Category: Will of God

Come…

Come…

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ~ Matthew 11:28

Come. It means to move toward someone or something – to approach with a specific purpose or destination in mind. It is an invitation to advance, rise, or improve your current state or position. It is a word that draws us to move closer to someone or something of greater desire. Indeed, when we heard Jesus bid us to come to Him, it was an open invitation to approach Him; to abandon our worries and struggles; to find rest in Him from the weariness that the burdens of life often bring us.

Lovingly, Jesus gently calls us to Himself. And His invitation is not without reward. The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who come to Him. (Cf. Matthew 19:14, Mark 10:14) Jesus said, “Come to me in order to have true life.” (Cf. John 5:40) Yes, Jesus declared: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (Cf. John 6:35) And He invites us all saying, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (Cf. John 7:38) Indeed, Jesus says everyone who comes to Him, hears His words, and puts them into practice, is wise to do so! (Cf. Luke 6:47)

And yet, for all the desire anyone might have for these precious promises and great rewards, the ability to come to Jesus is requisite upon the sovereign will of God. Consider these emphatic words that Jesus taught:

John 6:35-48 (NIV)

35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those He has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

41 At this the Jews there began to grumble about Him because He said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” 43 “Stop murmuring among yourselves,” Jesus answered. 44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ (Citing Isaiah 54:13) Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to me. 46 No one has seen the Father except the One who is from God; only He has seen the Father. 47 Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life….

It is clear from the text that our capacity or ability to come to saving faith in Jesus has been enabled and empowered by the Father. As Paul affirmed, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Further, this empowerment comes through the Holy Spirit – who teaches us and guides us into all truth – the very Word of God. (John 17:17) It is through the Word of God that a person “hears” the Father and learns from Him. (Cf. Romans 10:13-15) As Jesus, the living Word of God declared, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.” (John 14:6-7)

Dear reader, have you yet to come to Jesus? Is the Father still working to draw you through His Word and His Holy Spirit? Do not delay! I assure you the Father is not willing that anyone should perish! (2 Peter 3:9) Yes, I want to encourage you to consider these words of Paul written to Timothy:

2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NIV)

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Have a Blessed Day!

Beloved…

Beloved…

To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ~ Romans 1:7

Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. (Genesis 6:8) Abraham was called the friend of God. (Isaiah 41:8) The Lord passed before Moses and proclaimed His Holy Name. (Exodus 34:5-6) We are told, “Among many nations there was no king like Solomon who was beloved of his God. (Nehemiah 13:26) The Prophet Daniel was told by the angelic messenger: “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.”  (Cf. Daniel 10) Indeed, the people of Israel were beloved of God, for He again declared through the Prophet Jeremiah: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love!” (Jeremiah 31:3)

We can relate to these great men of faith, and countless other men and women who have lived extraordinary lives of faith. We honor and esteem them as great examples; and yet, none of them were without sin in their lives. Indeed, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) I believe that is why many Christians struggle with the idea that any of us could be loved by God. We know our inner selves. We know the thoughts of our hearts. There is an inward shame that our holiness … our innocence has been marred with sin – even when unintended….

Paul dealt with these feelings as well. In the ignorance of his religious fervor, Paul persecuted the church of God. And in remorse, Paul referred to himself as the chief of sinners and noted: “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His immense patience as an example for those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:15-16) And, “For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:9-10)

I laid this foundation of scripture to emphasize this point: The love of God is not dependent upon our hearts, our deeds, or our degree of righteousness or holiness! Rather, consider this truth:

Romans 5:6-10 (ESV)

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life.

1 John 4:9-11 (ESV)

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

My friend, if you have received Jesus, the Beloved Son of God, as Lord and Savior, you too are in the Beloved. Do not allow unbelief to make you forget that you are greatly loved by God. You are so loved that you were bought with the precious blood of Christ! (1 Peter 1:18-20) For all the time you lived in sin and indulged in it, you must have been beloved for God to have been so very longsuffering with you. Yes, His grace and lovingkindness brought you repentance, reconciliation, and adoption. When you received Jesus, when you believed in His Name, you were given the right to become a child of God! (John 1:12-13) Indeed, all of this proves that God has lavished His unmerited love upon you! And there is nothing that will ever separate you and I from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord! (Romans 8:38-39)

Ephesians 1:3-8 (ESV)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us….”

Have a Blessed Day!

