Ephesians 3: 10
In order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
The mystery that is known now is that both Jews (Hebrews) and Gentiles have equal standing in the church (Vs. 1-6), the body of Christ. So now the church is to show forth the wisdom of God before (both the world and) the heavenly rulers and authorities.
We are to demonstrate to them God's wisdom in His plan to draw people from every nation, every tribe, every people, every language, all over the World, into His church, all with equal standing and place in Christ Jesus.
God had chosen one Nation, the family of Jacob, Israel, to give them His Law, so that if they followed His rules He would bless them. Then other Nations would see their prosperity, and come to learn of this Lord God also; and individual persons both in Israel and from other Nations would come to recognize God's authority and be saved.
Now God is calling persons from all over the World to take part in His plan to grow His family, build His building, betrothe His Son to a bride (whichever picture you prefer to see), in saving individuals from the power of sin, and redeeming them from the very presence of sin.
The angels have always watched to see how humans are faring, and they are still watching. They're watching us now.
O my Father, let me be a good example of Your power and wisdom. Teach me Your ways, lead me in Your paths for me, strengthen me to be bold in my choices to do good and to live my life according to Your ways, Father, not my own. Grant me Your wisdom to choose every time according to Your ways and Your character, Father. Continue to grow me to be more like Your Son.
It seems to me that the more I learn of You and grow in Your grace, the farther away that goal of being like Him gets. I know that You started a good thing in me, and that You are continuing to work in and on me to change my attitudes and my character so that You can work through me, also.
Thank You for this encouragement, Father. I see You working in my own life, in the lives of others, and in the governments of the World. No mere man, regardless of the authority he has been given in this world, will be able to change Your Plan in the least detail. Your will will prevail. Your Plan will succeed. There is no doubt of that.
Just as my own son built castles and forests and villages with his Legos, then moved them around and finally broke them down into their individual bricks, and no one could say anything to him about what he was doing with his "creations;" so You, our Lord God Almighty, are moving around the constituent pieces of Your Creation to affect the outcome of the "free will" You gave us to exercise.
You are using every decision that is made in every individual life, in every organization, and in every governmental hall to further Your program for the Nations of the World; to set the stage for the greatest drama ever performed, the live, real, actual ending of this very Age of Man.
Father, You have told us so much of what to expect when all this comes "down to the wire" so we won't need to be afraid or worry or fret about what is happening around us, we can trust You that Your plan is working out. My life isn't falling apart, it's falling into place. And this World looks like it's falling apart, but it's also just falling into place.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Friday, May 25, 2018
To Reign In Death Or In Life
Romans 5: 17
For by the transgression of the one (Adam), death reigned through the one (by inheriting his DNA); much more these who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in Life through the One, Jesus Christ.
Because Adam sinned, he passed on his damaged DNA to all Mankind, making sinfulness universal in our Race of Man.
But the gift of grace is not automatically universal like sin is (Vs. 15 & 16), because each person must choose for himself to receive this gift. Those who do receive that gift will reign in Life, overcoming the reign of death, because Jesus conquered that enemy on the Cross and with His Resurrection.
Our reality today is that we are victors over sin. There is no longer any need to give in to the baser instincts, we've been freed from those shackles. When we have shifted our thinking to realize the freedom that we are given in Christ, then we will walk away, or run away, from the wrong that tempts us to go astray. We never again have to just fall into old habits, but to intentionally and determinedly decide to turn away from the evil and foolish to do what is right.
The power of Christ's Resurrection lives in each of us, in the Person of His Holy Spirit. He gives us the ability to turn our lives around and boldly do the hard thing, the unpopular thing, the thing derided by the World. We can stand against the wrong and the easy way, and go the "road less traveled" hand-in-hand with Jesus.
When we take His yoke upon us, He is partnering with us, and will take the brunt of the load. That's why He says that His load is light--light for us. He is strong, and in His strength I can be strong, too. I can do things I never thought I could do, but with Him at the helm I'm doing them.
O my Father, thank You so much for Your great Love for me! Thank You that there is no fear in love, and You love me more than I can imagine! So when I experience feelings of fear or worry or anxiety, I can remind myself that You are handling the timeline of my life, and I choose instead to be excited about how You are moving in my own life, in the lives of others, and in this World. You are setting the stage, Father, for the final scene, the climax, for the Hero to enter at the "last possible moment" to rescue the heroine, His bride. (Hollywood cannot out-dramatize our Lord God Almighty!)
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
For by the transgression of the one (Adam), death reigned through the one (by inheriting his DNA); much more these who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in Life through the One, Jesus Christ.
Because Adam sinned, he passed on his damaged DNA to all Mankind, making sinfulness universal in our Race of Man.
But the gift of grace is not automatically universal like sin is (Vs. 15 & 16), because each person must choose for himself to receive this gift. Those who do receive that gift will reign in Life, overcoming the reign of death, because Jesus conquered that enemy on the Cross and with His Resurrection.
Our reality today is that we are victors over sin. There is no longer any need to give in to the baser instincts, we've been freed from those shackles. When we have shifted our thinking to realize the freedom that we are given in Christ, then we will walk away, or run away, from the wrong that tempts us to go astray. We never again have to just fall into old habits, but to intentionally and determinedly decide to turn away from the evil and foolish to do what is right.
