Daily Bread - FEB/10/07

Revelation 1:12 - And I turned to see the voice which spoke with me, and having turned I saw seven golden menorahs.

When John turned to see Jesus, he first encountered His church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all things and His representative on the earth. God instructed Moses to make a seven-branched Menorah (Gr-luchnia) which was to be placed in the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:31-37).

The Tabernacle on earth was a figure and representation of the heavenly one which John saw in this vision. A new dimension of meaning was given to the lamps by this revelation. We discover that the churches are symbolized by the menorah. The church is the light of the world as Jesus said "a city set upon a hill that cannot be hid" (Matthew 5:14-16).

The prophet Zachariah saw a similar vision in Zachariah 4:2: the seven-branched Menorah was associated with the fullness of the Spirit of God and with the eyes of Yahoah (Zachariah 4:6, 10). A similar revelation is also drawn out here in the book of Revelation where we observe the seven Spirits indirectly associated with the menorah. The difference is that the church is now revealed, and the seven Spirits are associated directly with the seven churches rather than the menorah.

When we consider the seven Spirits of God, we may either understand it as the fullness of God's Spirit or more specifically as seven attributes of the Spirit. The prophet Isaiah revealed that the Messiah would come in the fullness of the Spirit of God and listed these seven attributes of the Spirit: 1-The Spirit of Yahweh; 2- The spirit of wisdom; 3- The spirit of understanding; 4- The spirit of counsel; 5- The spirit of might; 6- The spirit of knowledge; 7- The spirit of the fear of Yahweh.

God placed the fullness of His Spirit and power in the church insomuch that He refers to the church as the fullness of Him that fills all things (Ephesians 1:23; 1 Corinthians 12:28). It is through the church that God communicates His will and makes Himself known revealing Jesus by His Spirit (John 16:13-15; Colossians 1:18, 24; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27).
Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - FEB/09/07

Revelation 1:7 - Behold He comes with clouds and every eye shall see Him and they which pierced Him. Yes, and all the tribes of the earth shall wail on account of Him amen.

When God came to rescue Israel out of the land of Egypt, He appeared in a cloud, Gr-nephele, (Exodus 13:21-22). When Yahweh God came to speak with Israel so that all of the people could hear His voice, He came in a cloud (Exodus 19:9). When Yahweh God called Moses to come up into the mountain to meet with Him, Moses went up into a cloud (Exodus 24:15-18).

The event that most clearly captivates the fact that the person Yahweh God was actually in the midst of this cloud is found in Exodus 14. When the cloud of God stood between Israel and Egypt to prevent the Egyptians from overtaking the Israelites, Yahweh God looked out of the cloud at the host of the Egyptians.

Evidently, the Egyptians were able to see Yahweh when He poked His head out of the cloud; for the scripture says He caused a destructive panic among the army of the Egyptians (Exodus 14:24). The cloud of God was seen in Israel after Solomon had finished building the temple. His presence so overwhelmed the people that the priest could not perform their priestly duties (2 Chronicles 5:14).

The last time that the glory cloud of God was seen in the Old Testament times was when Jerusalem was overthrown by Babylon (Ezekiel 10:4). When the prophet Daniel prophesied of the last days and the coming of the Messiah, he pictured the Son of man coming with the clouds to the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:13). The cloud of God was not seen again until Jesus went up into the mountain to pray with Peter, James, and John.

The glory cloud overshadowed them, and Yahweh God spoke out of the midst of the excellent glory and said, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" (Mark 9:7; Luke 9:34-35; 2 Peter 1:17). The cloud of God is associated with the return of the Lord Jesus at the time of the first resurrection and the catching away of the church and also at His second coming (Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Matthew 24:30; 26:40; Mark 13:26;14:26; Luke 21:27).

Be ready,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - FEB/08/07

Revelation 1:6 - And has made us kings and priests to God and His Father; glory and might to Him unto the ages of the ages. Amen.

Central to the New Testament is the fact that the Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. God is called the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ three times in the New Testament (2 Corinthians 11:31; Ephesians 1:3; 1 Peter 1:3). Jesus calls God His Father 65 times (Matthew 10:32,33; 11:25,26,27; 12:50; 15:13; 16:17,27; 18:10,19,35; 20:23; 24:36; 25:34; 26:29,39,42,53; Mark 14:36; Luke 2:49; 9:26; 10:21,22; 22:29,42; 23:34,46; 24:49; John 2:16; 5:17,18; 6:32; 8:19; 8:28,38,49,54; 10:17,18,25,29,30,32,37;12:26; 14:2,7,20,21,23,28; 15:1,8,10,15,23,24; 16:10; 18:11; 20:17,21; Revelation 2:27; 3:5,21).

Jesus is also called God's Son 69 times (Matthew 1:23; 4:3; 4:6; 8:29; 14:33; 16:16; 26:63; 27:40,43,54; Mark 1:1; 3:11; 5:7; 15:39; Luke 1:32,35; 4:41; 22:70; John 1:14,18,34,49; 3:16,17,18,36; 5:25; 6:69; 9:35; 10:36; 11:4,27; 19:7; 20:31; Acts 3:13,26; 8:37; 9:20; 13:33; Romans 1:4, 9; 5:10; 8:3; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 15:28; 2 Corinthians 1:19; 2:20; 4:4; Ephesians 4:13; Titus 1:4; Hebrews 1:8; 4:14; 6:6; 10:29; 2 Peter 1:17; 1 John 3:8; 4:9,10,15; 5:5,9,10,11,12,13,20; 2 John 3,9; Revelation 2:18.) Jesus is the eternal God who was both God and with God throughout eternity, whom John referred to as the Word (John 1:1,14; Revelation 19:13).

