Philippians 2:13
For it is God --
Not us, this is at His initiative, not ours.
Who is at work in you --
God is doing something inside us.
Both to will --
God puts the "want to" into our minds and emotions for us to desire what He wants for us.
And to work --
God also gives us the power, authority and ability to do the things He wants us to do, through His Spirit; things we could never accomplish on our own.
For His good pleasure. --
God is good, and how God planned and designed this Universe and this World to work is for our good. When He sees what He made operating well, that gives Him pleasure. When we do the things He planned for us to accomplish in His strength, then He is "having fun with His toy" (Big Boys have Big Toys), deriving pleasure, and we get the benefits.
Isn't it wonderful how God designed this Earth to function, and when we follow His rules for living, the result is beneficial to us here in this life; and God will even reward us eternally for doing what He enables us to do here. He is such a Good God!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Monday, June 13, 2016
To Live Is Christ
Philippians 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. --
Paul dedicated his whole life to the one, singular purpose of promoting and proclaiming Christ Jesus. He lived his life the way Jesus would have, in his shoes. So he could say, for him to live his life is Christ working through him, every moment of every day.
Could I say that about my own life?
And to die is to receive all the eternal rewards he had earned, but even more, to be with his Lord who he had loved and served and suffered on account of all his life. All would prove to be worth the great eternal gain of benefits that he will be enjoying forever.
O Father, turn my eyes to look upon You in all You are doing in me, through me, and all over this World. Let me rejoice in not only Your benefits here, but also in the sorrows and sufferings that accompany living here. I yearn for You, for You are my Source and my supply and my Sustainer. You are Life and Light, and with You are joys forevermore!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. --
Paul dedicated his whole life to the one, singular purpose of promoting and proclaiming Christ Jesus. He lived his life the way Jesus would have, in his shoes. So he could say, for him to live his life is Christ working through him, every moment of every day.
Could I say that about my own life?
And to die is to receive all the eternal rewards he had earned, but even more, to be with his Lord who he had loved and served and suffered on account of all his life. All would prove to be worth the great eternal gain of benefits that he will be enjoying forever.
O Father, turn my eyes to look upon You in all You are doing in me, through me, and all over this World. Let me rejoice in not only Your benefits here, but also in the sorrows and sufferings that accompany living here. I yearn for You, for You are my Source and my supply and my Sustainer. You are Life and Light, and with You are joys forevermore!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Changing Minds
Mark 5:1-20
This is the story of how Jesus healed the Demoniac who had a legion of demons. After He healed him, he was "sitting down, clothed and in his right mind," and it scared the people. We tend to be frightened by whatever we don't understand, so they asked Jesus to leave. But Jesus left the healed man there, instead of letting him follow Him; and he spread the news all over the Ten Cities region (Decapolis) of what Jesus had done for him.
Mark 7:31-37
The next time Jesus was in that region they accepted Him, and "were utterly astonished, saying 'He has done all things well.'"
Jesus never did stay where He wasn't wanted or forced Himself on anyone. When the people were too scared to listen to Him, He left; but He left there a witness, to soften up the hearts and sensibilities of these people. Then they didn't need to be frightened of Him any more and trusted Him to heal the deaf mute, and were extremely impressed.
When we tell our stories of how good God has been to us, we change their view of God from a "grumpy old Man" to the Truth of His beauty and compassion and gentleness and mercy and grace.
Then they will be able to listen to the Gospel, that Good News of how Jesus paid their eternal debt in full on the Cross, and rose from the dead to give us New Life.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
This is the story of how Jesus healed the Demoniac who had a legion of demons. After He healed him, he was "sitting down, clothed and in his right mind," and it scared the people. We tend to be frightened by whatever we don't understand, so they asked Jesus to leave. But Jesus left the healed man there, instead of letting him follow Him; and he spread the news all over the Ten Cities region (Decapolis) of what Jesus had done for him.
Mark 7:31-37
The next time Jesus was in that region they accepted Him, and "were utterly astonished, saying 'He has done all things well.'"
