Saturday, June 02, 2007

Daily Bread - 06/02/07

Philemon 1: 6 - So that the communication of your faith may be effectual by acknowledging of every good thing in you by Christ Jesus

Today there are some who would say that there is no good thing in us. They misunderstand a single point made about the inadequacy of the law to produce the righteousness and life of God in man (Romans 7). Yet the statement made by the same preacher in Philemon should help to turn us to the acknowledgment of the truth which is after godliness (Titus 1:1).

When we consider the fact that Christ Jesus now lives and dwells in us by the Spirit then we may understand what Paul was referring to by "every good thing" that is in us (1 John 3:24). One of Paul's main subjects was that we are made the righteousness of God. However, if we do not believe and confess this to be true then we will never reap the many blessings and benefits of this glorious salvation. God has made us one with himself so that we may say that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 1:17; 3:21, 22; 10:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9).

If we do not accept the word of God and the identity that God has given us in Christ Jesus then the miracle of faith will not work in our life. If the centurion had refused to believe that Jesus had the authority to heal his son then there would have been no display of great faith (Matthew 8:10). If Jairus had been unwilling to believe that Jesus could heal his daughter then she would have never been raised from the dead (Mark 5:36). If any mountains are going to be moved and the realms of the impossible shown to be possible through faith then some one must agree with God's word and then speak and act accordingly (Mark 11:23-24).

Paul equates the miracles of faith working through our life with first acknowledging and then communicating that "good thing" that is in us. Some of the descriptions of the "good thing" that is in us are: Christ in us the hope of glory (John 14:20, 23; Colossians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 11:10; 1 John 4:4; Colossians 3:16; Galatians 2:20); The Spirit of God in His fullness as we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:17; 6:19); The new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10); A heart made pure (Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 1:22; Hebrews 10:22; Matthew 5:8); Purified soul (1 Peter 1:22; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Peter 2:25) Sins removed (Acts 22:66; Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:6; 1 John 1:9; Acts 11:9; Revelation 1:5; Matthew 26:28; Acts 2:38; 10:43; Romans 3:25); Baptized in the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Acts 1:5; Acts 2:38; Acts 11:16); A good and pure conscience (1 Timothy 1:5; 3:9; 2 Timothy 1:3; Hebrews 9:14; 10:2,22; 1 Peter 3:16).

Our responsibility to speak out faith by a declaration of the word is fundamental to salvation. The instructions that Paul gave in Romans 10:6-10 underscores the necessity to speak out those things which God has spoken. The word of faith that produces the miracle of salvation is the same word of faith that produces all of the other blessings and promises of God. Confession according to Paul is made unto salvation. Equally, believing with the heart that one is made righteous is also essential. The spirit of faith that is in us speaks out the word of God according as we have believed (2 Corinthians 4:13). Paul made it clear to Philemon that if faith was going to work (Gr- energia/effectual) in his life then there must be an acknowledgement of what God had made him. (Titus 1:11; Colossians 2:2).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Friday, June 01, 2007

Daily Bread - 06/01/07

1 Thessalonians 5:8 - But we being of the day should be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

The Bible uses a breastplate (coat of mail) as a metaphor for both faith and righteousness (Ephesians 6:14). The metaphor of putting righteousness on as a breastplate was first use by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 59:17). When Isaiah described the armor that God would put on when He came to bring salvation he said, "For he put on righteousness as a breastplate and a helmet of salvation upon his head (Isaiah 59:17a). Paul draws on this same military might that God has given to us to successfully stand against all of the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-18). He tells us to be strong in the strength of the Lord and the power of his might and then turns our attention to the armor that God wears.

God's armor that Paul describes in Ephesians likens faith to a shield instead of a breastplate (Ephesians 6:19). The first time that a shield is mentioned in the Bible is in Genesis 15:1 when God told Abraham, "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield!" Moses also used a similar metaphor to describe God's protections for His people calling God "the shield of your help, and the sword of your Excellency" (Deuteronomy 33:29 b). Those who have faith do not need to put on a protective coat of armor that runs from the neck all the way to the thighs on both the front and back. Faith is far superior for protection than a literal coat of mail. When David went out against Goliath he had nothing in his hand but a sling and a few stones. Goliath on the other hand had weapons as well as all of the protective armor which included a coat of mail that weight 5000 shekels of 60 kg (1 Samuel 17:15). Goliath's breastplate was no doubt magnificent but it was useless against David's faith. Perhaps in recollection of this event David sang in worship to the Lord, "But you, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the lifter of my head; You have given me the shield of your salvation: and your right hand has held me up, and your gentleness has made me great; The Lord is my strength and my shield." David described God as a shield to his people 17 times in the Psalms (Psalms 3:3; 5:12; 18:35; 28:7; 33:20; 35:2; 47:9; 59:11; 76:3; 84:9, 11; 91:4; 115:9, 10, 11; 119:114).

