FREEDOM & INDEPENDENCE

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FREEDOM & INDEPENDENCE

 

2 Corinthians 3:17 (AMP)

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom). [Isa. 61:1, 2.]

 

Isaiah 61:1–2 (AMP)

THE SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound, [Rom. 10:15.]

2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, [Matt. 11:2–6; Luke 4:18, 19; 7:22.]

isa 61:1-2

 

Today we celebrate our independence as a nation but yet are we truly spiritually and physically free and abiding in the sovereignty of our Creator honoring Him through His son Christ Jesus?

 

How do “lawless” people live in a land where new laws are constantly being legislated?  Have laws become our savior or is Christ Jesus our savior?  The laws should show us just how obscured, lost and misdirected each of us are upholding ourselves to a moral standard rather than a Godly standard to the Word of God.  I am a believer and advocate of “free will”; as we are created by God as beings of “free will”.  Legislating free will doesn’t solve problems it creates problems because much of what is written is according to man’s fallen nature and not based on the Word of God.  We even legislate common sense because most people are self-centered feeling entitled, superior and above others in society.  It’s as if free will has become law in the hearts, minds and daily living in our fallen nature exalting oneself above others and the Word of God.

 

Independence day is a wonderful holiday as we celebrate our nation and those that have stood, faught and gave their own lives to protect our nation and Godly principles;  “One Nation Under God”.

 

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The Word of God tells us that the “Spirit Leads To All Truth” and “Blessed Are Those That Hunger And Thirst For The Lord’s Righteousness”.  The truth shall set you free!

 

John 8:32 (AMP)

32 And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

 

John 14:6 (AMP)

6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.

 

John 16:13 (AMP)

13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].

 

Matthew 5:3–12 (AMP)

3 Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven! 

4 Blessed and enviably happy [with a happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace] are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted! [Isa. 61:2.]

5 Blessed (happy, blithesome, joyous, spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the meek (the mild, patient, long-suffering), for they shall inherit the earth! [Ps. 37:11.]

6 Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied! [Isa. 55:1, 2.]

7 Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy! 

8 Blessed (happy, enviably fortunate, and spiritually prosperous—possessing the happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions) are the pure in heart, for they shall see God! [Ps. 24:3, 4.]

9 Blessed (enjoying enviable happiness, spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they shall be called the sons of God! 

10 Blessed and happy and enviably fortunate and spiritually prosperous (in the state in which the born-again child of God enjoys and finds satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of his outward conditions) are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake (for being and doing right), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven! 

11 Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of your outward conditions) are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely on My account. 

12 Be glad and supremely joyful, for your reward in heaven is great (strong and intense), for in this same way people persecuted the prophets who were before you. [II Chron. 36:16.]

 

So as we celebrate this 4th of July Independence Day we must ask ourselves if personal independence/liberties is better than dependence upon the Lord Jesus and living free in the Spirit of The Lord.  

 

As we celebrate this wonderful holiday let us give God the honor and glory for without His grace many would not have had the stamina, courage and fortitude to give their lives sacrificially to keep the USA a Godly nation.  Let us thank all of the veterans, citizens and those that stand for freedom as a Godly Nation.

 

John 15:12–14 (AMP)

12 This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you. 

13 No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. 

14 You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do. 

 

Have we become a nation bound by humanistic laws, morals and methods rather than Godly principles?  We have laws upon laws but we are unable to follow two commandments above all the laws!

 

Matthew 22:37–40 (AMP)

37 And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). [Deut. 6:5.]

38 This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment. 

39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. [Lev. 19:18.]

40 These two commandments sum up and upon them depend all the Law and the Prophets.

 

 

Are we still “One Nation Under God”? Have we forgotten that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.  There is only one way to heaven and that is Christ Jesus.  All of creation yearns for the sons/daughters of God.

 

Romans 14:11 (AMP)

11 For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God [acknowledge Him to His honor and to His praise]. [Isa. 45:23.]

