Category: Blog

2 Peter 1: 1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

² Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

³ According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

⁴ Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁹ But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Peter is speaking to those who have obtained like precious faith through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.  Through His power we are given all that we need- He has provided His righteousness in exchange for our sinfulness, through the power of Christ who hath redeemed us.  Does that mean that we need not ever again think about our relationship with him?  No, we must be diligent to continue to learn more of Him by studying His word, by growing in our faith, by diligently seeking virtue in our lives, learning patience and kindness and love toward each other and mankind.  I for one do not want to forget the great love and grace that God has shown me.  If I ever keep these in remembrance then I will also desire to be fruitful and grow as a Christian; never being satisfied with the status quo of my own life and always reaching, studying, seeking to be more like Christ.  Don’t ever forget what He has already done for you and don’t ever lose your passion to follow after Him.  Diligently follow after that which you have found in Him. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLJJ1GSNCSDZHMCQ7ZDTVJSRCBVJPD9IC9&NR=1&v=AgOpycgihsY&feature=endscreen

John 16: ³³ These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Christ was telling the disciples what was to come.  He did not say, there will not be any tribulations.  He did not say that sorrow would not be a major part of the Christians life.  Indeed trials come from every side; perhaps even greater to the Christian.  Christians are not exempt from illness, financial disaster, loss of love ones, burgleries, devastating accidents, sorrow, broken-heartedness, nor great suffering.  Nor are we exempt from moments of great doubt and fear.  Even John the Baptist, whom Christ referred to as the greatest prophet; doubted for a moment.  Luke 7 records, "¹⁹ And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?" Christ responded and told the men to go and tell John the Baptist of all that He had done and the miracles He performed.  Yet, ,despite that moment of doubt; John stood firm and uncompromising "²⁷ And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison"  Did John stand firm believing that Christ was going to perform such a miracle on His behalf; no, he stood firm because he knew that knowing Christ was enough.  Joy, Hope, Peace, and Eternity  were found in Christ and the pain, suffering of this world (though they endure a lifetime) were but a fleeting moment compared to eternity.  Much like Paul who suffered imprisonment, beatings, lonely moments, and moments of great despair: explains that as the children of God we will suffer as Christ suffered.  Romans 8 "¹⁷ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.¹⁸ For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.¹⁹ For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God."   No, where does it say that Christians will not suffer?  Yet, there is a difference in how we view and see that suffering.  When we focus on Christ and all that He has done for us, we can find peace, hope, and deep seated joy even in the midst of great sorrow.  We can view the trials as opportunities to grow even closer to God our only source of love, joy, and hope.  There is another point.  The world watching on will notice as the Christian walks through each trial not as one weighted down by the trial; but as one who calmly, assuredly marching forward with the hope of God’s future Grace filling the fountain of joy to overflowing–no matter how harsh the trial may seem.  Our strength, our hope, our joy, our pleasure, our peace, are all anchored upon this one thing–Jesus Christ’s covenant love for us. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fIP_bKxjLs

Romans 8:

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

²⁹ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

³⁰ Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

We Know–there is no question, no doubt, no if we try more.  We know that ALL things work together for good.  Does that include the pains, the sorrows, the trials, the irritations, the illnesses, the financial disasters, the messes that we got ourselves into, the failures we perpetrated–can God use all this to work together for Good?  Of course, He can–though at the moment you may not understand or see what the purpose is.  God knows that the only place of true peace, true joy, and genuine love can be found in a close, intimate relationship with God.  We were created for such a relationship and cannot be content with all the counterfeit joys that chase after.  Sometimes God allows the counterfeit joys to be ripped from our grasp–that we might find true joy.  So, yes, all things work together for the good to them that love God.  He knew from eternity past who would love Him, seek Him and accept the gift of salvation offered by Christ on the Cross.  He predestined each one who would accept Christ as their Savior to be conformed to the image of Christ.  It may require a lot of sifting out of chaff and a lot of purifying by fire; but, if you know Christ as your Savior–you will one day look like Christ and stand before God’s throne one day fully justified and fully glorified (wrapped in the love, joy and glory that is Christ’s).  On that truth we base our hope.

Romans 8: ²² For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

²³ And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

²⁴ For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

²⁵ But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IzF-ABrL_4

Romans 5: ¹Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

²By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Our ability to Stand Firm is based wholly upon Grace.  By that I do not wish you to imagine something soft and fragile; but rather this comes with the Mighty Power of A God who spoke the Galaxies into being with one breath.  Grace reigns through Jesus with Power, Authority and Dominion over the entire Universe.  That is the power that makes you stand and keeps you standing, and stand you will even in your weakest moments because God Himself is holding you there.  Romans 14: “⁴Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.”

