the peace that passes all understanding. It is through this peace that Christ draws us. Come to me, Jesus proclaims, all you who are weak and heavy laden and I will give you rest.
28) Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] 29) Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. [Jer. 6:16.] 30) For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.
Rest from what? Peace from what? How can He promise such things? How can He deliver such a promise in the middle of turmoil? These are questions I want you as the reader and me as the writer to ponder so that we will be taken to the gospel and find the answers for these questions and give glory to our Father who is in heaven!
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. - Romans 16:20
"This includes all designs and devices of Satan against souls, to defile, disturb, and destroy them; all his attempts to keep us from the peace of heaven here, and the possession of heaven hereafter. When Satan seems to prevail, and we are ready to give up all as lost, then will the God of peace interpose in our behalf. Hold out therefore, faith and patience, yet a little while. If the grace of Christ be with us, who can prevail against us?" - Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
One other point I would like to draw your attention to and that is that it is God who will soon crush Satan not us! It is God's work in destroying Satan! The Lord Jesus does not need our help nor should we have to worry about the devil roaming this earth for we have the Truth and He will soon CRUSH the destroyer Himself!!! We do not have to worry about whether or not the devil is devising traps for us for we know and believe that God will SOON CRUSH Satan and place him in his rightful place of everlasting torment. Satan's greatest desire is for us to lose our peace! He knows that if we lose our peace then we will no longer be satisfied with only the Lord Jesus and we will roam around seeking to gather enough gold to build our golden calf. Allow God to Crush Satan, in your life, by the peace that flows from the Word of God.
May the Lord Jesus grant us grace to grab a hold of this glorious truth and use it to strengthen us in the fight!
What a great and wonderful promise this is that the God of peace, our Lord Jesus, the Creator, will crush Satan under your feet! He is not the God of wrath to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Notice it's His attribute of peace not grace, mercy, or sovereignty but peace that will crush Satan (not that these other attributes will not play a part in crushing Satan but in the context of this verse it is His peace). Satan hates it when Christ's followers are at peace; when they are content with Jesus and finding in Him their satisfaction for every longing. O dear believer won't you sit under the Lord Jesus wing and be sheltered by the peace that passes all understanding. It is through this peace that Christ draws us. Come to me, Jesus proclaims, all you who are weak and heavy laden and I will give you rest.
28) Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] 29) Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. [Jer. 6:16.] 30) For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.
Rest from what? Peace from what? How can He promise such things? How can He deliver such a promise in the middle of turmoil? These are questions I want you as the reader and me as the writer to ponder so that we will be taken to the gospel and find the answers for these questions and give glory to our Father who is in heaven!
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. - Romans 16:20
"This includes all designs and devices of Satan against souls, to defile, disturb, and destroy them; all his attempts to keep us from the peace of heaven here, and the possession of heaven hereafter. When Satan seems to prevail, and we are ready to give up all as lost, then will the God of peace interpose in our behalf. Hold out therefore, faith and patience, yet a little while. If the grace of Christ be with us, who can prevail against us?" - Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
One other point I would like to draw your attention to and that is that it is God who will soon crush Satan not us! It is God's work in destroying Satan! The Lord Jesus does not need our help nor should we have to worry about the devil roaming this earth for we have the Truth and He will soon CRUSH the destroyer Himself!!! We do not have to worry about whether or not the devil is devising traps for us for we know and believe that God will SOON CRUSH Satan and place him in his rightful place of everlasting torment. Satan's greatest desire is for us to lose our peace! He knows that if we lose our peace then we will no longer be satisfied with only the Lord Jesus and we will roam around seeking to gather enough gold to build our golden calf. Allow God to Crush Satan, in your life, by the peace that flows from the Word of God.
May the Lord Jesus grant us grace to grab a hold of this glorious truth and use it to strengthen us in the fight!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Reconciled
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. -
Romans 5:10-11
Being brought back to a right standing with God is very exciting news and while we were enemies at that! What amazing love Christ has showed all creation by humbling Himself and being obedient to His farther even unto death; even death on a cross. We were brought back into a right standing with God, through Christ Jesus, and if while we were enemies of God He acquitted us how much more shall we be saved (daily delivered from sin's dominion (AMP)) by His life. His death carries impact through all eternity but we must not forget His life! It is because of His life that we also can be raised by the glory of the Father to walk in newness of life.
