Daily Bread - 05/19/07
John 4:24 - God is the Spirit and those who worship Him by necessity worship Him in Spirit and Truth.
Although, we could just consider truth as sincerity of the heart it goes far beyond that. Certainly, sincerity of the heart is part of what God establishes in our life through the washing or regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit; for God desires truth in the inward parts and in the hidden parts He will make us to know wisdom (Titus 3:5; Psalms 51:6). Yet what far surpasses sincerity and purity of heart is the word of God. Although Jesus is the truth the way and the life we know that He established beyond all question the superiority of the word of God - which is the word of truth (Titus 3:5; Psalms 51:6). Yet, what far surpasses sincerity and purity of heart is the word of God. Although Jesus is the truth the way and the life we know that He established beyond all question the superiority of the word of God, which is the word of truth (John 17:17; Ephesians 1:13; Colossians 1:15; Malachi 2:6; John 1:17; 6:63; 12:47-48). It has always been God's desire that His people learn to live by the word so He taught Israel that, "man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Deuteronomy 8:3; Luke 4:4). He taught Joshua to not let the word depart out of his mouth but to meditate on it both day and night that he might observe to do it; for then he would make his way prosperous and have good success (Joshua 1:8).
If we are going to worship God in the way that He has desired, then we are going to do it as the word of God describes. Our attitude before Him must be one of confidence and assurance according to his exceeding great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4; Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 10:35). We have been born of the word of God and He has written His word upon the tables of our heart so that we will do them (2 Corinthians 3:3; Hebrews 8:10; 10:6). The word of God has brought faith into our hearts so that we might please Him (Hebrews 11:6). The Holy Spirit has come to teach us the word of God and to lead us and guide us into all the truth of His word (John 16:13). By the word of God we are set free from every lie that would attempt to ensnare us and hold us back from the greatness of this life in Christ Jesus (John 8:32; 2 Corinthians 6:7; Acts 20:32; Romans 10:8; 1 Thessalonians 2:13).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Friday, May 18, 2007
Daily Bread - 05/18/07
John 4:42 - And they said to the woman, it is no longer because of what you have said that we believe, for we ourselves hear and we have seen that this is truly the Savior of the world, the Christ.
The sincere faith that was expressed by these Samaritans was simply amazing. Although, they were kinsmen to the Jews they became despised by them because of their intermarriage with Gentiles (John 4:9; 8:48). Yet how is it that they were able to recognize the Savior when those who should have recognized Him could not? Could it be that the Jews became so ensnared by their own self confidence and pride that they had lost their sense of truth? The Samaritans seemed to have an ability to be sensitive to the witness of the Holy Spirit that was flowing forth from Jesus that those of the nation of Israel were incapable of.
It did not take a lengthy discussion and lots of proofs to convince the Samaritans. When they encountered the love and acceptance that Jesus showed these rejected people they were convinced that this is truly the Savior of the world. Surely, they had heard that a great prophet was traveling around the neighboring cities of Judea and Galilee, who some claimed was indeed the Messiah but when they saw Him in His love they were convinced that the Savior had truly come. Somehow in all of their ignorance they understood what even the disciples failed to grasp, that when the Messiah came He would not only be the Savior of the Jewish nation but of the whole world. In fact, this is the only time in the Gospels that Jesus, is called Savior by men.
The only other time that Jesus is called Savior in the Gospels was in the salutation of the angels in Luke 2:11. Even though His very name means Savior, Yehoshua (YHWH our Savior) it was only the Samaritans who had the revelation to utter it. Does God desire to communicate a profound revelation to us by the faith of the Centurion and the Syrophenician woman along with the revelation of the Samaritans (Matthew 8:5; Mark 7:26)? By these examples I believe that the Lord wants us to understand how blinded and insensitive to the Holy Spirit our own self confidence and pride makes us. If we will simply believe the good news and come to adore Jesus having no confidence in our own ability then we will find the realms of glory that we have been invited to (Philippians 3:3; John 15:5; Isaiah 66:1-2; 1 Peter 5:5).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
John 4:42 - And they said to the woman, it is no longer because of what you have said that we believe, for we ourselves hear and we have seen that this is truly the Savior of the world, the Christ.
