Daily Bread
Matthew 25:41 "And then He shall say to those at His left, depart from me you cursed into the eternal fire that was prepared for the devil and his angels."
The indication that Jesus gives is that hell was made for the devil and his angels. However, it is also certain that those who refuse the saving Grace of God that is only found in Christ Jesus will also be cast into this eternal judgment of fire. There is not much information in the Bible concerning the "devil's angels." In fact, of the 302 times that angels are mentioned in the Bible only eight of those times are evil angels mentioned (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 9:11; 12:7, 9; 14:15). There are also three additional times in the New Testament that we may assume that the devil's angels are being referred to, Romans 8:38, Galatians 1:8, and Ephesians 6:12. There are several things that we do know about these evil angels: 1- The fate of these angels are sealed. 2- Some of them are already bound in hell (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6). 3- Michael and his angels will fight against the devil and his angels, and they will be cast into the earth during the tribulation (Revelation 12:7,9). Although we know that Satan has no more power over the saints, we are still in a battle against him and his angels (John 12:31; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8; Ephesians 6:11-12). We have been given authority to drive back and destroy every work of Satan in the earth whether it comes in the form of sin, sickness, or disease. In fact, God desires that we even defeat Satan in the realms of death by raising the dead to life again. Finally, there are two other terms used in the Bible that refer to angels, sons of God, and stars (Genesis 6:2,4; Job 1:6, 2:1; 38:7 Isaiah 14;12-13; Daniel 8:10).
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Friday, June 02, 2006
Daily Bread
Revelation 1:5- "And from Jesus Christ the faithful witness the firstborn from among the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. The One who loves us and has washed us from our sins with His own blood."
There is a very striking change of tense in this verse that helps to underscore the fact that the blood of Jesus has freed us from every sin. The change in tense is between 'agaponti' (loves) and 'lusanti/lousanti' (loosed/washed). While 'love' is in the present tense 'loosed' is in the past tense. This alludes to the fact that Jesus freed us from our sins at the moment that we received His forgiveness. By the blood of Jesus we were set free to go out from the land of bondage and captivity to sin just as the children of Israel were set free from slavery on the night of the Passover. They were not being set free every day little by little but God gave them a complete deliverance when He came and saved them from their oppressors. He set them free so that they could serve Him, be His people and live in His land. Equally, we were set free from sin when we called upon the name of the Lord Jesus. We had, as it were, our own individual Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7). When we were set free we came into the realm of the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God is the realm of our inheritance where we are protected, guided, and provided for by God. Here in this place of His goodness we grow and mature in every dimension of God's ways through the activity of His love that has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). In this grace and provision of God if we sin and confess our sin the blood of Jesus will cleanse us from any contamination that would separate us from God so that we can continue on in His blessings (1 John 1:9; 2:1).
Blessings
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Revelation 1:5- "And from Jesus Christ the faithful witness the firstborn from among the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. The One who loves us and has washed us from our sins with His own blood."
There is a very striking change of tense in this verse that helps to underscore the fact that the blood of Jesus has freed us from every sin. The change in tense is between 'agaponti' (loves) and 'lusanti/lousanti' (loosed/washed). While 'love' is in the present tense 'loosed' is in the past tense. This alludes to the fact that Jesus freed us from our sins at the moment that we received His forgiveness. By the blood of Jesus we were set free to go out from the land of bondage and captivity to sin just as the children of Israel were set free from slavery on the night of the Passover. They were not being set free every day little by little but God gave them a complete deliverance when He came and saved them from their oppressors. He set them free so that they could serve Him, be His people and live in His land. Equally, we were set free from sin when we called upon the name of the Lord Jesus. We had, as it were, our own individual Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7). When we were set free we came into the realm of the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God is the realm of our inheritance where we are protected, guided, and provided for by God. Here in this place of His goodness we grow and mature in every dimension of God's ways through the activity of His love that has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). In this grace and provision of God if we sin and confess our sin the blood of Jesus will cleanse us from any contamination that would separate us from God so that we can continue on in His blessings (1 John 1:9; 2:1).
Blessings
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Fresh Bread - 6/1
Daily Bread
Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who has blessed us in Christ with all spiritual blessings in heaven."
The Greek word 'pneumatikos' (spiritual) is only found in the New Testament. It was first used in Romans 1:11 with respect to Paul's desire to impart spiritual abilities or gifts to the brethren. This word is used more in First Corinthians than anywhere else. Its meaning is defined by 1 Corinthians 12:1, "Now concerning spiritual I would not have you ignorant," and 1 Corinthians 14:1, "Follow after love and desire spiritual and especially that you may prophesy." The context of this word refers to the manifestation of the Spirit that results in miracles and signs and wonders. Of course the spiritual also includes every realm of the Kingdom of God and spiritual understanding but the emphasis is placed on the operation of the Spirit through those in the church. When God set up the church He empowered the church to fully reveal the power and glory of the risen Savior Jesus Christ. If Jesus is to be revealed then we must yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit whose purpose is to make Him known (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).
Blessings
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who has blessed us in Christ with all spiritual blessings in heaven."
The Greek word 'pneumatikos' (spiritual) is only found in the New Testament. It was first used in Romans 1:11 with respect to Paul's desire to impart spiritual abilities or gifts to the brethren. This word is used more in First Corinthians than anywhere else. Its meaning is defined by 1 Corinthians 12:1, "Now concerning spiritual I would not have you ignorant," and 1 Corinthians 14:1, "Follow after love and desire spiritual and especially that you may prophesy." The context of this word refers to the manifestation of the Spirit that results in miracles and signs and wonders. Of course the spiritual also includes every realm of the Kingdom of God and spiritual understanding but the emphasis is placed on the operation of the Spirit through those in the church. When God set up the church He empowered the church to fully reveal the power and glory of the risen Savior Jesus Christ. If Jesus is to be revealed then we must yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit whose purpose is to make Him known (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).