Jesus never did stay where He wasn't wanted or forced Himself on anyone. When the people were too scared to listen to Him, He left; but He left there a witness, to soften up the hearts and sensibilities of these people. Then they didn't need to be frightened of Him any more and trusted Him to heal the deaf mute, and were extremely impressed.
When we tell our stories of how good God has been to us, we change their view of God from a "grumpy old Man" to the Truth of His beauty and compassion and gentleness and mercy and grace.
Then they will be able to listen to the Gospel, that Good News of how Jesus paid their eternal debt in full on the Cross, and rose from the dead to give us New Life.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Make The Most Of Every Moment
I Peter 4:7-8
The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. --
Peter reminds us here that we haven't got much time left, so we need to make the most of each moment every day. To be in an attitude of prayer, practicing the presence of the Lord, as Brother Andrew wrote. And the over-arching atmosphere over all is love. Love keeps us aware of others' needs, others' sensibilities, how they will receive what we do and say. Then when they do or say, we can let it slide. Love smooths over and cushions all the rough places in our relationships, and, instead of taking offense, we will remember where they're coming from and not take it personally. I think this is key in my relationships.
O my Father, please teach me to love my loved ones with Your love; to let slide any offenses and be aware of whatever it is they need from me. Let me be Christ to them today.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. --
Peter reminds us here that we haven't got much time left, so we need to make the most of each moment every day. To be in an attitude of prayer, practicing the presence of the Lord, as Brother Andrew wrote. And the over-arching atmosphere over all is love. Love keeps us aware of others' needs, others' sensibilities, how they will receive what we do and say. Then when they do or say, we can let it slide. Love smooths over and cushions all the rough places in our relationships, and, instead of taking offense, we will remember where they're coming from and not take it personally. I think this is key in my relationships.
O my Father, please teach me to love my loved ones with Your love; to let slide any offenses and be aware of whatever it is they need from me. Let me be Christ to them today.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, June 10, 2016
Endless Resources
Isaiah 40:27-31
Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the Lord, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my God"? --
Why do people think that they're invisible, life is not fair and nobody cares?
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the Earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. --
You know you've been taught all about God, Who He is, what mighty, miraculous things He has done, and His eternal being. Remember Who He is.
He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. --
Whatever we lack, however we come up short, God will supply our need.
Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, --
Even the strongest and most virile athletes and warriors have a limit to their strength and stamina.
Yet they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they will mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, and they shall walk and not faint. --
Those who fully trust in the Lord will never run out of resources.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the Lord, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my God"? --
Why do people think that they're invisible, life is not fair and nobody cares?
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the Earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. --
You know you've been taught all about God, Who He is, what mighty, miraculous things He has done, and His eternal being. Remember Who He is.
He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. --
Whatever we lack, however we come up short, God will supply our need.
Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, --
Even the strongest and most virile athletes and warriors have a limit to their strength and stamina.
Yet they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they will mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, and they shall walk and not faint. --
Those who fully trust in the Lord will never run out of resources.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Word Study On "Faith"
Hebrews 4:1-16
(2) The word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. --
This is believing; conviction of the Truth revealed; fidelity, being faithful to and living according to the Truth.
(3) For we who have believed ... --
This comes from the same root word: to have faith, to entrust oneself into Christ's care.
(6) ... failed to enter because of disobedience. --
This is from a word that means "unpersuadable," so it means obstinate, rebellious, disobedient. So because they did not take to heart to believe the Truth of what their own eyes had seen to put their trust in God to have their own best in mind and follow His ways; instead they still thought they knew better, and refused to follow the "Manufacturer's Instructions," so they missed out on the blessings God wanted to give them.
(11) Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall through following the same example of disobedience. --
This is the same word that is in v.6. We need to hold fast, diligently, to the trust we have put into God and Christ Jesus. He never changes, so no matter what's going on down here, He's still on His Throne.
(14) Since then we have a great High Priest Who has passed through the Heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. --
This is two words: "homo," meaning the same; and "logos," an utterance: To say the same thing. So we are to rely so completely on Jesus because of Who He is, what He went through and experienced, and what He accomplished on the Cross on our behalf: What we have been taught by God in His Word.
