Daily Bread - Dec 20 2006

Acts 3:16 - "And the faith upon His name has made this one whom you see and know strong; and the faith that is through Him gave to him this perfect health before you all."

The Greek preposition 'epi' is translated most often 'on' or 'upon,' and, although it is awkward, it is accurate. The next phrase uses yet another preposition 'dia,' which is most commonly translated 'through,' 'on account of' or 'because of.' The healing power of God is manifested by "the faith upon His name" and "the faith that is through the name of Jesus." Jesus made it known that all power was given unto Him in heaven and in earth, therefore, He commanded that when we preach or minister we are to do it in His name.

The name of Jesus communicates faith, and by the name of Jesus, the miracle power of faith is released. Jesus said, "These signs shall follow them that believe, in my name," devils will be cast out, the believer will "speak with new tongues," they will "lay hands on the sick and they will recover" (Mark 16:17; Luke 24:47). Jesus is still at work today because He is the unchanging Savior who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the unchanging Savior whose government is forever increasing.

When Paul cast out devils or ministered healing, he used the name of Jesus just as Peter and John used the name of Jesus. The sons of Sceva failed when they used the name of Jesus because they had no authority to use His name. They could not speak of Jesus as their Lord but only Jesus whom Paul preached. As a result, the evil spirit did not have to listen to them but rather attacked and hurt them (Acts 19:13). "But as many as would receive Him, who having faith in His name, to them He gave authority to be the sons of God" (John 1:12).

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Dec 19 2006

1 Peter 3: 4 - "But the hidden man of the heart in the incorruptible - even a gentle and quiet spirit - which is of great value before God."

The heart of man is the "hidden man" or the inner man. It is that immortal dimension of ourselves that now exists in this mortal body. When our bodies die, our inner man departs either to be with the Lord or into the punishment of eternal death. The heart is that hidden dimension of man where God desires His truth and wisdom to dwell (Psalms 51:6). Those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus have had their hearts liberated from the darkness of sin by the circumcision of Christ which removed its foreskin (Colossians 2:13). The hard and calloused heart of man has been softened by redemption's transformation which created a new heart and a new man (Ezekiel 36:26; Ephesians 4:24).

God has made our hearts His dwelling place, and because He dwells there, our inward man grows and is strengthened every day (2 Corinthians 4:16). In that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ dwells in our hearts, His word also dwells there, and it is from our hearts that His peace rules our lives (Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 3:16; 3:15; Philippians 4:7). It is from our heart that the Spirit of God cries out unto the Father (Galatians 4:6; 2 Corinthians 1:22). It is with our heart that we believe unto righteousness (Romans 10:10).

God in His loving kindness and tender mercies has caused the light of His glorious gospel to shine into our hearts and, as a result, His nature and ways are inscribed there (2 Corinthians 4:6; Hebrews 8:10; 10:16; Jeremiah 31:33; 2 Corinthians 3:3; 1 Peter 1:23-24; Romans 8:4). It is our responsibility to treasure what God has done for us and adorn our hearts with the beauty of holiness. God has brought His Glory into our hearts, and all we must do is yield to Him and let Him reign.

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Daily Bread - Dec 16 2006

John 3:34 - "He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit to Him without measure."

This very unique phrase "ek metrou" (by measure) does not appear anywhere else in the Bible nor in Greek writings (The Gospel According to John, Raymond Brown). This expression could be translated "boundless" and refers to the fact that Jesus came ministering with the fullness of God's Spirit. As the only begotten Son of God who was God incarnated into flesh, Jesus holds the supreme place of receiving the Spirit in a way superior to all others (Hebrews 1:1). Although many men received special anointings of the Spirit in the Old Testament Jesus was the first to be honored with the Spirit without measure.

An example of the measure of the Spirit received by the Old Testament saints may be observed in the story of Elijah and Elisha. Elisha sought for a double portion of the Spirit that was upon Elijah and as a result he did twice the miracles of Elijah (2 Kings 2:9). Moses was anointed with the Spirit when He stood before the fire of God and was empowered to do extraordinary miracles (Exodus 3). In fact, when Moses was allowed to look on the glory of God on Mount Sinai, the anointing of the Spirit and presence of God was so great that his face shone with the glory of God (Exodus 34:29-33, 35; 2 Corinthians 3:7, 13). There was enough of the Spirit of God on Moses that it could be taken from him and placed upon seventy men selected to help Moses (Numbers 11:16-17, 25).

There was never a prophet like Moses in all of the Old Testament who talked with God face to face, yet he received the Spirit by measure (Deuteronomy 34:10; Exodus 33:11; Numbers 12:8). God never honored anyone in the Old Testament with the fullness of the Spirit, yet today the same anointing and glory that Jesus received when He was baptized with the Spirit is made available to anyone who asks (John 7:38-39; John 16:13-15; Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33;17:22; 14:12).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen