Daily Bread - Nov 13 2006

John 3:6 - "What is begotten of the flesh is flesh and what is begotten of the Spirit is Spirit."

It is worth taking note of the fact that the miracle birth of Jesus was described as being begotten of the Spirit, "for that which was begotten in Mary was of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 1:20). Of course there is a unique and very important difference between the message to Nicodemus and the birth of Jesus - for Jesus was the Eternal God incarnated into flesh.

When a man is begotten of the Spirit a "new man" created in Christ Jesus is brought forth. This new creation does not co-exist with the corrupt nature of unredeemed man for Paul revealed that the "old man" was crucified with Christ that the body of sin might be destroyed and likens the new birth to being raised up with Christ (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:11).

Paul further takes up the contrast between the "flesh" and the "Spirit" or the "unredeemed man" and "those born of the Spirit" in Romans 8. He makes it perfectly clear that when a person is redeemed they are no longer classified as being "in the flesh" but in Christ Jesus which he equates to being born of the Spirit (Romans 8:1-9). Jesus is not presenting a "Spirit Nature" that would co-exist with an "unredeemed nature" but rather an opportunity for a total regeneration of the nature of man (Titus 3:5).

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Nov 11 2006

John 10:10 - "The thief does not come except that he may steal, slaughter, and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

The life that Jesus is referring to is a life full of the Holy Spirit; for it is through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that Christ Jesus lives in us (1 John 3:24; 4:13;5:12; Galatians 2:20; John 14:23; 17:21). The life that is in Christ Jesus is the life that Father intended all men to have when He created Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:26; Ephesians 1:4; 2:10; 4:23; Colossians 3:10). It is a life that not only reveals His glory but enjoys all of His goodness (John 17:22; 1:16; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 5:9; Philippians 1:11; Romans 15:13; 14:17).

This life that is in Chirst Jesus has joy unspeakable, peace that passes understanding, and divine love (1 Peter 1:8; Philippians 4:7; John 13:34; 15:12).
All of these glorious expressions of life flow out of us like rivers of living water.

The life of God produces the righteousness of God and the Holiness of God (Galatians 3:21; 2 Corinthians 3:21; Romans 14:17). The abundant life that is in Christ Jesus is eternal life which is not only a duration of time but a quality of life. Eternal life is not only for the future it is something that God's people possess now, and it is this life that is a light to the world and the salt of the earth (1 John 1:2; 3:15; 5:11,13; 5:20; John 3:15; 6:54; 17:3; Romans 5:21; 6:23;1 Peter 2:9; Matthew 5:13,14).

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Nov 10 2006

Ephesians 4:22 - "You shall lay aside concerning the former behavior the old man which is corrupt according to deceitful desires."

The old man refers to the condition of a person prior to salvation. The Greek word 'palaion' refers to the ancient state of things or the original condition. In this case it was the original condition of sinful man and his desires, thus, this is the spiritual paleontology of unredeemed man. The term 'old man' is used in Romans 6:6 and Colossians 3:9 in the same way that it is used here in Ephesians 4:22 to refer to the unredeemed and evil state of man. The old man has been crucified with Christ Jesus. It was destroyed so that the body or dominion of sin could also be destroyed. As a result, the redeemed individual who is made a new creation may now walk in newness of life having been freed from sin (Romans 6:4-7).

The very terminology leaves no doubt concerning the view of scripture with respect to the nature of sin; it has been entirely removed from man. However, the fact remains: every child of God must resist the temptations of the former behavior that would draw them back into the realm of the unredeemed. Just because our Savior Jesus Christ came and delivered us from the slavery and imprisonment of the devil does not mean that we cannot return into captivity and be imprisoned once again.

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Nov 9 2006

1 Peter 4:2 - "Beloved, do not be surprised by the fiery trial which tries you as though a strange event happened to you."

Fiery trials are inevitable, and no one should be concerned that something is happening out of the ordinary. We know that God allows the tests that we face, but He does not allow us to be tested above what we are able to bear (1 Cor. 10:13 ). We know that God makes a way for us to escape every trial that we have to go through.

It would be wrong to submit to a trial - just as it would be wrong to submit to a temptation to sin. God expects that we should rise up in faith and bring an end to every opposition that we face; for it is the shield of faith that quenches every fiery trial of the wicked one (Ephesians 6:16).

The way that we escape these fiery trials is to submit to God and resist the devil. Peter also said that we are to resist the devil, "firmly in the faith knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished by your brethren who are in the world" (1 Peter 5:9).

The Psalmist said, "many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all" (Psalms 34:19). James said, "Blessed is the man who endures temptation for after that he is tried he shall receive a crown of life which fades not away" (James 1:12). Jesus said, "in this world you shall have tribulation but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Because Jesus overcame we are also able to overcome through His divine power.

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Nov 8 2006

1 Peter 4:17 - "Because the time of judgment has begun from the house of God and if first from us what shall the end of the disobedient be who do not follow the gospel of God?"

The prophet Ezekiel described how God's judgment begins at His sanctuary. The ones who have been given the responsibility to oversee the house of God are those who are judged first (Ezekiel 9:6). The judgment that is referred to here by Peter has already begun among God's people. This judgment not only began with the house of Israel 2,000 years ago but is also ongoing today. Paul says that if we are chastened then we are judged of God so that we will not be condemned with the world (1 Corinthians 11:32).

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Nov 7 2006

1 Peter 1:14-16 - "As obedient children not conforming to the former desires in your ignorance. But according to His holy calling you shall also be Holy in all conversation. Because it has been written, Be Holy because I am Holy."

The call to Holiness is an absolute in both the New Testament and the Old Testament (Leviticus 11:44; 19:2; 20:7, 26). Everything that God redeemed in both covenants became holy and He demanded then and now that we remain holy.

God ordained from the very beginning that men should be holy and without blame before Him (Ephesians 1:4; 5:27; Rev 22:11). Father desires that we be consecrated to the realm of His righteousness and purity - which is the realm of life and truth. He has washed away our filthiness with the blood of Jesus and empowered us by His Holy Spirit to be exactly what He created us to be: holy even as He is Holy.

It is important to remember that Holiness is something that we have because we have His indwelling presence. As we walk in His presence we walk in Holiness.

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Nov 6 2006

Colossians 3:10 - "And being endued with the new which is renewed unto a full knowledge after the image of the One who created him."

God's predetermined plan was that we be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18). When we were created in Christ Jesus having been made a new creature, God endued us with the ability to walk in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24; 2:10; Hebrews 12:14).

The most important issue that confronts the believer today is holiness. It is absolutely imperative that those who call themselves the people of God lay hold on the power of godliness.

At the end of our church services and devotions there should be the manifestation and witness of the enduing power of God to walk uprightly. There should be the awesome awareness of the presence and purity that causes us to live consecrated to the ways of the Most High. If these fruits do not exist in our lives then there is something terribly wrong; for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, who is Holy by name, are the sons of God. If we are not allowing God to lead us into all the ways of His Holiness then we must ask ourselves if we are ready for heaven.

It is time for the people of God to rise up in total surrender to the Holy Spirit so that the name of the Lord is no longer polluted in the earth through the unrighteous behavior of His people (2 Timothy 2:19; Isa 48:11). It is important to remember that the Lord Jesus said that those who hear of the word but do not do it are like men without a foundation (Matthew 7:26; Luke 6:49; Luke 8:21; James 1:23).

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Nov 4 2006

1 Peter 4:11 - "If anyone speaks then as an oracle of God if anyone ministers then as from out of the strength which God directs that in all things God may be glorified through Christ Jesus to whom be the glory and might unto the ages of the ages amen."

Every thing that we do should bring glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who we shall worship and adore throughout all eternity. The noted Greek scholar A.T. Robertson describes the meaning of oracle (logia) as the utterances of God through Christian teachers.

Paul said that when he ministered he would do so by the activity of the Spirit through revelation, or knowledge, or prophecy, or by doctrine (1 Corinthians 14:6). Paul also said that when he preached it would not be with the words of man's wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and power (1 Corinthians 2:4). When God endued the saints with the power of the Holy Spirit, the first thing that happened was that the Holy Spirit took over what they were saying (Acts 2:4). When Peter spoke to the great crowd of people that had gathered that day, he did so by the power of the Holy Spirit. For the first time the true meaning of the passage of scripture in Joel 2:28-32 was set in its proper context. Through this mighty display of the power of the Holy Spirit speaking through men, God was glorified through Jesus Christ and 3,000 souls were added to the Kingdom (Acts 2:41).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Nov 3 2006

Ephesianns 4:24 - "And be endued with the new man which is created after God in righteousness and true holiness."