God created everything by Jesus Christ who Himself also was and is God (Ephesians 3:9; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2). God, the Word, became the only begotten Son of God by being born of a woman to redeem all mankind making us kings and priests to God and heirs and joint heirs with Himself (Romans 8:17).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Feb/07/07

Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, "Repent and be baptized each of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the releasing of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Jesus had commissioned the disciples to baptize in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Peter was not disregarding the instruction of his Lord in this sermon; rather, he is emphasizing in whose name they must believe and in whose authority their lives would be changed. In fact, it may be argued that it was not only water baptism that was being referred to but also baptism into the body of Christ and baptism into the Holy Spirit and fire (Acts 1:5; 1Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 4:5; Colossians 2:12; Matthew 3:11; Acts 11:16; Hebrews 6:2).

Certainly, remission and cleansing from sin comes only by the blood of Jesus, and yet it is connected to baptism in this address. Therefore, the extent of what Peter was ministering reaches beyond just the baptism in water and certainly includes baptism into Jesus and into the Holy Spirit - all of which water baptism symbolizes (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12; Mark 16:16). As John baptized in water unto repentance, repentance is now granted in the name of Jesus and the remission of sin by His blood (Matthew 26:28; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:22; Acts 10:43). Paul was very careful to make certain that everyone understood that salvation only came by the blood of Jesus insomuch that he rarely baptized anyone (1 Corinthians 1:17). The message of being baptized in water was of the highest importance in the early church. As Philip communicated the gospel to the eunuch, the eunuch was brought to the question of water baptism (Acts 8:36).

The need for water baptism and its important role in the early church is emphasized by the disciples of Jesus baptizing, the Samaritans being baptized, those at Lydia, also of both Crispus, Cornelius, and their households, and of the disciples at Ephesus (John 3:22; 4:1-2; Acts 8:12; 9:18; 10:47; 16:15; 18:8; 19:5). In what name should we be baptized then? According to scripture, we should be baptized in the name of Jesus as the only begotten Son of God, and in the name of the Father, and in the name of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:16; 10:48; 19:5).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Feb 06 07

Acts 9:31 - Then all of the churches had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria being built up and moving in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit multiplied.

The Old Testament teaches that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Psalms 111:10; Proverbs 9:10). The Psalmist taught that through the fear of the Lord we would learn to keep our tongue from evil and our lips from speaking guile.

The fear of the Lord causes a person to depart from evil and pursue peace (Psalms 34:11-14). The fear of the Lord is the hating of evil, arrogance, and pride (Proverbs 8:13). The expression, "the fear of the Lord," is only found one time in the New Testament but an equivalent expression, "the fear of God," is found three times: 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:17. Peter also quotes Psalms 34:12-14 in the context of inheriting a blessing.

The most common characteristic of the fear of the Lord is the hating of evil and the loving of righteousness. It was Jesus who above all others modeled this consecration to life and the ways of the Father and was given this testimony,"You have loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of extreme joy above your fellows" (Hebrews 1:9; Psalms 45:6-7).

Be joyful,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Feb 05 07

Acts 20:33-35 - I have desired no one's silver, gold, or clothing. But you yourselves know that these hands of mine and those with me served the hands of them. I have showed everyone of you how that laboring you should give aid to the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus that He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

There is a supernatural blessing in giving that Paul both modeled and revealed by the Holy Spirit for the New Testament Church. The example that Paul gave to the church was one of taking personal responsibility for the propagation of the gospel at his own expense (2 Thessalonians 3:8-13). A special blessing of prosperity is promised to those who give their finances for the advancement of the Kingdom (Matthew 6:33).

In 2 Corinthians 9:8, Paul promised that God would cause all grace to abound to those Macedonians who had impoverished themselves by giving to the Church. When Paul wrote to the Macedonian church at Philippi who had given with such abandonment, he gave them the promise that "God would supply all of their needs according to His riches in glory" (Philippians 4:19). Surely, if it is God's will that we should support the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by supporting those whom He has anointed, then He is going to make sure that we are adequately blessed to do those things that we have set our hearts to do.

John also praised those who gave themselves to labor for the support of the ministry (3 John 1:4-7). The prosperity that John desired above all other things for those he addressed in his third Epistle was for those who gave themselves to work for the ministry.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Feb 03 07

1 John 2:10 - He who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.

Walking in the light allows us to see very clearly where we are to walk. When we have light before us we can see clearly the choices that we are to make at every turn in the road. This verse helps us to more fully understand what it means to walk in the Light as He is in the Light (1 John 1:7). Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you that you love one another with the same love that I have loved you" (John 13: 34; 15:12; 1 John 3:23). God has called us to walk in His divine love (15:19; 17:26; 1 John 2:15; 4:7-8).

