Daily Bread - FEB/17/07
Acts 7:9-10 - "And the patriarchs being jealous gave Joseph over to Egypt but God was with him. And He delivered him from all his tribulation and gave him grace and wisdom before Pharaoh the king of Egypt and appointed him leader over Egypt and his whole household."
Steven was comparing Jesus to Joseph in his address to the Sanhedrin. He draws out the comparison of how Joseph was rejected by his brethren even as Jesus was rejected by them. Just as Joseph was ultimately exalted to the highest position in the land, Jesus also was exalted above all things.
At times, we too may suffer wrongfully, but we may have the same assurance that our God will deliver us out of all our tribulations. The Greek word "thlipis" (tribulation) refers to distress that is brought about by outward circumstances (trouble). However, God will always come to our aid (parakaleo) in all our trouble, 2 Corinthians 1:4.
And just as the trouble that came to Joseph brought about the act of God's deliverance and promotion, the same promise is extended to us today in 2 Corinthians 4:17, "For our light trouble which is but for a moment is working for us a far more exceeding eternal load of glory." To many of the Sanhedrin, it appeared that the life of Jesus had ended in total defeat and abandonment. However, Steven knew that what looked like defeat resulted in Christ Jesus being exalted to the right hand of the Father.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Friday, February 16, 2007
Daily Bread - FEB/16/07
Acts 8:39 - "And when they came up from the water the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away and the Eunuch saw him no more so he went on his way rejoicing."
The book of Acts records a constant display of the extraordinary power of God in the church and the life of the believers. In this event in the ministry of Philip, the word "harpazo" is used which may be translated "seize, catch away, or snatch away." This is the same word used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 which speaks of the time when the Lord Jesus returns to meet His saints in the air, "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught away together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air."
These events in the life of Philip communicate to us how that the ministers of the church lived by the direct influence and direction of the Holy Spirit. The same display of power that was in the life of Jesus when He and His disciples were translated should still be observed in the many different miraculous ways of Jesus' ministry today (John 6:19-21; 14:12).
When God's ministers are so under the control of the Holy Spirit that God translates them from one place to the other, then there can be little question as to the realty of God. The church is supposed to have a reputation for great exploits and the demonstration of the power of God so that the world around us can fear and tremble at the awesome reality of God. It is essential that we as the saints of God return to such holy communion with God that we live more in the heavenly than in the earthly (Colossians 3:1-4; Ephesians 2:6; 3:10; Hebrews 11: 16; 6:4).
The great exploits and power of God were demonstrated in many different ways in the lives of those in the Old Testament as well. Among other things Enoch, Elijah, and Ezekiel are examples of those who were translated by the Spirit of God (Hebrews 11:5; 2 Kings 2:11; Ezekiel 3:14). Evidently, it was somewhat common for Elijah to be translated by the Spirit to different locations, and the nations around him trembled at the awesome power of His God that was displayed in His life (2 Kings 2:16; 1 Kings 18:12).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Acts 8:39 - "And when they came up from the water the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away and the Eunuch saw him no more so he went on his way rejoicing."
The book of Acts records a constant display of the extraordinary power of God in the church and the life of the believers. In this event in the ministry of Philip, the word "harpazo" is used which may be translated "seize, catch away, or snatch away." This is the same word used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 which speaks of the time when the Lord Jesus returns to meet His saints in the air, "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught away together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air."
These events in the life of Philip communicate to us how that the ministers of the church lived by the direct influence and direction of the Holy Spirit. The same display of power that was in the life of Jesus when He and His disciples were translated should still be observed in the many different miraculous ways of Jesus' ministry today (John 6:19-21; 14:12).
When God's ministers are so under the control of the Holy Spirit that God translates them from one place to the other, then there can be little question as to the realty of God. The church is supposed to have a reputation for great exploits and the demonstration of the power of God so that the world around us can fear and tremble at the awesome reality of God. It is essential that we as the saints of God return to such holy communion with God that we live more in the heavenly than in the earthly (Colossians 3:1-4; Ephesians 2:6; 3:10; Hebrews 11: 16; 6:4).