 

Romans 8:19 (AMP)

19 For [even the whole] creation (all nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God’s sons to be made known [waits for the revealing, the disclosing of their sonship].

 

John 14:6 (AMP)

6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.

 

Surely just as the newly ammended pledge of allegiance has omitted God as seen in this picture below we must repent and turn our hearts back to God so that the Lord can heal our land.

 

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2 Chronicles 7:14 (AMP)

14 If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

 

 

Those in Christ Jesus and abide in Christ Jesus shall overcome the world just as Christ overcame the world.  All the honor and glory to the Lord!

 

John 16:33 (AMP)

33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

 

 

Revelation 3:21 (AMP)

21 He who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant him to sit beside Me on My throne, as I Myself overcame (was victorious) and sat down beside My Father on His throne.

 

True freedom and liberty is only found in the Spirit of the Lord while being submitted and dependent upon the Lord Jesus.  We are in the world but not of this world and the Glory of the Lord is for the here and now!

 

John 17:16 (AMP)

16 They are not of the world (worldly, belonging to the world), [just] as I am not of the world.

 

Romans 12:2 (AMP)

2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

 

 

Have a safe, blessed and Godly Independence Day and God Bless America.  “ONE NATION UNDER GOD”!


COMPROMISE – THE SILENT KILLER

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COMPROMISE – THE SILENT KILLER

 

 

Revelation 22:18–19 (AMP)

18 I [personally solemnly] warn everyone who listens to the statements of the prophecy [the predictions and the consolations and admonitions pertaining to them] in this book: If anyone shall add anything to them, God will add and lay upon him the plagues (the afflictions and the calamities) that are recorded and described in this book. 

19 And if anyone cancels or takes away from the statements of the book of this prophecy [these predictions relating to Christ’s kingdom and its speedy triumph, together with the consolations and admonitions or warnings pertaining to them], God will cancel and take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the city of holiness (purity and hallowedness), which are described and promised in this book.

 

 

 

 

One of the greatest strongholds is compromise.  The word of God is not controversial in itself because the Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever.  People are controversial because they conform the word around their life rather than the way, truth and life of Christ Jesus.  Let the Word of God be true and every man a liar.  If we are not careful we will go by our own beliefs rather than seeking the Lord and His Word.  I often hear people make statements where there is reproof that they don’t believe.  We must seek the Lord and not our own beliefs.

 

John 14:6 (AMP)

6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.

 

Romans 3:4 (AMP)

4 By no means! Let God be found true though every human being is false and a liar, as it is written, That You may be justified and shown to be upright in what You say, and prevail when You are judged [by sinful men]. [Ps. 51:4.]

 

If it is controversial it is subject to compromise.  Jesus did not walk in compromise He walked in TRUTH for He is Truth!  He did not use the Word of God selectively for His own benefit taking scripture out of context or sugar coating it to make it more palatable. 

 

I have heard Christians make statements such as “The Holy Spirit affirms my identity”.  While that appeal to the fallen man and flesh it is not the truth.  The Holy Spirit affirms who Christ is in us.  Jesus did not die to become like us He died as us, so we could become like Him reconciling us back to our created value and image!  The Holy Spirit does not conform to man it conforms to Christ Jesus by conviction of sin leading us to repentance, holiness and sanctification.  

 

Genesis 1:27 (AMP)

27 So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. [Col. 3:9, 10; James 3:8, 9.]

 

When we remove any virtue of Christ Jesus such as HIS righteousness and truth we are left with a false and perverted love.  One that conforms to our liking and not who Christ Jesus is.  We are called to be lovers of Christ Jesus, The Word of God and to hunger and thirst for His righteousness.  

 

Matthew 5:6 (AMP)

6 Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied! [Isa. 55:1, 2.]

