Daily Bread - 06/08/07
John 5:14 - After this Jesus found him in the temple and he said to him, See now! You have become well, sin no more so that a worse thing does not come upon you.
Jesus told two people in no uncertain terms that they were to "sin no more.' The first person that He said this to was this crippled man who He had healed. The second person that Jesus told to "sin no more" was the woman taken in the act of adultery (John 8:11). Jesus was so insistent about sin being totally removed that He said if your right eye causes you to sin tear it out and throw it away for it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell (Matthew 5:29).
Although, this man in this passage of scripture had been a paralytic for 38 years a far worse thing could happen to him if he did not stop sinning. More than likely what Jesus is referring to was Hell rather than just another sickness. Jesus was as much interested in this man's soul as He was in his physical body and if this man was going to make the Kingdom of God then sin would have to come to an end.
The arms of the Lord Jesus were wide open to forgive the woman who was taken in the act of adultery but He demanded that she "sin no more." Under the law the woman should have been stoned so that sin could be crushed out of the heart of Israel. However, Jesus would crush sin out of her heart, and everyone else who would receive through His death, burial and resurrection.
He through His death destroyed the power of the devil so that sin could no longer reign over the heart of man (Hebrew 2:14; Romans 6:12; 2 Timothy 1:10). He made provision for anyone who would call upon his name to have their lives transformed by the Holy Spirit. Through the name of Jesus and the power of His blood we are transformed from darkness to light, from death to life and from sin to righteousness.
One of the great tragedies among many ministries today is that they have embraced sin as a continuous and inevitable part of their lives. They have left off the good fight of faith and surrendered to the influence of sin, supposedly equipping their people to better deal with their failure. Unfortunately, what these ministries do not understand is that the wages of sin is death. They fail to realize that Jesus came and set us free from sin so that we could live unto righteousness (1 Peter 2:24; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21). They have adopted a similar belief to those who opposed Paul when he wrote, "shall we continue in sin that grace might abound? By no means! How can we who are dead (separated) to sin live any longer in it?" (Romans 5:1- 2; 6:15-16). Paul said that all who have sinned without the law will perish without the law and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law, which also demanded death (Romans 2:12). Paul was so radical against sin that he said if anyone sins rebuke them in front of the whole church so that everyone will fear (1 Timothy 5:20). Peter makes the argument that if God did not spare the angels who sinned, nor the ancient cities in the days of Noah and who also overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah what do you think will happen to sinners today who have an insatiable desire for sin? In conclusion Peter expresses how God feels about sin when he says they are, "accursed children" (2 Peter 3:4-6, 14).
The word used here in this passage for sin is found 267 times (hamartia-173; hamartema- 4; hamartano-43; hamartolos-47) in the New Testament. In not one single instance does God describe it as something that belongs in the lives of His people. Rather, God has condemned it and demands that sin have no place in the life of His people. Could there be an example of a more damning heresy and deception in the church than to teach people that God excuses sin? Or that sin will continue on in your life until you die and then you will go to be with God?
The good news, that should cause every heart to rejoice, is that righteousness has now come to every man through Christ Jesus! As sin came into every man's heart through Adam's transgression righteousness has now been given through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:12,17). Now, after being filled with the life and goodness of God if we sin God will forgive us if we confess our sins (1 John 1:9; 2:1). Once again, if sin was something that God's people were to accept as an everyday expectation of God's will then there would have been an excellent opportunity to suggest such a doctrine in 1 John 2:1. Instead of saying "If you sin" John would have said "When you sin." Certainly, there was no one more radical against sin in the life of the believer than John (1 John 1; 3:4,5,6,8;9; 5:18).