            Because of all of this, “rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”  Would there be any reason left not to be joyous.  He saved me, He sealed me and He will finish the work of transforming me into the image of Christ.  I must rejoice in the hope that I will look like Christ.  Maybe not today, but I will one day look like Him in all His Glory.  That hope should be enough to keep me rejoicing through whatever trial or tribulation may come my way; knowing that God is working out my perfecting and He only has my best interest at heart.  Our faith which is anchored in Jesus Christ is not only for what He has already done but that this Sovereign, Omnipotent, Omniscient Savior is steady about the work of imparting His Glory to me.  I see glimpses of that Glory, little changes and transformations that are forever presenting themselves in me.  I, like Paul, have not yet obtained it; yet, I look more like Him today than I did 10 years ago or 20 years ago.  He will complete the work He started in me by His power and might, Hallelujah, Amen. Our Faith is anchored in Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  His promises remain steady and sure; therefore, our faith is not grounded and supported by yesterday only; but sustained through today and creates steady hoping for tomorrow, joyfully awaiting the grace that will come in the future.  Knowing this stabilizes us and removes that rollercoaster from our Christian Walk.

The Grace in Which I Stand

Oh feeble heart, Oh fragile soul

Where is the hope on which you hold

With all the failures of your past

Where is the faith to make you bold

Where is the faith to make you bold

There was a King though blameless He

That came to pay my penalty

And in that act He set me free

To follow Him in liberty

To follow Him in liberty

It is His love that drew me out

And in His Grace I shall not doubt

That He who started this work in me

Will finish it with a Glorious Shout

Will finish it with a Glorious Shout

One day the finished work be done

That I might look then like God’s son

Sifted, shined just like pure Gold

As Glory shines forth, Glorious One

As Glory shines forth, Glorious One

And in this hope my faith conformed

I know my life will be transformed

I stand upon this future grace

So for His work my passion warmed

So for His work my passion warmed

So in this faith I firmly stand

That formed in me as God had planned

No force on earth can shake me free

My future held by God’s great hand

My future held by God’s great hand.

• Excerpts from "A Broken and Contrite Heart" by Effie Darlene Barba

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK_dwXcK86E

 

Ephesians 6: ² Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

³ That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

⁴ And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

⁵ Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

⁶ Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

⁷ With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

⁸ Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

At the beginning we may look at these commands and say, ok–not so hard.  Actually without the grace of God, these are impossible to perform.  Can I be honest here and tell you that each morning when I awaken, I remain there in prayer asking God for the Grace to set about the day and to perform the tasks before me with His Truth, His patience, and His Love to guide me for the day.  Once I feel His peace fill me I get up.  Mom’s TV is constantly going with foolish programs and while the coffee is making, I am asked at least three times if it is ready yet.  I take the dog out for his short walk, serve mom her coffee while she is eating cereal.  Then I have her turn off the TV while I listen to sermons while preparing her lunch.  In the midst of the cooking, I hear "I am hungry, will you cook me some eggs."  I reply, "Yes, once I have your lunch in the oven–I will."  Not two minutes pass until I hear again, "I am hungry, aren’t you going to fix me breakfast."  Irritation rising in my voice, I reply, "Please be patient, let me finish getting lunch in the oven so it can be done."  Again, "but I am hungry."  Eggs cooked, sermons half heard and I know I will listen again on the way to work or tonight because I allowed this irritation to get in the way of hearing.  I sit down to write you this mornings devotion and then I wonder, "How Lord can I serve you when I still let such trivial things irritate me?"  I should be kinder.  I should be gentler.  Of course, then the TV is back on and I know if I don’t say yes, once more I will be asked every three minutes, "Can I turn on the TV?"  So, I pull out the earphones and plug them into the computer to listen to music searching for Grace to fill my heart to find God’s words to share with you.  This service, God has called me to do; not because I am worthy, but because He is worthy.  I know that the challenges at work will soon be before me today and once more I will need His grace to give me the heart of a servant, laying aside the selfishness and pride that are deep inside this heart of mine so that I might do the service in a manner that displays His Grace.  Do you need added Grace today?  Listen closely to the following song and let each word penetrate deep within your spirit.  Lift it up before God as a prayer?  This is titled, Before you I kneel (A Worker’s Prayer).  The second verse, I particularly cling to.  I really need God’s goodness to cover my hands and His patience, His peace to guide my steps.  I need His refining work to remove the selfishness and pride within me so that His work might be done.  Thank you Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Jeff Taylor, and Stuart Townend for this beautiful song.  Thank you God for your ever flowing Grace toward me. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPVtx_HCpOo&playnext=1&list=PL7C2289D9F73CFDE0&feature=results_video