so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. (Romans 12:5)
so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. (NLT)
We are all very familiar with the idea that we are one body in Christ. As long as we believe and are baptised in Jesus, we belong to the Church which is His body. The Holy Communion bread we partake every month also reminds us of the fact that we are one in Him.
However, have we considered the latter portion of this verse? We are individually members of one another.
It is not only that we are different parts making up one body and thus it would suffice that we each perform our individual duty without getting into each other's way.
The New Living Translation states it clearer, that we belong to each other.
What does this mean?
This means that you belong to me, and I belong to you.
It's like, I am a subset of You; and You are also a subset of Me.
It's a very special relationship.
But, have we considered this relationship in all the things that we do?
If so, then in every decision that we make, or in every thing that we do, we would first think about the consequence it will have on the other. We would think thrice before we do anything.
Is this pleasing to God?
Is this beneficial to me?
Am I hurting any members of my body?
We might even go to the extent of asking permission for doing things, because now we are not our own. We belong to Jesus, and we belong to one another. Perhaps we would not literally ask permission, but the spirit of doing so is there. If we know for sure that something will not benefit the other, we will not attempt to do it. We will never do anything to hurt a member of ourselves! For in the end, we are only hurting ourselves and all others in that body.
We would take good care of all our belongings, won't we? We would be upset to find something that belong to us missing or damaged. This is the same attitude we must have towards our brethren. If any one is sick or weak, we must take it upon ourselves to do something about it! We ought to be upset over it! Imagine, it is our leg that is sprained! Or, it is our ear that is infected!
Lord, help us to remember that we all belong to each other. Therefore do not let our actions and words hurt, but rather build each other up.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Romans 11
"Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear." (Romans 11:20)
God is a just God. He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust (Matthew 5:45).
He has only one condition for salvation, that we have faith in Him. And this standard is used on both the Jews and the Gentiles. As long as we believe in Jesus, we can be reconciled with Him.
Today, in our context, it is the same, isn't it?
We see many who are born into the true church eventually leaving the church. Such grace was given them that they should be born into the true church! Yet they didn't seem to cherish it as much.
And then there are others who only later were brought back to the true church after a long search. They stand by faith now, in place of those who have left due to unbelief. And what did the Bible say?
Do not be haughty, but fear.
Yes. Do not think that we are stronger than those who have left, for who knows what tomorrow may bring? It may bring something so terrible that will strike us at our knees and we may never stand again! We never know. We can only stay close to God and rely on His help to bring us through.
To be honest, I am very fearful of the future. I wonder if I would fall. I wonder if I am already going down the wrong path. I really need all the spiritual motivation that I can get from like-minded spiritual peers. I really need to be closer and closer to God.
But at the same time, I am excited of what God would bring into my life, if I allow full control by Him. He said that He would carry me through my entire life, even to my old age!
Even to your old age, I am He,
And even to gray hairs I will carry you!
I have made, and I will bear;
Even I will carry, and will deliver you.
(Isaiah 46:4)
The only problem is, how to give full control to Him?
I want to love Jesus more deeply, for He is such a wonderful Saviour to me.
God is a just God. He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust (Matthew 5:45).
He has only one condition for salvation, that we have faith in Him. And this standard is used on both the Jews and the Gentiles. As long as we believe in Jesus, we can be reconciled with Him.
Today, in our context, it is the same, isn't it?
We see many who are born into the true church eventually leaving the church. Such grace was given them that they should be born into the true church! Yet they didn't seem to cherish it as much.
And then there are others who only later were brought back to the true church after a long search. They stand by faith now, in place of those who have left due to unbelief. And what did the Bible say?
Do not be haughty, but fear.
Yes. Do not think that we are stronger than those who have left, for who knows what tomorrow may bring? It may bring something so terrible that will strike us at our knees and we may never stand again! We never know. We can only stay close to God and rely on His help to bring us through.
To be honest, I am very fearful of the future. I wonder if I would fall. I wonder if I am already going down the wrong path. I really need all the spiritual motivation that I can get from like-minded spiritual peers. I really need to be closer and closer to God.
But at the same time, I am excited of what God would bring into my life, if I allow full control by Him. He said that He would carry me through my entire life, even to my old age!
Even to your old age, I am He,
And even to gray hairs I will carry you!
I have made, and I will bear;
Even I will carry, and will deliver you.
(Isaiah 46:4)
The only problem is, how to give full control to Him?
I want to love Jesus more deeply, for He is such a wonderful Saviour to me.
