Thursday, July 25, 2013

In Christ - I am complete in Him


I am complete in Him...

Colossians 2:9,10 And you are complete in Christ, Who is the head over every power and authority…

Daily Devotion/C.H. Spurgeon and Alistair Begg

January 27, 2013 

A Fullness in Christ

And from his fullness we have all received.  John 1:16

“These words tell us that there is a fullness in Christ. There is a fullness of essential Deity, for "in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily."1 There is a fullness of perfect manhood, for in Him, bodily, that Godhead was revealed. There is a fullness of atoning efficacy in His blood, for "the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."2 There is a fullness of justifying righteousness in His life, for "there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."3 There is a fullness of divine prevalence in His plea, for "He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."4 There is a fullness of victory in His death, for through death He destroyed him that had the power of death--that is, the devil. There is a fullness of efficacy in His resurrection from the dead, for by it "He has caused us to be born again to a living hope."5 There is a fullness of triumph in His ascension, for "when He ascended on high He led a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men."6 There is a fullness of blessings of every sort and shape; a fullness of grace to pardon, of grace to regenerate, of grace to sanctify, of grace to preserve, and of grace to perfect. There is a fullness at all times; a fullness of comfort in affliction, a fullness of guidance in prosperity. A fullness of every divine attribute--of wisdom, of power, of love; a fullness that it is impossible to survey, much less to explore. "For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell."7

“Oh, what a fullness must this be of which all receive! Fullness, indeed, must there be when the stream is always flowing, and yet the well springs up as free, as rich, as full as ever. Come, believer, and get all your need supplied; ask largely, and you will receive largely, for this "fullness" is inexhaustible and is treasured up where all the needy may reach it, even in Jesus, Immanuel--God with us.”

1Colossians 2:9 21 John 1:7 3Romans 8:1 4Hebrews 7:25 51 Peter 1:3 6Ephesians 4:8 7Colossians 1:19

I have to admit that for too many years I lived like a pauper instead of a Princess – I knew I was God’s daughter, but I didn’t “get” what that really meant.  Thankfully, I’ve grown in my faith – and in my relationship with the Lord – and I’ve discovered that “stream that is always flowing!”  I try not to get too far away from the source – but when I do, and when I start feeling parched – I remember where to go and I drink deeply of His blessings.  What refreshment – what relief – what blessings – await His children!  No more running to the world for me – now that I’ve tasted of the Source, nothing else will do!

In Christ - I am free from condemnation


I am free from condemnation...

Romans 8:1  Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus... 

Colossians 1:21,22 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation—

New Life Daily Devotion – Steve Arterburn – November 2, 2010

No Condemnation

“We may be punishing ourselves. We certainly feel like we deserve it! We don't just feel guilty; we feel like this last fall proves that we're rotten to the core. Our feelings of self-condemnation may go beyond guilt for the wrong behavior, convincing us of our worthlessness. It seems futile to keep trying.

“The apostle Paul talked about how frustrating it can be to fall back into the very things we hate (see Romans 7). But then he concludes, ‘So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death’ (Romans 8:1-2).

“Our feelings of condemnation come from ourselves and Satan, not from God. The Bible calls Satan "the accuser." Looking to a future day, it says, "It has come at last—salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses them before our God day and night’ (Revelation 12:10).

“God will convict us of the wrong of our behavior, so we can confess it and receive cleansing forgiveness. Remember, ‘If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness’ (1 John 1:9). Let's not give in to the condemnation. We're not hopeless and worthless! We just fell. God wants to dust us off and set us back on the path to a better life.

“God never condemns those who look to Him for forgiveness, even after the greatest of failures.”