The new man is the same as the new creation of 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Galatians 6:15. It is clearly God’s desire to equip us with a new identity of ourselves. He wants us to see ourselves as His children, and so He says that we are to be born from above (John 3:3), born of the Spirit (John 3:5), born of Word of God (1 Peter 1:23), and born of the resurrection (1 Peter 1:3). The new man is the miracle of the new birth. The new man possesses the nature of God, a divine nature (2 Peter 1:5). It is through this newness of life that we are empowered to walk as the sons of God (Romans 6:4; John 1:12; Romans 8:16; Colossians 3:9).

The new man has a new and pure heart, a new spirit, a purified soul and body that is the temple of God. As the workmanship of God, we have been made a holy dwelling place for God to live in (Ephesians 2:10; Ezekiel 36:26-27; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Matthew 5:8; 1 Ti 1:5; 2 Ti 2:22; Heb 10:22; 1 Peter 1:22).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Nov 2 2006

Ephesians 4:23 - "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind."

God desires that we think differently about ourselves. If we continue to think of ourselves as anything less than co-inheritors with Christ then we are not thinking according to God's plan. Through the weapons of our warfare we are able to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4). By the power of the new man, the former behavior and the lust may be laid aside so that we can walk in God's image.

The corollary scripture in Colossians 3:10 informs us that we have been renewed in knowledge after the image of God. To continue to view oneself as weak, carnal, and unable to please God is the wrong way to think. We are to move in faith and say as Mary did, "be it unto me according to your word." If we are unwilling to obey God and think of ourselves as new creatures who are called to the fullness of the maturity of Christ then surely we will never realize such maturity and will find ourselves being tricked and mislead by deceivers (vs.14).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Nov 1 2006

Acts 1:3 - "To whom also He presented Himself alive by many convincing proofs after He had suffered being seen by them for forty days and speaking concerning the Kingdom of God."

Jesus continually presented the message of the Kingdom of God throughout the period of His earthly ministry. Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven 87 times. The first thing that Jesus said about the Kingdom of God was that it had to have first place in our lives if we wanted to be blessed, "seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all of these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). Jesus testified that His power over all of the works of the devil was proof that the Kingdom of God had come (Matthew 12:28; Luke 8:1; Luke 9:11; 11:20). He also commanded the apostles and the seventy others whom He sent to demonstrate the authority of the Kingdom of God. They did so by exercising dominion and authority over every oppressing power of darkness that had afflicted man with devils, sickness, disease, and even death (Luke 9:2; 10:9).

Paul makes known to us that we have been translated from the kingdom of the world into the Kingdom of the Dear Son (Colossians 1:13; 2 Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 2:14). We may understand the Kingdom of God as the realm of the Spirit - the place from which the Lord Jesus Christ reigns supreme and the will and blessings of God are fully realized.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 31 2006

1 Peter 2:11 - "Beloved I exhort you as strangers and sojourners stay away from the lust of the flesh which war against the soul."

The lust of the flesh wars against the soul of the redeemed - it does not rule it. To believe that the lust of the flesh rules the soul is to be defeated before the battle begins. The lust of the flesh, which is the realm of the spirit of disobedience, wars against the soul of the redeemed to subvert and ultimately overthrow the faith of God's people (Ephesians 2:2-3). Satan and demon spirits lost their right to control and rule the appetites of the redeemed child of God. Yet they seek to regain control by tempting the sons and daughters of God even as they did Adam and Eve in the beginning (Genesis 3:1-6).

The noted scholars Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown, explain this war as follows: "As Samson in the lap of Delilah, the believer, the moment that he gives way to fleshly lusts, has the locks of his strength shorn and ceases to maintain that spiritual separation from the world and the flesh of which the Nazarite vow was the type."

The believer must not allow himself to be lured into any form of subjugation to those things which we have been completely delivered from.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 30 2006

John 3:5 - "Jesus answered, with absolute certainty I assure you, without being begotten of water and of Spirit no one is able to enter into the kingdom of God."

To be born of water is more difficult to understand than being born of the Spirit but one thing is for certain they both speak of a spiritual new birth. Nicodemus was not surprised by the expression of being born of water for it had been a practice of the Jews to receive Gentiles as proselytes through water baptism. What did take Nicodemus by surprise was the idea of actually being born from above. God demands a thorough spiritual purification and new creation, which may only be accomplished by the operation of the Holy Ghost.

These two agencies of water and of the Spirit are brought together in the prophecies of Ezekiel "Then I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean. I will cleanse you from all of your defilement and from all your idols. And I will also give you a new heart and I will put a new spirit within you. And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give to you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes; and you shall keep my judgments and do them" (Ezekiel 36:25-27). There are two other applications of water: - one being water baptism a symbol of being baptized into Christ, His body and His death; and the other an allegorical representation of the Word of God (Isa. 55:10-11; Eph. 5:26).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 28 2006

John 3:3 - "Jesus answered and said to him, with absolute certainty I assure you, without being begotten from above no one is able to see the kingdom of God."

To be born from above is to have a miracle birth by the Holy Spirit. Paul calls it the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). Ezekiel described it as a new heart and a new spirit along with the Spirit of God given to the redeemed (Ezek. 36:26). But the most radical description of all is the one given by Jesus when He described the miracle of the new birth as being born all over again.

The only detailed description given to us in the New Testament of someone being born of the Spirit is that of the Birth of Jesus. Matthew says, that Mary "was found with child of the Holy Ghost" (Mt 1:18, 20). Luke records the testimony of the angel Gabriel who said, " The Holy Spirit shall come upon you and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you; therefore, that Holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the son of God" (Luke 1:35).

Now the birth of Jesus was the literal and physical incarnation of the Word into flesh, whereas, He is spiritual born into the heart of the believer. Paul refers to the new creation as "Christ in you the hope of glory" (Col 1:27). John says that He "dwells in us by the Spirit which he has given us" and that, as a result, "greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world" (1 John 3:24, 4:4). Peter says that "we have been born of the incorruptible seed by the Word of God which lives and abides for ever" and that through the activity of God's Grace we were made "partakers of the divine nature" (1 Peter 1:23; 2 Peter 1:5).

Paul also compares this radical transformation of nature to being crucified, buried, and resurrected along with Jesus. Thus the former person or old man is totally destroyed and a new man is raised up with Christ (Romans 6:4, 6; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:12; Ephesians 2:5, 6; Philippians 1:21).

The Greek 'anothen' means both 'again' and 'from above.' There is no Hebrew or Aramaic word of similar meaning with such ambiguity. Although in verse 4 Nicodemus takes Jesus to have meant "again," Jesus' primary meaning in verse 3 is "from above." This is indicated from the parallel in 3:31 as well as from the two other Johannine uses of 'anothen' (19:11,23), (Dean Raymond E. Brown, The Gospel According to John 1-12, page 130).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 27 2006

John 2:11 - "This Jesus did as the beginning of His signs in Cana of Galilee and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed on Him."

There are two dimensions of the glory of God revealed in the Old Testament: First - The visible manifestation of the glory (Hebrew 'kavod') wherein God revealed the majesty of His person. When Moses desired to see the 'kavod' (glory), God showed him a dimension of His own person (Exodus 33:22). Secondly -The invisible manifestation of God's 'kavod' which are acts of His power. Moses when telling the children of Israel that God was going to give them manna said, "In the morning you shall see the glory of God" (Exodus16:7-10).

Both of these two dimensions of the 'kavod' were embodied in the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ. As the incarnate Word He was the express image of the Father and the fullness of God dwelling in man (Hebrews 1:3; John 14:9; Col 1:15). Through the signs and wonders and acts of power, such as, turning the water into wine, Jesus revealed the invisible glory of God (John 14:10; 10:38; 5:19).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 26 2006

John 1:4 - "In Him was the life and the life was the light of man."

Jesus stepped into a dark and chaotic world, one that was empty and desolate and became the only source of light. He was just as the light that God commanded to shine into a desolate and chaotic world in Genesis 1:3.

When the light began to shine into the world in Genesis chapter one, God began to create and make all things new. And as it was for the redemption of the earth, even so, John taught that men must come into the Light by receiving Jesus; otherwise, they walk in the lifeless chaos of darkness. John equates the light of God to the life of God and therefore where there is no light there is no life. He is not only speaking of the light of revelation but more importantly the light of God's presence.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 25 2006
John 1:9 - "The true Light which gives light to every man which comes into the world."