Could there be any greater shame placed upon our lives than to be a part of robbing others of godly sorrow and steeling from them the knowledge of God? (2 Corinthians 7:10; 1 Corinthians 15:34; 2 Corinthians 10:5). What a great injustice we would have done to others if we taught them that the deceitfulness of sin would continue in their lives. We would be responsible for their inability to resist the devil and would be to blame for having set them up to develop a hard heart against the convictions of the Holy Spirit. The judgment upon those who would participate in such wickedness will indeed be great. It would have been better to have never been born than to cause one of God's little children to be defenseless against a raging enemy like Satan. The doctrine of sin is not an insignificant doctrinal issue, but the focus of why Jesus died. The subject of the elimination of sin is a central concern in the New Testament (The Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament). Please listen, if we willingly persist in sin after having received the knowledge of the truth there remains no more sacrifice for sin but a fearful prospect of judgment and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries (Hebrews 10:26-27).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Friday, June 08, 2007
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Daily Bread - 06/07/07
Acts 2:25 - David also said concerning Him, "I always saw the Lord before me, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved."
Peter revealed that David was not speaking of himself but of Jesus Christ the Messiah (Psalms 16:8). We learn that Jesus found strength and stability by always seeing YHWH (the Father) before Him. Jesus never did anything unless He saw the Father do it and He never said anything unless He heard the Father say it (John 5:19, 20; 8:28; John 10:38). Seeing the Father before Him may have only been a conscious awareness of His presence yet at the same time Jesus may have interacted with the Father face to face. We do know that the Father spoke to Jesus with an audible voice on several occasions (Matthew 17:5; John 12:28). We can also be certain that the depth of the communication went deeper than what could be seen with the eye and heard with the ear (John 12:30). What Jesus revealed to us was that the Father was dwelling in Him and it was through this indwelling that the mighty works were done through His life (John 10:38; 14:10).
Through Jesus Christ we have been given the same kind of relationship with the Father. We have been baptized with the same baptism and given the same glory that the Father gave Jesus (Matthew 20:22-23; 3:11; John 1:16; John 17:22). Both the Lord Jesus and the Father dwell in us by the Spirit that He has given to us (John 14:23; 1 John 3:24). By the leadership of the Holy Spirit we are empowered to see Him and to know exactly what the Father would have us to do (John 16:12-13; 14:21; Romans 8:14).
As we become aware of how mindful Father is of us and how He is constantly watching over us a whole new dimension of accountability begins to take hold of us (Psalms 121:3; Matthew 10:30; Luke 12:7; Psalms 115:12). Too many times we have looked around to see who might be watching before we made the decision to do something that we should not do. Unfortunately, we did not have the eyes to see that the Father was watching. In times of urgent need we have wondered where God was but when we were being tempted to engage in something unholy we failed to give thought to His mindfulness of our situation. We must become aware of the fact that the eyes of the Lord behold us (Psalms 11:4). His mindfulness and interest in us causes Him to look at our lives very closely to see if there are any of the sons of men that desire to know him (Psalms 14:2). The Almighty is searching for someone that He might show himself strong on their behalf. God looks at us from His throne in His Holy Temple (Psalms 11:4; Hebrews 1:8-9). If we will respond to Him in love and obedience He will perfect everything that concerns us and empower us to be mighty (Daniel 11:32; John 14:12; Psalms 18:32; 138:8; Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 1:28). God desires to show himself strong for those whose hearts are perfect (2 Chronicles 16:9).
