Category: Blog

Ephesians 1: ³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

⁵ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

⁶ To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

⁷ In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

⁸ Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

⁹ Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

¹⁰ That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

¹¹ In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

¹² That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

He knew me from before I was ever born.  Before creation, God knew me.  He knew every-time I would fail Him, every time I would doubt Him and still chose me to be His adopted Child.  He, according to the good pleasure of His will, predestined me to be His Child–to make me holy and without blame before Him in love by covering me with the sacrificial blood of Christ.  He then blessed me with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places with Christ.  This is the hope we who believe can hold tightly to when we are filled with self doubt and feel overwhelmed with our failures.  Christ carried out guilt and fears with Him to the cross in addition to our sins.  When we wallow in our own unworthiness, we open the door to sin having power over our lives.  It is always important that we take our focus off of ourselves and place that focus on the only one who has the power of victory over sin—Jesus Christ.  He is the one who can work through us when we Abide in Him, thus bringing the praise of His Glory. He reminds us that we are cleansed by the word.  Our salvation did not come from our struggling to become more.  We were not able to work our way into the vine of our own doing.  We had to be grafted into the vine by God.  It was not our labor that paid the price for our salvation.  We are cleansed by the Word, that Word being Christ Himself.  John 1: “¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ..¹²But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: ¹³Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ¹⁴And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”   My Salvation, my justification did not come of my own works; so, how is it that I now want to produce fruit from my own works.   In order to rest in and abide in His Salvation, I must remember this.  The only part in my Salvation that came from me was my faith to believe that He is God who is worthy of all my praise and to be Glorified for all eternity.  Even that I could not have done had God not removed the veils from my eyes that I might glimpse at His Glory and desire it, seek it, cherish it as a treasure above all other treasures.

  William Cowper was a missionary preacher to the Indians who frequently fell into depression because he felt that he was so unworthy of God’s Grace.  Then one day he was reading Romans 3: "²¹ But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

²² Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

²³ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

²⁴ Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

²⁵ Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

²⁶ To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."

William Cowper wrote to describe that moment as follows: "

Immediately I received the strength to believe it, and the full beams of the Sun of Righteousness shone upon me. I saw the sufficiency of the atonement He had made, my pardon sealed in His blood, and all the fullness and completeness of His justification. In a moment I believed, and received the gospel . . . Unless the Almighty arm had been under me, I think I should have died with gratitude and joy. My eyes filled with tears, and my voice choked with transport; I could only look up to heaven in silent fear, overwhelmed with love and wonder. (Gilbert Thomas, William Cowper and the Eighteenth Century, p. 132)"

So those of you who do not know Christ as your Savior?  Do you long to know Him?  Is there a small little voice or a clamoring noise calling you to Him?  Do you see God as desirable; but you want to clean up your life first?  I urge you to respond to that voice and come today, just as you are.  Don’t wait another day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRgjQwhm9WM

Hebrews 13: ¹² Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

¹³ Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

¹⁴ For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

Sometimes we are asked to step outside of our comfort zone to speak for Christ.  This is certainly the case for missionaries in many of the countries where preaching the gospel can mean death.  I must commend Leading the Way ministries for their work in the middle east.  I have been invited for an interview on a Christian TV Station, which is a tremendous opportunity. As I looked over the introductory questionnaire and contemplated, I became gripped with fear.  My own failures over the years began to come to mind and guilt covered my view of Christ.  I suddenly feared rejection and felt so unworthy to speak for Christ.  I prayed earnestly and then yesterday morning as I listened to Charles Stanley preach regarding fear—my answer came.  My focus suddenly shifted from me and turned upon Christ.  He who bore my guilt, my shame and my sin on the cross.  He upholds me in his right hand of righteousness–not my righteousness–His.   God is able to accomplish His work through me and to speak through me as long as I keep my focus on Him.  Look at verse 10 below and let that become your battle cry in any moment of fear. 

Isaiah 41: ⁹ Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.

¹⁰ Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

¹¹ Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.