We know that love is the fulfillment of the law because love works no evil (Romans 13:10). We also know that God's divine love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). All we have to do is to yield our members unto God and the glory of His love will flow out of us as rivers of living water. The Greek word for divine love is "agape;" it is found 116 times in the New Testament.

Father has made it very clear to us that He demands that we walk in His kind of love. If we fail to recognize that this love only flows from the Spirit of God then we have missed the most important point of the New Testament. Walking in love is the realm where there is no occasion or opportunity to stumble or fall (2 Peter 1:10).

Everyone who has been transformed by the life-giving power of the Name of Jesus has been given the life of the Holy Spirit. The very essence and proof of this life in God is expressed by the love of God (1 John 4:7-8; 1 John 3:14; John 13:35). All we have to do is to yield our members as instruments of righteousness unto God and allow these glorious realms of the love of God to flow out of our hearts.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Feb 02 07

Revelation 1:19: "Write therefore what you have seen and the things that are and the things that are about to take place after these things."

The Gospel of John is organized as a chronology giving us the necessary information that allows us to understand the length of the ministry of Jesus. Without the gospel of John we would not have the evidence to support that Jesus' ministry was any more than a year and a half in length. The book of Revelation is also organized in a logical chronology of events. The first indication of the chronology of the book of Revelation is given in this verse which is also the key to understanding the way that this book of prophecy is organized.

The book of Revelation is organized into three sections:
First: "What you have seen," which was the vision of the Son of Man and is recorded in chapter 1.
Second: "The things which are," concerning the church recorded in chapters 2-3.
Third: "The things that are about to take place after these things," which begins in chapter 4.

One obvious fact that underscores these three divisions is that, in chapters 2 through 3, the word church occurs seven times. However, from Revelation 4:1 to 22:21, the word church totally disappears. The chronological order of the book of Revelation is further served by the fact that there are seven seals, seven trumpets, and the seven vials that are dealt with sequentially through the events of this book.

Other than a few obvious parenthetical statements, the chronological sequence is uninterrupted. The Greek phrase "meta tauta" - which means "after these things" and marks the final section of the book of Revelation - appears in chapter 4 verse 1 where it opens and closes with these words "meta tauta" (after these things) underscoring the transition that has been outlined here in verse 19.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Feb 01 07

2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 - "And now you know what holds back the revealing of him in his time. The mystery of lawlessness is already at work only right now He holds it back from the midst until He comes."

The antichrist cannot be revealed until the time of the administration of the church is complete. Jesus is the one who is now holding back the ultimate deception and rebellion of iniquity which cannot be revealed until He comes: "The mystery of lawlessness is already at work - only right now He holds it back from our midst until He comes. At that time, the lawless one shall be revealed whom the Lord shall return and destroy with the spirit of his mouth and wipe out with the appearance of His coming."(2:7-8).

Jesus first comes to finalize the administration of the church age by receiving the church unto Himself, and then the lawless one shall be revealed. Jesus will then return with His saints (which includes the church) to fight against the antichrist and his armies (Revelation 19:11-14; Jude 14-15).

Paul had already revealed to the church at Thessalonica that there would be a catching away of the church and made it unique from the Second Coming of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). Paul makes the catching away event equivalent to the resurrection from the dead. When Jesus comes, the dead in Christ will rise first, and those who are alive will be caught up together into the clouds to meet Jesus in the air according to His promise that He would return and receive us unto Himself (John 14:2-3).

It is at this time that Jesus comes with a shout of an archangel and with the sound of the trumpet of God. Paul also describes the catching away in the context of the first resurrection to the church at Corinth. He revealed that not everyone would die, but some would immediately be changed from the corruptible and earthly into the immortal and heavenly - an event that would take place at the last trumpet (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).

We know from the words of Jesus that it will be an event that He personally initiates as suggested by 1 Thessalonians 4:16. Jesus said, "With absolute certainty I tell you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live." This is the one event that no one knows the timing of except for the Father (Matthew 24:36). As far as the Second coming goes, when we overlay the book of Daniel with the Book of Revelation we can calculate the exact time of the Second Coming of Christ from the day that the antichrist desecrates the Temple (Daniel 11:31; 12:11; Matthew 24:15).

When we look for this most important event in the book of Revelation it is only discovered in the words "after these things" which refers to the time after the church age as John wrote the things which he had seen, Chapter 1, the things which are, chapters 2-3, and the things which shall be after the things which are, chapters 4-18. (Revelation 1:19; 4:1). The only event in the book of Revelation that describes a catching away is found in Revelation 12:5 which speaks of a man child that was born to a woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars which is an Old Testament symbol for Israel (Genesis 37:9-10). The most appropriate understanding of this man child born of Israel is the 144,000 that is first mentioned as being sealed in Revelation 7:4 and then seen in heaven in Revelation 14:1 with the seal of the Father's name written in their forehead. To attempt to make the church fit into this symbolism is a violation of the fact the church is symbolized as a man in that the church is the body of Christ.

When we examine the book of Revelation for the Trump of God or the last trump the only thing that can be found is in Revelation 10:7; 11:15-18. However, this does not concur with the fact that it is Jesus Himself who descends, neither is there any mention of those who are alive in Christ being caught up. In fact, the only way that anyone during the Tribulation makes the company of the resurrected saints is through death.