The doctrine of who can be saved finds its support in this verse of scripture. Jesus is the one who gives the light - or the revelation knowledge of God - to everyone who comes into the world. John will testify many times to the fact that God desires all men to be saved by the use of the Greek word "pas" which may be translated all, anyone, everyone, or whosoever. Two examples of John's witness to God's grace are "that all who believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life" and "If I be lifted up I will draw everyone unto me" (John 3:16; John 12:32).

Paul also testifies many times to God's will concerning who can be saved; two examples are "For anyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" and "the Grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men" (Romans 10:13; Titus 2:12). Finally, Peter testifies that the Lord, "is not willing that anyone perish but all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:8).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 24 2006
John 1:51 - "And He said to him I tell you for certain, from now on you will see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

The first chapter of John thoroughly identifies who Jesus Christ was and is today. The 15 titles given to Jesus Christ our Lord in the first chapter of the gospel of John are: The Word, God, The Light, The Only Begotten, the Only Begotten Son, The Only Begotten Son of the Father, Lamb of God, Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, The Son of God, Rabbi, The Messiah, The Christ, Jesus the son of Joseph, King of Israel, and Son of Man.

The first chapter of the Gospel of John establishes that Jesus is the Eternal God and was also the One alongside of God. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all three identified in this chapter. The fact that Jesus is the life and the creator of all things is established here. As the Light, Jesus is the one who gives the revelation of the truth to all men and is also the one who has come to reveal the Father. He is the one who gives to all who will receive the authority to be sons of God. The incarnation and, thus, the virgin birth are established. That Jesus is the author of the New Covenant, the Lamb of God, the Redeemer of man, and the one who came to take the sin of the world away is made known here. He was the one whom the Spirit came upon and remained and the one who is the baptizer of men in the Holy Spirit. The operation of the gifts of the Spirit to open the hearts of men such as Nathaniel is revealed - and, finally, the divine aid and communication of angels to assist Jesus in His ministry.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 23 2006
John 1:13 - "Who not of blood descent neither of a fleshly will nor of man's will but were begotten of God."

This verse of scripture may be regarded as having a dual meaning - both with regard to the birth of Jesus and the miracle new birth of those who believed and were made sons of God. The authority to be sons of God came as a direct result of having be born of God. One of the clues that this verse is referring to the new birth of the believer is the usage of the plural form of the Greek word 'egennethesan' which speaks of more than one person having been begotten of God, "were begotten" (John 3: 3-6).

God has used the most radical terminology possible to make us aware of the absolute transformation of our life and nature which took place when we were born again (1Peter 1:23; 1 John 2:28; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1,4,18). John will use this word again in chapter 3 a total of seven times to describe the essential will of God for everyman to be born of the Spirit (John 3:3,4,5,6,7,8). Everywhere the new birth is mentioned the authority and power given to the saint is also revealed:
1- They are in the Spirit not in the flesh;
2- They do righteousness;
3- They do not sin;
4- They keep themselves;
5- They love as Christ Jesus loves;
6- They overcome the world;
7- The wicked one cannot touch them.

Jesus, who is the eternal God, was miraculously incarnated into flesh and born of a virgin who was genealogically of the house of David. We who were born of flesh are given the privilege to receive a miracle birth by the Spirit and be transformed into a new creation in Christ Jesus.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 21 2006

John 1:33 - "I did not know Him but the One who sent me to baptize in water He said to me, the One that you see the Spirit come down on and remain upon He is the one that will baptize in the Holy Spirit."

John described Jesus as the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit. However, this dimension of Jesus' ministry would not begin until after he was crucified, raised from the dead, ascended and exalted to the right hand of the Father.

Our wonderful Lord and Savior would first destroy the power and domination of sin over man through His death on the cross and then began His ministry of baptizing each believer in the Holy Spirit. The baptism of the Holy Spirit would immerse the believer into the glory and power of the eternal God. It is a terrible tragedy that so many have made this glorious ministry of Jesus a point of debate and contention. The privilege that we have all been given of being endued with the glory and power of God should create in each of us an eager anticipation for the fullness of this glory in our lives. Jesus mentioned this outpouring of His glory on those who would believe, many times. One example of this was when He called out to the general population gathered at Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles and invited them to come and drink of the water that He desired to give them so that "rivers of living water" would flow out of the depths of their lives, "Now this He spoke concerning the Spirit whom they that believe in Him were about to receive, for the Holy Spirit was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified." (John 7:38-39).

After sin and the inspiration of the Satanic realm was stripped off of man God desired to fill men with rivers of divine inspiration so that His very own glory might radiate from the heart and face of the redeemed. Therefore, Jesus told all those who followed Him to tarry in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49).

When Jesus ascended to the Father and was exalted having been given a name that is above all other names He baptized all those who obeyed Him with the Holy Spirit and fire. Peter makes it very clear that the baptism in the Holy Spirit was the sign that Jesus was exalted and thereby associates this outpouring with what John the Baptist had said of Jesus and with what Jesus had said during the Feast of Tabernacles six months earlier, "Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He has poured forth this, which ye now see and hear" (Acts 2:33). Jesus made it very clear that it was a command that His disciples receive this baptism of the Holy Spirit if they were to be his witnesses (Acts 1:4,5,8).

Approximately 20 years after the event of Pentecost Paul is still preaching the same message that John the Baptist had preached. Paul tells those whom he had found at Ephesus of their need for the baptism of the Holy Spirit and repeats what John the Baptist said concerning Jesus. Then when he had laid his hands on them they all began to "speak with tongues and prophesied." I pray that you will hunger and thirst for all that Father desires to bless you with.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 20 2006

John 1:17 - "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."

The definition of grace goes beyond the idea of God's favor and mercy; it extends into every dimension of salvation. It is grace that has brought salvation, it is grace that has brought faith, it is grace that has brought righteousness, it is grace that has brought the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Grace in fact, can be said to be the divine power that empowers us with the ability to do everything that God has called and purposed us to do.

Paul relates a similar message in Galatians 3:21 when he said, "if there had been a law that could have given life then righteousness would have been by the law." The law was weak because it depended upon the ability of man to fulfill it. Even as Abraham could not bring forth the promise of God after his own innate ability, neither could the law impart to man the supernatural ability of the Spirit to become children of God (Romans 8; Galatians 4).

What grace and truth has brought to man is not only in contrast to the law - they define what Jesus produced for all mankind through His redeeming power.

The grace and truth that came by Jesus Christ is revealed by the life changing power that is imparted into a person making them a new creature. Because grace and truth has brought a change of heart grace and truth results in justification. The law could never justify, it could only condemn, because it was powerless to change the heart of man.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 19 2006

John 1:14 - "And the Word became flesh and came and lived with us and we saw His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth."

The Greek word 'sarx,' which means flesh, would not only have been very specific concerning the humanity of God incarnated but would have equally been a strong rebuke to the Gnostics of the time who viewed the flesh as innately evil and unable to contain or express any attributes of God - especially the Divine Person Himself. The Greeks who admired the logos as that which formulated the order or the world aspired to be joined with God through a mystic relationship in the Universe. To them, the idea of encountering the logos of God in flesh was unthinkable. Yet God, in His love and mercy, took on the likeness of sinful flesh and condemned sin in the flesh. The great Grace and Blessing of God can only be viewed with wonder and amazement as Paul said, "Great is the mystery of Godliness; God was manifest in the flesh." (1 Timothy 3:16).

Today, as God's people, we fully embrace this glorious reality that Jesus is come in the flesh. He not only came 2000 years ago when he was born of a virgin named Mary, but He has come into His temple so that we can say, "greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

The Authorized Version translates sarx - flesh 147, carnal 2, carnally minded 1, fleshly 1 time. It occurs in the Septuagint 215 times, and its Hebrew equivalent is "basar." The first occurrence in the Old Testament is in Genesis 2:2 and in the New Testament, Matthew 16:17.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 18 2006

Acts 2:22 - "Men of Israel listen to these words: Jesus of Nazareth a man accredited by God to you through power and wonders and signs which God did through Him in your midst as you yourselves know."

God's divine testimony or accreditation of the ministry of Jesus comes by way of the mighty deeds or miracles called 'dynameis' or 'dunameis' which He did. This is the same power that the disciples were promised in Acts 1:8. This power to do mighty deeds was given so that those who are in bondage to sin, sickness, and poverty might go free. The power to do mighty deeds has been made available to everyone who will believe. The promise was first made to the general audience that John the Baptist addressed when he first spoke of the ministry of Jesus and proclaimed that Jesus would be the one who would baptize in the Holy Spirit and Fire (Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5; Acts 19:4). Jesus said these mighty deeds would follow those who believe as signs (Mark 16:17). These are the same mighty deeds manifested in Steven's life in Acts 6:8, in Philip's ministry in Acts 8:13, and also in Paul's ministry in Acts 19:11.