The great exploits and power of God were demonstrated in many different ways in the lives of those in the Old Testament as well. Among other things Enoch, Elijah, and Ezekiel are examples of those who were translated by the Spirit of God (Hebrews 11:5; 2 Kings 2:11; Ezekiel 3:14). Evidently, it was somewhat common for Elijah to be translated by the Spirit to different locations, and the nations around him trembled at the awesome power of His God that was displayed in His life (2 Kings 2:16; 1 Kings 18:12).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Daily Bread - FEB/15/07
Acts 9:40-42 - "And Peter sent all of them outside, and he knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body he said, 'Tabitha arise,' and she opened her eyes and saw Peter and sat up. And giving her hand lifted her up, and he called the saints and the widows and presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Joppa and many believed upon the Lord."
Peter ministered to Tabitha in a similar way that Jesus ministered to the daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:41, Luke 8:54). Jesus removed everyone from the room except Peter, James, John, and the father and mother of the girl who were in faith for their daughter's recovery.
The miracle power of God that flows from presence of God is shut down by the skepticism and suspicion of men. The reason for extraordinary miracles is so that men may encounter the reality of God. The message of the Gospel is one of power that produces healing for the body and deliverance for the soul. This Gospel of the Kingdom is the one that Jesus preached and the one that He commanded the church to demonstrate.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Acts 9:40-42 - "And Peter sent all of them outside, and he knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body he said, 'Tabitha arise,' and she opened her eyes and saw Peter and sat up. And giving her hand lifted her up, and he called the saints and the widows and presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Joppa and many believed upon the Lord."
Peter ministered to Tabitha in a similar way that Jesus ministered to the daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:41, Luke 8:54). Jesus removed everyone from the room except Peter, James, John, and the father and mother of the girl who were in faith for their daughter's recovery.
The miracle power of God that flows from presence of God is shut down by the skepticism and suspicion of men. The reason for extraordinary miracles is so that men may encounter the reality of God. The message of the Gospel is one of power that produces healing for the body and deliverance for the soul. This Gospel of the Kingdom is the one that Jesus preached and the one that He commanded the church to demonstrate.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Daily Bread - FEB/14/07
Galatians 5:18 - "But if you are Spirit led you are not under the law."
In Galatians 5:4, Paul tells the church at Galatia that those who are justified by the law have lost out on the effect of Christ and His grace. Therefore, having fallen from the life of the Spirit, they have returned to a place where sin has dominion. The power of sin finds its authority over men when they trust in their own human ability. Paul questioned the Galatians regarding the miracle work of salvation by the Spirit and asked them how they could possibly think that human effort and the works of the law could compare to what the Holy Spirit had done for them by faith (Galatians 3:2-5, 21; 5:5).
The flesh that is opposed to the Spirit retains its power under the law, and good men find themselves unable to do what they desire (Galatians 5:5; Romans 7:19; Romans 8:2; Galatians 3:3). By and large, Paul makes the flesh and the law synonymous with one another. As the flesh and the law are associated with the power and dominion of sin, Paul associates the Spirit with the life and righteousness of God that comes by the faith of Jesus (Galatians 2:20; 2:16; 3:21; Ephesians 2:12).
In Paul's commentary on the spiritual condition of those under the law, he says that, "when we were in the flesh, the passions of sin were working in our members through the law" (Romans 7:5). Paul then describes the utter helplessness of the ones under the law to overcome the power of sin (Romans 7:20). Paul makes a similar association in this verse to the one that he made in Romans 7:18-25. Therefore, in conclusion, when one would have expected that Paul would have said, "As many as are Spirit-led are not under the flesh" he says, "As many as are Spirit-led are not under the law."
Even as Paul was attempting to describe the utter weakness of the law in Romans chapter 7, he is also making the same point here in Galatians chapter 5. It was his desire to convince the Galatians that the law was powerless, and there is nothing in the covenant of the law that they needed to keep in order to please God (Romans 8:3; Galatians 4:21-26). It is through the life of God imparted to us by the Spirit of God that we are able to fulfill the righteousness of the law (John 3:6; Galatians 6:15; Romans 8:4-5).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Galatians 5:18 - "But if you are Spirit led you are not under the law."
In Galatians 5:4, Paul tells the church at Galatia that those who are justified by the law have lost out on the effect of Christ and His grace. Therefore, having fallen from the life of the Spirit, they have returned to a place where sin has dominion. The power of sin finds its authority over men when they trust in their own human ability. Paul questioned the Galatians regarding the miracle work of salvation by the Spirit and asked them how they could possibly think that human effort and the works of the law could compare to what the Holy Spirit had done for them by faith (Galatians 3:2-5, 21; 5:5).