Jesus spoke of the time at the end of the Tribulation when He would send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet who will gather together His elect, but by context this is associated with His return to the earth with His saints in Revelation 19:11-21. The reason that the events of 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 1 Corinthians 15:51 are not found in the book of Revelation is because they occur before the Tribulation of Revelation 4-19. The very simple fact is that the church is not one time mentioned in these chapters.

Daniel speaks of the time of the resurrection of the just, and even though it is mentioned in association with the time of the Tribulation it is also grouped with the resurrection of the unjust which we know to be separated by 1000 years (Daniel 12:2; Revelation 20:5). The warning that all of us should take heed to is that Jesus said that if anyone adds to the words of this book then the plagues of this book will be added to them. It is very unwise to add the word church to Revelation 4 through 19 which takes in the whole of the Tribulation period.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 31 07

1 Peter 5:3 - "Neither as exercising dominion over the heritage but being examples to the flock."

Those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ and, thereby, born of the Spirit are part of the family of God, and thus referred to as God’s heirs (Romans 8:17; Galatians 3;29;4:7; Titus 3:17; James 2:5; 1Peter 3:7). The responsibility of every minister and every saint is to realize that the people of God - whom they interact with - are joint heirs with Jesus Christ and, therefore, God’s heritage or lot. This awareness should cause us to treat one another with the utmost respect and love. Jesus said that whatever we do to the least of the brethren (family of God) we also do to Him (Matthew 25:40).

We have all been taught directly by God that we are to love one another (1 Thessalonians 4:9). The love and the respect that we have been instructed in by the Holy Spirit should result in the deepest honor and appreciation for one another. At the moment that we see each other's shortcomings and faults we should not despise each other but encourage and assist one another with the help that we need.

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 30 07

Acts 13: 2 - And while they performed the service of the Lord and fasted the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart now Barnabas and Saul unto the work which I have called them."

Although Jesus is the head of the church, it is the Holy Spirit who speaks on His behalf (Acts 15:28; 16:6; 20:28). The Holy Spirit was sent to lead and to guide both the Church and the individual. He is the One who is to instruct us in everything that we are to do (John 14:26).

When men are called into the ministry it is by a special work of the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:4). Such men should be as distinctive to us as they are to God. We should view the ministry as having been separated from all that is ordinary in the church and endowed with a special divine grace to equip and lead us (Ephesians 4:11-16).

The Holy Spirit is the one who teaches the church everything it is supposed to do. One of the primary ways that He speaks is through those who have been separated unto Him for this purpose (John 14:26). The position of authority that God endowed His ministers with to speak on His behalf made them the representatives of God to the church insomuch that whatever was spoken by them was actually being spoken by the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3).

God ordained that those things which were spoken and ministered in His church were to be done expressly by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:23; 21:11; 1 Corinthins 14:16; 1 Peter 4:11). When men refused to listen to the gospel they were, in fact, refusing to listen to the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51). It was the Holy Spirit who spoke the word of God through the prophets of old such as Isaiah, and it is the Holy Spirit that speaks through His servants today (Acts 28:25; 1 Thessalonians 2:14). If we are going to learn to walk in the realms of God's anointing and blessing then we must learn to walk in His love that produces servitude and submission to one anothe - and especially to the leadership that the Holy Spirit has called and demanded the church to view as separate and unique.

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 29 07

Acts 16:6 - "And they went through Phrygia and the country of the Galatians being hindered by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia."

Surely the success and the power of those in the first century church was due to their submission to divine authority. Paul - who had received abundance of revelation and in fact in many ways was ahead of all the other ministries that were around him - deferred to the judgments of the leadership in Jerusalem (Acts 15:2; Galatians 2:1-2).

His walk with God was exemplified by humility and servitude as a true follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. As a result, he had a relationship with the Holy Spirit that afforded him specific direction about what he was supposed to do and when he was to do it. Furthermore, this is again clear evidence that God the Holy Spirit had come to lead the disciples and was in charge of the affairs of the church (Acts 5:32; 13:2,4; 15:28).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 27 07

Romans 8:26 - "And in like manner also the Spirit helps our frailty; for we do not know what we need to pray for, but the Spirit intercedes with inexpressible groanings."

The intercession of the Spirit is described as inexpressible groanings. The expressions of the Spirit were first manifested in the Bible as prophecy: God speaking His word through man’s mouth under the inspiration of the Spirit. In the New Testament when the Holy Spirit came upon the believer, other languages came forth as rivers of living water (Acts 2:3; John 7:38-39). The necessity of praying in the Spirit is repeated often throughout the New Testament.

The Holy Spirit is the One who has come to lead us and guide us into all truth. He is the one who is making things known to us that Jesus was unable to communicate (John 16:12-15). His coming and subsequent intercession was the sound of other languages or the languages of men and angels (Acts 2:8-11; 1 Corinthians 13:1). The command to pray in the Spirit extends from 1 Corinthians to Jude 20.