That is good news, indeed!  I know what it’s like to live with the weight of failure – it’s not fun, is it?  It took me time – and effort – and discipline – but I no longer feel about myself the way I did when I first re-committed my life to Christ after wallowing in the gutter for almost two years.  I no longer carry that weight of shame and guilt – they’re GONE – for GOOD!  There ARE days and times when I look back with sadness – but I can also see the grace and mercy of God in my life, and I’m not overcome or overwhelmed!  I can look back into my past and admit the ugly facts – I’m a SINNER saved by GRACE!  Don’t let the enemy rob you of the joy God has promised by rubbing your nose in your past failures.  Pick yourself up and keep walking the path of righteousness!  And remember – Satan has lost the final battle – he’s a loser and a liar, so don’t give him a nano-second of your time! 

In Christ - I am reconciled to God


I am reconciled to God...

II Corinthians 5:18 All this is from God, Who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation...


“Imagine two friends who have a fight or argument. The good relationship they once enjoyed is strained to the point of breaking. They cease speaking to each other; communication is deemed too awkward. The friends gradually become strangers. Such estrangement can only be reversed by reconciliation. To be reconciled is to be restored to friendship or harmony. When old friends resolve their differences and restore their relationship, reconciliation has occurred. Second Corinthians 5:18-19 declares, ‘All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.’

“The Bible says that Christ reconciled us to God (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18; Colossians 1:20-21). The fact that we needed reconciliation means that our relationship with God was broken. Since God is holy, we were the ones to blame. Our sin alienated us from Him. Romans 5:10 says that we were enemies of God: ‘For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!’

“When Christ died on the cross, He satisfied God’s judgment and made it possible for God’s enemies, us, to find peace with Him. Our ‘reconciliation’ to God, then, involves the exercise of His grace and the forgiveness of our sin. The result of Jesus’ sacrifice is that our relationship has changed from enmity to friendship. ‘I no longer call you servants … Instead, I have called you friends’ (John 15:15). Christian reconciliation is a glorious truth! We were God’s enemies, but are now His friends. We were in a state of condemnation because of our sins, but we are now forgiven. We were at war with God, but now have the peace that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7)!”

Isn’t it awesome to know that we are no longer enemies of God?  What a RELIEF!  We are God’s friend – fully restored to Him because of Jesus.  That breach in fellowship that occurred in the Garden of Eden has been repaired – and just as Adam and Eve could walk with God with no worries or concerns – so can we walk with Him in peace, not fearing His anger or judgment!  You ARE reconciled to God – and you’ve been given the ministry of reconciliation.  Go and tell others what God has done for them – live your life in a such a way that they see the truth of reconciliation in your life!  Sharon

Thursday, June 27, 2013

In Christ - I am in Christ Jesus

I am in Christ Jesus...

I Corinthians 1:30 It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, Who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 

Joni and Friends Daily Devotional
May 6, 20


Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.   Colossians 3:2-4

“When I was in Russia, my husband Ken purchased one of those wooden hand-painted peasant dolls that twist open at the middle to reveal another doll inside. You take the smaller doll out, open it, and another, even smaller one is inside. Open that one, and you discover a tinier doll! The fun is in discovering all that's hidden inside of each doll.

“To me, it was an excellent picture of being hidden with Christ in God. We are in Him and He is hidden in the Father. The fun is in discovering all that this means. As the verse says, we have died and our true life lies in the other world, the spiritual world. The perfection of all that we shall one day be is reserved for us in heaven. It is hidden with Christ -- not only from us (like a secret) but for us (like a safety deposit box). At the present time, even Christ is hidden - but we take comfort that even though we cannot see Him, our life is hidden with Him and laid up safely with Him. In the same way, we can rest, knowing that although our ultimate happiness is presently out of sight, it is nevertheless reserved in heaven for us.

 
“What a picture of safety and protection. Nothing can touch us, nothing can harm us for we are hidden in Christ, and He is hidden in the Father. And one day, when Christ is revealed, when He appears, then who we are - our true identity - will no longer be concealed.

“As we follow the advice of Colossians 3:2 and set our minds on things above, we enjoy discovering ‘what's inside.’ Today, ponder what you might be like, sound like, act like when you appear with Him in glory. As you muse on things above, what is hidden becomes clear.