Luke 6
"Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye." (Luke 6:42b)
"For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45b)
We all have our own perspectives of things. These perspectives develop based on our own upbringing, our own experiences, and our own personality.
When perspectives stay around for too long, they no longer stay as mere perspectives; they become like truths to us. And so when we allow perspectives to hang around for too long, we forgot that they are only our own perspectives of things, not the universal truths about things. We forgot that we are probably the only ones who think of certain issues this way, not everyone.
When our perspectives become like truths to us, have we ever consider that this is the plank in our eye that the bible talks about?
Our own perspectives of things are like a certain conclusion that we made in our own heart regarding certain issues. And these form a platform as to how we view things. We say that there is a speck in our brother's eye. But perhaps it is because we cannot see clearly due to the plank in our eye.
Why not try removing that plank first? That is, removing our perspectives about certain things. We may argue that they are just harmless viewpoint that we hold, but like I have said earlier, the longer they linger in our hearts, the more we think about them, the more they become like little truths in our hearts.
Yet, the truth is they are merely our own biased viewpoints. And these will affect how we speak, or what we talk about. From our words, people will learn of our biased viewpoints. If they take the time to correct you, then blessed are you! If not, they might just depart from you.... Thank God I was blessed.
I have got to remove the plank in my eye first. I have to ask God to take away all previously-conceived perspectives about things - about the church, the people, the activities....
I have to learn to start afresh each day.
Perhaps then I will realise there is no speck at all in my brother's eye.
"For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45b)
We all have our own perspectives of things. These perspectives develop based on our own upbringing, our own experiences, and our own personality.
When perspectives stay around for too long, they no longer stay as mere perspectives; they become like truths to us. And so when we allow perspectives to hang around for too long, we forgot that they are only our own perspectives of things, not the universal truths about things. We forgot that we are probably the only ones who think of certain issues this way, not everyone.
When our perspectives become like truths to us, have we ever consider that this is the plank in our eye that the bible talks about?
Our own perspectives of things are like a certain conclusion that we made in our own heart regarding certain issues. And these form a platform as to how we view things. We say that there is a speck in our brother's eye. But perhaps it is because we cannot see clearly due to the plank in our eye.
Why not try removing that plank first? That is, removing our perspectives about certain things. We may argue that they are just harmless viewpoint that we hold, but like I have said earlier, the longer they linger in our hearts, the more we think about them, the more they become like little truths in our hearts.
Yet, the truth is they are merely our own biased viewpoints. And these will affect how we speak, or what we talk about. From our words, people will learn of our biased viewpoints. If they take the time to correct you, then blessed are you! If not, they might just depart from you.... Thank God I was blessed.
I have got to remove the plank in my eye first. I have to ask God to take away all previously-conceived perspectives about things - about the church, the people, the activities....
I have to learn to start afresh each day.
Perhaps then I will realise there is no speck at all in my brother's eye.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Romans 10
For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. (Romans 10:2)
I actually sent this bible verse through sms to a friend before, acknowledging his zeal for God, but lamenting that it was without the true knowledge of God.
I think he thought the same of me as well.
It's really quite comical, if you were to take a step back to visualise the situation. Two persons, such convinced by his/her beliefs, trying to win the other over, with neither budging. So both stay put, where they are.
Although he might appear to be stubborn and hard-hearted, and not willing to accept the truth into his heart, I must say that he is really one of the few zealous people I see around these days. And he is one of the only few in my uni days whom I can discuss about faith and God with.
But it is a misdirected zeal. And I can almost hear Paul's voice crack as he writes this passage of the epistle. However, I truly believe that the sheep of God will hear His voice. They will return to the fold eventually.
It is, too, my heart's desire and prayer to God for my friend to be saved.
I actually sent this bible verse through sms to a friend before, acknowledging his zeal for God, but lamenting that it was without the true knowledge of God.
I think he thought the same of me as well.
It's really quite comical, if you were to take a step back to visualise the situation. Two persons, such convinced by his/her beliefs, trying to win the other over, with neither budging. So both stay put, where they are.
Although he might appear to be stubborn and hard-hearted, and not willing to accept the truth into his heart, I must say that he is really one of the few zealous people I see around these days. And he is one of the only few in my uni days whom I can discuss about faith and God with.
But it is a misdirected zeal. And I can almost hear Paul's voice crack as he writes this passage of the epistle. However, I truly believe that the sheep of God will hear His voice. They will return to the fold eventually.