O but much more than that we rejoice in God (in His love and perfection (AMP)) through our Lord Jesus Christ who for the joy set before Him endured the cross for rebelious man. He threw down the powers of darkness and brought light into the darkness of this world. He defeteated death by His life and silenced the ruler of this world who, through the cross, thought he had won the victory. God Knew!!! God knew the plan. God created the plan. He was not shocked when His Son became sin for us. He was pleased with His son and at the fullness of time God raised His Son from the grave and made His enemy His footstoll. Through this Son, through the Lord Jesus, we have recieved reconciliation. Without Christ Jesus there is NO right standing with God. There is nothing that we can do, in and of ourself, to capture the heart of God. It took the blood of God's very own Son to bring His creation back to a place that He would be able to fellowship with them. So we, the creation, rejoice in God's love through our Lord Jesus because we can now stand before God almighty, the creator and sustainer of life, without a trace of unrightousness. We can now come boldly to God almighty's throne where there is such awesomeness that sinfull man would not even be able to glance at the glory and power of God. Where with just the thought of looking would kill a nautural man instantly. It is to this throne that, those who are reconciled, are able to came and rest in the glory of God's pressence. His awesomeness will keep us satisfied for all eternity. "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2)
Romans 5:10-11
Being brought back to a right standing with God is very exciting news and while we were enemies at that! What amazing love Christ has showed all creation by humbling Himself and being obedient to His farther even unto death; even death on a cross. We were brought back into a right standing with God, through Christ Jesus, and if while we were enemies of God He acquitted us how much more shall we be saved (daily delivered from sin's dominion (AMP)) by His life. His death carries impact through all eternity but we must not forget His life! It is because of His life that we also can be raised by the glory of the Father to walk in newness of life.
O but much more than that we rejoice in God (in His love and perfection (AMP)) through our Lord Jesus Christ who for the joy set before Him endured the cross for rebelious man. He threw down the powers of darkness and brought light into the darkness of this world. He defeteated death by His life and silenced the ruler of this world who, through the cross, thought he had won the victory. God Knew!!! God knew the plan. God created the plan. He was not shocked when His Son became sin for us. He was pleased with His son and at the fullness of time God raised His Son from the grave and made His enemy His footstoll. Through this Son, through the Lord Jesus, we have recieved reconciliation. Without Christ Jesus there is NO right standing with God. There is nothing that we can do, in and of ourself, to capture the heart of God. It took the blood of God's very own Son to bring His creation back to a place that He would be able to fellowship with them. So we, the creation, rejoice in God's love through our Lord Jesus because we can now stand before God almighty, the creator and sustainer of life, without a trace of unrightousness. We can now come boldly to God almighty's throne where there is such awesomeness that sinfull man would not even be able to glance at the glory and power of God. Where with just the thought of looking would kill a nautural man instantly. It is to this throne that, those who are reconciled, are able to came and rest in the glory of God's pressence. His awesomeness will keep us satisfied for all eternity. "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2)
Monday, October 6, 2008
Stand!
... he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. - Romans 14:4
In the context of this verse Paul is talking to the Romans about not passing judgement on weaker believers namely because "God has welcomed him" (vs. 3). This is a hard truth to grasp. What is the line between welcoming a weaker brother and standing against false teaching?...
There is a great danger in placing rules on a young believer because they will faint under the pressure. The Lord will cause them to stand and grow not because of the rules we have created but because He is the one who upholds the weak. He will make them grow into a lush tree that is a shelter for many believers that come after them. Why do we pass judgement on someone else's servant? Why are we so passionate about making everyone to be exactly like ourselves? Not allowing a them to ask questions and to think about the deep things of God is a travisty and it must be stoped. We should do all we can to encourage the weaker brother to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus. Instead of giving them a list of dos and donts we need to be giving them scripture to meditate on.