 

 

 

To be true to your word is to have integrity.  God is true to His word and promises and while heaven and earth may pass the Word of God is forever.  We must partner with the promises and truth of the Word of God and with Jesus.  We must not compromise by picking and choosing what to believe.  We must embrace, trust and believe in the whole council of God and all of His Word not using partiality or picking and choosing what suits us.  Your freedom is not a natural freedom it is a spiritual freedom.  Jesus never promised life would be easy He said He overcame the world and we too could overcome the world abiding in Christ Jesus.

 

I have heard people embrace the Grace of God while denying the Power and Sovereignty of God and His resurrection power.  Ridiculous statements like he or she has only been save a few years, how can they know or discern.  Salvation is not subject to time, it is a confession of the heart and believing in faith that Jesus died on the cross on our behalf and was resurrected on our behalf bearing our sins and death to our sinful nature.  Sanctification and holiness is a continued working process of the Grace of God in our hearts renewing our minds and conforming us to the image and likeness of Christ Jesus.

 

When we compare our spirituality to other professing believers we take our eyes of the Lord and allow jealousy, pride, strife and gossip to come into our hearts.  Your “calling and gifting” is yours, mine is mine.  We are called to work together embracing one anothers gifts and callings to equip and edify the saints.  

 

Ephesians 4:12 (AMP)

12 His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church),

 

 

 

When you compromise you also compromise the spiritual well being and eternal life of those around you.  Humans seek humans for approval and it is easy to fall victim to compromise when you need, desire and seek approval from others regarding what the Lord God has spoken to you and called you to do.  

 

Those that hear the Lord’s voice don’t seek second opinions from man they seek quiet time with the Lord to walk in the Lord’s perfect will and timing.  God has a perfect time for everything and does not rule by hope, chance or wishes. Every Word of God will come to pass.  The question is will you parter with all of His truth, Word and promises in the fullness of your heart with total commitment standing on the Word and promises of God.

 

Don’t let emotions rule your thoughts and perceptions lead you astray.  Seek the Lord and the truth of His Word standing firm partnering with truth.  The Holy Spirit leads to all truth and is not capable of lying.  

 

John 16:13 (AMP)

13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].

 

 

Father I pray that if there are any lies which have become false truths in my life that you expose them now.  Father bring light where there is darkness.  Bring truth where there is deception.  Father I thank you that you never change and that you are true to your Word.  Father help me to partner with your truth and promises.  Help me to be bold in your truth, standing in your truth and speaking in your truth.  Father I thank you that you are not a God of compromise but of completion.  Father help me to partner with your promises and truth.  Father create in me a pure heart with a passion and hunger for your truth and righteousness.  Father create in me a pure and humble heart, for those with a pure heart shall see God.  I ask this in Jesus name.  

 

Matthew 5:8 (AMP)

8 Blessed (happy, enviably fortunate, and spiritually prosperous—possessing the happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions) are the pure in heart, for they shall see God! [Ps. 24:3, 4.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERU MISSIONARY TRIP

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PERU MISSIONARY TRIP

The Peru Missionary has been extremely blessed by the presence of The Lord.  We have received many testimonies of tumors disappearing, scoliosis spinal problems healed, heart problems, kidney problems, hearing restored, etc.

I have visited many local churches and home groups throughout Lima and Arequipa.  We have been blessed to spend time here at an orphanage in Arequipa Peru.  

The schedule has been busy and the hearts of the people here in Peru are hungry for the Word and Presence of the Lord Jesus.  The hospitality has been so genuine and sincere.  The people in Peru always say hello and great you with a hug or handshake.

Below is a picture of the girls from the orphanage here in Arequipa.  We took them out for the day touring and also to lunch and out for ice-cream.  I have been blessed to love on these wonderful young girls and young adults.  They have truly touched my heart.  

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I will be writing more in the days ahead as my schedule permits.  

Blessings in Christ Jesus,

Glen 

PRAISING THE LORD DURING THE STORM

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PRAISING THE LORD DURING THE STORM!