“Lord, I want to understand this mystery and so I set my heart and mind on things above where You are seated at the right hand of the Father - one day I will actually ‘be’ the person You've intended me to be all along. Thank you for hiding me in Your heart.”

Blessings,

Joni and Friends
www.joniandfriends.org

I have several sets of these dolls – matryoshkas – and they’re really pretty cool!  Over the years I’ve bought many sets of them – some very simple – some very detailed – and I’ve seen sets with as many as 20 dolls and as few as 3.  Each doll is handmade and unique – even those done by the same artist are different from one set to the next.  Within a set of dolls each doll is different – and many tell a story of some sort.  As Joni shared, our relationship with the Lord is reminiscent of these dolls – what we see on the outside – the largest doll – is not what’s inside.  Each layer is handled by the Master Craftsman – each doll tells its own story – and it’s not until all of our “flesh” is carved away will we see the truth of who we are on the inside.   Sadly, I often see too much of who I am on the inside – because my flesh hasn’t been completely removed yet, I know what I’m capable of – but God sees the finished product – He sees the little doll just waiting to be revealed.  He knows my story from beginning to end and is painstakingly creating His masterpiece in my life.  I’ve never been one to enjoy the process – I want to jump right to the end result – but that’s not how He works.  He’s slow – careful – meticulous – and won’t stop until He’s finished.  All I have to do is cooperate with Him and trust that He knows what He’s doing!  I’m not that littlest doll yet – but I’m on my way – and so are you!  Sharon

Thursday, June 6, 2013

In Christ - I am more than a conqueror


I am more than a conqueror...

Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 

Daily Word – Pastor Jack Graham – 3/2/2012

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  Ephesians 2:13

“One day Napoleon was standing before his army after he was defeated at Waterloo. He was trying to cover his losses and see what his next move would be. Napoleon realized that his quest for world domination was practically over. He had a map of the world on the wall and on that map the British Isles were marked in red. Napoleon angrily said to his generals, as he pointed to the red marked on that map, ‘Were it not for that red spot, we would have conquered the world!’

“I can imagine Satan gathering his hoards after Jesus’ death on Calvary. All of the demon spirits  and the generals of hell listening as Satan pointed to the blood drenched slopes of Calvary and said, ‘Were it not for that red spot, we would have conquered the world!’

“But because of what Jesus has done for us, ‘we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us’ (Romans 8:37). And it’s because of the blood of Jesus Christ that you can have full confidence that sin and Satan have been conquered in your life.

“The blood of Christ is the very power of God. It is by His death and resurrection that we have any hope of salvation at all. So remember that by the power of Christ’s blood, you have all the victory you need in the name of Jesus Christ!

“THE BLOOD OF CHRIST SAVES YOU FROM SIN AND GIVES YOU VICTORY OVER SATAN. SO CLAIM THAT TRUTH IN YOUR LIFE AND LIVE VICTORIOUSLY THANKS TO HIS FINISHED WORK!”

I thank God for that “red spot” – for it has washed and cleansed me and made me white as snow – and it gives me the power to have the victory over the enemy every single day!  There is nothing you or I will face that can’t be overcome by that “red spot” – the blood of Jesus is powerful – and when we place ourselves under it, we are transfused with it – and transformed into conquerors!  Is there a besetting sin in your life?  Something that you can’t seem to get control over?  Submit it to the blood of Jesus – take it to Him – He has promised to give you victory over it!  Sadly, I talk to too many Christians who would rather wallow in their “inability” to live victorious lives than to take the time and effort to allow Jesus to transform them.  We are without excuse when it comes to ongoing, continuing sin!  If you’re doing something you know is wrong and you don’t stop – it’s not because you “can’t” – it’s because you “won’t!”  Dear one, I hope that you will make the choice today to allow God to empower you to live a victorious life!  Sharon

Thursday, May 30, 2013

In Christ - I am redeemed from the curse of the law

I am redeemed from the curse of the law...
 