Jealous…

Jealous…

Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that He made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the Lord your God has forbidden. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. ~ Deuteronomy 4:23-24

What does it mean for God to be “jealous”? We see this anthropomorphic attribute given prominence in the Old Testament, and further application of it in the New Testament scriptures.  The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the emotional term as: “One who is intolerant of rivalry or unfaithfulness; vigilant in guarding a possession.” The use of this term becomes quite appropriate when we consider that God “chose” His people to be His treasured “possession;” and yet, His beloved became idolatrous and worshipped other gods….

Let’s examine some of the scriptures that reference the context of God’s jealousy for His elect:

Exodus 20:4-6 (NIV)

You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Cf. Deuteronomy 5:8-10)

Exodus 34:14 (NIV)

Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Deuteronomy 32:15-19 (NIV)

They abandoned the God who made them and rejected the Rock their Savior. They made Him jealous with their foreign gods and angered Him with their detestable idols. They sacrificed to false gods, which are not God— gods they had not known, gods that recently appeared, gods your ancestors did not fear. You deserted the Rock, who fathered you; you forgot the God who gave you birth. The Lord saw this and rejected them because He was angered by His sons and daughters.

Israel made God jealous and angered Him because of their rebellious unfaithfulness. Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a holy God; He is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. (Joshua 24:19) Asaph the Psalmist, in Psalm 78, reviewed the historical unfaithful relationship of Israel to the Lord after their conquest and settlement of Canaan – the Promised Land. Still, after their judgement and exile, the Prophet Ezekiel would provide this hope:

Ezekiel 16:41-43 (NIV)

“I will put a stop to your prostitution, and you will no longer pay your lovers. Then my wrath against you will subside and my jealous anger will turn away from you; I will be calm and no longer angry. “‘Because you did not remember the days of your youth but enraged me with all these things, I will surely bring down on your head what you have done, declares the Sovereign Lord. Did you not add lewdness to all your other detestable practices?

My friends, what we need to understand is that we have been chosen by the Sovereign God of all creation for an intimate relationship with Him. Our communion with the Father is prefaced on His great love and mercy for us. We have been betrothed to Him. Isaiah declared: “For your Maker is your husband— the Lord Almighty is His name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth. (Isaiah 54:5) Jeremiah recited: “I Myself said, “‘How gladly would I treat you like my children and give you a pleasant land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation. I thought you would call me ‘Father’ and not turn away from following me. But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you, Israel, have been unfaithful to me,” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 3:19-20) And Hosea prophesied: “In that day,” declares the Lord, “you will call me ‘my husband’; you will no longer call me ‘my master.’” (Hosea 2:16) Yes, “I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you with righteousness and justice; with love and compassion. I will betroth you with faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord. (Hosea 2:19-20)

So, let us consider the application for our walk of faith. Paul uses the same analogy regarding the fidelity of our relationship with Christ Jesus. He wrote: “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I have betrothed you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to Him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:2-3)

Here Paul is addressing believers and their propensity to follow the idols of their hearts; to not follow the leading of the Holy Spirit within them to pursue holiness and pure devotion to our Savior. I sense that the ease with which we dismiss our sin of self-idolatry under the banner of grace needs to be reexamined. Too often, a believe will excuse their sin and affection of the world as “being human.” I think Paul would answer:

Romans 6:1-7 (NIV)

“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we will certainly also be united with Him in a resurrection like His. For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be rendered powerless so that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

And Peter concurred: “Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. (1 Peter 4:1-3)

And James reminds us:

James 4:4-5 (NIV)

You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that He jealously longs for the spirit He has caused to dwell in us?

Dear reader, let us seek sincere fidelity within the covenant of love that the Father has ordained for us through His Son, Jesus. I pray you will review these scriptures on your own and examine your own heart. God chose you to believe in His Son! You are His elect! He loves you with an everlasting love. He has given you His precious promises. Therefore, He is most jealous for us! We are called to be faithful to our Maker who is our Husband— the Lord Almighty is His name.

Have a Blessed Day!

Will…

Will…

This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.~ Matthew 6:9-10

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray this manner, the focus of prayer was totally on the Father. To hallow the name of God means to greatly respect it; to give reverence to it; to consider it holy. The third commandment affirms: “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His Name.” (Exodus 20:7) Indeed, King David instructed: “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His Name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.” (Psalm 29:2)

As we pray to our Father and approach Him with holy reverence, Jesus outlines certain prayer points that I believe guide us into effectual prayer … prayer that brings us into agreement with the sovereignty and authority of the Father (His Kingdom) … prayer that brings our wills into alignment with His Will. Jesus affirms that the will of the Father IS done in heaven, and He instructs us to pray that the will of God is done on earth as well. So, one might ask, “What is the will of God?”