 

 

After a nine and half day stay in the hospital and still recovering and overcoming a major illness there is much to be thankful for.  

 

I was hospitalized with a severe case of Acute Pancreatitis where my pancreas shut down and the inflammation and pain affected my intestines, kidneys, stomach and other vital organs.  Pancreatitis is very painful and the pain radiates 360 degrees around the abdomen shooting pain into the back.

 

While in the hospital I would continue to play my worship music on my cell phone and praise the Lord.  I even had several ministry opportunities during my stay as I ministered too much of the staff as they were aware of my beliefs in Christ Jesus as well as my ministry.

 

I am on the road to recovery and stand on the Word of God that I am healed by His stripes and knowing that Jesus bore my pain on my behalf.  My pancreas is healing and I am getting stronger by the moment.  I was released from the hospital only 2 days ago and I felt the need to be in the House of The Lord singing praise and worship with my brother’s and sister’s in Christ Jesus.  Last night I could have stayed home focused on recovery, pain and financial burdens but my Spirit wanted to worship in the house of the Lord and so while my flesh is weak my Spirit is strong!  I enjoyed a wonderful evening of worship and praise along with the Word of God!  

 

While in the hospital I agreed to have the nurses in training school to assist in my care as I enjoyed their hearts to serve others and their caring ways.  One in particular had a questionnaire from school and asked if she could ask me some questions.  I agreed.

 

One question in particular while rather broad in nature had many facets that needed to be discussed, as there were many considerations and attributes to this question.

 

DOES SPIRITUALITY COINCIDE WITH ONE’S HEALTH?

 

I told the nursing student that I would reply to her question but that the question itself was very broad and that there were many considerations and variables that I wanted to address.  

 

As we talked I told her first off that my health does not define God or Jesus for there is a separation of body and spirit and that I can worship the Lord Jesus for who He is and not how I am or how I feel.  My sickness does not define who Jesus is in my life for Jesus is my healer.  Would we need a healer if there were no sickness?  I also told her that as I became ill after a long day of work I sat in my chair with the chills and nausea I sought the Lord and asked the Lord what my illness was.  Without hesitation the Lord spoke and told me pancreatitis.  The Lord continued to tell me to drive to the emergency room or that I would need an ambulance if I procrastinated.   So I drove myself to the hospital emergency room and told the emergency room doctor that I had pancreatitis, as that is what the Lord spoke.

 

In the book of Job we learn of many challenges that Job faced including losing his family, wealth and even his health was under attack.  Through it all people accused him of having sin, which contributed to his struggles and illness.  Even Job’s wife told him to curse God and die and yet Job would not take the Lord’s name in vain or blame the Lord for his afflictions and tribulations.  

 

Job 1:21 (NKJV)

And he said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

And naked shall I return there.

The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;

Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

 

Job 2:9 (NKJV)

9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!”

 

 

My comfort is in Christ Jesus and the Word of God.  If you have difficulty praising the Lord “in the storm” you will likely not praise the Lord when things are going well.  Personally I can’t imagine a life without praise and worship for the Lord Jesus!  

 

While I agree that spirituality has a major role in our health I also know that regardless of my health, trials and tribulations that Jesus is on the throne and with me through the storms of my life as well as the storms of your life.  He will never leave us or forsake us!

 

Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

 

 

We must remember that there is a separation of Spirit from body/soul and that we can and should always worship the Lord in Spirit and Truth regardless of our circumstances, trials or tribulations.  We know that we will face trials and tribulations for Christ himself faced and overcame the world and the trials and tribulations of this world. 

 

John 4:24 (NKJV)

24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

 

John 16:33 (NKJV)

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

 

 

We are in the world but not of the world and we are seated in heavenly places.  I chose to praise the Lord for protecting me and giving me the grace to complete my day of work.  I chose to praise the Lord during and in my affliction!  Praise is warfare!  Praise and thanksgiving welcomes the presence of the Lord!