Although praying in the Spirit may extend to speaking by the Spirit or prophesying it certainly excludes much of what Christians today would have us believe is prayer which, in fact, is little more than their own minds expressing frustration, anxiety, and remorse. The prayer of the Spirit has a sound and an inspiration that is produced by the Holy Spirit Himself (Acts 2:4; 10:45-46; Acts 19:6; Romans 8:26; 1 Corinthians 14:1, 14; Ephesians 5:18; 6:18).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 26 2007

1 Peter 2:10 - "Who once were not a people but now God’s people who had no mercy but now have mercy."

Mercy is a word that may also be understood as an expression of deep love or tender affection by its Hebrew equivalent (racham). God’s compassion and deep affection that we have obtained through His Great Salvation has caused us to come into a relationship position with Him that is best expressed by the Psalmist when he says, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all of the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (Psalms 23:6).

The blessing and favor of God that is giving to us through God’s abundant mercy is a guarantee that we will always find ourselves going from strength to strength. Living in God’s abundant mercy that is new every morning is an assurance that everything about our lives will be stamped with the blessing of God.

We can be certain that if we trust and rely upon God, our seed will be mighty upon the earth, and whatever we do will prosper. Our children will walk in a greater anointing and have a greater influence than we have had. Because we have obtained mercy, we will find ourselves walking in all of the covenant blessings, and more, that God promised Abraham and the nation of Israel (Galatians 3:14; Genesis 22:17; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Hebrews 8:6).

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread Jan 25 07

Ephesians 6:18-20 - "Through every prayer and plea, praying on every occasion in the Spirit also being on watch, totally alert. And on my behalf that a word may be given to me in the opening of my mouth by boldly making known the mystery of the gospel. On behalf of which I am an ambassador in bonds that in it I may speak boldly even as I ought to speak."

Paul’s instruction to the church at Ephesus was that they should pray on every occasion in the Spirit. They were to be totally alert as the army of God and every need that presented itself was to be taken to God in prayer. Among those urgent needs was Paul’s own ministry of the word. He desired the church to pray for him that he would both be given the word and that he would speak the word of God with boldness.

Unfortunately, if we are not careful, we will pray after our own human concern and understanding and be completely ineffective. It is only the prayer of the Spirit that is the effectual and effective prayer. When we pray in the Spirit we will also receive the prayer of revelation or prophetic prayer that we can understand and receive instruction and edification by. Many times we also make the mistake of praying in the Spirit just short of the prayer that everyone can understand.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 24 2007

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."

Jesus reveals how easy it is to receive the answer to your request - He simply tells us to ask. Jesus tells us 7 times in John chapters 14 through 16 to ‘ask.’ The kind of prayer that we are to pray is an asking prayer - one that expects God to do the impossible. Elijah prayed asking God to stop the rain, and it did not rain for 3.5 years; then when he asked God to cause it to rain it was so (James 5:17-18). James said, “you have not because you ask not.” Jesus said, “everyone who asks shall receive” and “all things whatsoever you ask in prayer believing you shall receive (Luke 11:9-10; Matthew 11:22). How simple can it be; Jesus reduces the impossible to nothing more than a basic request.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 23 2007

1 Peter 1:7 - "That the testing of your faith being much more precious than gold that perishes even though tried with fire may be found unto praise and glory and honor at Christ Jesus' unveiling."

Father gives us a measure of His faith, and it must be proved or assayed in our lives (Psalms 66:10; James 1:3-4; Proverbs 17:3). The Greek word "dokimion" (testing) refers to the testing that is necessary to determine the genuineness of something. If we are willing to go through the refining fires of the Spirit, God will perfect everything concerning our faith.

Jeremiah revealed that the word of God was like a fire that burns up the chaff. He revealed that the chaff was the false words that had been spoken by the false prophets (Jeremiah 23:28,29; Matthew 3:12). These opinions of devils and men were withholding the fruit that the seed of God's word otherwise would have produced. The faith of God that has come to us by the Word of God must be purified from the mixtures of our own opinions, perceptions, and fears.

The Word of God teaches us how to walk in absolute love and trust toward the Father, yet there are many doubts and fears that we allow to effect our decisions. When God's Word enters into the earthen vessels of our lives it must be tried within us, and those things that we may unknowingly mix with it must be removed. Therefore, Jesus the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls sits over us as a refiner and purifier of silver (Malachi 3:3). God's word is pure like silver tried in a furnace of earth purified seven times, and it must be also tried in us by the situations and circumstances that God allows to come against us (Psalms 12:6; 1 Corinthians 10:13).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 22 2007

2 John 1:7 - "Who indeed for the sake of the Name go out taking nothing from the nations."

This Greek phrase translated "for the name sake" is found 7 times in the New Testament and 17 times in the Old Testament (1 Sam 9:2; 1 Kings 1:47; 12:24; 1 Chronicles 4:9). The more common way to translate this phrase is "for his name sake." However, a more literal translation is "for the sake of his name," or as it appears in this verse "for the sake of the name," (Acts 5:41; 9:16; 15:26; 21:13; Romans 1:5; 15:9; 3 John 1:7).

All power has been given to Jesus, and through His name that power and authority is executed by His servants insomuch that whatever they ask in His name will be done ( Matthew 28:18; John 14:13,14); 15:16; 16:23,24,26-27). The name of Jesus has been exalted above every other name; therefore, all powers and authorities are subject to it (Ephesians 1:21; Philippians 2:9). Every evil spirit and corrupt thing must obey the authority that is in the name of Jesus.