Blessings
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Fresh Bread - 5/31
Daily Bread
John 14:17 "He is the Spirit of Truth whom the world will not be able to receive because it neither sees Him nor recognizes Him. You know Him because He remains beside you and shall be in you."
The Holy Spirit who took the place of Jesus among the disciples and subsequently among the church came to dwell in them and also in all who will believe. This is the first time that it is made very clear just how the disciples will be one with Jesus and the Father. Although Jesus had previously revealed to them that "they who are born of the Spirit are Spirit," it is now made much plainer by the fact that God the Holy Spirit will come to live on the inside of all who believe. John also communicated this fact later in his First Epistle when he revealed that Jesus dwells on the inside of the believer "by the Spirit which He has given unto us" (1 John 3:24). According to 1 John 3:24, it is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that results in our being one with Jesus. Subsequently, because we are one with Jesus we are also one with the Father (John 14:23). This unspeakable gift and blessing comes to us through simple obedience to God's word.
Blessings
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
John 14:17 "He is the Spirit of Truth whom the world will not be able to receive because it neither sees Him nor recognizes Him. You know Him because He remains beside you and shall be in you."
The Holy Spirit who took the place of Jesus among the disciples and subsequently among the church came to dwell in them and also in all who will believe. This is the first time that it is made very clear just how the disciples will be one with Jesus and the Father. Although Jesus had previously revealed to them that "they who are born of the Spirit are Spirit," it is now made much plainer by the fact that God the Holy Spirit will come to live on the inside of all who believe. John also communicated this fact later in his First Epistle when he revealed that Jesus dwells on the inside of the believer "by the Spirit which He has given unto us" (1 John 3:24). According to 1 John 3:24, it is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that results in our being one with Jesus. Subsequently, because we are one with Jesus we are also one with the Father (John 14:23). This unspeakable gift and blessing comes to us through simple obedience to God's word.
Blessings
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Fresh Bread - 5/30
Daily Bread
John 14:1 "Do not allow your heart to be troubled have faith in God also have faith in me."
The heart is the spiritual place in man where faith works. Paul said, that the faith is in the heart and in the mouth (Romans 10:10). In keeping with the simile of the heart, we may understand the spiritual heart to be that which supplies life to the whole of the inner man as the physical heart supplies blood to the organs of the body. In Proverbs we learn that the heart is the place where the word is to be kept and that the heart is to be kept with all diligence for the issues of life flow out of it (Proverbs 4:20-23). At the end of this chapter Jesus says, "let not your heart be troubled and do not be afraid" (14:27). Jesus reveals how that fear is opposed to faith in His commands to those who were looking for a miracle asin Luke 8:50, "Fear not; believe only and she shall be made whole." Jesus also draws out the association of fear and doubt in the situation of Peter walking on the water who when he became afraid began to sink. Jesus revealed that the fear was associated with the doubt when He said, "why did you doubt" (Matthew 14:30-31). Don't look to your human ability today but keep the eyes of your heart fixed on His Word.
Blessings
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
John 14:1 "Do not allow your heart to be troubled have faith in God also have faith in me."
The heart is the spiritual place in man where faith works. Paul said, that the faith is in the heart and in the mouth (Romans 10:10). In keeping with the simile of the heart, we may understand the spiritual heart to be that which supplies life to the whole of the inner man as the physical heart supplies blood to the organs of the body. In Proverbs we learn that the heart is the place where the word is to be kept and that the heart is to be kept with all diligence for the issues of life flow out of it (Proverbs 4:20-23). At the end of this chapter Jesus says, "let not your heart be troubled and do not be afraid" (14:27). Jesus reveals how that fear is opposed to faith in His commands to those who were looking for a miracle asin Luke 8:50, "Fear not; believe only and she shall be made whole." Jesus also draws out the association of fear and doubt in the situation of Peter walking on the water who when he became afraid began to sink. Jesus revealed that the fear was associated with the doubt when He said, "why did you doubt" (Matthew 14:30-31). Don't look to your human ability today but keep the eyes of your heart fixed on His Word.
Blessings
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Fresh Bread - 5/29
Daily bread
Acts 10:4 "And he starred at him in fear and said, What is it Lord? And he said, your prayer and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God."
These prayers and offerings of Cornelius were viewed as the ascent offering (whole burnt offering) and memorial portions of the Old Testament that were turned into smoke for a sweet smelling aroma to the Lord (Leviticus 2:2, 9, 16; 5:12; 6:15). Paul also likens the offering in which the saints so win to the ministry as an ascent offering that the Lord receives as a sweet smelling aroma because it is holy an acceptable to Him (Philippians 4:18). The response of God's favor towards those who offer such offerings is underscored here. Because of the prayers and offerings that Cornelius gave continually he was chosen to be the first gentile to receive the riches of heaven, the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Blessings
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Acts 10:4 "And he starred at him in fear and said, What is it Lord? And he said, your prayer and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God."
These prayers and offerings of Cornelius were viewed as the ascent offering (whole burnt offering) and memorial portions of the Old Testament that were turned into smoke for a sweet smelling aroma to the Lord (Leviticus 2:2, 9, 16; 5:12; 6:15). Paul also likens the offering in which the saints so win to the ministry as an ascent offering that the Lord receives as a sweet smelling aroma because it is holy an acceptable to Him (Philippians 4:18). The response of God's favor towards those who offer such offerings is underscored here. Because of the prayers and offerings that Cornelius gave continually he was chosen to be the first gentile to receive the riches of heaven, the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Blessings
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
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