 

2 Corinthians 10:3 (NKJV)

 

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

 

 

My illness started during my workday. I was over 3 hours away from home and was in a strange area for me.  I would not have known where the local hospital was.  This would also have impacted the ability of my brother’s and sister’s in Christ from visiting me while I was hospitalized. I would have been responsible for my work vehicle and all it’s contents.  The Lord’s grace was sufficient for me to finish the day of work and get me home.  

 

While in the hospital I chose to partner with the Word of God and the promises of God that Jesus bore my pain and afflictions.  There were even moments in the hospital where I would laugh at the enemy as I continued to worship and praise the Lord Jesus in the hospital.

 

It’s amazing that with one text message people around the world were praying for me!  Even my brother’s and sister’s in Christ from other countries!  I even received telephone calls from people that I have ministered to and become family and fiends, one in the family of Christ.  They would call and tell me that the Lord told them to pray for me, asking if I was ok.  When I said praise the Lord for putting me on your heart and for your prayers as I am hospitalized.  

 

It would be easy to fall into a sense of pity, isolation and despair in this time but I know Jesus and will praise Him in the storms of my life as well as every day of my life!  

 

Being in the hospital was nothing I desired but I kept my heart and mind on the Lord and even gave words of knowledge, prophecy and words of encouragement to the staff and others unto the Lord.  

 

Our personal situations, trials and tribulations do not define the Lord, how we overcome through the grace of God and the Love of Christ is for others to witness His Glory and Sovereignty.  

 

So my prayer for you is that you will always have a heart of praise for the Lord and know that you are never alone or forsaken even in the difficult times of your life.  May you always rest in the abiding presence of the Lord and may the peace of the Lord be your strength!

 

I’d like to thank everyone for their prayers and power of agreement that Jesus is Jehovah Rapha!  

 

Blessings in Christ Jesus,

Glen

LOVER’S OF TRUTH

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LOVER’S OF TRUTH

Morning, October 25

 

“For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.” 

— 2 John 2

 

Once let the truth of God obtain an entrance into the human heart and subdue the whole man unto itself, no power human or infernal can dislodge it. We entertain it not as a guest but as the master of the house—this is a Christian necessity, he is no Christian who doth not thus believe. Those who feel the vital power of the gospel, and know the might of the Holy Ghost as he opens, applies, and seals the Lord’s Word, would sooner be torn to pieces than be rent away from the gospel of their salvation. What a thousand mercies are wrapped up in the assurance that the truth will be with us for ever; will be our living support, our dying comfort, our rising song, our eternal glory; this is Christian privilege, without it our faith were little worth. Some truths we outgrow and leave behind, for they are but rudiments and lessons for beginners, but we cannot thus deal with Divine truth, for though it is sweet food for babes, it is in the highest sense strong meat for men. The truth that we are sinners is painfully with us to humble and make us watchful; the more blessed truth that whosoever believeth on the Lord Jesus shall be saved, abides with us as our hope and joy. Experience, so far from loosening our hold of the doctrines of grace, has knit us to them more and more firmly; our grounds and motives for believing are now more strong, more numerous than ever, and we have reason to expect that it will be so till in death we clasp the Saviour in our arms. 

 

Wherever this abiding love of truth can be discovered, we are bound to exercise our love. No narrow circle can contain our gracious sympathies, wide as the election of grace must be our communion of heart. Much of error may be mingled with truth received, let us war with the error but still love the brother for the measure of truth which we see in him; above all let us love and spread the truth ourselves. 

 

 Spurgeon, C. H. (2006). Morning and evening: Daily readings (Complete and unabridged; New modern edition.). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.

Authority And Independence

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November 2nd

Authority and independence

If ye love Me, ye will keep My commandments. John 14:15 (R.V.).