The Holy Scriptures reveal God and His existence to us. The Word of God expounds upon His Nature …  His Character … His Thoughts … His Will. We see all these facets of His Being unfold through His interactions with creation; His commandments and ordinances; and the truths He reveals through His prophets. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21) Thus, we need to study the Scriptures which are filled with direct expressions of God’s will.

When they asked Jesus, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent.” (John 6:28-29) First and foremost, the will of God is for us to believe in Jesus … the Son of God … who is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His Being. (Hebrews 1:3) And God has ordained that those who put their faith in Jesus will be conformed to the image of His Son. (Romans 8:29) Yes, we are to be holy because He is holy! (Leviticus 11:44, 11:45, 19:2, 20:7, 20:26, 1 Peter 1:16)

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 (NIV)

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you His Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NIV)

May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.

My friends, it is clear that God wants His people to be set apart … to be sanctified and consecrated to serve Him and His purposes. Our Lord Jesus prayed to the Father these words: “Sanctify them by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.” (John 17:17) Even more, I find great comfort knowing this truth: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose. (Philippians 2:13) Indeed, God works to align His will within us so that we will act according to His will. And so, God fulfills our prayer: Your Kingdom come … Your will be done … on earth as it is in heaven!  Amen.

Have a Blessed Day!

Complete…

Complete…

For in Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all rule and authority.~ Colossians 2:9-10

As believers who abide in Christ Jesus, you and I are made complete in Him! We have received all the necessary requisites to inherit everlasting life! We have been filled with His fullness to the greatest extent possible! We have been made whole; even made perfect in Him.  When Jesus spoke His last words on the cross, He said, “It is finished.” And with that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. (John 19:30) His atoning sacrifice was complete. It was total and absolute!

But I wonder, do we truly understand what it means to be complete? First of all, we need to turn our eyes upon Jesus … for He is the author (originator) and finisher (perfecter) of our faith! (Hebrews 12:2) Indeed, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word about Christ. (Romans 10:17) He is the confidence of what we hope for and the assurance of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1) Yes, and I am confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you and me will complete it! (Philippians 1:6)

This is our confidence in Christ … in Him we are complete! Imperfection has been made perfect through the unblemished Lamb of God. Think about that a moment…. Think about the perspective Paul shared in this regard:

Ephesians 1:3-8a (NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him (Jesus) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love, He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will— to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves. In Him (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us.

Yes, in Christ we are complete because He has made us holy and blameless through His own perfect righteousness. He is the One who is able to keep us from falling and to present us before the glorious presence of God without fault. (Jude 1:24) Jesus will present to Himself a radiant Church without spot or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. (Ephesians 5:26-27)

Can we truly fathom the depth or certitude of our redemption and salvation in Christ? Indeed, “May God Himself, the God of Peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

My friends, we might live in the brokenness of this fallen world, but we will be made whole as new creations in Christ. The old order of things will pass away! (Revelation 21:4) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:53) We may experience profound emptiness in life, be we will be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God through Christ. (Ephesians 3:19) Yes, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)

Indeed, the journey of faith is life-long. We have not yet arrived at the finish line nor have we yet been perfected; but we must press on and lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of us. Let us press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus! (Philippians 3:12-14) For in Him we are complete!

Have a Blessed Day!

Abide…

Abide…

I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  ~ John 15:5

The word ABIDE has several descriptive definitions – none of which is without significance within the context of our verse. Consider these thoughts as you contemplate what it means to abide:

  1. To remain stable or fixed in a state
  2. To continue in a place
  3. To conform to
  4. To accept without objection
  5. To wait for
  6. To endure without yielding
  7. To bear patiently

Jesus affords us a great metaphor on what it means to abide in Him … to remain in closest relationship with Him. Our search for the deepest meaning of life is satisfied in this one word: ABIDE.  For when we abide in Jesus … when we come forth as an extension (branch) of His life-giving being (vine) … we will have a meaningful life that bears fruit in the likeness of Him. Apart from Jesus, we will become lifeless and dead. He said, “No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” (John 15:4)

Jesus began His teaching with this: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:1-2) So, we understand that the work of God is to promote the growth of each branch in the vine. The Father desires fruit that will bring Him glory! As Paul expounded: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

The question arises: “How do we abide in Jesus? How do we continue to remain in His presence? Well, Jesus Himself provides the answer:

John 14:15-18 (NKJV)

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter), that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

John 14:23-24 (NKJV)

If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.