It is, too, my heart's desire and prayer to God for my friend to be saved.
Luke 5
So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. (Luke 5:16)
This happened when more and more people came to Jesus to hear Him and for healing. Jesus got busier and busier. Yet the Bible reminds us that the busier Jesus gets, the more time He found for prayer and communion with God.
This seems to be a direct contrast to how we deal with busy lives today. The busier we get, the less time we have for prayer. The busier we are, the less time we have for God.
We may be busy with our work on this earth. We may be busy with the many work in church. In Jesus' case in this verse, I think we can apply it to either situation.
Whatever we are busy with, the important thing is still to find time for deep communion with God.
What do we mean by deep communion?
Jesus went into the wilderness, away from the crowds.
He went there Himself, alone.
He did this often.
He prayed.
And this was how He could finish His work that was entrusted Him on earth. This was how He had the strength to drink the bitter cup. This was how He stayed true and focused to His task on earth right to the end.
Jesus won the victory because He had His quiet-time with God. Have you had your quiet-time with God today?
And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, 'The old is better.' (Luke 5:39)
NLT translates it this way: But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. 'The old is just fine,' they say.
Interesting verse. I don't remember seeing it before!
The Pharisees and scribes were so used to their old ways that they were not willing to accept the "new wine", which really reflects how the human heart is like, isn't it?
How often are we not willing to come out of our comfort zone to try something new or different? We do not like to break away from our routines, even though at times we do complain about how boring it can get. Doing something we are not used to doing give us uncertainty, and it causes us to lose our authority and our control. The Pharisees didn't like this.
"The old is just fine." Sounds like someone who does not desire progress. This stagnation will become like stale water breeding mosquites! It can be quite deadly.
This seems to be the same attitude for truth-seekers who are just beginning to see the light. They are not readily accepting of the "new wine".
Which isn't a bad sign; it shows that they are truly studying the word of God. But in fact, it isn't a new wine at all! Jesus did not bring something new; He came to fulfill the Scriptures which the Pharisees held on to. And the gospel in the True Church isn't "new" too; it is a revival of the Apostolic Church and their teachings.
Jesus already knew this negative attitude of man more than 2000 years ago.
Let us take heed not to hold such attitude in our lives. While it is definitely good to be cautious about "new wine", let us never reject it immediately merely because we are avoiding the trouble and effort to try it. If we missed out on a good wine, then we have only ourselves to blame!
This happened when more and more people came to Jesus to hear Him and for healing. Jesus got busier and busier. Yet the Bible reminds us that the busier Jesus gets, the more time He found for prayer and communion with God.
This seems to be a direct contrast to how we deal with busy lives today. The busier we get, the less time we have for prayer. The busier we are, the less time we have for God.
We may be busy with our work on this earth. We may be busy with the many work in church. In Jesus' case in this verse, I think we can apply it to either situation.
Whatever we are busy with, the important thing is still to find time for deep communion with God.
What do we mean by deep communion?
Jesus went into the wilderness, away from the crowds.
He went there Himself, alone.
He did this often.
He prayed.
And this was how He could finish His work that was entrusted Him on earth. This was how He had the strength to drink the bitter cup. This was how He stayed true and focused to His task on earth right to the end.
Jesus won the victory because He had His quiet-time with God. Have you had your quiet-time with God today?
And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, 'The old is better.' (Luke 5:39)
NLT translates it this way: But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. 'The old is just fine,' they say.
Interesting verse. I don't remember seeing it before!
The Pharisees and scribes were so used to their old ways that they were not willing to accept the "new wine", which really reflects how the human heart is like, isn't it?
How often are we not willing to come out of our comfort zone to try something new or different? We do not like to break away from our routines, even though at times we do complain about how boring it can get. Doing something we are not used to doing give us uncertainty, and it causes us to lose our authority and our control. The Pharisees didn't like this.
"The old is just fine." Sounds like someone who does not desire progress. This stagnation will become like stale water breeding mosquites! It can be quite deadly.
This seems to be the same attitude for truth-seekers who are just beginning to see the light. They are not readily accepting of the "new wine".
Which isn't a bad sign; it shows that they are truly studying the word of God. But in fact, it isn't a new wine at all! Jesus did not bring something new; He came to fulfill the Scriptures which the Pharisees held on to. And the gospel in the True Church isn't "new" too; it is a revival of the Apostolic Church and their teachings.
Jesus already knew this negative attitude of man more than 2000 years ago.