Today, all one has to do is believe and they will receive the authority to be sons of God. The promise of being endued with the Holy Spirit and power is just as fresh and certain today as it was when Jesus said, "If any man is thirsty let him come to me and drink. He that believes on me as the scriptures have said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:37). The voice of God can still be heard right now saying, "nothing shall be impossible unto you" (Matthew 17:20).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 17 2006

Acts 2: 16 - "But this is that spoken through the prophet Joel. 17 - And it shall be in the last days says God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams. 18 - And upon my male and female servants I will pour out my Spirit in those day and they shall prophesy. 19 - And I will give wonders in the heavens above and signs upon the earth below blood and fire and a cloud of smoke. 20 - The sun shall turn to darkness and the moon to blood before the great day of the Lord comes. 21 - And it shall be that all that call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

This is not an exact quote of what is written in either the Septuagint or the Hebrew Bible (MT). However, the differences are only minor and may be understood in light of the Holy Spirit speaking expressly through Peter of its New Covenant application.

The following is a quote from both the Hebrew Bible and the Septuagint, "And it will happen after this that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your elders will dream dreams your young men will see visions. And also upon the slaves and upon the maidservants in those days I will pour out My Spirit. I will give wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall turn to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and awesome day of YHWH. And it will be that anyone who calls on the name of YHWH will be saved" (Joel 3:1-4).

Peter makes a few initial changes by the Holy Spirit: he changes "after this" to "in the last days" and he adds "says God". Both of these changes result in a clearer picture of the prophecy by establishing that this is an event for the last days and that this was said by God and not merely by a prophet named Joel. Also "your servants" is changed to "my servants", removing the limitation of servants just to the nation of Israel and opening the door to all of God's servants in very nation. Finally, "they shall prophesy" is added underscoring that the effect of the outpouring of the Spirit will be the same for the servants as for the masters. Now this broadened scope of servants would include all men everywhere in every generation (Acts 8,10).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 16 2006
Acts 2:17 - "And it shall be in the last days says God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams."

Father has not withheld any dimension of His glory from anyone. Today His promise of pouring out His Spirit upon all flesh reaches to the unreached people groups of the world as well as the United States of America. All throughout the earth God has poured out His Spirit upon men and women who are preaching just like Jesus preached in Bible days. The knowledge of the Lord shall cover every region of the earth as the water covers the sea.

Please visit the site of Pastor Chris and view the day that Lagos stood still with 3.5 million people present. Click on the link below.

http://www.christembassy.org/GFMNreport/index.htm

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 14 2006

Ephesians 2:8 - "For this saving grace is through faith, the gift of God, and that not of yourselves."

It is emphasized that this faith has no human origin but rather has come to us directly from God as a gift. There is only one faith, and it exists only in the realm of God. God has given us this faith by the supernatural working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Faith takes hold of grace and submits to the power of the Holy Spirit that produces all of the will of God in our lives.

It is not faith that humanity obtains by knowledge, discipline, or works. Rather, the grace that has appeared to all men is received by the act of God's gift that is given to every man (Titus 2:11; Romans 12:3).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 13 2006
Col 2:15 - "Abolishing the law of commandments in ordinances so that in Himself He created of the two one new man, making peace."

Paul calls the law of commandments the "certificate of indebtedness" in Colossians 2:14. These ordinances were abolished and blotted out when Jesus spoiled principalities and powers. The Law of Commandments, which is another name for the Law of Moses, was given to reveal the domination of Sin and its evil effects over man. Now through the power of the blood and death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the power of sin and death has been destroyed.

The testimony of condemnation that is contained within the Law has also been destroyed (2 Corinthians 3:7, 9). When we understand that the Law of Moses was revealed to Paul to be both the Law of Condemnation and the Law of Death we are enabled to understand that it was the witness against man because of his sinful state. Therefore, when the power of sin that dominated man was destroyed, the witness of condemnation against that sin was also destroyed.

God no longer deals with His covenant people as the sons of Adam but rather as His own sons. We are no longer held under the Law of Condemnation but have been brought into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. The relationship is not based upon a man who rebelled and sinned and thus must be condemned but of those who have been made righteous, holy, and pure through Christ Jesus. God interacts with us as heirs and coinheritors with Christ. We have been born of the Spirit and have been joined unto the Lord as part of His family. There is no place for the testimony of condemnation against the new creation which is complete in Christ Jesus.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 12 2006

Col 2:14 - "Wiping out the certificate of indebtedness the degrees that were set against us and took it out of the midst nailing it to the cross."

Certificate of indebtedness is translated from a Greek word that only appears one time in the Greek New Testament. The Greek word 'cheirographon' is defined by the Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains as a word relating especially to financial accounts. One may conclude that Paul is either referring to the Law of God or to the record of man's sin that demanded the just penalty of death in order to clear it.

Now it is a well-established fact that the death of Christ Jesus on the cross was more about removing man's sin and offense than removing the Law of Moses. However, Paul plainly states that Jesus abolished the law at the time of His death as well (Ephesians 2:15). Therefore, we may conclude that Jesus both destroyed the debt of sin and the Law that was the testimony of condemnation against us when He died on the cross. Paul informs us that we are dead to the Law by the body (or crucifixion) of Christ in order that we may come into the New Covenant (Romans 7:4). In fact, Paul reveals that the affliction of sin that worked in us was connected to the law. He made the argument that it was through the revelation of the law that sin was revealed. Therefore, if the law was taken away, sin would also be taken away.

Paul is connecting the law of sin to the law of God. For, in fact, the law of God not only existed to reveal the law of sin but to bring a testimony of condemnation against it. We know that the consequence of man's sin resulted in death and thus the law of death began to govern mankind (Romans 5:12-15).

Yet Paul takes it one step further and reveals that the subsequent Law of Moses was also connected to the law of death. But now through the New Covenant the Law of sin and death has been replaced by the law of the Spirit of life that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:3).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 11 2006

Colossians 2:14 - "Wiping out the certification of indebtedness, the opinions that were set against us and raised it from the midst nailing it to the cross."

The Greek word ‘exaleipho’ may be translated wiped out or destroyed. It first appears in the Septuagint in Genesis 7:4 when God revealed to Noah that he was going to destroy all of the inhabitants of the earth. It translates the Hebrew word ‘machah’ which means to erase, wipe out, or destroy. The Hebrew word ‘machah’ also translates the primary Greek word for ‘forgiveness’ in the New Testament ‘aphesis.’

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 10 2006

Colossians 2:13 - "And you being dead in the trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh He has made you alive together with Him having pardoned all our trespasses."

The uncircumcision of the flesh describes the spiritually dead state of man dominated by sin. Paul gives a thorough explanation of this spiritual condition in Roman’s chapter 5 and 7. Because of the domination of sin over the nature and appetites of man, all unredeemed are dead in their trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1,5). Through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus the nature of sin is cut away like the foreskin of the flesh at the time of circumcision. Thus the power of sin is excised being permanently removed by the activity of God’s faith. Because of God’s grace, the mark or the new covenant is witnessed in our hearts by the inscription of the nature of God (Romans 8:4; 2 Cor 3:3; 2 Peter 1:5).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 9 2006

Colossians 2:12 - "Being buried with him by baptism in whom also you are raised up through the activity of the faith of God which raised Him from the dead."

This refers to baptism into the death and identity of Christ and not water baptism. Paul makes it clear that the act of baptism is associated with the burial of Christ (Gal 3:27; Romans 6:4). Therefore, we may regard baptism as descriptive of one's total immersion into the identity of Christ both in crucifixion, death, buria,l and resurrection - a miracle that takes place by the activity of God's faith (Galatians 2:20; 6:14).

The Greek word 'baptismos' is found four times in the New Testament and should be rendered 'baptism' every time. Although 'baptismos' only occurs 4 times in the New Testament, its root word 'baptizo' occurs 80 times. The first time that the word 'baptizo' occurs in the Septuagint is in 2 Kings 5:14 and is translated by the Hebrew word 'tabal.' It is used in 2 Kings 5:14 in the story of Naaman to describe what he was to do in order to be made clean of his leprosy (dip seven times in the Jordan).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 7 2006
Ephesians 2:2 - “According to that which you once walked in the course of this world according to the ruler the authority of the atmosphere, the spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience.”

The “spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience” is the demonic realm which has dominated men since the day that Adam sinned. The spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience is opposite of the Holy Spirit that works in the sons of God. This spirit of the world is the same power which Paul spoke of in Romans as “the motions of sins,” and “sin that dwells in me” (Romans 7:17); the power of sin entered into the world through Adam’s transgression and then passed upon all men (Romans 5: 12). Jesus was manifested to destroy the works of the devil and for all those who will believe in the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, this power and dominion of the Satanic realm has been destroyed (1 John 3:5; John 12:31; Hebrews 2:14). Jesus conquered Satan and now the church is commissioned to enforce His conquest.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 6 2006

1 Peter 1:14 - “As obedient children not conforming to the former desires in your ignorance.”

The former desires are those desires that ruled the passions before the new birth. The former desires are inspired by the god of this world, the spirit that works in the children of disobedience. Satan attacks the child of God and attempts to impose his desires upon them. The satanic desire is expressed by all that is in the world: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. However, the Holy Calling has not only called us to be totally separate from all these things but has empowered us with the desires of the Father.

As we yield to the Holy Spirit the joy and wellsprings of holiness flow out of us as rivers of living water. We find ourselves having only one desire and that is to please the Father. His ways become our ways and His desires our desires. In this realm of Holy Spirit inspiration we are called to resist the devil steadfast in the faith and not allow those former desires to have any place in our lives.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 5 2006

1 Peter 4:18 - “And if the righteous are barely saved where will the ungodly and sinners appear?”

Certainly, the idea of the righteous being barely saved must be understood in the light of God’s absolute Holiness and Purity. It also should result in a sobriety in the believer to realize the urgency of our need for God’s mercy and protection in the midst of a wicked and perverse world. Upon hearing that the “righteous are barley saved” we should be left with a certainty that there is no room to justify any sort of compromise with sin and ungodliness.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 4 2006

Acts 20:28 - "Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as overseer to shepherd the church of God which He purchased though His own blood."

Paul issues a command and a warning to the Pastors, they must be on guard against the violent predators that are ready to destroy what God has purchased with His own blood. In this one verse the Pastor of a church is called shepherd and overseer and carries the unique responsibility of being the one given charge to protect that which God owns. If the Pastors should fail to be vigilant then violent wolves would creep in and destroy the flock.

When we recognize the role of the church not only as the light of the world but as The Cooperate body of Christ and fullness of God we may then come to realize the priority that the demonic realm has given to its destruction. Although a boundary has been set so that the gates of hell cannot prevail against the church, the craft of Satan can render it ineffective unless there are vigilant shepherds. The direction in which the shepherds are to lead the flock of God is not a subjective one but one clearly revealed by the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Anything that would disrupt or challenge that direction must be regarded as a predator of God's sheep and dealt with accordingly.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 3 2006

1 Peter 5:2 - "Shepherd the flock of God among you taking the oversight not of necessity but voluntarily according to God and not eager for base gain but freely."

The Shepherd of any flock has four basic responsibilities: to provide food and water for the flock, to protect the flock against predators, to keep the flock from injuring itself, and to treat wounds and diseases that may threaten the flock. The most important of these four is the supply of food and water. God leads His sheep into green pastures that are beside still waters. It is our responsibility as the minister of the Lord Jesus Christ to cooperate with the Holy Spirit so that the people of God are led into the glory and presence of God. If we take seriously the call of God on our lives we will always be watchful against anything that would attempt to prevent God's flock from walking into ever-increasing realms of His glory to which we are called.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Oct 2 2006

1 Corinthians 14:40 - "And let all things be done decently and in order."

The Church is the place where we assemble ourselves to hear God speak. The only way that we are going to hear God speak in our assemblies is if those who are gather know how to yield to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The church is not a place for everyone to share their ideas and opinions, it is a sacred place where an ever-increasing manifestation of the power and glory of God should be revealed. Anything that disrupts the sacred activity of the Holy Spirit or creates confusion is out of order. If an individual is not speaking by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit then what they are saying should have little to no place in the context of the church.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Sept. 30

Daily Bread

Hebrews 4:2 - "For the gospel was also preached to us as well as unto them, but the word did not benefit them that heard not being mixed together with faith in them that heard."

Everyone runs the risk of hearing the word of God but not hearing faith. There were those around Jesus who heard Him preach by the Spirit but refused to believe. Because of their traditions or the hardness of their heart the things that He spoke never rang true. Even though there was a crowd of people around Jesus, only one woman had confidence that if she touched Jesus she would be made whole (Matthew 9:20). At the very heart of faith is trust, a trust that is inspired by the expression of God’s love and care for His people. Israel saw the demonstration of God’s love but they never came to a place where they would fully trust Him.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread

Romans 10:17 - "You see faith is by hearing and hearing by the word of God."

Knowing that the hearing of faith produces the miracle of salvation, we also know that the hearing of faith takes place by the preaching of the word (Galatians 3:2; Romans 10:14). When the word is preached God is present to inspire and supply faith (Ephesians 2:8; Romans 12:3). However, if we do not respond to the simplicity of the word of God then nothing will happen. One of the great examples of this interaction between the word of God and the heart of man may be observed between Peter and Jesus. All that was necessary for Peter to walk on the water was that he hear the word. When he responded to the word of the Lord he entered into the miracle of faith that empowered him to walk in the miracle of walking on the water.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread

Galatians 3:2 - "I only want to learn this from you; did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by the hearing of faith?"

If we are going to function in the realms of faith, which is the supernatural activity of the Spirit of God, then we must learn to hear faith. This, in fact, is something that every person who has been born of God has experienced because it was the hearing of faith that caused you to respond to God and experience the new birth. It was as simple as hearing the word of God being preached and then acting on that word of God that resulted in the miracle. If we are going to work miracles by the Spirit then it will be in the same way that we were born of the Spirit (Galatians 3:5). God speaks to us by His word and inspires us by His Spirit and then we do what He says for us to do. We speak out the miracle of God by confessing the Lord Jesus Christ with our mouth. We speak with our mouths and believe in our hearts and then the miracle takes place. From the miracle of salvation to the miracle of signs and wonders - it is all the results of hearing faith.

The way that we participate with God and receive the miracle is summed up in Romans 10:9-10; “That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and will believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread
Romans 8:39 - “Neither heights nor depths nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

It is Christ Jesus who is the author and finisher of our salvation, and He is committed to our perfection. It is God who is both willing and doing of His own good pleasure in us and He will keep us by His own power if we are willing to walk with Him (Philippians 1:13; 1 Peter 1:5; Ephesians 1:5-6). Who could possibly be left out of the plan and purposes of God if they are only willing? For truly the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are at work on our behalf.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread

Romans 8:29 - “Who knowing beforehand and having predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son that He might be the first-born among many brethren."

The calling and purpose for which God has predestined all who will believe is to be in every way just like Jesus (Isaiah 60:1; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10; Galatians 1:15-16; John 17:22; 1:16). Jesus is the express image of the Father, and we were created in Christ Jesus to be conformed to His image (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus is the pattern Son, He is God’s example that is set before us, and we are called to live and to overcome even as He did (1 Peter 2:21- 22; 1 John 2:29; 3:7; 4:17; Revelation 3:21). It is the Spirit of the Son that has come into our hearts that imparts the divine power and authority to walk in the image of the only begotten Son, Christ Jesus. God desires absolute conformity - will you participate? All we must do is to yield to the Spirit of Grace and God will do the work.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread

Romans 8:23 - "And not they alone but we also who have the first-fruits of the Spirit we also ourselves groan with it eagerly awaiting the adoption, the redemption of our body."

Although the body is the temple of God and has been made holy it is still corruptible and must die according to the divine sentence of God in Genesis chapter 3 (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 6:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). The redemption of the body therefore refers to the resurrection from the dead wherein the body becomes immortal and incorruptible (1 Corinthians 15:12-48; 2 Corinthians 5:1-11).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Sept. 23

Daily Bread

Romans 8:21 - “Also because the creation herself shall be liberated from the bondage of the corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”

The glorious liberty or glorious freedom that creation will also once again enjoy has already been provided for the redeemed. Redemption has brought us out of darkness into His marvelous light to enjoy His glory and presence. Some day soon creation also will be freed from the effects of sin and death. Just as those of us who have been redeemed from the law of sin and death, and are living in the glorious liberty of the Spirit of life that is in Christ Jesus, so also all creation will enjoy this freedom. This will take place when the last enemy "death" will be destroyed and there will be no more corruption and dyeing in all creation (1 Corinthians 15:26; Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:1,4; 2 Peter 3:10).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread

Romans 8:20 - “For the creation was subjected to futility not willingly but because of Him who subjected it in expectation.”

God did not subject the creation to a meaningless existence of life with all of its labor and hardship to ultimately die without hope and return to the dust. God made a promise of a redeemer and a restoration of all things through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It would be through the reshaping of the inward man by redemption that God would raise up an eternal man by the resurrection. The Greek word ‘elpis’ is translated expectation instead of hope because the meaning of expectation conveys a greater degree of confidence than that of hope and because the meaning of ‘elpis’ is accurately related by the word ‘expectation.’

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread

Romans 8:16 - “The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”

The spirit of the redeemed person is made new and God has also put His Spirit within us, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26)." Therefore, the Holy Spirit gives witnesses to everyone who has received a new spirit that they are the sons of God. When we are born of the Spirit we become spirit and when we are joined unto the Lord by the new birth we are made one Spirit with the Lord (John 3:6; 1 Corinthians 6:17).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread

Romans 8:15 - “You have not received back the spirit of bondage to fear but you have received the spirit of adoption in which you cry out Abba Father.”

The spirit of adoption is the opposite of the spirit of bondage. Instead of fear governing man, the security and comfort of the Spirit of God dominates the consciousness of the redeemed - insomuch that the saints call God their own personal father. We may understand more fully what the spirit of adoption is from Galatians 4:5 which reveals to us that it is the Spirit of the Son, or the Holy Spirit, that came into our hearts at the time of the new birth.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Sept. 19

Daily Bread

Romans 8:13 - “For if we live after the flesh we are about to die but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you shall live.”

The Greek word ‘praxtis’ may be translated ‘function, activities, deeds’ implying sustained activity as in Romans 12:4, “and all these parts have different functions.” Now Paul uses this word to describe all the possible activities that can take place in the mortal body. He is dealing with every activity or function of the body whether it is sin, sickness, or disease. It must be remembered in understanding the message of this text that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, it belongs to the Lord, it is blameless, it is the place that God is to be glorified, and it is not the residing place of sin (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:13,18,19,20; 2 Corinthians 6:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; James 2:26). Sin and the consequence of sin, which are sickness and disease, have no right to have any control over the mortal body (Romans 6:12). In fact, we are instructed to put all of these things to death by the Spirit. As much as Israel was commanded to put to death anyone who committed high treason against God, the new testament saint is instructed to put to death sin, sickness, and disease that would attempt to enter the body. We may view ourselves in some respects as both the temple and the temple guards. It was the responsibility of the temple guards to ensure that no one brought anything into the temple that would defile or profane the temple.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Sept. 18

Daily Bread

Romans 8:12 - “Indeed then brethren we are not in debt to the flesh to live after the flesh.”

One who is in debt or a debtor is one who is in bondage or under obligation to another to work for them to clear their debt. They are not free to pursue their own interests and live their own lives until that debt is paid. Those who are in Christ Jesus have no debt. All of our debt has been paid in full by Jesus Christ and now we are no longer under any obligation to the powers of darkness nor a sin cursed world.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Sept. 16

Daily Bread

Romans 8:11 - "And if the Spirit that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you the one that raised up Christ from the dead shall also make alive your body that is subject to death through the Spirit of Him that dwells in you."

God subjected all mankind to death because of Adam’s sin. This subjugation to death as it relates to man’s physical body is emphasized by the Greek adjective ‘thnetos’ which means ‘mortal’ or ‘subject to death’ or ‘bodies which will die.’ The same one who subjected us to death in hope of the resurrection has made provision for us to receive divine health through the working of His Spirit that dwells in us (1 Corinthians 12:7-10; Acts 19:11-12). While it is true that once our bodies die they will be raised up from the dead; it is equally true that when we become sick God has provided a means of healing by the Holy Spirit. In these verses, the subject is the current state of our body which is viewed as now being dead even though we are living. The dead state of our bodies is contrasted to the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. Thus, the making alive of our mortal bodies now refers to the healing of the body from disease and sickness.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Sept. 15

Romans 8:9 - "And you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ this one is not His."

Paul makes it absolutely clear to the saints that they are not in the flesh. The definition and proof that a person is not in the flesh is that the Spirit of God dwells in them. In order to make it perfectly clear concerning who has the Spirit of God dwelling in them Paul makes it known that he is referring to the Spirit of Christ. These are those who are in Christ because of the spiritual birth. When Jesus was talking to Nicodemus about the new birth He said, “that which is born of the flesh is flesh but that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit” (John 3:6). John described those who are born of the Spirit and made sons of God as being those that were, “not born of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man but of God”, (John 1:13). Obviously, Paul is not referring to a natural human body when he uses the word flesh. He is speaking of the unredeemed who have not been born of the Spirit. The argument therefore goes that since we have been born of the Spirit we are led and governed by the Spirit and, therefore, are no longer prisoners to realm of condemnation - nor are we dependent on human ability to please God.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread

Romans 8:1 - "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit."

One of the ways that we can understand the meaning of "flesh" is human ability. Mankind through his own human ability cannot fulfill the promises of God. An example of this is given in Galatians chapter four: Abraham attempted to fulfill the promise of God through his own human ability (4:23, 29). We know that Abraham did not stagger at the promises of God, but at one point he thought that he would be able to fulfill God's promises through his own ability, and, therefore, took his concubine Hagar to wife (Romans 4:20). It is this same human ability that is addressed in verse 3 as the reason for the Law being weak. The Law was powerless to impart the life or the Spirit of God, and, therefore, it was dependent upon man's human ability and discipline to fulfill the righteousness of God (Galatians 3:21). Jesus told Nicodemus, the ruler of the Jews, that those who had been born of the flesh were flesh (earthly or natural). Therefore, flesh may be understood as the natural human ability or "self" to which Jesus said He could do nothing by, "I can of my own self do nothing" and to which Paul said he knew nothing by and to which we are all commanded to deny (John 5:29; 1 Corinthians 4:4; Matthew 9:32). It is this natural life that was subjected to death and condemned under a penalty of eternal death because of Adam's transgression. It was also to this flesh or earthly existence that the Word was made, thereby, becoming the sin offering for all of mankind. Jesus suffered in the flesh and we are commanded to arm ourselves with the same mind (1Peter 4:1-2). So as Jesus was subject to temptation and suffered being tempted but did not yield, we ourselves are to be partakers of the same (Hebrews 2:18; 5:8). Having been renewed and restored to the glory of God by the Spirit we are empowered to resist the devil and abstain from fleshly lusts which war against our soul. Now that we have been born of the Spirit and clothed with the glory of God we are empowered to live a life free from sin.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread

Romans 8:7 - "In as much as fleshly thinking is opposed to God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed is it able."

God desires us to think in a totally different way than we have learned from our natural experiences. He desires us to believe and expect the supernatural things that He has revealed to us in His word. Those things that God desires us to think and do have not been revealed through man's wisdom and experience. What God has for us cannot be received or accomplished through human insight and ability. It is only by the Spirit that we are able to do the things that please God. The things of the Spirit are so different from what human experience dictates that they are foolish to the man who only thinks in the realm of human ability (1 Corinthians 2:14). God desires to show us things by His Spirit which eyes have not seen, nor ears heard, neither has ever entered into the heart of man. God operates in a spiritual, unseen world from which the mouths of lions are stopped, and the violence of fire has no power. This is the spiritual realm where Jesus our Lord turned the water into wine, walked on the water, and raised the dead. It is the realm of faith where righteousness is victorious over all sin and disobedience. The realm of the Spirit is the realm taught to us by the word of God where we learn to be led by the Spirit of God. It is only in this realm that we can please God.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread

Romans 8:4 - "That the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit."

Paul provides insight to the facts regarding the righteousness of the Law and man's inability to walk in it in Romans chapter 7. He proves that those who were depending upon the Law for righteousness were, in reality, under the law of sin and death and, therefore, unable to fulfill the righteousness of the Law. Paul argues that the Law was just, good, and holy but that those attempting to keep the Law were themselves sold under sin, and, as a result, the law of sin was at work in their members (Romans 7:14, 21, 22, 23, 25 also 5:14, 17, 21). Now through the new birth which has brought the believer into Christ Jesus and, thus, into the life of the Spirit, the righteousness of the Law is fulfilled through God's divine ability at work in us. The righteousness of the Law is fulfilled because the believer does not depend upon human ability dominated by the law of sin but the Spirit of God reigning over the new creation in Christ Jesus. Now that the curse of the law of sin and death has been broken and the Spirit of God has come into the life of the believer, sin has no more dominion. The child of God has been lifted beyond their strength and human discipline to the realm of the operation of Holy Spirit who is at work in their members (Romans 6:4-14).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread

Romans 8:3 - "For the Law was powerless in that it was weak through the flesh God sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin condemned sin in the flesh."

Although the Word, Jesus Christ, became flesh; He did not become sinful flesh (John 1:14; 1 Peter 2:22; 4:1-2). The flesh of Jesus Christ was absolutely sinless, He never one time sinned and thus condemned or pronounced sentence against sin being in the flesh. It is important to distinguish between the flesh of human ability and natural limitation and the flesh of a sinful nature. Sinful flesh refers to the depraved and wicked nature which is a condition of man because of Adam's sin (Romans 5:12-21). It is the same as the spirit of the world that works in the children of disobedience which is also all that is in the world: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life (Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 2:). The sinful flesh is the Old Man that was put to death by the death of Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:4-6). It is a realm belonging wholly to the god of this world the prince and power of the air, the spirit that works in the children of disobedience (Ephesians 2:3; Galatians 5:19). Sinful flesh is the state of the unredeemed man dominated by the sinful nature or fleshly lust and the works of the devil (1 Peter 2:11; 1 John 2:16; 3:8). Jesus was made like us so that we could be born again and made like him. And now we are not of this world even as He is not of this world (John 17:14,16).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread

Acts 2:1 - "And in the day that Pentecost was fulfilled everyone had one passion before Him."

The Greek word 'homothumadon,' translated passion, is a compound of two words meaning to "rush along" and "in unison." This compound word literally means with the 'same passion' or 'same fierceness.' "The image is almost musical; a number of notes are sounded which, while different, harmonize in pitch and tone. As the instruments of a great concert under the direction of a concert master, so the Holy Spirit blends together the lives of members of the church of Christ" (James Strong). The intensity of this word serves to communicate both the commitment and excitement that united them as they waited for the Promise of the Father. Of the 12 times that this word is found in the New Testament, 11 of them are in the book of Acts. This word helps to communicate the dedication that those in the church had for one another. In their passion of love and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ, they were one. Through this scripture God has shown to us the model of what He expects if we are to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and Fire in our meetings.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread

1 Peter1:22 - "Whom having purified your souls by the obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love, love one another fervently from a pure heart."

In order to cooperate with God we must know His will. His will is expressed to us by His word. However, if our hearts are hard and callous against God then we cannot be subject to His word. The unredeemed person has a stony and callous heart which is described by the prophet Ezekiel when he announced what God would do to change the heart: "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them" (36:26-27). When a person is born of the Spirit and of the Word they receive a new heart that is sensitive and yielded to God (Colossians 2:11; Romans 2:2). God writes His words on these fleshly tables of our heart so that we may know them, be inspired by them, and sensitive to them (2 Corinthians 3:3). It is His word that builds us up and give us an inheritance among all the saints (Acts 20:32). It is His word that strengthens, quickens, and causes us to grow (Hebrews 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). We must recognize that sin hardens the heart and makes it hard against the word of God. However, through an obedient and submissive heart to the Holy Spirit we are able to lay aside all of those things that oppose us. Through a new and sensitive heart toward God we are able to receive the fresh nourishment of the word that causes us to grow and mature (Hebrews 3:13; Psalms 66:18).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread

1 Peter 1:14-15 - "As obedient children not conforming to the former desires in your ignorance. But according to His holy calling you shall also be Holy in all conversation."

The former desires are those desires that ruled the passions before the new birth. The former desires are inspired by the god of this world, the spirit that works in the children of disobedience. Satan attacks the child of God and attempts to impose his desires upon them. The satanic desire is expressed by all that is in the world: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. However, the Holy Calling has not only called us to be totally separate from all these things, but has also empowered us with the desires of the Father. As we yield to the Holy Spirit, the joy and wellsprings of holiness flow out of us as rivers of living water. We find ourselves having only one desire, and that is to please the Father. His ways become our ways and His desires our desires. In this realm of Holy Spirit inspiration we are called to resist the devil steadfast in the faith and not allow those former desires to have any place in our lives.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread

Ephesians 1:18 - "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened to know His calling which is your confidence and which is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the holy ones."

The notion of "His calling" conveys a profound meaning; for we know from Hebrews 3:1 that His calling is a heavenly calling and from 2 Timothy 1:9 that it is a holy calling. The calling is to represent Jesus, to be His ambassadors, and to stand in His place. We have been called to be His witnesses which necessitates being endued with power from On High. His calling is a call for us to stand in the place of Jesus Christ and minister to mankind just as His only begotten Son Jesus did. We have been called to cast out devils, to lay hands on the sick, and proclaim the day of deliverance to all mankind. We are called not only to do the works that Jesus did but even greater works (John 14:12). This holy calling that we have been called unto is one that demonstrates that Jesus abolished death with all of its pain, sickness, sin, and suffering and has brought life and immortality into the brilliantly visible light of heaven so that all mankind might see that Jesus is Lord over all things and through His mighty redeeming power has destroyed the works of the devil (2 Timothy 1:9; 1 John 3:8). The Holy Spirit has come to make known to us all that Jesus has supplied to us (John 16:12-15). It is only by the revelation of the Spirit that we are able to know these things that eyes have not seen, nor ears heard, nor has entered into the heart of man (1 Corinthians 2: 9-10). I pray that you will be filled with this wisdom and revelation today!

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread
John 3:8 - "The Spirit breathes out where He wills and His voice you hear but you do not know where He comes from and where He is going, so are those who are begotten by the Spirit."

The Greek word, 'pneuma,' is found both at the beginning and at the end of this verse. One of the important issues under consideration is that as the Spirit is so are those begotten by the Spirit. Now it would make no sense at all if for the sake of consistency pneuma was translated wind for then as the wind is so are those begotten of the wind. Although 'pneuma' can be translated wind, of the 360 times that it occurs in the New Testament it never means wind. There is no reason to translate pneuma, wind even though it may be translated both wind and spirit. The Latin version also translates 'pneuma' as "Spirit" in this verse. The Holy Spirit is not only the subject of this passage He is the one who we are begotten by. The mystery surrounding the Spirit's activity also surrounds those begotten of Him, for as the world cannot know Him neither can the world know those begotten of Him (John 14:17; 17:14; 1 John 4:17). In support of this translation is Green's Literal Translation by JP Green Sr., "The Spirit breaths where he desires and you hear His voice; but you do not know from where He comes, and where he goes - so is everyone who has received birth from the Spirit."

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread
1 John 3:9-10 - "Everyone who has been begotten of God does not sin because His seed abides in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God. In this is manifested the children of God and the children of the devi: everyone who does not act righteously is not of God, neither is he who loves not his brother."

The seed or word of God produces a new spirit and heart within the believer (Ezekiel 36:26; John 3:5,6). The new spirit and the new heart that we have received are joined unto the Lord Jesus. It is the Spirit and nature of Christ Jesus that is formed in us through the new birth (Colossians 1:27, Ephesians 3:17; 1 John 3:24, Romans 8:9,10; 13:14; Galatians 3:27; 4:19; Ephesians 2:10; 1 John 4:4). It is because of the new birth that the divine nature resides in us. It is His nature that produces the ability to please God and empowers us with the ability to escape the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:5; Ephesians 4:24). Paul makes a similar connection between Christ Jesus and the word proving that the word of God is in our heart and in our mouth (Romans 10:8). As those begotten of God and ruled by the Spirit of God, the word of God, and Christ Jesus, we cannot sin. As John previously said, the anointing that we have received of Him teaches us to abide in Him, and abiding in Him will only produce righteousness (1 John 2:27). So long as we remain submitted and yielded to His rulership we will find ourselves enjoying His abundant life of purity, joy, righteousness, and peace. In reality, abiding in the word and keeping the word are one in the same. Those who keep His word have the love of God perfected in them (1 John 2:5). Abiding in the word, doing righteousness, and loving the brethren are reemphasized in the following two verses. We may understand from both the preceding and following verses that those who are born of God cannot hate their brethren.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread

1 John 3:9 - "Everyone who has been begotten of God does not sin because His seed abides in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God."

The Greek word 'sperma' which is translated "seed" is used to represent the word of God. Another very familiar scripture that uses this Greek word is in the parable of the sower who "went forth to sow seed (sperma)," Matthew 13:24. Similarly, we read in James 1:18 and 1 Peter 1:23 that we were begotten by the word (spora) of God. Understanding the usage of this very potent word 'sperma' both here and in Matthew 13:24 causes us to see that the word of God is the life-giving reproducing power of God at work in us. If we remain in submission to the word of God and the Spirit of God (John 3:6) and walk in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:5, 2 Corinthians 5:17) that we received when we were born of God then we cannot sin. Why? Because in this state of surrender and submission to God we would only do His will. Both the Spirit of God and the word of God only lead us into truth and righteousness. However, this does not negate the fact that we can choose not to be submitted to God's Spirit and word. Because of God's unfailing mercy if we choose to be disobedient and sin then we have a means of forgiveness (1 John 1:9; 2:2).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread

1 John 3:17 - "But he who has this world's living and sees his brother in need and shuts off his inward parts from him, how does the love of God dwell in him."

The Greek word 'splanchna' which is translated "inward parts" here, translates Hebrew words in the Septuagint such as, 'beten', "belly" and 'rechem', "womb". This word is considered to be allegorical in describing the emotions. The KJV translated 'splanchna' as "inward affection" in 2 Co. 7:15. In Philippians 1:8 Paul said, "I long after you all in the splanchna of Jesus Christ". Another similar anatomical word was used in John 7:38 to describe the Holy Spirit flowing out of the belly is the word 'koilia' from which colon is derived. Its usage in classical Greek implies deep passion and emotions. Though some have attempted to distinguish between the allegorical meanings of splanchna (intestines), kolia (belly), and nefros (kidney), it is extremely doubtful whether this is really possible or practical. The semantic focus in the use of these terms is clearly the deeper and more intimate feelings and emotions. What is certain is the realms of God flows forth from the deepest regions of our feelings, living nothing superficial or fake about our actions. We no longer do things out of a legal obligation but are motivated and moved by the Holy Spirit in our deepest desires. In some languages one can use a term, which literally means "belly" or "bowels", but more often than not, these emotions are associated with some particular organ of the body such as heart, spleen, liver, etc. Rather, than attempting to employ a figurative expression which may or may not be fully equivalent, it is often preferable to refer to the emotional content by using terms such as "feelings", "intents", "desires", or "compassion", depending upon the context. (Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains, (New York: United Bible Societies) 1988, 1989.)

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread

1 John 4:17 - "In this the love is perfected within us that we may have confidence in the day of judgment because as He is so are we in this world."

The most yielded state of the heart is being at rest knowing that you are loved. God wants us to know His love. In this state of confidence and faith we will receive everything that Jesus wants to transmit into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. When Father wanted to convince Abraham of the things that He promised He swore an oath to Him. Today, He has even done something greater for us. In order to convince us of His love and commitment to us He sent His only begotten Son to die for us at Calvary. We must respond to His love and accept the fact that He loves us and cares for us so intensely that He spared not His own Son for our sakes. In is essential that we continually recline in the love of God, that we may be "rooted and grounded in love in order to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ that passes knowledge that you might be filled with all of the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:17-19).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread

Acts 8:17 - "At that time they laid their hands upon them and they received the Holy Spirit."

Of the three times that the phrase "lambano pneuma agion" (received the Holy Spirit) is used in the New Testament two of them describe the fact that the recipients of the Holy Spirit received the language of the Spirit (Acts 10:47; 19:2,6). To conclude that the Samaritans were deprived of this same measure and blessing of the Holy Spirit is to step outside of revealed truth on the subject. The experience that the Samaritans had when they received the Holy Spirit was so impressive that Simon the Sorcerer was able to see the working of God's power to the extent that he was willing to pay to have it for himself (8:18). To conclude that what the Samaritans received and what Simon saw was different than the event of Acts 2:4 is to ignore the evidence of God's word. Similarly, the language of the Spirit is not expressly noted concerning Paul in Acts 9:17, yet we know for certain that he was not deprived of the full manifestation of the baptism of the Holy Spirit received by the disciples on the day of Pentecost (see footnote for Acts 9:17). Reception of the Holy Spirit became of such importance to the early church that Paul's first question to the men of Ephesus was "have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed" (Acts 19:2). To the early church the reception of the Holy Spirit was one of the primary testimonies of being a believer, Acts 2:38; 4:31; 6:3, 5; 7:55; 8:15-16, 19; 9:17; 10:44; 11:15-16; 13:9; 19:2. To subjectively alter the precedence set for the gift of the Holy Spirit given in Acts 2:4 is a violation of scripture.The gift of the Holy Spirit was emphasized by Jesus and his apostles and should also be emphasized by us as well: by Jesus - Matthew 3:11; 16:17; Acts 1:5,7,8; John 7:38, 39; Luke 24:49; John 14:16,17, 26; 15:26, 27; 16:13-15.by Apostles and brethren -Acts 2:33, 38; 5:32; 6:3, 5; 7:55; 8:15-16; 9:17; 10:38, 44-45, 47; 11:15-16, 24; 13:4, 9; 15:8; 19:2, 6; Romans 5:5; 14;17; 15: 13, 16, 19; 1 Corinthians 2:4; 12:7-11;14; 2 Corinthians 5:5; Galatians 3:2-5, 14; Ephesians 3:16; 5:18; 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 4:8; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:2; Jude 20).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread

John 15:7 - "If you dwell in me and my words dwell in you then you may ask what you desire and it shall be done for you."

The Greek word 'menein' may be translated "remain, abide, dwell, or stay." We are to let Christ dwell in our hearts by faith and we are to dwell in Him by faith (Ephesians 3:17). Dwelling in Christ is an ongoing commitment to the fact that He is our redeemer who paid the price for our salvation. We, therefore, refuse to doubt in His love and commitment to us and we refuse to doubt our love and commitment to Him. Dwelling in Christ is, in fact, a relationship word. It is a relationship of the highest order because dwelling in Christ speaks of our identity in Him. Being in Christ means, "that as He is in this world so are we," and "for me to live is Christ" (1 John 4:17; Philippians 1:21). In the gospel of John we observe how that it was through the relationship that Jesus had with His Father that He did the mighty miracles (John 11:41; 6:11; 5:19-23). It is through our relationship with Jesus that we are able to "ask what we desire and it shall be done."

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread

Ephesians 2:15 - "Abolishing the law of commandments in ordinances so that in Himself He created of the two one new man, making peace."

Paul calls this the "certificate of indebtedness" in Colossians 2:14 instead of the "the law of commandments in ordinances." In both cases, this was removed through the death of Jesus Christ at the cross. These ordinances were abolished and blotted out when Jesus spoiled principalities and powers. These powers refer to the domination of Satan and his evil effects over man. Now there remains no more sacrifice for sin because Jesus has paid for the sins of man in full with His own blood. To continue on making sacrifices and carrying out the cultic ritual for sin described in the Law is an offense to Christ and an obvious rejection of His redeeming blood. The need for the temple ritual of sacrifices and offerings was brought to an end by Christ Jesus when He died and arose again. The keeping of the law in any form is no longer to be for righteousness, but now all who will believe will possess the righteousness of God that comes by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone.

God has provided a new covenant in Christ Jesus so that both the uncircumcised and circumcised are given the same opportunity. Therefore, God has provided a level playing field where there is neither Jew nor Greek, circumcision nor uncircumcision, but a "new creation" (Galatians 6:15; 5:6; 1 Corinthians 7:19). The new covenant allows all to come boldly into the Holies of Holies which before was forbidden to anyone except the High Priest and that only once a year (Hebrew 10: 19). Both the Jew and the Gentile come to God the same way and there is no difference between them now or in the future. If they are going to walk with God then they must be born from above and made a new creature. When Adam sinned and was separated from God it was not the Law that God desired to restore to man; rather, it was fellowship. The fellowship that God wants to have with man could not come by the Law because the Law could not impart the life of God into man (Galatians 3:21). The Law was just, good, and holy but it could only point out to man his sin nature. Paul speaking of "one new man" certainly refers to the believer becoming partakers with Christ so that we become those who are "in Him" thus establishing in Himself perfect fellowship and union for us. The "one new man" may be understood as a 'single new man' made from both Jew and Gentile. Both are referred to as one new man because all must be in Christ Jesus in order to be saved and established in the new covenant. The one new man may also be understood as the church which is His body. The church has already been mentioned in Ephesians 1:23 and is being alluded to in view of the fact that Jesus is described as the cornerstone of the house that God has built. Therefore, Jesus is both the head from which the whole body (His Church) functions and the cornerstone that holds the whole building (His Church) in place. That which Jesus created in His person from both Jew and Gentile may be understood as the new covenant (2 Corinthians 3:6), the new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), and the new man of Ephesians 4:24, all of which are the glorious newness given in Christ Jesus.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread

Ephesians 4:1- "I call to you myself as the prisoner of the Lord; walk worthy of the calling to which you are called."

There is no other book in the Bible where the calling of God is spelled out in loftier words. Beginning in chapter 1 with the statement "Blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies" to "being filled with all of the fullness of God" in Ephesians 3:19. However, what the believer must learn is that this realm of greatness and glory in Christ Jesus functions through humility and servitude. The fact is that the greatest in the Kingdom is the servant of all. If we are to walk in the heights of God then we must be willing to allow this same mind that was in Christ Jesus to also be in us (Philippians 2:5).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org