The power of Christ's Resurrection lives in each of us, in the Person of His Holy Spirit. He gives us the ability to turn our lives around and boldly do the hard thing, the unpopular thing, the thing derided by the World. We can stand against the wrong and the easy way, and go the "road less traveled" hand-in-hand with Jesus.
When we take His yoke upon us, He is partnering with us, and will take the brunt of the load. That's why He says that His load is light--light for us. He is strong, and in His strength I can be strong, too. I can do things I never thought I could do, but with Him at the helm I'm doing them.
O my Father, thank You so much for Your great Love for me! Thank You that there is no fear in love, and You love me more than I can imagine! So when I experience feelings of fear or worry or anxiety, I can remind myself that You are handling the timeline of my life, and I choose instead to be excited about how You are moving in my own life, in the lives of others, and in this World. You are setting the stage, Father, for the final scene, the climax, for the Hero to enter at the "last possible moment" to rescue the heroine, His bride. (Hollywood cannot out-dramatize our Lord God Almighty!)
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Like Jesus Now
I John 4: 17
By this love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the Day of Judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this World.
"In this World"! I know that we will be like Jesus is now, when we are glorified with that new body like Jesus', that can travel without going, and walk through walls into a locked room. But "in this World"?
So love is the deciding factor: When we love one another unconditionally, the same way God has loved us, then we are like Jesus is now, even while we are still in this World.
O my Father, You are so great, so good, so wonderful! You have created everything that exists, and put Your beauty into everything! You have planned out what You want to do with all this Creation, and Your plans are good.
When we know You, Father, and learn Your ways, and follow Your ways as we follow Your Son, Christ Jesus; then we will result in being able to enjoy the prosperity You have built into this Earth, prosperity in every way: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, relational, environmental, and, yes, even financial.
And because this is how God planned us to behave here with one another and with this Earth where we live, when we do it Your way, then we reap the bounty You built into it. And You get all the glory, Father. You deserve all the glory. You have done it all, and we can only cooperate with You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
By this love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the Day of Judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this World.
"In this World"! I know that we will be like Jesus is now, when we are glorified with that new body like Jesus', that can travel without going, and walk through walls into a locked room. But "in this World"?
So love is the deciding factor: When we love one another unconditionally, the same way God has loved us, then we are like Jesus is now, even while we are still in this World.
O my Father, You are so great, so good, so wonderful! You have created everything that exists, and put Your beauty into everything! You have planned out what You want to do with all this Creation, and Your plans are good.
When we know You, Father, and learn Your ways, and follow Your ways as we follow Your Son, Christ Jesus; then we will result in being able to enjoy the prosperity You have built into this Earth, prosperity in every way: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, relational, environmental, and, yes, even financial.
And because this is how God planned us to behave here with one another and with this Earth where we live, when we do it Your way, then we reap the bounty You built into it. And You get all the glory, Father. You deserve all the glory. You have done it all, and we can only cooperate with You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
My Advocate
I John 2: 1-2
My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous; and He, Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only but also for those of the whole world.
Jesus is my Lawyer, defending me before God when Satan accuses me of what I have thought, said, or done contrary to the right; He does not deny my guilt, but points out that the penalty has already been paid--by Himself. So I can now be forgiven and set free.
The precious Blood Jesus shed on the Cross was powerful enough to puchase the whole Universe, making Him our Owner and Master. That's how He took care of the sins of everyone in the whole World.
But only those who recognize Who Jesus is and have realized that He is their personal Sacrifice have been redeemed. He has saved us from the power sin had over us today, and He will transform our bodies into spiritual bodies of light when our Redemption is complete, at His Return.
O Father, thank You so much for choosing me for Salvation. Thank You for knowing me and loving me. Thank You for giving me a part in Your great Plan of the Ages to bring all Creation to its culmination and finish, and You use me and others as Your hands and feet to accomplish Your will.
We do every day those things that further Your Plan, day by day and step by step. Help me, Father, strengthen me; let the fears and worries that assail me be turned into excitement over what You are doing, how You are moving in my own life and in the World.
And may You receive all the credit, all the honor and glory for all You are doing. All Your will is good, and beautiful, and brings prosperity to us and glory to You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous; and He, Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only but also for those of the whole world.
Jesus is my Lawyer, defending me before God when Satan accuses me of what I have thought, said, or done contrary to the right; He does not deny my guilt, but points out that the penalty has already been paid--by Himself. So I can now be forgiven and set free.
The precious Blood Jesus shed on the Cross was powerful enough to puchase the whole Universe, making Him our Owner and Master. That's how He took care of the sins of everyone in the whole World.
But only those who recognize Who Jesus is and have realized that He is their personal Sacrifice have been redeemed. He has saved us from the power sin had over us today, and He will transform our bodies into spiritual bodies of light when our Redemption is complete, at His Return.
O Father, thank You so much for choosing me for Salvation. Thank You for knowing me and loving me. Thank You for giving me a part in Your great Plan of the Ages to bring all Creation to its culmination and finish, and You use me and others as Your hands and feet to accomplish Your will.