Let us take heed not to hold such attitude in our lives. While it is definitely good to be cautious about "new wine", let us never reject it immediately merely because we are avoiding the trouble and effort to try it. If we missed out on a good wine, then we have only ourselves to blame!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Romans 9
But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel. (Romans 9:6)
This chapter is about the Sovereignty of God.
"I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion."
Sounds like a bigot?
Think of it this way: we are all headed for doom. Yet God still intervenes and desires to save us. And what is the only condition? That we have faith in Him.
It is therefore by faith that we become the heirs of God.
Many of the Jews got it wrong. They thought that by being the heirs of Abraham according to the flesh, they were naturally the children of God. But the Bible tells us that they have stumbled because they did not seek it by faith (Romans 9:32).
When we choose to seek in faith, God has mercy on us.
This verse also reminded me of a verse in Luke.
John the Baptist warned this, "Bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones." (Luke 3:8)
Now, how about considering the verse at the top in this manner?
"For they are not all true believers who are in the true church."
Scary, isn't it? Think about it, you have been an Israelite all your life, and then someone comes up to you one day and say, "No, you are not Israel!"
Being in the true church all our lives does not necessary mean that we are all destined for heaven. It is our faith and our actions of faith that pave the way for us.
Often, we do not experience the effect of God's saving grace in our lives. But this verse here reminds us that it is not that the word of God has taken no effect; rather, have we allowed the power of His word to manifest itself fully in our lives?
We have ourselves belittled the power of the Spirit in our lives. How then will this power work mightily in us?
May we become the true Israelites in His house, with the Spirit working mightily in our lives.
This chapter is about the Sovereignty of God.
"I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion."
Sounds like a bigot?
Think of it this way: we are all headed for doom. Yet God still intervenes and desires to save us. And what is the only condition? That we have faith in Him.
It is therefore by faith that we become the heirs of God.
Many of the Jews got it wrong. They thought that by being the heirs of Abraham according to the flesh, they were naturally the children of God. But the Bible tells us that they have stumbled because they did not seek it by faith (Romans 9:32).
When we choose to seek in faith, God has mercy on us.
This verse also reminded me of a verse in Luke.
John the Baptist warned this, "Bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones." (Luke 3:8)
Now, how about considering the verse at the top in this manner?
"For they are not all true believers who are in the true church."
Scary, isn't it? Think about it, you have been an Israelite all your life, and then someone comes up to you one day and say, "No, you are not Israel!"
Being in the true church all our lives does not necessary mean that we are all destined for heaven. It is our faith and our actions of faith that pave the way for us.
Often, we do not experience the effect of God's saving grace in our lives. But this verse here reminds us that it is not that the word of God has taken no effect; rather, have we allowed the power of His word to manifest itself fully in our lives?
We have ourselves belittled the power of the Spirit in our lives. How then will this power work mightily in us?
May we become the true Israelites in His house, with the Spirit working mightily in our lives.
Luke 3 - 4
Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time. (Luke 4:13)
Until an opportune time. When will that be?
You won't know. And neither would I.
For the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
Which is why the Psalmist David prayed that God cleanse him of his secret faults (Psalm 19:12), sins which he probably did not even know he had committed.
So that he may be blameless before God.
So that the devil will not have a foothold on him, to stumble him.
Look at the verse again. When the devil had ended every temptation.
The devil will not stop until he had tried ways and means to make us fall. He is out to destroy us. This is the sole purpose he is here for and so he must be really good at it! Let's not underestimate him!
And he does not stop there. After trying ways and means to trip us, if he is unsuccessful, yes, he will leave..... but only until an opportune time, .... when he can come and stumble us again.
He will never stop trying to pull us into hell with him. So never think that we are strong, lest we fall (1 Corinthians 10:12)!
We can only rely on the mercy of God to bring us out of every trial unto eternal life (Jude 21).
Until an opportune time. When will that be?
You won't know. And neither would I.
For the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
Which is why the Psalmist David prayed that God cleanse him of his secret faults (Psalm 19:12), sins which he probably did not even know he had committed.
So that he may be blameless before God.
So that the devil will not have a foothold on him, to stumble him.
Look at the verse again. When the devil had ended every temptation.
The devil will not stop until he had tried ways and means to make us fall. He is out to destroy us. This is the sole purpose he is here for and so he must be really good at it! Let's not underestimate him!
And he does not stop there. After trying ways and means to trip us, if he is unsuccessful, yes, he will leave..... but only until an opportune time, .... when he can come and stumble us again.