What other people think about us is much to important to us. We adjust our behavior to correspond to the expectation of those who we hope to win favor from. Yet, somehow we fail to realize that this is a snare. Our concern should be first towards what Father thinks of us. We need to have a conscious awareness of His presence in our lives. It should be our desire to win His favor more than the favor of men. If we will be honest and transparent before God the Holy Spirit will cause us to become more concerned about what He thinks rather than what men think. Jesus said that if we seek the honor of men then we are unable to believe (John 5:44). On the other hand if we live only for the honor and glory of God then faith will begin to work at a greater level in our lives and there will be no unrighteousness in us (John 7:18). Unfortunately, it is common for us to continue to practice wrong things so long as we think no one knows. Then as soon as someone discovers what we have done we feel bad and run for the mercy of God as Joab did when he had to face the consequences of his evil deeds (1 Kings 2:28). Even David was able to deceive himself and act like he had done nothing wrong until the prophet Nathan came and made his sin public (2 Samuel 12:7). Of course God is always there to love us and forgive us but at some point we need to understand that when we sin it is against the Lord and Him alone (Psalms 51:4)
We must allow the Holy Spirit to give us the wisdom and revelation that Father is always before us and on our right hand to help us (Ephesians 1:17; Psalms 84:11). As we yield to that which the Holy Spirit is teaching us we will become more aware of His indwelling presence (Ephesians 3:18; John 17:22; 14:20). Father is willing to make the relationship that we have with Him more real to us than any other relationship that we have. This is eternal life that we may know him (John 17:3; 1 John 4:16; 5:20).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Acts 2:25 - David also said concerning Him, "I always saw the Lord before me, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved."
Peter revealed that David was not speaking of himself but of Jesus Christ the Messiah (Psalms 16:8). We learn that Jesus found strength and stability by always seeing YHWH (the Father) before Him. Jesus never did anything unless He saw the Father do it and He never said anything unless He heard the Father say it (John 5:19, 20; 8:28; John 10:38). Seeing the Father before Him may have only been a conscious awareness of His presence yet at the same time Jesus may have interacted with the Father face to face. We do know that the Father spoke to Jesus with an audible voice on several occasions (Matthew 17:5; John 12:28). We can also be certain that the depth of the communication went deeper than what could be seen with the eye and heard with the ear (John 12:30). What Jesus revealed to us was that the Father was dwelling in Him and it was through this indwelling that the mighty works were done through His life (John 10:38; 14:10).
Through Jesus Christ we have been given the same kind of relationship with the Father. We have been baptized with the same baptism and given the same glory that the Father gave Jesus (Matthew 20:22-23; 3:11; John 1:16; John 17:22). Both the Lord Jesus and the Father dwell in us by the Spirit that He has given to us (John 14:23; 1 John 3:24). By the leadership of the Holy Spirit we are empowered to see Him and to know exactly what the Father would have us to do (John 16:12-13; 14:21; Romans 8:14).
As we become aware of how mindful Father is of us and how He is constantly watching over us a whole new dimension of accountability begins to take hold of us (Psalms 121:3; Matthew 10:30; Luke 12:7; Psalms 115:12). Too many times we have looked around to see who might be watching before we made the decision to do something that we should not do. Unfortunately, we did not have the eyes to see that the Father was watching. In times of urgent need we have wondered where God was but when we were being tempted to engage in something unholy we failed to give thought to His mindfulness of our situation. We must become aware of the fact that the eyes of the Lord behold us (Psalms 11:4). His mindfulness and interest in us causes Him to look at our lives very closely to see if there are any of the sons of men that desire to know him (Psalms 14:2). The Almighty is searching for someone that He might show himself strong on their behalf. God looks at us from His throne in His Holy Temple (Psalms 11:4; Hebrews 1:8-9). If we will respond to Him in love and obedience He will perfect everything that concerns us and empower us to be mighty (Daniel 11:32; John 14:12; Psalms 18:32; 138:8; Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 1:28). God desires to show himself strong for those whose hearts are perfect (2 Chronicles 16:9).