Faith and righteousness both flow out from God to us through the relationship that we have been given in Christ Jesus . God describes His love for us in His word and then further reveals that love to us in a very personal way by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). We must recognize that every word of God is pure and respond to those things that He says concerning the way that He wants us to live. If we will simply believe what God says in His word then we will discover that he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him (Proverbs 30:5). In this love relationship with God we will discover that nothing is impossible for us. As we abide in His love we find ourselves both empowered for greatness and protected against all of the snares of our enemy (1 John 4:16; Galatians 5:6).

Be blessed!

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Daily Bread - 05/31/07

John 5:24 - With absolute certainly I tell you, Those who hear my word and believe in the One who has sent Me has eternal life and shall not come into judgment but has passed from death into life.

God has made it easy for us to believe. He came with His awesome displays of love and His signs and wonders. He spoke the word of life so that all who hear could be healed and pass from death to life (Ephesians 2:1; 1 John 3:14; Psalms 107:20). He gave to every man a measure of faith to mix with His word so that what He spoke would be a living reality (Romans 12:3; Hebrews 4:2). All we have to do is be willing to cooperate with God and we receive eternal life - a quality of life that is present right at the time one hears the word and believes it (John 3:36; John 10:10; 1 John 5:12, 13).

Through the salvation that is in Christ Jesus we pass over from death into life even as the children of Israel passed over from slavery into freedom on the night of Passover (Exodus 12:11; 1 Corinthians 5:7). Jesus came that we might have eternal or unlimited life now and forever. It is an abundant life absent of death. The death being the realm of sin and darkness that took over Adam the day that he disobeyed God (Genesis 2:17; 3:8, 10-11). If we desire to fully benefit from all that God has supplied to us in Christ Jesus then we must learn to walk in obedience to the faith (Romans 1:5). Through the Word of God and the Spirit of God we can learn to walk in all of the blessings of this life in Christ Jesus.

Today lay hold on the quality of life that God has provided for you when you entered into eternal life. Enjoy the fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit that produces the abundant life of joy unspeakable peace that passes understanding and the righteousness of God. Find yourself living in heaven today as A.B. Simpson (the founder of the Christian Missionary Alliance) said, "Heaven is Jesus and Jesus is mine I am living in heaven today."

Be blessed!

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Daily Bread - 05/30/07

Acts 22:17 - And after I returned to Jerusalem and while I was praying in the temple I came into an ecstasy.

Our English word ecstasy, which means a feeling of intense delight or exceptional joy, is a word that is both derived from the Greek language and pronounced similarly. The same Greek word is used to describe the state that Peter was in when he too received a vision from the Lord Jesus (Acts 10:10; 11:5). When Jesus healed the paralytic we are told that ecstasy took hold of everyone and they were filled with awe (Luke 5:26; Mark 2:12). Most translations simply give the impression that this was a natural effect of the miracle but there exists a very real possibility that this was also a miracle experience in God. The most striking evidence of this is the unique description of the effect that this miracle had by the usage of the word ecstasy. One of the only other instances where a similar effect was experienced was when the women saw the angel in the tomb who announced to them the resurrection of Jesus (Mark 16:8). The same effect was also experienced by the disciples after Jesus, who had been walking on the water, stepped into the boat (Mark 6:51).

At the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, those who heard the 120 speaking in tongues experienced this ecstatic effect (Acts 2:7). Then, finally, the miracle healing of the crippled man in Acts chapter 3 had the same effect on those who watched the miracle take place (Acts 3:10). Because this word is used to describe what may be understood as purely a human response, in the Septuagint and in Classical Greek, one might simply conclude that the meaning should not extend beyond the effect of astonishment and amazement (Genesis 27:33; Ezekiel 26:16; 27:35). However, the use of this word in association with the supernatural activity of the Spirit that allowed both Peter and Paul to receive divine revelation cannot be ignored. Such usage demands that the definition be extended to include a divine effect of the Spirit upon man. Furthermore, the usage of the associated verb "existemi," by Paul describes a unique state of the believer that is opposite of a normal state of mind (2 Corinthians 5:13).