Notice there are branches (plural) in the Vine. All the branches are interconnected to the same life-giving source. Yes, all are dependent upon Jesus to give them true life in Him and with one another.  Indeed, we see John reinforcing this truth:

1 John 3:23-24 (NKJV)

And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now the one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

My friends, to have a meaningful, purposeful life, we must abide in Jesus. And the grace of abiding in Him requires obedience to His commandment – to love one another as He has loved us.  I will leave us with this thought: Abiding Through Love

1 John 4:12-16 (NKJV)

No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in Him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

It is my prayer this mediation will encourage you … in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Have a Blessed Day!

Thoughts…

Thoughts…

For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. ~ 1 Corinthians 2:11-12

Thoughts are mental cognitions – our ideas, opinions, and beliefs. They are framed by what we perceive through our senses and our human experience in this world. And yet, there is a much deeper component found within the spirit God breathed in each of us. (Cf. Genesis 2:7) As the text indicates, our thoughts find their origin within our spirits … the “essence” that animates us and gives us “life”. And through human speech or language, we have the capacity to express our thoughts; and therefore, express what resides within our individual spirits. And it is the expression of thoughts through our words and actions that reveals the nature of our true spirits in relational terms.

When we examine the “sin nature” of man, it is rooted in our spirits. Genesis 6:5 states: “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.” It is the depravity of our spirits that God calls into account. As Jeremiah noted: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” (Jeremiah 17:9-10) The Prophet Amos confirmed as well: “He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals His thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth— the Lord God Almighty is His name.” (Amos 4:13)

I am thankful our merciful God has expressed His thoughts on these matters through His Spirit to the Prophet, Isaiah, and provided this instruction:

Isaiah 55:7-9 (NIV)

Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

As Paul explained in our text, the thoughts of God reside with His Spirit; and it is through the expression of His Spirit in words and actions that His thoughts are revealed. Indeed, as Paul notes, until we are regenerated (born-again) by the Spirit of God (Cf. John 3:3-8), our spirits will not be joined with His so that we may understand what the Father has freely given us. Indeed, “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:14) And perhaps I should add: “The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the Gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)

My friends, the core message here is that as image-bearers of the Triune God, our thoughts reside within our spirits as well. And our thoughts are expressed through words (and actions). But the unfailing love of God has afforded us a solution for our depravity: His Thoughts! Our Creator has revealed His thoughts through His Spirit. It is known to us as the “Word of God.” Yes, when we are born-again of the Spirit, we receive the mind of Christ. We are able to process and understand spiritual thoughts (the words of God) because the Spirit explains spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words! (1 Corinthians 2:13) And Jesus confirms the Word of God is Truth! (John 17:17) Further, Jesus affirmed: “I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) I pray we will embrace the Word of God and its power to transform and renew our minds! (Romans 12:2)

Have a Blessed Day!

Open…

Open…

And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. ~ 2 Kings 6:17

What an incredible experience it must have been for the servant to have the Lord open his eyes to the unseen … to peer into the heavenly realms and encounter spiritual realities hidden from our view. What incredible grace God bestows upon His people … to open our eyes to see those things that elude our natural sight.  

In Genesis 21:19, God opened the eyes of Hagar, and she saw a well of water. She went and filled a skin with water to revive her thirsty son. In Numbers 22:31, the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. Indeed, there are times when the Lord enables us to see the supernatural in order to reveal with His will and to align us with His purposes. But as I study the Word of God today, my heart has been drawn to and identifies with the Psalmist who wrote: “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” (Psalm 119:18) Yes Lord, “Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.” (Psalm 119:34)

In Luke 24, we have the story of two disciples who were walking along the road to Emmaus and discussing the crucifixion of Jesus just three days prior. A stranger approached them and began to walk with them; listening to their unfolding of recent events and observing their downcast hearts. Then He said to them: “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.”