Our Lord never insists upon obedience; He tells us very emphatically what we ought to do, but He never takes means to make us do it. We have to obey Him out of oneness of spirit. That is why when Our Lord talked about discipleship, He prefaced it with an IF—you do not need to unless you like. “If any man will be My disciple, let him deny himself”; let him give up his right to himself to Me. Our Lord is not talking of eternal positions, but of being of value to Himself in this order of things, that is why He sounds so stern (cf. Luke 14:26). Never interpret these words apart from the One who uttered them.

The Lord does not give me rules, He makes His standard very clear, and if my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without any hesitation. If I hesitate, it is because I love someone else in competition with Him, viz., myself. Jesus Christ will not help me to obey Him, I must obey Him; and when I do obey Him, I fulfil my spiritual destiny. My personal life may be crowded with small petty incidents, altogether unnoticeable and mean, but if I obey Jesus Christ in the haphazard circumstances, they become pinholes through which I see the face of God, and when I stand face to face with God I shall discover that through my obedience thousands were blessed. When once God’s Redemption comes to the point of obedience in a human soul, it always creates. If I obey Jesus Christ, the Redemption of God will rush through me to other lives, because behind the deed of obedience is the Reality of Almighty God.

 

 Chambers, O. (1986). My utmost for his highest: Selections for the year. Grand Rapids, MI: Oswald Chambers Publications; Marshall Pickering.

Living In Faith

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LIVING IN FAITH

“As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord.” — Colossians 2:6

 

The life of faith is represented as receiving—an act which implies the very opposite of anything like merit. It is simply the acceptance of a gift. As the earth drinks in the rain, as the sea receives the streams, as night accepts light from the stars, so we, giving nothing, partake freely of the grace of God. The saints are not, by nature, wells, or streams, they are but cisterns into which the living water flows; they are empty vessels into which God pours his salvation. The idea of receiving implies a sense of realization, making the matter a reality. One cannot very well receive a shadow; we receive that which is substantial: so is it in the life of faith, Christ becomes real to us. While we are without faith, Jesus is a mere name to us—a person who lived a long while ago, so long ago that his life is only a history to us now! By an act of faith Jesus becomes a real person in the consciousness of our heart. But receiving also means grasping or getting possession of. The thing which I receive becomes my own: I appropriate to myself that which is given. When I receive Jesus, he becomes my Saviour, so mine that neither life nor death shall be able to rob me of him. All this is to receive Christ—to take him as God’s free gift; to realize him in my heart, and to appropriate him as mine. 

 

Salvation may be described as the blind receiving sight, the deaf receiving hearing, the dead receiving life; but we have not only received these blessings, we have received Christ Jesus himself. It is true that he gave us life from the dead. He gave us pardon of sin; he gave us imputed righteousness. These are all precious things, but we are not content with them; we have received Christ himself. The Son of God has been poured into us, and we have received him, and appropriated him. What a heartful Jesus must be, for heaven itself cannot contain him! 

 

 Spurgeon, C. H. (2006). Morning and evening: Daily readings (Complete and unabridged; New modern edition.). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.

Everlasting Arms Of Jesus

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“Underneath are the everlasting arms.” 

— Deuteronomy 33:27

 

God—the eternal God—is himself our support at all times, and especially when we are sinking in deep trouble. There are seasons when the Christian sinks very low in humiliation. Under a deep sense of his great sinfulness, he is humbled before God till he scarcely knows how to pray, because he appears, in his own sight, so worthless. Well, child of God, remember that when thou art at thy worst and lowest, yet “underneath” thee “are everlasting arms.” Sin may drag thee ever so low, but Christ’s great atonement is still under all. You may have descended into the deeps, but you cannot have fallen so low as “the uttermost”; and to the uttermost he saves. Again, the Christian sometimes sinks very deeply in sore trial from without. Every earthly prop is cut away. What then? Still underneath him are “the everlasting arms.” He cannot fall so deep in distress and affliction but what the covenant grace of an ever-faithful God will still encircle him. The Christian may be sinking under trouble from within through fierce conflict, but even then he cannot be brought so low as to be beyond the reach of the “everlasting arms”—they are underneath him; and, while thus sustained, all Satan’s efforts to harm him avail nothing. 

