Daily Bread - APR/14/07
Ephesians 6:11 - Be endued with the whole armor of God to be able to stand against the craft of the devil.
The whole armor of God is more than a metaphor; it is the supernatural ability given to the saint to deal with every deceitful trick and enticement that Satan can bring against God's people. The armor of God is the armor of light and the armor of righteousness on the right and on the left hand (Romans 13:12; 2 Corinthians 6:7). We are endued with the armor of God as we yield to the Holy Spirit. Through the act of submitting ourselves to God, the Holy Spirit becomes our shield and strength (James 4:7; Psalms 3:3; 18:35; 28:7; 33:20; 84:11).
The Holy Spirit who has come to lead and guide us stands ready to protect and defend us against everything that Satan attempts to throw at us. Thus, He empowers us with the shield of faith that quenches every fiery dart of the wicked one. He gives to us gospel shoes to tread over all the power of the enemy so that nothing can hurt us (Luke 10:19). If we are willing to yield ourselves completely to the Holy Spirit and walk in obedience to Him then we will find the provision and strength for everything that we need to stand against our enemy the devil. It is impossible for a child of God to be defeated who will submit themselves to God and resist the devil because the weapons of our warfare are mighty! (James 4:7; 2 Corinthians 10:4; Psalms 60:12; 108:13)
Be endued!
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Friday, April 13, 2007
Daily Bread - APR/13/07
Philippians 1:9-11 - And this I pray that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and discernment. For you to examine the things that differ that you may be pure and blameless unto the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.
God has equipped us by Christ Jesus to be pure and blameless unto the day of the Christ (1 Corinthians 1:8; Philippians 2:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Peter 3:14). But in order for us to remain spotless we must be willing to allow God's love to influence every decision that we make. It is essential that the love of God govern our every action; otherwise, our own self-interest and ambition will take over and our judgment will be tainted. God wants us to test things out and make sure that it is the product of His love. Through the governorship of His word and the love of the Spirit that has been given to us, He has equipped us with the ability to know the difference between good and evil (Hebrews 5:14; Psalms 119:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:13).
If we allow the love of God to preside over us then we will be able to make the proper distinction of things. We must be willing to keep ourselves in the love of God and realize that without it we will not have proper discernment in the decisions that we make (Jude 21; 1 John 4:16). If the fruits of righteousness are going to be manifested in our lives then we must be willing to abide in His love (John 15:10). When we come to realize that love works no evil then we can understand how that as we remain in this love we will remain pure and blameless (Romans 13:10). Let the love of God move you and inspire you in every decision that you make.
Be Blameless!
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Philippians 1:9-11 - And this I pray that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and discernment. For you to examine the things that differ that you may be pure and blameless unto the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.
God has equipped us by Christ Jesus to be pure and blameless unto the day of the Christ (1 Corinthians 1:8; Philippians 2:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Peter 3:14). But in order for us to remain spotless we must be willing to allow God's love to influence every decision that we make. It is essential that the love of God govern our every action; otherwise, our own self-interest and ambition will take over and our judgment will be tainted. God wants us to test things out and make sure that it is the product of His love. Through the governorship of His word and the love of the Spirit that has been given to us, He has equipped us with the ability to know the difference between good and evil (Hebrews 5:14; Psalms 119:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:13).
If we allow the love of God to preside over us then we will be able to make the proper distinction of things. We must be willing to keep ourselves in the love of God and realize that without it we will not have proper discernment in the decisions that we make (Jude 21; 1 John 4:16). If the fruits of righteousness are going to be manifested in our lives then we must be willing to abide in His love (John 15:10). When we come to realize that love works no evil then we can understand how that as we remain in this love we will remain pure and blameless (Romans 13:10). Let the love of God move you and inspire you in every decision that you make.
Be Blameless!