The stranger expounded on the ancient scriptures to explain their prophetic revelations regarding the Messiah. He affirmed to them that Jesus was indeed the Messiah – the Holy One of Israel. And as He lingered to eat a meal with them that evening, Jesus opened their eyes so that they could recognize Him. In astonishment they asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us? (Luke 24:28-32)

Later that same night, after the two had returned from Emmaus with their amazing news, Jesus appeared to the disciples as they were gathered in conversation. They were startled and afraid at His sudden appearance. Jesus said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. (Luke 24:44-45)

My friends, most assuredly, the Lord Jesus Himself is our Master Teacher! Our Savior fulfills every word declared through Moses, the Prophets, and His Spirit. (Hebrews 1:1-3) Indeed, the Spirit of Truth guides us into all the Truth. (John 16:13) And the Truth is Jesus Himself – the Word of God! (John 1:1; 14:6; John 17:17) Oh, how I pray that Jesus would open our eyes to see all the Scriptures concerning Himself; give us burning hearts to receive and understand them; and endue us with His power to believe them! Amen.

Have a Blessed Day!

Good…

Good…

As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up to Him and fell on His knees before Him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. (Mark 10:17-18)

As I read this story, I wondered why Jesus asked the man a question before He responded with any answer. I do not think our Lord Jesus made His response to the man to rebuke him; rather, I think Jesus was trying to determine if the man thought that He was God? Notice that the man had fallen to his knees before Jesus. Perhaps, it appeared to be a gesture of worship. So, it was a valid question … similar to when Jesus had asked His disciples: “Who do you say I am?” (Mark 8:29)

As we read further in the story, we see more detail of the interchange between this ruler and Jesus.  Observe how Jesus answered the question:

Mark 10:19-22 (NIV)

“You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” He said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

What a powerful statement! Jesus loved the man for his effort to please God through obedience; however, something was lacking. In what had the man ultimately placed his confidence? In his self-perceived goodness through keeping the relational commandments? Note the absence of the first four commandments to love, serve, and worship God? Yet, Jesus brings these into view when He explains what is lacking and urges: “Come, follow Me.” Indeed, the time had come for true worshipers to worship the Father in the Spirit and in Truth. (John 4:23)

It is clear that goodness has escaped us since the trespass of Adam. “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.” (Genesis 6:5) Moses understood this spiritual issue. Indeed, in spite of our greatest intentions for goodness or our utmost desires for holiness, our sin nature still reflects this verdict: “There is no one who does good – not even one.” (Psalm 53:3) King David confirmed it…. And later, the Prophet Isaiah observed:

Isaiah 64:4-6 (NIV)

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways. But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry. How then can we be saved? All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

My friends, Jesus has told us what we must do to receive eternal life. We need to understand that our righteousness has not been received through the Law because none of us has been careful to obey all the commandments. (Cf. Deuteronomy 6:25) But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:21-24) A person is justified by faith apart from the works of the Law; and this is the Good News! 

Have a Blessed Day!

Grieve…

Grieve…

He said, “Surely they are my people, children who will be true to me”; and so, He became their Savior. In all their distress He too was distressed, and the angel of His presence saved them. In His love and mercy, He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. Yet, they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them. (Isaiah 63:8-10)

Our verse provides a woeful commentary on the unfaithfulness of God’s chosen people. Of His treasured possession, God said: “Surely they are my people, children who will be true to me.”  God had wrought His salvation as He parted the Red Sea before their eyes.  He redeemed them from the slavery and oppression of Egypt. He carried them and provided for them through the wilderness journey. Yet, all the while, they rebelled against their Savior and Redeemer; and in doing so … grieved His Holy Spirit! Even after Jesus was sent from heaven to seek and to save the lost sheep of Israel (Cf. Matthew 10:6; Matthew 15:24; Luke 19:10), He grieved over the unwillingness of His own to recognize the presence of God in their midst. (Cf. Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34)

To grieve is to suffer deep sorrow or feel great anguish or distress such as when a loved one dies. So, when we grieve someone, we afflict them with deep sadness, agony, heartache, and pain. This describes what Holy Spirit feels when a child of God transgresses the will of God or walks in willful rebellion.  Notice I said, a child of God … one who has been born of God.

John 1:10-13 (NKJV)

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

My friends, how unthinkable it is for the children of God, the Body of Christ, to grieve His Holy Spirit! We are children who should be true to Him! He redeemed us by the precious blood of our Lord Jesus … the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world! He has carried us in His unfailing love and mercy! Shall we continue to resist the will of our Savior – who called us to a holy life? O saints, “Do not quench the Spirit!” (1 Thessalonians 5:19) For we are commanded to love another just as Jesus loved us! (John 15:12) Indeed, it is in this context that Paul exhorts us: “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the Day of Redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30) 

Have a Blessed Day!