(16) Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the Throne of Grace. ...
Our confidence is to be such a solid knowing of God, His character, His love, His faithfulness, His power to do everything He wants to do and His goodness to only want to do what would be good and beneficial for us; that we have boldness, out-spokenness, frankness, bluntness, speaking plainly and openly before God's Heavenly Throne itself.
To have the freedom of a little child to climb up onto his daddy's lap for a hug.
That is the "faith" we are to have. This chapter tells us that the benefits (the "rest") God has planned for His people before the world was created, has not yet been fully given; He still has benefits (rest) left for us today, too. We only need to trust Him completely to access it.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
(2) The word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. --
This is believing; conviction of the Truth revealed; fidelity, being faithful to and living according to the Truth.
(3) For we who have believed ... --
This comes from the same root word: to have faith, to entrust oneself into Christ's care.
(6) ... failed to enter because of disobedience. --
This is from a word that means "unpersuadable," so it means obstinate, rebellious, disobedient. So because they did not take to heart to believe the Truth of what their own eyes had seen to put their trust in God to have their own best in mind and follow His ways; instead they still thought they knew better, and refused to follow the "Manufacturer's Instructions," so they missed out on the blessings God wanted to give them.
(11) Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall through following the same example of disobedience. --
This is the same word that is in v.6. We need to hold fast, diligently, to the trust we have put into God and Christ Jesus. He never changes, so no matter what's going on down here, He's still on His Throne.
(14) Since then we have a great High Priest Who has passed through the Heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. --
This is two words: "homo," meaning the same; and "logos," an utterance: To say the same thing. So we are to rely so completely on Jesus because of Who He is, what He went through and experienced, and what He accomplished on the Cross on our behalf: What we have been taught by God in His Word.
(16) Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the Throne of Grace. ...
Our confidence is to be such a solid knowing of God, His character, His love, His faithfulness, His power to do everything He wants to do and His goodness to only want to do what would be good and beneficial for us; that we have boldness, out-spokenness, frankness, bluntness, speaking plainly and openly before God's Heavenly Throne itself.
To have the freedom of a little child to climb up onto his daddy's lap for a hug.
That is the "faith" we are to have. This chapter tells us that the benefits (the "rest") God has planned for His people before the world was created, has not yet been fully given; He still has benefits (rest) left for us today, too. We only need to trust Him completely to access it.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Hope For The Living
Ecclesiastes 9:4-6
Anyone who is among the living has hope --
Even my mother-in-law who had Alsheimers' became a Christian, realizing that Jesus took her place on the Cross. And God placed this memory of being saved directly into her long-term memories, because she had lost all her short-term memory capacity!
For the living know that they will die, --
So they can prepare for death.
but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, --
There's no second chance after death to earn any more than they already have in life.
and even their name is forgotten. --
Very few people's names are still known years, decades and centuries after their death.
Their love, their hate, and their jealousy have long since vanished; --
Vanished from this world, as their life has left this world.
Never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun. --
Only while we live can we have an influence on what happens in this world. When we die, that opportunity ends. No one who is is dead--no saint, no ancestor--can any more have any part in Earthly happenings. They may be able to watch us (see Hebrews 12:1), but they can't do anything for us. It's all up to us now.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Anyone who is among the living has hope --
Even my mother-in-law who had Alsheimers' became a Christian, realizing that Jesus took her place on the Cross. And God placed this memory of being saved directly into her long-term memories, because she had lost all her short-term memory capacity!
For the living know that they will die, --
So they can prepare for death.
but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, --
There's no second chance after death to earn any more than they already have in life.
and even their name is forgotten. --
Very few people's names are still known years, decades and centuries after their death.
Their love, their hate, and their jealousy have long since vanished; --
Vanished from this world, as their life has left this world.
Never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun. --
Only while we live can we have an influence on what happens in this world. When we die, that opportunity ends. No one who is is dead--no saint, no ancestor--can any more have any part in Earthly happenings. They may be able to watch us (see Hebrews 12:1), but they can't do anything for us. It's all up to us now.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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