The problem with passing judgement on a weaker brother is that we are getting in the way of Christ and His work in that Brother. In getting in the way of Christ we are, in essence, saying that we have a better way, a better plan, for that person to grow into a mature life with Christ. If we do not have scripture to give that brother then we need to not say anything. In the first verse of chapter 14 we see that Paul says, "not to quarrel over opinions" because,I believe, it will only casue tension in the followers relationship. This is by no way talking about truths that are obvious in scripture but it is talking about, specifically, eating meat. Later in cahpter 14 we see it is also talking about one who observes one day better than the other and another that observes all days alike. In verse 13 we see the heart of what Paul is saying and can hereby see application for our life.; "Therefore let us not pass judgement on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block in the way of a brother." Here we can see that as followers of Christ Jesus we must decide to never to do something that we know our brother has a hard time fighting.
One example from this chapter can be found in verse two and three where Paul says, "One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegtables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgement on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him." How are we to look at someones commitment to the Lord and pass judgement on them and their actions. It is the Lord Jesus that makes a person stand and if that brother stands it is because the Lord upheld him. This is not something that we have to do dear friend for Christ is the author and finisher of our faith and we must never forget to allow Him to work in our lives as well as our Brothers. Let us cultivate humlity in our lives and not despise our brothers commitment to the Lord where he is convinced in his mind that his particular sacrifice is pleasing to the Lord.
In the context of this verse Paul is talking to the Romans about not passing judgement on weaker believers namely because "God has welcomed him" (vs. 3). This is a hard truth to grasp. What is the line between welcoming a weaker brother and standing against false teaching?...
There is a great danger in placing rules on a young believer because they will faint under the pressure. The Lord will cause them to stand and grow not because of the rules we have created but because He is the one who upholds the weak. He will make them grow into a lush tree that is a shelter for many believers that come after them. Why do we pass judgement on someone else's servant? Why are we so passionate about making everyone to be exactly like ourselves? Not allowing a them to ask questions and to think about the deep things of God is a travisty and it must be stoped. We should do all we can to encourage the weaker brother to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus. Instead of giving them a list of dos and donts we need to be giving them scripture to meditate on.
The problem with passing judgement on a weaker brother is that we are getting in the way of Christ and His work in that Brother. In getting in the way of Christ we are, in essence, saying that we have a better way, a better plan, for that person to grow into a mature life with Christ. If we do not have scripture to give that brother then we need to not say anything. In the first verse of chapter 14 we see that Paul says, "not to quarrel over opinions" because,I believe, it will only casue tension in the followers relationship. This is by no way talking about truths that are obvious in scripture but it is talking about, specifically, eating meat. Later in cahpter 14 we see it is also talking about one who observes one day better than the other and another that observes all days alike. In verse 13 we see the heart of what Paul is saying and can hereby see application for our life.; "Therefore let us not pass judgement on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block in the way of a brother." Here we can see that as followers of Christ Jesus we must decide to never to do something that we know our brother has a hard time fighting.
One example from this chapter can be found in verse two and three where Paul says, "One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegtables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgement on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him." How are we to look at someones commitment to the Lord and pass judgement on them and their actions. It is the Lord Jesus that makes a person stand and if that brother stands it is because the Lord upheld him. This is not something that we have to do dear friend for Christ is the author and finisher of our faith and we must never forget to allow Him to work in our lives as well as our Brothers. Let us cultivate humlity in our lives and not despise our brothers commitment to the Lord where he is convinced in his mind that his particular sacrifice is pleasing to the Lord.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
The LORD is my portion
If the Lord is my portion then why do I so often look for other things to be my satisfaction? Only Christ can bring the fulfillment into my life that I'm longing to find. Never has anything captivated my heart like the Lord Jesus and so consumed my life that it left me feeling so totally satisfied. I felt like I could live for eternity with the one touch of His hand. But I have grown to understand that I cannot base my life on these feelings. They come and go like the wind but God's word endures forever. It would have been nice if someone would have told me that it is by grace that I stand not by my feelings. If I am relying on my feelings to see where my spiritual status is with the Lord then they will deceive me and leave me with condemnation and shame. It is only by grace that I am saved and nothing but the Blood of Jesus can cleanse the very darkest of spots of my heart. Grace sustains me and keeps me satisfied with the Lord Jesus. Grace takes my life and transforms my mind through the word of God. Grace is the very reason the LORD is my portion because without grace I would not even care about Jesus!!
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