He will never stop trying to pull us into hell with him. So never think that we are strong, lest we fall (1 Corinthians 10:12)!
We can only rely on the mercy of God to bring us out of every trial unto eternal life (Jude 21).
Monday, January 11, 2010
Romans 8
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Romans 8:6)
This verse caught my attention because in the constrast made between life and death, there is an additional "peace" that comes with being spiritually minded.
How wonderful to set our minds on the things above! The things on earth, no matter how they change, can never affect us. We may be a little shakened, but we will not be moved.
How blessed to set our eyes upon Jesus! The people around us can never influence our moods. They may trample on us, they may spit on us, but we still stand, with our eyes fixed on Him.
And this verse gave me much comfort, in the midst of the mountain of work to be completed,
"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32)
He has already given us the Most anyone can ever give, and the Best anyone can ever give. How much more would He give us all things freely?
He will be most willing to! He would bring me through all difficult times, for He came to bring me life, not to see me die. With this thought, surely, He will carry me through.
This verse caught my attention because in the constrast made between life and death, there is an additional "peace" that comes with being spiritually minded.
How wonderful to set our minds on the things above! The things on earth, no matter how they change, can never affect us. We may be a little shakened, but we will not be moved.
How blessed to set our eyes upon Jesus! The people around us can never influence our moods. They may trample on us, they may spit on us, but we still stand, with our eyes fixed on Him.
And this verse gave me much comfort, in the midst of the mountain of work to be completed,
"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32)
He has already given us the Most anyone can ever give, and the Best anyone can ever give. How much more would He give us all things freely?
He will be most willing to! He would bring me through all difficult times, for He came to bring me life, not to see me die. With this thought, surely, He will carry me through.
Luke 2
But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)
... but His mother kept all these things in her heart. (Luke 2:51)
I used to have a pressing need to address any issue or problem I might have at hand. It is in me somewhere to give the present issue an analysis and to come to a conclusion about something.
But I gradually learn that we cannot have an explanation for a lot of things. At least, not now. The time is not right yet.
Mary probably didn't understand many things regarding her son, Jesus, especially during His growing up years.
This was the son of my womb. But this was also the Child which was brought by the angel to do great things. And now, before my very eyes, He is doing and saying marvelous things that I don't really understand.
However, Mary did not discard all that she saw and heard. She kept them in her heart and pondered about them. And she continued to serve as a mother does, bringing up her child in the Lord.
There are many things that I do not understand presently. Based only on my own understanding, I cannot figure out why some good people suffer, why some zealous Christians can never accept the Truth, why some people's heart can change so fast, why some believers still do not receive the Holy Spirit even though they have been fervent both in prayers and in service, why are there division in the True Church,.......
I do not understand, but I know that the hand of the Lord is in it. And if that is so, there must be something good.
All things work together for good to those who love God. (Romans 8:28)
And these do not take my eyes away from my duty on earth, that is, to be a Christian and to serve my Lord.
But these will be kept somewhere in my heart, for these are the things that I am concerned about. When I do my quiet-time with my Lord, that is the time when I can ponder and ask God about them.
And at the right time, God will reveal, and let me know. :)
... but His mother kept all these things in her heart. (Luke 2:51)
I used to have a pressing need to address any issue or problem I might have at hand. It is in me somewhere to give the present issue an analysis and to come to a conclusion about something.
But I gradually learn that we cannot have an explanation for a lot of things. At least, not now. The time is not right yet.
Mary probably didn't understand many things regarding her son, Jesus, especially during His growing up years.
This was the son of my womb. But this was also the Child which was brought by the angel to do great things. And now, before my very eyes, He is doing and saying marvelous things that I don't really understand.
However, Mary did not discard all that she saw and heard. She kept them in her heart and pondered about them. And she continued to serve as a mother does, bringing up her child in the Lord.
There are many things that I do not understand presently. Based only on my own understanding, I cannot figure out why some good people suffer, why some zealous Christians can never accept the Truth, why some people's heart can change so fast, why some believers still do not receive the Holy Spirit even though they have been fervent both in prayers and in service, why are there division in the True Church,.......
I do not understand, but I know that the hand of the Lord is in it. And if that is so, there must be something good.
All things work together for good to those who love God. (Romans 8:28)
And these do not take my eyes away from my duty on earth, that is, to be a Christian and to serve my Lord.
But these will be kept somewhere in my heart, for these are the things that I am concerned about. When I do my quiet-time with my Lord, that is the time when I can ponder and ask God about them.