I then via podcast joined my son at Church in Missouri and heard an incredible sermon as to how God sees things upside down from how the world sees them, that the poor in Christ are rich because of their relationship with Him.  Then they sang this song "All I have is Christ".  I encourage you to watch this video to the song–such a powerful song and such a powerful illustration.  I do not know how God will use the interview; but I do know that my greatest desire is to bring Him Glory.  So I will take my eyes off of me and place them on Him.  As I die to self and let Him use this ransomed life–focused on Him; He will speak through me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3lwsOPEpMw

 

Ephesians 6: ¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

¹⁹ And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

²⁰ For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Note the only offensive weapon we need is the Word of God.  So study and pray always. 

Little Soldier

Little Soldier are you ready?

The battle cry is here

Little Soldier are you wearing

All your God given gear

Did you put on your helmet?

Remembering what He’s done

He provided your salvation

When He gave His only Son

Did you strap on your breastplate?

Is your passion now on Him?

To follow in His footsteps

And shun all willful sin

Did you strap on the waist band?

Holding tight to all God said

And never compromising

So by His truth you are lead

Did you cover yourself completely

By the shield of faith in God

This Sovereign, Omniscient, Shepherd

We are protected by His rod.

So where are we going

To spread the gospel song?

Feet now shod with love and peace

We walk as we belong

So say a prayer, and off we go

To far and distant lands

To spread His gospel to a world

Is all that He demands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FgS_RYG-ko

 

I John  3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

² Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

³ And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

⁴ Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

⁵ And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

⁶ Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

Does John mean here that Christians never sin?  That is what the preachers of legalism would tell you and with a voice of pride they would proclaim this fact with as they at the same time attempt to say, they have overcome sin and have become the perfect example of the perfect Christian, making a mockery of the truth.  Paul also dissected these truths with great detail in his letters as well.  But back to John, were John to have meant that no one who has accepted Christ as their Savior never sins; then what do we do with the following verses? 

I John 1: ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Speaking to believers he also said, I John  2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

² And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

So what is John talking about when he says, he who sins does not know Christ?  When you go back to the greek, it is clearer as the tense being used refers to remaining in sin.  Christ overcame sin in the lives of those who have accepted Christ as their Savior and as His Sanctifying work continues in the believer we become more like Him.  Our love for Him and His abiding love within us causes us to be discontent with sin and hate sin in our own lives.  Out of love and respect we long to become more like Him, we battle against those desires by seeking Him, reading our scriptures and abiding in His presence so that we may be the conquerors of sin in our lives–only because He has won the battle already. 

I John 5:  ⁴ For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Romans 6: ¹³ Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

¹⁴ For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

My only hope to overcome sin is by the Victorious work of Christ on the Cross, it is that hope which fills my heart as my greatest longing is to become more like Him who wooed me by His Amazing Love. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbe7OruLk8I

Matthew 14: ²⁴ But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

²⁵ And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

²⁶ And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

²⁷ But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

²⁸ And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

²⁹ And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

³⁰ But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

³² And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

As long as Peter kept His eyes on Christ, he had no fear and he had the power to overcome the storm.  When Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and looked at the storm, he began to sink and would have drowned had Jesus not reached out to take his hand.  It was not Peter who reached out, Jesus reached out to him.  What an amazing thought, when Peter’s faith wavered; Christ saved him by reaching out to pull him out.  We as Christians find ourselves too often in that same place.  Would it not be easier to hold tight to our faith, keep our eyes on Jesus and never look at the storm?   Ah, yes; but where does our faith come from?  Jesus provides even the faith we need when we keep our eyes focused on Him.  We must remember that this is not our final home and live the joy that He has promised in Him, both now and in the future.  If we keep our eyes on the prize, we can run this race no matter what is the difficulties surrounding us. 

Hebrews 12:

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

As we behold His Glory, He transforms us.  He improves our sight and changes us into His likeness, filled with His Joy, His Hope and His Faith.  The glass may appear dim at times and we must clean the worldly dust off our glasses by spending time with Him and in His word. 

II Corinthians 3: ¹⁸ But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Who is in control of our life?  So, as I awoke this morning this song remained pressed on my mind and I urge you to do the same–Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. Then you also can praise Him as did Jude; knowing that He is the one who can present you before the Father–faultless with exceeding joy–His and Yours

Jude 1: ²⁴ Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

²⁵ To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=W7E-zxA-HFo