What other people think about us is much to important to us. We adjust our behavior to correspond to the expectation of those who we hope to win favor from. Yet, somehow we fail to realize that this is a snare. Our concern should be first towards what Father thinks of us. We need to have a conscious awareness of His presence in our lives. It should be our desire to win His favor more than the favor of men. If we will be honest and transparent before God the Holy Spirit will cause us to become more concerned about what He thinks rather than what men think. Jesus said that if we seek the honor of men then we are unable to believe (John 5:44). On the other hand if we live only for the honor and glory of God then faith will begin to work at a greater level in our lives and there will be no unrighteousness in us (John 7:18). Unfortunately, it is common for us to continue to practice wrong things so long as we think no one knows. Then as soon as someone discovers what we have done we feel bad and run for the mercy of God as Joab did when he had to face the consequences of his evil deeds (1 Kings 2:28). Even David was able to deceive himself and act like he had done nothing wrong until the prophet Nathan came and made his sin public (2 Samuel 12:7). Of course God is always there to love us and forgive us but at some point we need to understand that when we sin it is against the Lord and Him alone (Psalms 51:4)
We must allow the Holy Spirit to give us the wisdom and revelation that Father is always before us and on our right hand to help us (Ephesians 1:17; Psalms 84:11). As we yield to that which the Holy Spirit is teaching us we will become more aware of His indwelling presence (Ephesians 3:18; John 17:22; 14:20). Father is willing to make the relationship that we have with Him more real to us than any other relationship that we have. This is eternal life that we may know him (John 17:3; 1 John 4:16; 5:20).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Daily Bread - 06/06/07
2 Corinthians 4:13 - But we have the same Spirit of faith according to the scripture, I believed so I have spoken, we also believe and so we speak.
There are many who consider the "spirit of faith" as the attitude of the spirit of man. Yet it is more in keeping with the scripture as well as the context that Paul was not referring to the attitude of man regarding faith but to the Holy Spirit who is the one who creates faith (Romans 10:6-10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 3:2, 5, 14; 5:5; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-7). Matthew Henry says in his commentary regarding this verse, "faith which is the operation of the Spirit."
Paul, like the Psalmist, is faced with death and affliction yet because of the Spirit of faith he, like the Psalmist, was inspired to testify of the glory and power of God that rested upon him. Paul makes it clear that for the Word of God to work it must be spoken, "for with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:9-10). When Paul speaks the word of faith by the Spirit he is doing so out of the treasure that was placed in his earthen vessel (mortal body- 2 Corinthians 4:7). He goes on to further describe the treasure as the new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). It is out of this treasure that the power of God brings forth the Spirit of faith. The Holy Spirit has placed the word of faith in our hearts and upon our lips so that we may declare the wonderful works of God and become the beneficiaries of all the blessings that He has poured out (Romans 10:8; Ephesians 6:17, 1 John 2:27; Hebrews 8:10-11; 2 Corinthians 3:3; Ephesians 1:3).
The same Spirit of faith that prophesied through the Psalmist of old was speaking through Paul (Acts 1:17; 1 Peter 1:11). Today, we have the same Spirit of faith inspiring us and impressing us to proclaim the Word of the Lord. When the Spirit of faith speaks then the promises of God are received and the riches of God are revealed (Hebrews 6:12; Mark 11:23; John 7:38-39).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
2 Corinthians 4:13 - But we have the same Spirit of faith according to the scripture, I believed so I have spoken, we also believe and so we speak.
There are many who consider the "spirit of faith" as the attitude of the spirit of man. Yet it is more in keeping with the scripture as well as the context that Paul was not referring to the attitude of man regarding faith but to the Holy Spirit who is the one who creates faith (Romans 10:6-10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 3:2, 5, 14; 5:5; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-7). Matthew Henry says in his commentary regarding this verse, "faith which is the operation of the Spirit."
Paul, like the Psalmist, is faced with death and affliction yet because of the Spirit of faith he, like the Psalmist, was inspired to testify of the glory and power of God that rested upon him. Paul makes it clear that for the Word of God to work it must be spoken, "for with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:9-10). When Paul speaks the word of faith by the Spirit he is doing so out of the treasure that was placed in his earthen vessel (mortal body- 2 Corinthians 4:7). He goes on to further describe the treasure as the new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). It is out of this treasure that the power of God brings forth the Spirit of faith. The Holy Spirit has placed the word of faith in our hearts and upon our lips so that we may declare the wonderful works of God and become the beneficiaries of all the blessings that He has poured out (Romans 10:8; Ephesians 6:17, 1 John 2:27; Hebrews 8:10-11; 2 Corinthians 3:3; Ephesians 1:3).