Through the power that is in the name of Jesus, the servants of God cast out devils, speak with new tongues, take up serpents, or drink any deadly thing and are not harmed. Through His name His servants are empowered to lay hands on the sick and they shall recover (Mark 16:17). The name of Jesus and faith in His name causes the crippled to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear, and the dead to be raised to life again (Acts 3:16; 8:5,7).

God has sworn that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10; Romans 14:11; Isaiah 45:23). Through the name of Jesus, the power of sin and deception is broken and men are turned from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God (Acts 26:18). Through the name of Jesus men are delivered from the curse of sin and death (Acts 2:38; 4:12). When two or three of His servants are gathering together in His name, Jesus, He is in their midst to make known the power and authority of His word (Matthew 18:20; Mark 16:20). By the supernatural display of the power of God in our lives we manifest the name of Jesus even as Jesus manifested the name of the Father (John 17:6,12,26).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 20 2007

2 John 1:7 - "Because many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in the flesh, this is the deceiver and the antichrist."

The spirit of the antichrist and the spirit of deceit work in conjunction with one another. In 1 John 2:26; 3:7 and 4;6, the spirit of antichrist was revealed in those who refuse to remain in the church that the Apostle John belonged to. John reveals that all who broke off fellowship with them were in fact children of the devil, 1 John 2:19; 3:8.

One is either lead by the Spirit of truth and has the anointing or they are lead by deception and have the spirit of antichrist (1 John 4:6). The "going out" from the fellowship with the church in 1 John 2:19, is comparable to the "going out" of Judas after the devil had entered into him, John 13:27,30.

The ultimate deception does not usually take place in a person's life all at once. Rather one deception leads to another until not only has a person left the assembly of God's people but they also deny that Jesus Christ ever came into their lives or into the world.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 19 2007

1 John 1:2 - "Because the truth abides in us and will be with us forever."

The truth has no deception nor false information contained within it. Truth, only comes by Jesus and for men to have it their hearts must be changed by the Spirit of God. Jesus is the one who is full of truth and the only one who can give truth to men (John 1:14; John 14:6; 1:17). It is the truth that sets men free from the bondage of sin and deception (John 8:32). It is the truth that enables men to be true worshipers, for men may only worship God in truth (John 4:23-24).

The Holy Spirit that we have received from God is the Spirit of truth whom the world, which lies in darkness and deception cannot receive (John 14:17). It is the work of the Holy Spirit to lead us and to guide us into all truth (John 16:13). All we must do is be willing to simply yield ourselves to the Spirit of God and be obedient children not fashioning ourselves after the world and we will be led into all the fullness of the truth of God's Word and Way.

The anointing that we have received, which is the divine empowerment to walk in the divine nature, teaches us all things and is truth (1 John 2:27). Jesus prayed that the Father would sanctify His disciples in the truth and also made it known that this was why He sanctified Himself unto death (John 17:17; 19). Walking in the truth may also be understood as, "walking in the Spirit" (Rom 8:1,4; Gal 5:16, 25), "walking in the Light" (John 8:12; Eph 5:7; 1 John 1:7), and "walking in Love" (Eph 5:2). All we need to do is find ourselves in love with Jesus today. If we will allow the anointing that we have received to both inspire us and to guide us we will find ourselves only believing and doing the truth.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 18 2007

1 John 5:11 - "And this is the witness: that God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son."

The Holy Spirit Himself has come to give testimony to us and on our behalf that we have received eternal life. The most important dimension of eternal life is the quality of life that we have received. The life that we have been given in Christ Jesus is abundant life.

God's life is joy unspeakable and full of glory, peace that passes understanding, and love that never fails. Confidence and faith in His work of Grace is vital to our salvation. It is essential that we trust with absolute certainty that the blood of Jesus has removed every offence and has brought forth the life of God in us.

We must believe that we have been begotten of the Spirit and that He is leading and guiding us into all truth. We must resign ourselves only to believe what the Word of God says. The lies that would attempt to cast doubt on the eternal life that has been given to us must be cast down as the enemies of God.

God who so desires that we would be convinced of this unspeakable gift has given us the greatest witnesses that He could provide: the witness of the Blood, the Spirit, and the Water. He wants us to be certain of the eternal life that has come to us through the testimony of the Blood of Jesus and the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the water of His Word. The certainty that eternal life has come to us through the blood is witnessed to us by the Spirit and the Word (Heb. 9:12, John 6:54, Matthew 26:27). That we have been begotten of the Spirit has been forever settled by the testimony that God has given to us of His Son (John 3:5-8, Gal. 4:29; 1 Peter 1:23, James 1:20, Hebrews 4:12). All of the witnesses of God, the blood, the Spirit, and the water, are one and they proclaim the message of God to everyone who will hear and believe. This message is that God has given to us eternal life.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 17 2007

1 John 3:11 - "Because this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that you should love one another."

The message of God to man is a message that calls all men to the realm of love. This is the message that is behind every message in the Bible. God is love and if we are going to know Him and walk with Him then we must be willing to be obedient to His love (Romans 13:8,10; Matthew 22:40). The message of God's love was delivered to us in its greatest form when Jesus suffered and died for us. John uses this same word when he describes to us that God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5).