I Peter 1:18,19 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 
 
Galatians 3:10-14 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them." But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith." Yet the law is not of faith, but "the man who does them shall live by them." Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”) ,that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
 
In the Presence of God by Dr. R.C. Sproul
June 25, 2012
Treasuring Redemption's Price

"The key to understanding the cry of Jesus from the cross is found in Paul's letter to the Galatians: "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree'" (Gal. 3:13, NIV).
 
"To be cursed is to be removed from the presence of God, to be set outside the camp, to be cut off from His benefits. On the cross, Jesus was cursed. That is, He represented the Jewish nation of covenant breakers who were exposed to the curse and took the full measure of the curse on Himself. As the Lamb of God, the Sin Bearer, He was cut off from the presence of God.
 
"On the cross, Jesus entered into the experience of forsakenness on our behalf. God turned His back on Jesus and cut Him off from all blessing, from all keeping, from all grace, and from all peace.
 
 
"God is too holy to even look at iniquity. God the Father turned His back on the Son, cursing Him to the pit of hell while He hung on the cross. Here was the Son's "descent into hell." Here the fury of God raged against Him. His scream was the scream of the damned. For us.
 
"Reflect on what Jesus did for you on Calvary. Give thanks for the Lamb of God who bore your sin."
 
 
 
 
What a blessing it is to know that we are no longer under the curse of God!  Walk in that freedom today, dear one!  Sharon

In Christ - I am strong to the end...


I am strong to the end...
 
I Corinthians 1:8 He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
Jude 1:24,25  To Him Who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy--to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. 

Morning and Evening
Charles Spurgeon/Alistair Begg
 
March 14 Morning Reading
 
"It is a curious fact that there is such a thing as being proud of grace. A man says, 'I have great faith - I shall not fall; poor little faith may, but I never shall.'  'I have fervent love,' says another.  'I can stand; there is no danger of my going astray.'  He who boasts of grace has little grace to boast of.  Some who do this imagine that their graces can keep them, knowing not that the stream must flow constantly from the fountainhead or else the stream will soon be dry.  If a continuous supply of oil does not come to the lamp, even though it may burn brightly today, it will smoke tomorrow, and noxious will be its scent.  Pay attention that you do not glory in your graces, but let all your glorying and confidence be in Christ and His strength, for only in this way can you be kept from falling.  Be much more diligent in prayer.  Spend longer time in holy adoration.  Read the Scriptures more earnestly and constantly.  Watch your lives more carefully. Live nearer to God.  Take the best examples for your pattern. Let your conversation be full of heaven.  Let your hearts be perfumed with affection for men's souls. Live in such a way that men may recognize that you have been with Jesus and have learned of Him;  and when that happy day shall come, when He whom you love shall say, 'Come up higher,' may it be your happiness to hear Him say, 'You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, and henceforth there is laid up for you the crown of righteousness that doesn't fade.'  Keep on, Christian, with care and caution!  Go on, with holy fear and trembling!  On, with faith and confidence in Jesus alone, and let your constant petition be, 'Uphold me according to Your promise.' He alone is able 'to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy.'"
 
What a great reminder that our walk as Believers is not passive - it's active - it requires our participation in maintaining holiness and closeness to the Savior.  BUT - in the end - it is HIS strength that sustains us - we must turn to Him when we feel weak - when we are tempted - when our world seems to be falling apart - when we feel that we just can't go on - when a loved one is sick/dying or has walked away from the Lord.  HE will keep you strong - but only when - and if - you turn to Him and ask for that strength!  I've seen many a Christian wander off the path and get themselves into trouble because they didn't keep their eyes fixed on Jesus (myself included).  How much better off we are - and will eternally be - when we can learn to walk side-by-side with Jesus and allow the Spirit to guide and direct our every action! Sharon