When we consider the fact that ecstasy is associated with the activity of the Holy Spirit on men in both the Old and New Testament, then we must deal with the fact that the state of ecstasy may be extended to include every action of the Holy Spirit upon the life of the believer that infuses us with the inspiration to function in His gifts (Acts 2:14; 1 Corinthians 12, 14; Jude 1:20; Ephesians 6:18 etc...). By definition, then, this effect of the Holy Spirit would include joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8; Romans 14:17); peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7; Romans 14:17); and the love of God (Romans 5:5).

Be blessed!

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Daily Bread - 05/29/07

Acts 21:13 - Then Paul replied why are you making me cry and breaking my heart for I am not only ready to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem which I do eagerly for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Paul's dedication to reaching the lost could not have been expressed in a greater way than what was said by him in this verse. Paul did not feel this way out of a sense of legal obligation as though it was his religious duty, but out of the love of God that had taken over his soul for the lost. Even though his countrymen had persecuted him and created many difficult and harsh situations for him, he was still ready to go to Jerusalem and die if there was a chance of reaching them for the Kingdom (2 Corinthians 11:24; John 14:6; Acts 14:12; John 3). Paul knew that if Israel would once again enjoy the blessings of the Kingdom of God that they could not refuse to accept the long awaited Messiah (Romans 10:1; Romans 3:22-23). He also was burdened with the reality that without Christ Jesus they would be eternally damned and because the same love that God had for them was in him he was willing to lay down his life for them (Mark 16:16; 1 John 2:23; John 15:23; John 3:36; 6:53).

The whole meaning of Paul's life was to testify of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:24; Philippians 1:21). When we find the meaning and purpose of our life in Christ Jesus then it does not matter what things befall us, our hearts are fixed. In Christ Jesus we do not drift along being turned by the opinions of others and opposing circumstance. Our course is set with certainty and our plans thoroughly mapped out by God when we give ourselves over to living by the word of God. Even the prophecies that anointed men and woman give and the fears of dear friends cannot change the direction of one who has embraced the heavenly vision and found with certainty their place to labor in the Kingdom (Acts 20:23; 21:10-12). We can be certain that if we seek the Kingdom of God first then we will always find ourselves in the center of God's will for our lives (Matthew 6:33).

Be blessed!

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Daily Bread - 05/28/07

Acts 21:9 - And this one had four virgin daughters who prophesied.

One of the many blessings of raising our children in the house of God where the Spirit of God has free course to minister is the effect that it has on them - especially when the parents themselves are full of the Holy Spirit. Philip the evangelist who had not been mentioned since his great evangelistic work in Acts chapter 8 had four daughters full of the Holy Spirit. There is little doubt that Philip continued to play a significant role in advancing the gospel and is not mentioned only because of the focus on the exploits of God through the Apostle Paul.

One of the great privileges of growing up in the first century church was the place that the Holy Spirit was given (John 14:26; Acts 1:2, 4:31, 5:3, 8:15, 10:38, 13:52, 15:8, 16:6, 19:2, 20:23, 28, 21:11; Romans 14:17, 15:13, 1 Corinthians 2:13). Everyone understood that the church meetings were to be run by the Holy Spirit and they devoted themselves to the activity of His manifestation in their meetings (1 Corinthians 12:7; Acts 2:4, 20:28; John 16:12-13). As a result, there were plenty of examples of men and women full of the gifts of the Holy Spirit who modeled Christian living.

Today if we will hunger for the same demonstration of the Spirit of God and give ourselves over to contend for the faith that was once delivered unto the church we will once again see the same awesome display of the Holy Spirit presiding over our meetings (Jude 1:3). With such devotion our children will grow up in the presence of the mighty display of the power of God and will themselves be full of the Spirit.

The gift of prophecy - like all of the other gifts - operates according to the proportion of faith that has been imparted by the grace of God (Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:10, 14:6, 31; Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17). Unfortunately, if we fail to recognize that these things are available to us then there will be no witness of them and the expectation and hunger to function in this realm will be absent. If there is no expectation of these gifts and blessings of God then there will be no development of our faith for them. Let us till up the fallow ground that lies barren in the house of God and plant the seeds of the word of God that they may spring up full of the wonderful manifestations of the Holy Spirit and His power. For without the display of the power of the Holy Spirit the church remains unseen.

Be blessed!

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org