And at the right time, God will reveal, and let me know. :)
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Romans 7
But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. (Romans 7:6)
Walking as a new man in Christ. Forsaking the old man.
Reminded me of the blind man who threw aside his garment to go before Jesus (Mark 10:50).
Reminded me of a recent exhortation that I heard over the pulpit about sins being nailed on the cross.
The preacher said that all of us have had our old ways nailed to the cross after we have believed and been baptised in Christ Jesus.
By the sacrifice and blood of Jesus, our old man is torn apart from us and the Holy Spirit now wants to rule in our hearts, to help us walk in newness of life.
But the only problem is that, the old man that was nailed on the cross is not dead yet. He refuses to die. He would not concede defeat. He is still struggling to break free from the cross so that he can rule over my life again.
The scary thing is, I am the one who refuse to let him die. The old ways of deceit, malice, jealousy, envy, dissension, pride...... The more I feed on these, the more I am giving the old man strength to break free.
NO!
Lord Jesus, please let the old man die. He is still struggling to break free from the nails on the cross. Please give me strength to put him to death, so that he can never reign in my body again.
For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (Romans 8:13)
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (Colossians 3:5)
Walking as a new man in Christ. Forsaking the old man.
Reminded me of the blind man who threw aside his garment to go before Jesus (Mark 10:50).
Reminded me of a recent exhortation that I heard over the pulpit about sins being nailed on the cross.
The preacher said that all of us have had our old ways nailed to the cross after we have believed and been baptised in Christ Jesus.
By the sacrifice and blood of Jesus, our old man is torn apart from us and the Holy Spirit now wants to rule in our hearts, to help us walk in newness of life.
But the only problem is that, the old man that was nailed on the cross is not dead yet. He refuses to die. He would not concede defeat. He is still struggling to break free from the cross so that he can rule over my life again.
The scary thing is, I am the one who refuse to let him die. The old ways of deceit, malice, jealousy, envy, dissension, pride...... The more I feed on these, the more I am giving the old man strength to break free.
NO!
Lord Jesus, please let the old man die. He is still struggling to break free from the nails on the cross. Please give me strength to put him to death, so that he can never reign in my body again.
For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (Romans 8:13)
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (Colossians 3:5)
Luke 1
"For with God nothing will be impossible." (Luke 1:37)
"For He who is mighty has done great things for me." (Luke 1:49)
A virgin conceived and bore a son. Who would have thought of such a thing? Who would have imagined such a thing? Yet, by the power of the Holy Spirit, it came to pass.
How did Mary feel? What was her thoughts? Did she really believe she would give birth to a child after the angel Gabriel left?
We know that she really did. She indeed has great faith. Look at the way she responded.
"Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." (1:38) And she also immediately arose to go to Elizabeth, into the hill country (1:39).
If she had not believe, she wouldn't have gone through that trouble.
Yes, she had her doubts. She asked, "How can this be...?" (1:34), but she humbly accepted the power of the Highest, and accepted her own status as a lowly maidservant of the Lord.
At the end of the day, she recognised how the Lord Almighty has done great things for her, even though she was just a lowly servant.
What about us today?
Have we considered the great things He has done for us?
Have we considered the great things He would have done on us if we have had the faith to believe in them?
Mary believed in that which most people would believed as impossible. She knew that with God, nothing is impossible.
What God has purpose, He will bring it to pass (Isaiah 14:24; 46:11).
"Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3)
"For He who is mighty has done great things for me." (Luke 1:49)
A virgin conceived and bore a son. Who would have thought of such a thing? Who would have imagined such a thing? Yet, by the power of the Holy Spirit, it came to pass.
How did Mary feel? What was her thoughts? Did she really believe she would give birth to a child after the angel Gabriel left?
We know that she really did. She indeed has great faith. Look at the way she responded.
"Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." (1:38) And she also immediately arose to go to Elizabeth, into the hill country (1:39).
If she had not believe, she wouldn't have gone through that trouble.
Yes, she had her doubts. She asked, "How can this be...?" (1:34), but she humbly accepted the power of the Highest, and accepted her own status as a lowly maidservant of the Lord.
At the end of the day, she recognised how the Lord Almighty has done great things for her, even though she was just a lowly servant.
What about us today?
Have we considered the great things He has done for us?
Have we considered the great things He would have done on us if we have had the faith to believe in them?
Mary believed in that which most people would believed as impossible. She knew that with God, nothing is impossible.
What God has purpose, He will bring it to pass (Isaiah 14:24; 46:11).
"Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)