There should be no greater desire in man than to know this kind of love and this kind of light. How safe our souls should feel that the God of the Universe is so disposed to the nature of unchanging love (1 John 4:7-8; Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17). If you know God then you will learn to walk in His love and in His Light. The principles and choice of your interaction with everyone will have already been made for you; you will love them just as God loves them.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 16 2007

1 John 3:6 - "Everyone who abides in Him has no sin, everyone that sins has not seen Him nor known Him."

The power to overcome the thirst for sin is only found in knowing God. Jesus gave the woman at the well of Samaria the remedy for her sin. All she needed to do was to receive the gift of God and drink of the Spirit and she would never thirst for the things of the world again (John 4:10,14). Jesus gave us an allegory in John 15 to describe how He desires us to live our lives in Him. We are to abide in Him as a branch abides in the vine. This kind of relationship and dependence upon the life and power of God will result in our constant obedience and success.

We can be certain that by the time that John was addressing the church with this Epistle there were many who had never physically seen Jesus. Yet their was a fellowship that they had with Jesus that John included them in, "we have seen with our eyes which we have looked upon" (1 John 1:1b). We know that as far as John was concerned this was literal for He had been with Jesus for at least three years and had many opportunities to do all of these things. But now about 60 years later there would be very few people who would have had and opportunity to literally do this. Therefore, when John uses this word for 'seen' or 'vision' he is using it in a spiritual sense. John is using this phrase to describe those who really know Jesus (1 John 2:4; 4:8).

To believe somehow that God does not expect us to walk in holiness and perfect obedience is nothing more than deception (1 John 3:7; Ephesians 5:6; 2 Timothy 3;13). If men are going to learn to walk in the perfect obedience to God then they are going to have to learn to walk in the Spirit and abide in Christ (Romans Galatians 5:16,25; Romans 8:1,4).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 15 2007

1 John 3:2 - "Beloved, we are now the children of God. And it has not yet been revealed what we shall be but when He is revealed we shall be like Him because we shall see Him as He is."

Father has given us the right to be His children simply by the act of believing on the name of Jesus and then , we have been made heirs and joint heirs with Jesus Christ who is the Only Begotten Son of God (Romans 8:17). Through the miracle of the new birth we were begotten of God, begotten of the Spirit of the Word and of the resurrection (1 John 5:1; John 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3; 23). Being the sons of God, we are also called the sons of light because we are born of the truth to reveal the glory of God (John 12:36; Ephesians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:5; Matthew 5:14- 16; Colossians 1:12; 1 Peter 2:9).

Those who are the sons of God have been given the privilege and ability to be guided by the Spirit in their day-to-day activities (Romans 8:14). It is the Father's desire that every son be trained up by the Holy Spirit so that in every way we are conformed to the image of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus (Romans 8:29). God expects us as His sons to be consecrated to the same holiness and purity of Jesus our Savior (2 Corinthians 6:18).

One day when we have received our eternal and glorified body we will see God as He is. Although He dwells in the light which no man can approach unto nor can any man see yet as His sons we will be allowed to see Him as He is (1 Timothy 6:16). This event demarks the time when all things will be made new. The bondage of corruption will be removed from off all creations at the time of the resurrection of all the sons of God. It is for this reason that all creation groans awaiting the manifestation of the sons of God that will be revealed at the time of the resurrection (Romans 8:19).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 13 2007

1 John 2: 5 - "But whoever keeps His word truly in him is the love of God perfected. This is how we know that we are in Him."

The word 'agape,' 'love,' is defined by its New Testament application as divine love or the love that God loves us with. The usage of 'agape' in Classic Greek is rare. When it is found it is neither dramatic nor colorful. It was usually translated, "to like, prefer, be content."

However, when it appears in the New Testament Greek it defines the kind of love that the Father has for the Son and the kind of Love that the Christian should have since the Holy Spirit has come to dwell in them (John 13:34; 14:15; 14:21; 14:31; 15:10; 15:12; 15:17; 17:23). This kind of love does not have a human origin but is purely divine flowing into and then out of us by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Raymond Brown writes "Agape is not a love originating in the human heart and reaching out to possess noble goods needed for perfection; it is spontaneous, unmerited, creative love flowing from God to the Christian and from the Christian to a fellow Christian" (The Epistles of John, pages 254 - 255).

Jeremiah writes, that love comes through a circumcised heart, Jeremiah 31:33. Proverbs says that God loves us as a Father loves his son (Proverbs 3:12). Although the Hebrew word for love is 'ahav' and is translated in the Septuagint exclusively by 'agapan,' perhaps the closest example to the New Testament meaning of 'agape' is found in the Hebrew word 'chesed' in Exodus 34:6. The Hebrew word 'chesed' means 'covenant love' or loyal, unfailing love. When God Almighty revealed to Moses who He is, He made known that He is the One that is "full of covenant love and truth." The reading would be similar to that found in John 1:14 but instead of "full of grace and truth" it would be "full of covenant love and truth" (Exodus 34:6).