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Daily Bread - APR/12/07
2 Corinthians 7:1 - Having these promises then beloved let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
It is a well-established fact that God has made us holy through the new birth. He has made us a new creation, and this new creation possesses the divine nature (2 Peter 1:3-4). We know that the blood of Jesus has cleansed (katharitzo) us from all sin and that He has cleansed (katharise) us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7, 9). What then does Paul mean that we should cleanse (katharitzo) ourselves from the filthiness of the flesh and spirit? To understand this we must begin with the contrast that Paul makes in the previous verses between the holy and unholy things. He makes this contrast very clear in 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 when he says "be not unequally yoked with unbelievers; for what participation has righteousness and iniquity, and what fellowship has light with darkness and what agreement has Christ with Belial, or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has a temple of God with idols?
You are a temple of the living God according as God has said, "I will dwell among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be to me a people." The Bible Exposition Commentary has an insightful comment here, "It is nature that determines association. Because a pig has a pig's nature, it associates with pigs in the mud hole. Because a sheep has a sheep's nature, it munches grass with the flock in the pasture. The Christian possesses a divine nature (2 Peter 1:3- 4), and therefore he should want to associate himself only with that which pleases the Lord." In light of the promises that have been given to us, as well as the fact that we are the temple of God, we must perfect holiness in the fear of God.
How are we to perfect holiness? We do this through obedience to God's Word. We do this by identifying what is good and what is evil and then refusing the evil and choosing the good. We must value the holiness/purity that has been given to us through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus and not give ourselves to the pollution and corruption that would contaminate our bodies and spirits. It must be recognized that the only way that we can grow properly is to abide in the vine, Christ Jesus. As we dwell in His Presence, the fruits of righteousness spring forth in our lives, and the Father cleanses/prunes the branch so that it may bring forth more fruit (John 15:2). The author and finisher of our salvation who has made us perfectly holy has given us the Holy Spirit to train us up in every manner of His own nature. In order to cleanse (katharitzo) ourselves in this context we must be willing to separate ourselves from every unholy thing. God is to be glorified in our body and spirit. If we associate with unholy things (filthiness) then we will be influenced by it. A related word to 'katharitzo' is 'hagnos' which is found in a related passage in 1 John 3:3, "And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself even as he is pure."
Jesus was separate from sinners and although He loved the lost and came to give His life for them He did not in anyway participate with their iniquity but called them to repentance (Luke 5:32; Hebrews 7:26; 2 Timothy 2:19). As we walk among those who are in the world we are to show them love and kindness, but the filthiness of the flesh and spirit that control their lives must not be allowed to influence us. We must understand how to bathe ourselves in the presence of the Lord and allow His rivers of living water to flow through us so that all of those things that would attempt to influence us are washed away. In order to effectively cleanse or separate ourselves from the uncleanness of this world then we must identify those things that are unholy and sinful and determine to have no fellowship with it. We are to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them (Ephesians 5:7,11; 1 Corinthians 5:9-11; 10:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:14; 1 Timothy 6:5; 2 Timothy 3:5; 2 John 10-11). The choice must be made by us everyday to obey the word of God and follow the Holy Spirit as He leads us to separate ourselves from all that is in the world thus perfecting holiness in the choices that we make. "Knowing then that we have been made holy being purified by the blood of Jesus, let us stay away from everything that would defile our bodies and spirits from being clean" (Contemporary English Version). The Lord Jesus has redeemed us from all iniquity and has purified to Himself a people zealous of good works (Titus 2:12).
Be Holy (1 Peter 1:5)
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
2 Corinthians 7:1 - Having these promises then beloved let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
It is a well-established fact that God has made us holy through the new birth. He has made us a new creation, and this new creation possesses the divine nature (2 Peter 1:3-4). We know that the blood of Jesus has cleansed (katharitzo) us from all sin and that He has cleansed (katharise) us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7, 9). What then does Paul mean that we should cleanse (katharitzo) ourselves from the filthiness of the flesh and spirit? To understand this we must begin with the contrast that Paul makes in the previous verses between the holy and unholy things. He makes this contrast very clear in 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 when he says "be not unequally yoked with unbelievers; for what participation has righteousness and iniquity, and what fellowship has light with darkness and what agreement has Christ with Belial, or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has a temple of God with idols?
You are a temple of the living God according as God has said, "I will dwell among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be to me a people." The Bible Exposition Commentary has an insightful comment here, "It is nature that determines association. Because a pig has a pig's nature, it associates with pigs in the mud hole. Because a sheep has a sheep's nature, it munches grass with the flock in the pasture. The Christian possesses a divine nature (2 Peter 1:3- 4), and therefore he should want to associate himself only with that which pleases the Lord." In light of the promises that have been given to us, as well as the fact that we are the temple of God, we must perfect holiness in the fear of God.
How are we to perfect holiness? We do this through obedience to God's Word. We do this by identifying what is good and what is evil and then refusing the evil and choosing the good. We must value the holiness/purity that has been given to us through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus and not give ourselves to the pollution and corruption that would contaminate our bodies and spirits. It must be recognized that the only way that we can grow properly is to abide in the vine, Christ Jesus. As we dwell in His Presence, the fruits of righteousness spring forth in our lives, and the Father cleanses/prunes the branch so that it may bring forth more fruit (John 15:2). The author and finisher of our salvation who has made us perfectly holy has given us the Holy Spirit to train us up in every manner of His own nature. In order to cleanse (katharitzo) ourselves in this context we must be willing to separate ourselves from every unholy thing. God is to be glorified in our body and spirit. If we associate with unholy things (filthiness) then we will be influenced by it. A related word to 'katharitzo' is 'hagnos' which is found in a related passage in 1 John 3:3, "And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself even as he is pure."
Jesus was separate from sinners and although He loved the lost and came to give His life for them He did not in anyway participate with their iniquity but called them to repentance (Luke 5:32; Hebrews 7:26; 2 Timothy 2:19). As we walk among those who are in the world we are to show them love and kindness, but the filthiness of the flesh and spirit that control their lives must not be allowed to influence us. We must understand how to bathe ourselves in the presence of the Lord and allow His rivers of living water to flow through us so that all of those things that would attempt to influence us are washed away. In order to effectively cleanse or separate ourselves from the uncleanness of this world then we must identify those things that are unholy and sinful and determine to have no fellowship with it. We are to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them (Ephesians 5:7,11; 1 Corinthians 5:9-11; 10:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:14; 1 Timothy 6:5; 2 Timothy 3:5; 2 John 10-11). The choice must be made by us everyday to obey the word of God and follow the Holy Spirit as He leads us to separate ourselves from all that is in the world thus perfecting holiness in the choices that we make. "Knowing then that we have been made holy being purified by the blood of Jesus, let us stay away from everything that would defile our bodies and spirits from being clean" (Contemporary English Version). The Lord Jesus has redeemed us from all iniquity and has purified to Himself a people zealous of good works (Titus 2:12).
Be Holy (1 Peter 1:5)
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Daily Bread - APR/11/07
Colossians 3:12 - Be endued then as the elect of God holy and beloved with deepest inward mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, long-suffering.
Our lives should be absolutely impacted with the identity that is give to us in this verse of scripture which identifies us as the elect of God, holy and beloved. This identity is in stark contrast to that which was given of the ways of the world in Colossians 3:8 (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Spirit of God is asking us to literally clothe ourselves with these attributes that are described as belonging to those who are elect (eklektoi), holy (hagioi) and beloved (hgaphmenoi). This is a decisive act that speaks of being endued (enduno) with power by the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, if we do not move in the faith that is produced by the word of God then we will not participate with the will of God.
If we fail to believe He has made us holy and beloved having called us to this holy calling then we will not find ourselves yielding to the Spirit of God. We must believe that we were begotten into this living expectation to walk in the ways of God's abundant life! The word elect means chosen of God, and we know that God has chosen us to bring forth the fruit of His Holy nature (John 15:16). The only proper way to define holiness is by the acts of the Almighty God who is holy in all of His works (Psalms 145:17).
Holiness describes the purity and sacredness of those who have been washed in the blood of Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit. It has been said that when a sinner sins, he is a creature breaking the laws of the Holy Creator and Judge. But when a Christian sins, he is a child breaking the loving heart of his Father (The Bible Exposition Commentary). God has chosen us for Himself to be those who are called the "elect of God." We are called as those who are holy and beloved to be "as men to whom Christ has become all in all" (Lightfoot), or as Thayer comments: "to become possessed with the mind of Christ as in thought, feeling, and action to resemble Him and, as it were, reproduce the life He lived."
Be holy (1 Peter 1:15)
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Colossians 3:12 - Be endued then as the elect of God holy and beloved with deepest inward mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, long-suffering.
Our lives should be absolutely impacted with the identity that is give to us in this verse of scripture which identifies us as the elect of God, holy and beloved. This identity is in stark contrast to that which was given of the ways of the world in Colossians 3:8 (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Spirit of God is asking us to literally clothe ourselves with these attributes that are described as belonging to those who are elect (eklektoi), holy (hagioi) and beloved (hgaphmenoi). This is a decisive act that speaks of being endued (enduno) with power by the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, if we do not move in the faith that is produced by the word of God then we will not participate with the will of God.
If we fail to believe He has made us holy and beloved having called us to this holy calling then we will not find ourselves yielding to the Spirit of God. We must believe that we were begotten into this living expectation to walk in the ways of God's abundant life! The word elect means chosen of God, and we know that God has chosen us to bring forth the fruit of His Holy nature (John 15:16). The only proper way to define holiness is by the acts of the Almighty God who is holy in all of His works (Psalms 145:17).
Holiness describes the purity and sacredness of those who have been washed in the blood of Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit. It has been said that when a sinner sins, he is a creature breaking the laws of the Holy Creator and Judge. But when a Christian sins, he is a child breaking the loving heart of his Father (The Bible Exposition Commentary). God has chosen us for Himself to be those who are called the "elect of God." We are called as those who are holy and beloved to be "as men to whom Christ has become all in all" (Lightfoot), or as Thayer comments: "to become possessed with the mind of Christ as in thought, feeling, and action to resemble Him and, as it were, reproduce the life He lived."
Be holy (1 Peter 1:15)
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Daily Bread - APR/10/07
1 John 1:4 - And these things we write to you that your joy may be full .
Our joy is made full through the relationship that has been granted us by the gift of salvation (John 15:11; 16:24). The depth of the fellowship that we have been given with God has no limits (Ephesians 3:16-20). As we grow in grace we come to realize that through this wonderful act of God's love and mercy He has made us one with Himself so that we may enjoy the beauty of His love which brings joy unspeakable (Colossians 2:10; 4:12; John 1:16; 1 Peter 1:8).
The cares of this life would impose the burdens of earthly things and unrealized dreams, but God has made a way for us to live in a heavenly realm and inherit His promises (Colossians 3:1-4; Mark 4:19; 1 Peter 1:4). We have been given the sweet fellowship (koinonia) of the Holy Spirit who brings to us the indwelling presence of the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Through this fellowship our joy is made full.
As we walk with the Holy Spirit every day we discover more and more how much God loves us, and as we do, the manifestation of this fullness of joy continues to increase in our lives (Ephesians 1:18; 4:15; Colossians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:10). One of the greatest joys is the discovery that Father has taken us and brought us into the shelter and comfort of oneness with Himself (John 14:16, 20, 23; 15:4, 10; 17:21, 23; 1 John 3:24; 2 Corinthians 9:10). Today you can realize more of this fullness of joy by embracing what God has said about you. Jesus Christ - the Almighty God and our Lord and Savior - wants us to accept that he has made us part of His family (John 20:17; Galatians 4:6; Hebrews 2:11). We should so fully embrace His love and endearment to us that we say: "I'm in Him and He is in me by this our joy is made full" (John 6:56; 1 John 4:13,17).
Be joyful!
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
1 John 1:4 - And these things we write to you that your joy may be full .
Our joy is made full through the relationship that has been granted us by the gift of salvation (John 15:11; 16:24). The depth of the fellowship that we have been given with God has no limits (Ephesians 3:16-20). As we grow in grace we come to realize that through this wonderful act of God's love and mercy He has made us one with Himself so that we may enjoy the beauty of His love which brings joy unspeakable (Colossians 2:10; 4:12; John 1:16; 1 Peter 1:8).
The cares of this life would impose the burdens of earthly things and unrealized dreams, but God has made a way for us to live in a heavenly realm and inherit His promises (Colossians 3:1-4; Mark 4:19; 1 Peter 1:4). We have been given the sweet fellowship (koinonia) of the Holy Spirit who brings to us the indwelling presence of the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Through this fellowship our joy is made full.
As we walk with the Holy Spirit every day we discover more and more how much God loves us, and as we do, the manifestation of this fullness of joy continues to increase in our lives (Ephesians 1:18; 4:15; Colossians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:10). One of the greatest joys is the discovery that Father has taken us and brought us into the shelter and comfort of oneness with Himself (John 14:16, 20, 23; 15:4, 10; 17:21, 23; 1 John 3:24; 2 Corinthians 9:10). Today you can realize more of this fullness of joy by embracing what God has said about you. Jesus Christ - the Almighty God and our Lord and Savior - wants us to accept that he has made us part of His family (John 20:17; Galatians 4:6; Hebrews 2:11). We should so fully embrace His love and endearment to us that we say: "I'm in Him and He is in me by this our joy is made full" (John 6:56; 1 John 4:13,17).
Be joyful!
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Monday, April 09, 2007
Daily Bread - APR/09/07
John 15:11 - These things I have spoken to you that my Joy may be in you and that your joy may be full.
Jesus was given a joy that superceded all other expressions of joy (Hebrews 1:9). This joy of the Lord is associated with the anointing oil which represents the divine empowerment of the Holy Spirit (Psalms 45:7; Isaiah 61:3). Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary says that joy is the emotion evoked by well-being. And although this sense of well-being is a part of the joy of the Lord, joy goes far beyond just a human emotional response; for it is an expression of God's own nature (Ps 104:31; Deuteronomy 30:9). The joy of the Lord that God gives to His people is announced about 548 times in the Bible. As we grow and mature in the things of the Spirit there is an ever increasing expression of this joy in our lives. One of the great rewards that God has for those who will walk with Him is the "joy of the Lord" (Matthew 25:21, 23).
God so delights in the relationship that He has with us that He expresses that delight with joy, "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save; he will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in his love; he will joy over thee with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17). This awesome joy of the Lord is available to God's people all of the time and is realized when we fellowship with Him, "In your presence is fullness of joy At your right hand there are pleasures for evermore" (Psalms 16:11; 21:6; 68:3; Acts 2:28). The praise and worship which we are to express in songs and shouts are to be inspired by the anointing of joy (Isaiah 51:11; 56:7; 65:14-19; Zephaniah 2:10; 1 Kings 1:40; Psalms 33; 95; 42:4 100:1-2; Ecc 2:26; Psalms 4:7; John 7:37-39). In fact, the whole concept of coming before God to worship was established in the Old Testament as a time of great joy and rejoicing (Psalms 95; 98).
The cry of great joy announced in Luke 2:10-11 is a fitting title for the New Testament which is permeated with joy in every book (Zechariah 9:9). Jesus who was anointed with the oil of joy above all others has anointed us with the same fullness of joy (John 15:11; Hebrews 1:9; Isaiah 61:3; Psalms 132:16; Isaiah 35:10; 55:12; 1 Peter 1:8).
This joy that comes from being in Christ is not an occasional joy but a constant overflow (Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16; Romans 15:13; John 17:13; Psalms 32:11; 1 John 1:4). This constant overflow of joy is the expression and witness that the Holy Spirit's influence resides over our emotions (1 Thessalonians 1:6; Romans 14:17; Galatians 5:22) Part of the responsibility of the ministry is to participate in the advancement of the joy of the Lord in the life of God's people (Philippians 1:25). The strategy that God has for us to deal with every situation in life including threats and persecution is to rejoice and be exceeding glad (Matthew 5:11-12; 2 Corinthians 7:4; 1 Peter 4:13; Hebrews 12:2; Colossians 1:24; James 1:2; Acts 5:41; Nehemiah 8:10) However, if we have not learned to yield our members to the joy of the Lord that is brought to us by the Holy Spirit in worship then it will not even be a possibility to experience this joy of the Lord during times of opposition.
Rejoice!
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
John 15:11 - These things I have spoken to you that my Joy may be in you and that your joy may be full.
Jesus was given a joy that superceded all other expressions of joy (Hebrews 1:9). This joy of the Lord is associated with the anointing oil which represents the divine empowerment of the Holy Spirit (Psalms 45:7; Isaiah 61:3). Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary says that joy is the emotion evoked by well-being. And although this sense of well-being is a part of the joy of the Lord, joy goes far beyond just a human emotional response; for it is an expression of God's own nature (Ps 104:31; Deuteronomy 30:9). The joy of the Lord that God gives to His people is announced about 548 times in the Bible. As we grow and mature in the things of the Spirit there is an ever increasing expression of this joy in our lives. One of the great rewards that God has for those who will walk with Him is the "joy of the Lord" (Matthew 25:21, 23).
God so delights in the relationship that He has with us that He expresses that delight with joy, "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save; he will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in his love; he will joy over thee with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17). This awesome joy of the Lord is available to God's people all of the time and is realized when we fellowship with Him, "In your presence is fullness of joy At your right hand there are pleasures for evermore" (Psalms 16:11; 21:6; 68:3; Acts 2:28). The praise and worship which we are to express in songs and shouts are to be inspired by the anointing of joy (Isaiah 51:11; 56:7; 65:14-19; Zephaniah 2:10; 1 Kings 1:40; Psalms 33; 95; 42:4 100:1-2; Ecc 2:26; Psalms 4:7; John 7:37-39). In fact, the whole concept of coming before God to worship was established in the Old Testament as a time of great joy and rejoicing (Psalms 95; 98).
The cry of great joy announced in Luke 2:10-11 is a fitting title for the New Testament which is permeated with joy in every book (Zechariah 9:9). Jesus who was anointed with the oil of joy above all others has anointed us with the same fullness of joy (John 15:11; Hebrews 1:9; Isaiah 61:3; Psalms 132:16; Isaiah 35:10; 55:12; 1 Peter 1:8).
This joy that comes from being in Christ is not an occasional joy but a constant overflow (Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16; Romans 15:13; John 17:13; Psalms 32:11; 1 John 1:4). This constant overflow of joy is the expression and witness that the Holy Spirit's influence resides over our emotions (1 Thessalonians 1:6; Romans 14:17; Galatians 5:22) Part of the responsibility of the ministry is to participate in the advancement of the joy of the Lord in the life of God's people (Philippians 1:25). The strategy that God has for us to deal with every situation in life including threats and persecution is to rejoice and be exceeding glad (Matthew 5:11-12; 2 Corinthians 7:4; 1 Peter 4:13; Hebrews 12:2; Colossians 1:24; James 1:2; Acts 5:41; Nehemiah 8:10) However, if we have not learned to yield our members to the joy of the Lord that is brought to us by the Holy Spirit in worship then it will not even be a possibility to experience this joy of the Lord during times of opposition.
Rejoice!
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
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