The flesh that is opposed to the Spirit retains its power under the law, and good men find themselves unable to do what they desire (Galatians 5:5; Romans 7:19; Romans 8:2; Galatians 3:3). By and large, Paul makes the flesh and the law synonymous with one another. As the flesh and the law are associated with the power and dominion of sin, Paul associates the Spirit with the life and righteousness of God that comes by the faith of Jesus (Galatians 2:20; 2:16; 3:21; Ephesians 2:12).
In Paul's commentary on the spiritual condition of those under the law, he says that, "when we were in the flesh, the passions of sin were working in our members through the law" (Romans 7:5). Paul then describes the utter helplessness of the ones under the law to overcome the power of sin (Romans 7:20). Paul makes a similar association in this verse to the one that he made in Romans 7:18-25. Therefore, in conclusion, when one would have expected that Paul would have said, "As many as are Spirit-led are not under the flesh" he says, "As many as are Spirit-led are not under the law."
Even as Paul was attempting to describe the utter weakness of the law in Romans chapter 7, he is also making the same point here in Galatians chapter 5. It was his desire to convince the Galatians that the law was powerless, and there is nothing in the covenant of the law that they needed to keep in order to please God (Romans 8:3; Galatians 4:21-26). It is through the life of God imparted to us by the Spirit of God that we are able to fulfill the righteousness of the law (John 3:6; Galatians 6:15; Romans 8:4-5).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Daily Bread - FEB/13/07
Galatians 5:19 - "Now the works of the flesh are manifested which are adultery, illicit sex, uncleanness, lasciviousness..."
The list of the 17 works of the flesh can be grouped into four categories:
1- Sensual sins: Adultery, illicit sex, uncleanness, and lasciviousness.
2- Idol worship: Idolatry and magic.
3- Personal relationship sins: Enmity, strife, jealousies, rage, rivalry, dissension, heresies, and envy.
4- Excess: Intoxication and drinking parties.
The realm of the flesh is absolutely opposed to the realm of the Spirit and has no place among the redeemed. They are as opposite to those who have been born of the Spirit as light is from darkness. Paul makes it very clear in his address to the Romans that we are not in the flesh but in the Spirit (Romans 8:9). Do not let anyone deceive you; for those who do these deeds cannot inherit the Kingdom of God and have no part with Christ Jesus - which Paul also made absolutely clear to the churches at Corinth, Ephesus, and Colossia (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Ephesians 5:5-6; Colossians 3:6).
The works of the flesh refer to the satanic influence described by Paul to the Ephesians, "in which you then walked according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit now working in the sons of disobedience among whom we also all conducted ourselves in times past in the lusts of our flesh, doing the things willed of the flesh and of the understandings, and were by nature the children of wrath even as the rest" (Ephesians 2:2-3; Greens Literal Translation).
These works of the flesh are not to be named among God's people who are born of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 24-25; Ephesians 5:3; 4:22; 2 Timothy 2:19; Romans 8:1, 14). As the saints of God, we are to absolutely not allow any of these works of the flesh to be manifested in our lives. We are to recognize that these works of darkness are inspired from the satanic realm of the demonic that purposes to overthrow our effectiveness as God's people and ultimately our faith. None of these influences come from the heart of those who have been made a new creation in Christ Jesus; rather, they come from all that is in the realm of the satanic and are to be resisted: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-16; 1 Peter 2:22-23; Matthew 5:8; Ezekiel 36:26; 1 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:22; Hebrews 10:22; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 6:16; 1 Peter 4:1-3; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Galatians 5:19 - "Now the works of the flesh are manifested which are adultery, illicit sex, uncleanness, lasciviousness..."
The list of the 17 works of the flesh can be grouped into four categories:
1- Sensual sins: Adultery, illicit sex, uncleanness, and lasciviousness.
2- Idol worship: Idolatry and magic.
3- Personal relationship sins: Enmity, strife, jealousies, rage, rivalry, dissension, heresies, and envy.
4- Excess: Intoxication and drinking parties.
The realm of the flesh is absolutely opposed to the realm of the Spirit and has no place among the redeemed. They are as opposite to those who have been born of the Spirit as light is from darkness. Paul makes it very clear in his address to the Romans that we are not in the flesh but in the Spirit (Romans 8:9). Do not let anyone deceive you; for those who do these deeds cannot inherit the Kingdom of God and have no part with Christ Jesus - which Paul also made absolutely clear to the churches at Corinth, Ephesus, and Colossia (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Ephesians 5:5-6; Colossians 3:6).