We do every day those things that further Your Plan, day by day and step by step. Help me, Father, strengthen me; let the fears and worries that assail me be turned into excitement over what You are doing, how You are moving in my own life and in the World.
And may You receive all the credit, all the honor and glory for all You are doing. All Your will is good, and beautiful, and brings prosperity to us and glory to You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Passionate Love
Hosea 2: 16, 19-20
And it will come about in that Day, declares the Lord, that you will call Me Ishi (Husband) and will no longer call me Baali (Master, Owner). And I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, in lovingkindness ('hesed') and in compassion. And I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the Lord.
'Hesed' means loyal and steadfast and faithful love and belonging together in the love relationship. Communion, deliverance, enablement, enlightenment, guidance, forgiveness, hope, praise, and preservation are all based on God's 'hesed.'
He is passionately in love with us as the newlywed groom is enamored with his lovely bride.
We are the bride of Christ!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
And it will come about in that Day, declares the Lord, that you will call Me Ishi (Husband) and will no longer call me Baali (Master, Owner). And I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, in lovingkindness ('hesed') and in compassion. And I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the Lord.
'Hesed' means loyal and steadfast and faithful love and belonging together in the love relationship. Communion, deliverance, enablement, enlightenment, guidance, forgiveness, hope, praise, and preservation are all based on God's 'hesed.'
He is passionately in love with us as the newlywed groom is enamored with his lovely bride.
We are the bride of Christ!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, May 21, 2018
Reaching Forward
Philippians 3: 12-14
I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul is deciding not to live in the past, but to switch his focus onto what is before him on the road God has set his feet on. He refuses to be hampered by all the pulls of the past, and look only toward where he is going now.
I also will be putting my past behind me, looking forward to this new segment of my life that I am moving into during this time. Moving out and moving in. Turning the corner that has so often eluded me.
This can be very scary, but I refuse to fear. I know that my Father has planned this all out for me already, and I am excited about all the new things I'm learning and doing that are preparing me for the road God is placing my feet upon.
O my Father, Thank You for laying hold of me in Christ Jesus. Strengthen me to grasp it firmly. Help me to let go of the past, letting it fade into the background; and stretch me to lean forward, reaching toward what lies ahead, focusing on all that You have (will have) given me to do to build Your Kingdom here now.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul is deciding not to live in the past, but to switch his focus onto what is before him on the road God has set his feet on. He refuses to be hampered by all the pulls of the past, and look only toward where he is going now.
I also will be putting my past behind me, looking forward to this new segment of my life that I am moving into during this time. Moving out and moving in. Turning the corner that has so often eluded me.
This can be very scary, but I refuse to fear. I know that my Father has planned this all out for me already, and I am excited about all the new things I'm learning and doing that are preparing me for the road God is placing my feet upon.
O my Father, Thank You for laying hold of me in Christ Jesus. Strengthen me to grasp it firmly. Help me to let go of the past, letting it fade into the background; and stretch me to lean forward, reaching toward what lies ahead, focusing on all that You have (will have) given me to do to build Your Kingdom here now.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, May 20, 2018
By His Wounds
I Peter 2: 23-24
And while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him Who judges righteously;
And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the Cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
Peter is telling us here what Isaiah had said in his chapter 53, how Jesus fulfilled this prophecy.
Jesus came the first time as Messiah to be the example of how we need to be with one another, as well as to be our personal Sacrifice as the Lamb of God.
He was humble and mild, even though He was our Almighty Lord God and Sovereign King.
He is our Great Physician to heal our every malady with the balm of His own precious Blood poured out for our benefit.
And His desire is to enable us to overcome all of our bad habits and poor choices, to not be affected by whatever misses the bulls-eye of perfection (sin). He has given us His own Holy Spirit, the power that raised Jesus from the dead.
So we have no excuse. God has done everything possible and impossible to make us into perfect, righteous examples of His creative power. We can do righteousness, we can die to sin, we can live our lives loving one another as He has loved us, we can be honest and ethical in our business dealings and we can be generous with others with the abundance He has given us.
By His wounds we are healed.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
And while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him Who judges righteously;
And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the Cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
Peter is telling us here what Isaiah had said in his chapter 53, how Jesus fulfilled this prophecy.
Jesus came the first time as Messiah to be the example of how we need to be with one another, as well as to be our personal Sacrifice as the Lamb of God.
He was humble and mild, even though He was our Almighty Lord God and Sovereign King.
He is our Great Physician to heal our every malady with the balm of His own precious Blood poured out for our benefit.
And His desire is to enable us to overcome all of our bad habits and poor choices, to not be affected by whatever misses the bulls-eye of perfection (sin). He has given us His own Holy Spirit, the power that raised Jesus from the dead.
So we have no excuse. God has done everything possible and impossible to make us into perfect, righteous examples of His creative power. We can do righteousness, we can die to sin, we can live our lives loving one another as He has loved us, we can be honest and ethical in our business dealings and we can be generous with others with the abundance He has given us.
By His wounds we are healed.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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