The same Spirit of faith that prophesied through the Psalmist of old was speaking through Paul (Acts 1:17; 1 Peter 1:11). Today, we have the same Spirit of faith inspiring us and impressing us to proclaim the Word of the Lord. When the Spirit of faith speaks then the promises of God are received and the riches of God are revealed (Hebrews 6:12; Mark 11:23; John 7:38-39).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Daily Bread - 06/05/07
Acts 6:8 - And Stephen full of faith and power did great signs and wonders among the people.
Steven was full of faith and the Holy Spirit; he was also full of faith and power. Because Steven was full of faith and power he did great wonders and miracles. There are some Greek manuscripts which read "full of grace." However, faith is simply a part of the package that we receive through grace (Romans 12:6; Galatians 5:22). Although only Jesus was referred to as being full of grace in the New Testament, we know that all of us have received His fullness of grace upon grace (John 1:14, 16; John 17:22).
The manifestation of the Spirit is revealed in each person's life based upon the measure of faith that they have received. Whatever the proportion of faith is then that will be the limit set upon the manifestation of the Spirit of God through us (Romans 12:6). Each one of us is called to pursue faith and to excel in faith so that faith may grow (1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22; 2 Corinthians 8:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 10:15; Luke 17:5). The opportunity is set before us to come into all faith or the fullness of faith (John 1:16; 1 Corinthians 13:2). Jesus called all men to the fullness of faith when He commanded us to "have God's faith" or it may be translated "have the faith of God" (Gr- echete pistin Theou), Mark 11:22. There is no question that Jesus was speaking of the faith that accomplishes the miraculous and makes known the power of God by what He said in the next two verses, "For truly I say to you, Whoever says to this mountain, Be taken up and be thrown into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be to him, whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, All things, whatever you ask, praying, believe that you will receive, and it will be to you" (Mark 11:23-24; Matthew 21:21), Greens Literal Translation.
We are called to live by faith and in faith. It is essential that you give yourself to the life of faith. It must be more than just a set of beliefs but faith that works and moves. The faith that we are called to is a living faith that makes known the love and power of God to all mankind.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Acts 6:8 - And Stephen full of faith and power did great signs and wonders among the people.
Steven was full of faith and the Holy Spirit; he was also full of faith and power. Because Steven was full of faith and power he did great wonders and miracles. There are some Greek manuscripts which read "full of grace." However, faith is simply a part of the package that we receive through grace (Romans 12:6; Galatians 5:22). Although only Jesus was referred to as being full of grace in the New Testament, we know that all of us have received His fullness of grace upon grace (John 1:14, 16; John 17:22).
The manifestation of the Spirit is revealed in each person's life based upon the measure of faith that they have received. Whatever the proportion of faith is then that will be the limit set upon the manifestation of the Spirit of God through us (Romans 12:6). Each one of us is called to pursue faith and to excel in faith so that faith may grow (1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22; 2 Corinthians 8:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 10:15; Luke 17:5). The opportunity is set before us to come into all faith or the fullness of faith (John 1:16; 1 Corinthians 13:2). Jesus called all men to the fullness of faith when He commanded us to "have God's faith" or it may be translated "have the faith of God" (Gr- echete pistin Theou), Mark 11:22. There is no question that Jesus was speaking of the faith that accomplishes the miraculous and makes known the power of God by what He said in the next two verses, "For truly I say to you, Whoever says to this mountain, Be taken up and be thrown into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be to him, whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, All things, whatever you ask, praying, believe that you will receive, and it will be to you" (Mark 11:23-24; Matthew 21:21), Greens Literal Translation.
We are called to live by faith and in faith. It is essential that you give yourself to the life of faith. It must be more than just a set of beliefs but faith that works and moves. The faith that we are called to is a living faith that makes known the love and power of God to all mankind.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Daily Bread - 06/04/07
John 5:19 - Jesus therefore replied and said to them, With absolute certainty I tell you the Son does not have ability to do anything of Himself; for whatever He sees the Father doing, all these things the Son may also do likewise.
Jesus was totally dependent on the Father and the Holy Spirit for everything that He did (John 5:30; 8:28; 12:49; 14:10). One of the outstanding features of the relationship between the Father and Jesus was announced in the opening statement of the Gospels "This is my beloved Son" (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22). Jesus said that because of His love relationship with the Father he would be shown greater miracles (John 5:20; 10:17). Jesus helps us to further understand the operation of the Father in His life when He revealed to us that the Father dwelled in Him (John 14:10).
The Holy Spirit is teaching us total dependency on Him so that we may fulfill Father's will for our lives (John 14:12; Mark 3:35; Ephesians 6:6; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:18; Hebrews 10:36; 1 John 2:17). This is not a forced dependency but a relationship that is born out of love and honor for the Father. We know that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are at work preparing us unto every good work (2 Timothy 2:21; Philippians 2:12). We have received His divine ability that springs up out of a son-ship relationship because we have been born of God (John 1:12; Romans 8:14; Galatians 4:6; Philippians 2:15; 1 John 3:1-2). Having been made sons and heirs the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit dwell in us (John 14:23; 17:22; Colossians 1:27; 1 John 3:24; Romans 8:17; Titus 3:7).
Jesus said to all who will hear, "as my Father has sent me even so I send you." Paul's cry to us is to "Let this same mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). We must learn to speak only God's word by living what we read from the Bible. We must be willing to lay aside our own will and delight to do the will of the Father (John 4:34; Hebrews 10:9; Matthew 7:21). This of course is not some legal formula for success in God but a truth that becomes real to us through the relationship that we have been granted in Christ Jesus.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
John 5:19 - Jesus therefore replied and said to them, With absolute certainty I tell you the Son does not have ability to do anything of Himself; for whatever He sees the Father doing, all these things the Son may also do likewise.
Jesus was totally dependent on the Father and the Holy Spirit for everything that He did (John 5:30; 8:28; 12:49; 14:10). One of the outstanding features of the relationship between the Father and Jesus was announced in the opening statement of the Gospels "This is my beloved Son" (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22). Jesus said that because of His love relationship with the Father he would be shown greater miracles (John 5:20; 10:17). Jesus helps us to further understand the operation of the Father in His life when He revealed to us that the Father dwelled in Him (John 14:10).
The Holy Spirit is teaching us total dependency on Him so that we may fulfill Father's will for our lives (John 14:12; Mark 3:35; Ephesians 6:6; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:18; Hebrews 10:36; 1 John 2:17). This is not a forced dependency but a relationship that is born out of love and honor for the Father. We know that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are at work preparing us unto every good work (2 Timothy 2:21; Philippians 2:12). We have received His divine ability that springs up out of a son-ship relationship because we have been born of God (John 1:12; Romans 8:14; Galatians 4:6; Philippians 2:15; 1 John 3:1-2). Having been made sons and heirs the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit dwell in us (John 14:23; 17:22; Colossians 1:27; 1 John 3:24; Romans 8:17; Titus 3:7).
Jesus said to all who will hear, "as my Father has sent me even so I send you." Paul's cry to us is to "Let this same mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). We must learn to speak only God's word by living what we read from the Bible. We must be willing to lay aside our own will and delight to do the will of the Father (John 4:34; Hebrews 10:9; Matthew 7:21). This of course is not some legal formula for success in God but a truth that becomes real to us through the relationship that we have been granted in Christ Jesus.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
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