The works of the flesh refer to the satanic influence described by Paul to the Ephesians, "in which you then walked according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit now working in the sons of disobedience among whom we also all conducted ourselves in times past in the lusts of our flesh, doing the things willed of the flesh and of the understandings, and were by nature the children of wrath even as the rest" (Ephesians 2:2-3; Greens Literal Translation).
These works of the flesh are not to be named among God's people who are born of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 24-25; Ephesians 5:3; 4:22; 2 Timothy 2:19; Romans 8:1, 14). As the saints of God, we are to absolutely not allow any of these works of the flesh to be manifested in our lives. We are to recognize that these works of darkness are inspired from the satanic realm of the demonic that purposes to overthrow our effectiveness as God's people and ultimately our faith. None of these influences come from the heart of those who have been made a new creation in Christ Jesus; rather, they come from all that is in the realm of the satanic and are to be resisted: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-16; 1 Peter 2:22-23; Matthew 5:8; Ezekiel 36:26; 1 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:22; Hebrews 10:22; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 6:16; 1 Peter 4:1-3; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Monday, February 12, 2007
Daily Bread - FEB/12/07
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.
The blood of Jesus is the means by which the sins of everyone who believes are removed (Matthew 26:28; Acts 20:28; Romans 3:25; 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14, 20; Hebrews 2:14; 9:12, 14; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7). His blood represents His life and ours and is the means by which all past sins have been erased (Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:6; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
In the Old Testament, we discover that the blood purges (Leviticus 17:4), cleanses (Leviticus 14:1-9, 14), and sanctifies (Exodus 19:20-21). These types in the Old Testament revealed what Christ Jesus would do for all mankind when He offered up His own soul as the Lamb of God for everyman.
Most scholars agree that the sprinkling of the blood on the altar and the ascending smoke of the sacrifice symbolize union of the one making the offering with Yahweh. However, in the New Testament this union has been made perfectly clear. We have been so united with Christ Jesus that we no longer live but Christ who lives within us (Philippians 1:21; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Romans 14:8; John 17:22; 6:56; Romans 8:17, 29; Galatians 3:29; 4:7; Titus 3:7).
Jesus came and fulfilled all of the Old Testament sacrifices and offerings being the one which all of these were only types (Hebrews 1:3; Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Hebrews 9:9, 14; 1 Peter 1:2, 19; 1 John 1:7; John 1:29; 1 John 3:5; Hebrews 10:1; Hebrews 2:11; Hebrews 13:12; Ephesians 1:7; Romans 3:25; Romans 5:9). Jesus loosed us from our sins so that we could be brought into the family of God and through union with Him made priests and kings.
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
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.
The blood of Jesus is the means by which the sins of everyone who believes are removed (Matthew 26:28; Acts 20:28; Romans 3:25; 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14, 20; Hebrews 2:14; 9:12, 14; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7). His blood represents His life and ours and is the means by which all past sins have been erased (Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:6; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
In the Old Testament, we discover that the blood purges (Leviticus 17:4), cleanses (Leviticus 14:1-9, 14), and sanctifies (Exodus 19:20-21). These types in the Old Testament revealed what Christ Jesus would do for all mankind when He offered up His own soul as the Lamb of God for everyman.
Most scholars agree that the sprinkling of the blood on the altar and the ascending smoke of the sacrifice symbolize union of the one making the offering with Yahweh. However, in the New Testament this union has been made perfectly clear. We have been so united with Christ Jesus that we no longer live but Christ who lives within us (Philippians 1:21; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Romans 14:8; John 17:22; 6:56; Romans 8:17, 29; Galatians 3:29; 4:7; Titus 3:7).
Jesus came and fulfilled all of the Old Testament sacrifices and offerings being the one which all of these were only types (Hebrews 1:3; Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Hebrews 9:9, 14; 1 Peter 1:2, 19; 1 John 1:7; John 1:29; 1 John 3:5; Hebrews 10:1; Hebrews 2:11; Hebrews 13:12; Ephesians 1:7; Romans 3:25; Romans 5:9). Jesus loosed us from our sins so that we could be brought into the family of God and through union with Him made priests and kings.
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
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