The sincere faith that was expressed by these Samaritans was simply amazing. Although, they were kinsmen to the Jews they became despised by them because of their intermarriage with Gentiles (John 4:9; 8:48). Yet how is it that they were able to recognize the Savior when those who should have recognized Him could not? Could it be that the Jews became so ensnared by their own self confidence and pride that they had lost their sense of truth? The Samaritans seemed to have an ability to be sensitive to the witness of the Holy Spirit that was flowing forth from Jesus that those of the nation of Israel were incapable of.
It did not take a lengthy discussion and lots of proofs to convince the Samaritans. When they encountered the love and acceptance that Jesus showed these rejected people they were convinced that this is truly the Savior of the world. Surely, they had heard that a great prophet was traveling around the neighboring cities of Judea and Galilee, who some claimed was indeed the Messiah but when they saw Him in His love they were convinced that the Savior had truly come. Somehow in all of their ignorance they understood what even the disciples failed to grasp, that when the Messiah came He would not only be the Savior of the Jewish nation but of the whole world. In fact, this is the only time in the Gospels that Jesus, is called Savior by men.
The only other time that Jesus is called Savior in the Gospels was in the salutation of the angels in Luke 2:11. Even though His very name means Savior, Yehoshua (YHWH our Savior) it was only the Samaritans who had the revelation to utter it. Does God desire to communicate a profound revelation to us by the faith of the Centurion and the Syrophenician woman along with the revelation of the Samaritans (Matthew 8:5; Mark 7:26)? By these examples I believe that the Lord wants us to understand how blinded and insensitive to the Holy Spirit our own self confidence and pride makes us. If we will simply believe the good news and come to adore Jesus having no confidence in our own ability then we will find the realms of glory that we have been invited to (Philippians 3:3; John 15:5; Isaiah 66:1-2; 1 Peter 5:5).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Daily Bread - 05/17/07
John 4:10 - Jesus replied and said to her, If you knew about the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, Give me a drink, you would have asked him and he would give you living water.
Although the Samaritan woman does not seem to understand what Jesus means by living water, the symbolism is not foreign to scripture. God referred to Himself as the fountain of living water (Jeremiah 2:13; 17:13). He also made it known by the prophet Isaiah that there were wells of salvation from which men could draw out water (Isaiah 12:3). Jesus identifies Himself as the well or the fountain from where this water is supplied (John 7:37-39; Exodus 17:6; Psalms 78:15; 105:14; 1 Corinthians 10:4). The water of life is available to anyone who ask, even to a Samaritan woman who is steeped in sin. As a result of drinking the living water the one who drinks also becomes a fountain from where the living water springs up.
The living water in the heart of those who receive becomes a fountain springing up and a river flowing forth, forever supplying a continual flow of the Spirit so that those who have it will never thirst for that which cannot satisfy ever again (John 4:10-14; 7:37-39). The living water that Jesus is referring to is the pouring forth of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 44:3; Joel 2:28; John 7:37-39; Luke 24:49; Acts 2:1-4; Matthew 3:11;). The gift of God, which is the living water is shown to be the gift of the Holy Spirit several times in both the Old and the New Testament (John 7:37-39; Isaiah 44:3; Acts 2:38; 8:20; 10:45; 11:17; 2 Timothy 1:6). It is the Holy Spirit that brings to us the new birth and function in our lives to bring forth all that the pleasures and fruits of the nature of God in our lives (John 3:5; Psalms 36:8; 46:4; Galatians 5:22; 1 John 3:24; Romans 14:17; 2 Peter 1:3-4; Titus 3:5; Romans 8:2; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 2 Corinthians 5:17-18; Ezekiel 36:26-27). If we hunger and thirst after righteousness God will supply us with His Spirit so that the righteousness, peace and joy of the Kingdom of God fills us to overflowing (Isaiah 55:1; Matthew 5:6; John 4:14; John 6:35; John 7:37-39; Romans 14:17; Matthew 6:33; John 3:5).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
John 4:10 - Jesus replied and said to her, If you knew about the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, Give me a drink, you would have asked him and he would give you living water.
Although the Samaritan woman does not seem to understand what Jesus means by living water, the symbolism is not foreign to scripture. God referred to Himself as the fountain of living water (Jeremiah 2:13; 17:13). He also made it known by the prophet Isaiah that there were wells of salvation from which men could draw out water (Isaiah 12:3). Jesus identifies Himself as the well or the fountain from where this water is supplied (John 7:37-39; Exodus 17:6; Psalms 78:15; 105:14; 1 Corinthians 10:4). The water of life is available to anyone who ask, even to a Samaritan woman who is steeped in sin. As a result of drinking the living water the one who drinks also becomes a fountain from where the living water springs up.
The living water in the heart of those who receive becomes a fountain springing up and a river flowing forth, forever supplying a continual flow of the Spirit so that those who have it will never thirst for that which cannot satisfy ever again (John 4:10-14; 7:37-39). The living water that Jesus is referring to is the pouring forth of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 44:3; Joel 2:28; John 7:37-39; Luke 24:49; Acts 2:1-4; Matthew 3:11;). The gift of God, which is the living water is shown to be the gift of the Holy Spirit several times in both the Old and the New Testament (John 7:37-39; Isaiah 44:3; Acts 2:38; 8:20; 10:45; 11:17; 2 Timothy 1:6). It is the Holy Spirit that brings to us the new birth and function in our lives to bring forth all that the pleasures and fruits of the nature of God in our lives (John 3:5; Psalms 36:8; 46:4; Galatians 5:22; 1 John 3:24; Romans 14:17; 2 Peter 1:3-4; Titus 3:5; Romans 8:2; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 2 Corinthians 5:17-18; Ezekiel 36:26-27). If we hunger and thirst after righteousness God will supply us with His Spirit so that the righteousness, peace and joy of the Kingdom of God fills us to overflowing (Isaiah 55:1; Matthew 5:6; John 4:14; John 6:35; John 7:37-39; Romans 14:17; Matthew 6:33; John 3:5).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Daily Bread - 05/16/07
John 10:8 - Everyone who came before Me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not hear them.
Jesus was telling everyone for all time in no uncertain terms that He is the only way to the Father (Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5; John 17:3; Philippians 2:10; Acts 10:43; John 3:36; Mark 16:16). Only through Him can mankind return to a relationship with God. When Jesus referred to all those who came before Him, He was referring to every false leader on earth who came declaring to mankind that they knew the way to God. Jesus was not only referring to the religious leaders of the day, nor was He narrowly looking at the "lost sheep of the house of Israel." God's love was extended to everyone and He knew that the gift of salvation would be granted to all men everywhere (John 3:16; 12:32; 1 Timothy 2:6; 1 John 2:2).
Jesus is the door to every blessing in God and all of the benefits of abundant life (Ephesians 1:3; 3 John 1:2; Psalms 68:19; 103:2). As the good Shepard He has come to lead us into all of these wonderful things that God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9; Isaiah 64:4; Deuteronomy 28:1-13; James 1:17; 2 Peter 1:3). The false shepherds steal from the sheep like thieves and robbers. They steal the word of life, holding the people in blindness and poverty - and even take the food from off of the table of those they victimize (Jeremiah 23:1-2; Ezekiel 34:2-3). This is not so with the Good Shepard - who not only laid down His life for the sheep but provides all that they have need of according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 8:9; 9:8-11).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
John 10:8 - Everyone who came before Me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not hear them.
Jesus was telling everyone for all time in no uncertain terms that He is the only way to the Father (Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5; John 17:3; Philippians 2:10; Acts 10:43; John 3:36; Mark 16:16). Only through Him can mankind return to a relationship with God. When Jesus referred to all those who came before Him, He was referring to every false leader on earth who came declaring to mankind that they knew the way to God. Jesus was not only referring to the religious leaders of the day, nor was He narrowly looking at the "lost sheep of the house of Israel." God's love was extended to everyone and He knew that the gift of salvation would be granted to all men everywhere (John 3:16; 12:32; 1 Timothy 2:6; 1 John 2:2).
Jesus is the door to every blessing in God and all of the benefits of abundant life (Ephesians 1:3; 3 John 1:2; Psalms 68:19; 103:2). As the good Shepard He has come to lead us into all of these wonderful things that God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9; Isaiah 64:4; Deuteronomy 28:1-13; James 1:17; 2 Peter 1:3). The false shepherds steal from the sheep like thieves and robbers. They steal the word of life, holding the people in blindness and poverty - and even take the food from off of the table of those they victimize (Jeremiah 23:1-2; Ezekiel 34:2-3). This is not so with the Good Shepard - who not only laid down His life for the sheep but provides all that they have need of according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 8:9; 9:8-11).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Daily Bread - 05/15/07
John 5:44 - How are you able to believe when you seek glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that only comes from God?
Truth and reality has never been popular in the social and political structures of man. When Jesus came proclaiming the message of salvation and actually demonstrating the glory of God, many of those who held important positions were threatened by Him. They were so caught away in their own rules and regulations that they had become furious that Jesus worked a miracle on the sabbath (John 5:16). Jesus attempted to explain to them exactly why He did the miracle on the sabbath. He was only doing what the Father showed Him to do. Because His heart was fixed on doing the will of the Father, He did not even consider what they thought (John 5:17, 19-20, 30). Jesus explained to these angry men why the glory of the Father was revealed in His life. The primary focus of the message is that He lived only to honor the Father and to do His will. Therefore, at the heart of everything that Jesus was doing was His relationship that He had with the Father as His Son (John 5:19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25). Because of this relationship that He had with the Father, it was the Father who gave Him glory and honor by testifying on His behalf through these miracles (John 5:32, 36, 37).
The concluding statement of Jesus to these leaders is key to our understanding how to function in the faith of God. We must realize above all else that it is essential to be totally committed to the will of God. With this commitment we must also understand that we can do nothing of ourselves and to attempt to - even out of a desire to please the Father - will result in failure. Above everything else, our relationship with the Father must be first.
Jesus makes it imperative that we seek the glory (Gr-doxa), which only comes from God (Exodus 34:29; Romans 2:7; Romans 8:18; 1 Corinthians 2:7; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 1 Peter 1:11; 1 Peter 5:10; 2 Peter 1:3). We must be cautious of the fact that if we seek the glory that comes from men it will run direct interference with the glory that comes from the Father. If we are careful to always do everything out of relationship with God, seeking only His honor and glory above all other things, then we will be empowered to function in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
John 5:44 - How are you able to believe when you seek glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that only comes from God?
Truth and reality has never been popular in the social and political structures of man. When Jesus came proclaiming the message of salvation and actually demonstrating the glory of God, many of those who held important positions were threatened by Him. They were so caught away in their own rules and regulations that they had become furious that Jesus worked a miracle on the sabbath (John 5:16). Jesus attempted to explain to them exactly why He did the miracle on the sabbath. He was only doing what the Father showed Him to do. Because His heart was fixed on doing the will of the Father, He did not even consider what they thought (John 5:17, 19-20, 30). Jesus explained to these angry men why the glory of the Father was revealed in His life. The primary focus of the message is that He lived only to honor the Father and to do His will. Therefore, at the heart of everything that Jesus was doing was His relationship that He had with the Father as His Son (John 5:19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25). Because of this relationship that He had with the Father, it was the Father who gave Him glory and honor by testifying on His behalf through these miracles (John 5:32, 36, 37).
The concluding statement of Jesus to these leaders is key to our understanding how to function in the faith of God. We must realize above all else that it is essential to be totally committed to the will of God. With this commitment we must also understand that we can do nothing of ourselves and to attempt to - even out of a desire to please the Father - will result in failure. Above everything else, our relationship with the Father must be first.
Jesus makes it imperative that we seek the glory (Gr-doxa), which only comes from God (Exodus 34:29; Romans 2:7; Romans 8:18; 1 Corinthians 2:7; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 1 Peter 1:11; 1 Peter 5:10; 2 Peter 1:3). We must be cautious of the fact that if we seek the glory that comes from men it will run direct interference with the glory that comes from the Father. If we are careful to always do everything out of relationship with God, seeking only His honor and glory above all other things, then we will be empowered to function in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Monday, May 14, 2007
Daily Bread - 05/14/07
Acts 11:18 - And when they heard these things they grew silent and glorified God saying, also unto the Gentiles God has given repentance unto life.
Repentance is a gift that is granted to us by God. Repentance takes us from spiritual death to life and from spiritual darkness to light (Ephesians 2:1; 5:18; Colossians 2:13; 1 Peter 2:19). Repentance takes us beyond just being sorry but results in a forgiveness that frees us from both the deed and the guilt of wrongdoing (Hebrews 9:14; Acts 5:31; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 1:5; Acts 26:18). For example, Judas was sorry (Gr-metamellomai), but his being sorry did not result in seeking forgiveness (Matthew 27:3). God grants us the gift of having a complete change of mind (Gr-metanoian).
When the light of the gospel shines into our heart and we realize that God loves us and has called us to His own realm of life and righteousness, the weight and guilt of sin stands before us. Because of God's unspeakable gift He has provided the blood of Jesus to wash away every stain of sin and free us from all of the past with one simple request from our heart (Romans 10:9-10, 13; Acts 16:31; Matthew 26:28; Romans 3:25). The gift of repentance gives us a change of heart, a change of desires, and a change of life because God makes all things new (2 Corinthians 5:18; Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:26; Acts 3:26; 1 Peter 1:22; Ephesians 4:23-24). Because of this change we feel differently about sin; it is not something we want; rather, we begin to desire righteousness and purity for our lives. The deception of sin and darkness that once blinded us to the truth and reality of God is removed by this simple act of repentance (2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 13:14).
God in His amazing love for us also grants us the privilege of being forgiving as many times as is necessary if we simply come to Him in repentance (Luke 17:3-4; Matthew 18:22, 35; 6:15). His forgiveness is totally unlike the forgiveness of man because He restores us to a relationship with Himself as though we had never done anything wrong. He erases our sins and never again remembers them so that there is no threat of repercussions in the future (Hebrews 8:12; 10:17; Isaiah 43:25; 44:22; Jeremiah 50:20; Micah 7:19; 1 John 1:9; Revelation 1:5).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Acts 11:18 - And when they heard these things they grew silent and glorified God saying, also unto the Gentiles God has given repentance unto life.
Repentance is a gift that is granted to us by God. Repentance takes us from spiritual death to life and from spiritual darkness to light (Ephesians 2:1; 5:18; Colossians 2:13; 1 Peter 2:19). Repentance takes us beyond just being sorry but results in a forgiveness that frees us from both the deed and the guilt of wrongdoing (Hebrews 9:14; Acts 5:31; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 1:5; Acts 26:18). For example, Judas was sorry (Gr-metamellomai), but his being sorry did not result in seeking forgiveness (Matthew 27:3). God grants us the gift of having a complete change of mind (Gr-metanoian).
When the light of the gospel shines into our heart and we realize that God loves us and has called us to His own realm of life and righteousness, the weight and guilt of sin stands before us. Because of God's unspeakable gift He has provided the blood of Jesus to wash away every stain of sin and free us from all of the past with one simple request from our heart (Romans 10:9-10, 13; Acts 16:31; Matthew 26:28; Romans 3:25). The gift of repentance gives us a change of heart, a change of desires, and a change of life because God makes all things new (2 Corinthians 5:18; Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:26; Acts 3:26; 1 Peter 1:22; Ephesians 4:23-24). Because of this change we feel differently about sin; it is not something we want; rather, we begin to desire righteousness and purity for our lives. The deception of sin and darkness that once blinded us to the truth and reality of God is removed by this simple act of repentance (2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 13:14).
God in His amazing love for us also grants us the privilege of being forgiving as many times as is necessary if we simply come to Him in repentance (Luke 17:3-4; Matthew 18:22, 35; 6:15). His forgiveness is totally unlike the forgiveness of man because He restores us to a relationship with Himself as though we had never done anything wrong. He erases our sins and never again remembers them so that there is no threat of repercussions in the future (Hebrews 8:12; 10:17; Isaiah 43:25; 44:22; Jeremiah 50:20; Micah 7:19; 1 John 1:9; Revelation 1:5).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
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