 

This assurance of support is a comfort to any weary but earnest worker in the service of God. It implies a promise of strength for each day, grace for each need, and power for each duty. And, further, when death comes, the promise shall still hold good. When we stand in the midst of Jordan, we shall be able to say with David, “I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.” We shall descend into the grave, but we shall go no lower, for the eternal arms prevent our further fall. All through life, and at its close, we shall be upheld by the “everlasting arms”—arms that neither flag nor lose their strength, for “the everlasting God fainteth not, neither is weary.” 

 

 Spurgeon, C. H. (2006). Morning and evening: Daily readings (Complete and unabridged; New modern edition.). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.

VISION & DESTINY

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VISION & DESTINY

 

Jesus never lost focus of His destiny, which was the cross on Calvary.  His focus was on the Father’s will and the vision and destiny that the Father had for Him.  We too must hold onto the visions and callings that the Lord has given us. We must continue the good fight of faith and continue towards the high calling through Christ Jesus.  When John the Baptist was imprisoned his circumstances caused him to doubt and be discouraged to the point of even questioning the Lord.  

 

Luke 7:18–23 (NKJV)

18 Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things. 19 And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

20 When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ ” 21 And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.

22 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. 23 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

 

We must not allow our circumstances or tribulations define who Jesus is in our lives.  We must keep our eyes, minds and heart focused on the Lord for we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus. 

 

Romans 8:37 (NKJV)

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

 

Philippians 3:14 (NKJV)

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

 

Sometimes even those closest to you may not embrace nor understand the vision and destiny that the Lord has given you because it is your destiny, your calling and the Lord’s desire for you alone.  Don’t be discouraged or disappointed as all things work together for the goodness and glory of God.  It is very likely and often the case that as you overcome your trials and tribulations walking in faith that the Grace and Glory of God is witnessed by others.  There is no testimony with a test, we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimony! 

 

Revelation 12:11 (NKJV)

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

 

Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

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

 

Proverbs 3:5 (NKJV)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

 

There is no greater honor than to serve the Lord!

 

John 12:26 (NKJV)

If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

 

Joshua 24 15 fullscreen

Walking In Truth

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“For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.” 

— 3 John 3

 

The truth was in Gaius, and Gaius walked in the truth. If the first had not been the case, the second could never have occurred; and if the second could not be said of him the first would have been a mere pretence. Truth must enter into the soul, penetrate and saturate it, or else it is of no value. Doctrines held as a matter of creed are like bread in the hand, which ministers no nourishment to the frame; but doctrine accepted by the heart, is as food digested, which, by assimilation, sustains and builds up the body. In us truth must be a living force, an active energy, an indwelling reality, a part of the woof and warp of our being. If it be in us, we cannot henceforth part with it. A man may lose his garments or his limbs, but his inward parts are vital, and cannot be torn away without absolute loss of life. A Christian can die, but he cannot deny the truth. Now it is a rule of nature that the inward affects the outward, as light shines from the centre of the lantern through the glass: when, therefore, the truth is kindled within, its brightness soon beams forth in the outward life and conversation. It is said that the food of certain worms colours the cocoons of silk which they spin: and just so the nutriment upon which a man’s inward nature lives gives a tinge to every word and deed proceeding from him. To walk in the truth, imports a life of integrity, holiness, faithfulness, and simplicity—the natural product of those principles of truth which the gospel teaches, and which the Spirit of God enables us to receive. We may judge of the secrets of the soul by their manifestation in the man’s conversation. Be it ours to-day, O gracious Spirit, to be ruled and governed by thy divine authority, so that nothing false or sinful may reign in our hearts, lest it extend its malignant influence to our daily walk among men. 

 

 Spurgeon, C. H. (2006). Morning and evening: Daily readings (Complete and unabridged; New modern edition.). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.