Category: <span>Uncategorized</span>

“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. ” Galatians 3:24-25  Preparatory to our faith was Law, it came by Moses. Then, grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. With capacity lacking, Law showed us a need, created a hunger, brought to light an unresolved state of guilt. Necessary since evil may have taught us to cover or hide guilt; we learned to imagine it gone by denial. Adam and Eve used fig leaves to cover their nakedness, others used a “lie in their right hand.” Some developed a seared or “branded” conscience, destroying their hunger for God, and particularly His redemption with all of it’s many parts. Iniquity, a rebellion against God’s authority, manifested in emotional usurping, develops in some as a defense mechanism for the removal…

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. ” Philippians 3:21  “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace;” Ephesians_2:15  ” …in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:’ Ephesians 1:10  “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”  Ephesians 4:13  We shall…

The way of peace comes as we get Dead in Christ. “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3 ” …reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:11  Paul the Apostle repeats the essential death often in his letters. Another instance comes in Galatians 2. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live;” Galatians 2:20a The fact of my crucifixion demands an explanation as to why I still live. Answer: It is Christ living in me and I live by His faith. Yes, Him in me, “I live” “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Jesus in John 5:24 So, a short summary goes,…

A complexity, “soul” is more simply observed as feelings, judgments, opinions, rationalizations, and self-consciousness; all muddying the will, making decisions difficult. In soul, we trip over ourselves, stumble in the dark, and accept the confused state as our “normal.” Notwithstanding, the state of soul with personality traits, still guides men and women and some discover “soul power,” spoken of in Watchman Nee’s book, “The Latent Power of the Soul.” Nevertheless, “Holy Spirit imparts spirit” to some, enabling a new person to emerge, overruling the fallen nature embedded in depraved mankind. Born again, a person becomes a new creation. “created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10  Ephesians 4:24 adds, ” … put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” and Colossians 3:10 says , “put on the new man, which is renewed in…

“As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” Proverbs 25:25  “And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.” Matthew_13:57 Quoting a proverb, Jesus above tells a truth. Yes, familiarity of natural surroundings kills joy but unexpected blessing from unfamiliar resources gives un-before-experienced thrill. ” What good news that His purpose and plan for our lives moves in a different direction from ours!” Tullian Tchividjian Yes, what joy it has been to fall into a better fate than expected. Another quote from the author goes, “Contrary to popular assumptions, the Bible is not a record of the blessed good, but rather the blessed bad. That’s not a typo. The Bible is a record of the blessed bad. The Bible is not a witness to the best…

Hebrews 12:15 teaches us: Look diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. To fail the grace of God: “The implication is “to be inferior; to fall short, to be deficient: to come behind.” “The image is taken from a company of travelers, one of whom lags behind, and so never reaches the end of the long and laborious journey” [Chrysostom]. The word “fail“, “fall back from,” implies a previous attainment. Vincent ” … failing of the grace of God; it is to become bankrupt…want of a good foundation and suitable care and diligence; it is failing of the grace of God, coming short of a principle of true grace in the soul, … and so coming short of the love and favor of God here and hereafter.” MH Beloved, we must never be-little…

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”  Psalm 119:105  The times, perilous, appear to have come and fierce they are. “Intensively aggressive, violent, or powerful — such as a “fierce storm” or “fierce, competitive rivals”. It commonly means wild or menacing, but can also describe strong emotions, intense heat, or, informally, a bold, confident, and stylish appearance. Synonyms include savage, ferocious, intense, and vehement.” Webster Proverbs 30:14  instructs us, “There are those whose teeth are swords, whose fangs are knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, the needy from among mankind. “ So we are warned, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8 Benson comments on this word, “devour “— “Swallow up both soul and body. This manner of speaking strongly expresses the insatiable rage of this…

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17  Were you aware that our Christ was before all, and all consist by Him? He created every throne, every dominion, every principality, every power? JFB adds, “all creation is therefore affected by His propitiation: sinful creation is strictly “reconciled” from its enmity; sinless creation, comparatively distant from His unapproachable purity is lifted into nearer participation of Him, and in this wider sense is reconciled.” Propitiation , that great Mercy Seat, consists also in Him. It’s great effect toward sinners consists of unmerited pardon to all who believe. “No reconciliation is granted fallen angels. ” But,   “A glorious high…

Never let an imagination enter into self-gratification — cast it down. Never let a thought enter into a division and discord in your spirit — cast it down. Carl H. Stevens ” …because you are seated way above the devil. There is a great divide. He can only attack you and I when we’re playing in the dust, that’s all.” CHS I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” The word for “pulling down,” implies the entire clearance of an obstacle, ” “strongholds” is found here alone. These “fortresses” were the opposition aroused by factious and hostile partisans.” “Every high thing that exalteth itself; rather, every…