I believe that the biggest problem that many of God's people face today is that they do not know how to experience the presence of God which is fundamental to the love of God flowing into them. The burden is upon the pastors and leaders of the churches of the Lord Jesus Christ to teach people how to yield to the Holy Spirit so that they may enjoy the wonderful and all-consuming Divine presence of God.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 12 2007

2 Peter 1:21 - "For prophecy did not come at any time by the will of man but was brought forth under the Holy Spirit as holy men of God spoke."

It was through prophecy that the Word of God came. Prophecy is the utterance of the Holy Spirit brought forth through the mouth of man. When men are totally yielded to God they may come under the control of the Holy Spirit and be a mouthpiece for the Holy Spirit to speak. This utterance may be so exact that it may be called the Word of God. Such influence and control of the Holy Spirit would be likened to the utterances given to the 120 on the day of Pentecost. They so came under the divine influence and control of the Holy Spirit that they had no control over what they spoke. They spoke as the Holy Spirit gave them the utterances (Acts 2: 4).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 11 2007

1 John 4:3 - "And every spirit that does not confess Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God, and this is that antichrist that you heard would come and now is already in the world."

The word 'antichrist' is found four times in the Bible and is a word that is only used by John in his Epistles (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7). Although John refers to a specific individual that will come, he views a more subtle manifestation of the deception which will then be fully manifested in the one whom Paul calls the man of sin and the son of destruction (2 Thessalonians 2:3). The deception begins subtly with slight variation about who Jesus is but ultimately ends in one who declares himself to be God in the middle of the Tribulation (Matthew 24:15; Daniel 11:31).

The antichrist presents Himself as a savior and righteous one as depicted in Revelation 6:2 but is ultimately revealed to be the one who subdues men to which war, famine, death, and hell will follow. Satan's power of deception will ultimately bring the nations to such a deception that they will gather themselves together to fight against Jesus Christ in the battle of Armageddon. It is little wonder then that men fight against the name of Jesus now.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 10, 2007

Leviticus 16:16 - "And, thus, He shall purge the sanctuary from the sins of the sons of Israel. From their pollution and rebellion unto all their sins and so shall he do for the Tent of Meeting that dwells in the midst of their impurities."

The common translation for 'kipper' is 'atone' or 'expiate.' However, there is much evidence that 'kipper,' in many cases, means purify. In poetry, its parallel synonym is usually 'macha,' 'wipe' (Jer 18:23) or 'hesir,' 'remove' (Isa 27:9) which suggests that 'kipper' means purge (The Anchor Bible Leviticus 1-16, Jacob Milgrom, Nov 1991).

In Ezekiel 43:20 and 26, it is used as a synonym for 'taher' which means to purify. Additionally, the Hebrew root word 'kapar' corresponds to the Akkadian word 'kaparu,' which means 'rub' or 'smear' and the Akkadian 'kuppuru' whose Hebrew equivalent is 'kipper' means 'rub' or 'wipe off.' Although we understand from the Epistle to the Hebrews that it was not possible for the blood of bulls and goats on the Day of Atonement to take away sin and purge the worshippers, (Hebrews 10:2-4), yet there was a purifying (Gr. katharoteta) of the flesh (Hebrews 9:13).

With respect to the application here in Leviticus, it would have been essential that the Cover of the Ark - which had been contaminated by the pollution, rebellion, and sins of Israel - be purified so that YHWH would be able to remain in the midst of Israel. It is of the utmost importance that the dwelling place of YHWH be pure and undefiled - which is the context of Leviticus 10 through 15; therefore, to understand this act of 'kipper' as removing the contamination of sin is in keeping with the purpose of this sacrifice. In fact, the ancient use of the word is associated with a cleaning detergent; thus, we could view the blood of the covenant as a divine detergent designed to remove the stains of sin. If one views this as an expiatory role then the effect of removing the sin is compromised by virtue of the meaning of expiate - which is to nullify the effects of sin. However, the center piece of the Day of Atonement was the purification of the Cover of the Ark. Perhaps this is why Ezra and those who returned from exile kept the Feast of Tabernacles but did not keep the Day of Atonement because there was no Ark of the Covenant (Ezra 3:1-6).

Today, through the blood of Jesus, our sins have been removed and and our iniquities have been purged. He has purified us with His own blood, and if we sin He is faithful and just to cleanse us from all our sins.

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 9 2007

1 Corinthians 10:16 - "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not fellowship of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a fellowship of the body of Christ?"

There are reasons to believe that when the early church came together they always partook of communion - which may be understood as a fellowship with the blood and body of Jesus (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:26). One of the many reasons that we need to continually have communion placed before us is to remind us that it is only by the blood and body of Jesus that we are able to have communion with God.

The communion should cause us to remember that we are bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh, that, through this new covenant, He has made us one (1 Corinthians 10:17; Romans 12:4,5; 12:12,13,20; Ephesians 4:4; Colossians 3:15; Ephesians 5:30; 1 Corinthians 6:15; Colossians 2:19).

The Holy Spirit leads us into a heavenly realm where we worship God in Spirit (Ephesians 1:3; 2:6; Hebrews 6:4; 12:22). The heavenly realm is the place where Christ Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father or the heavenly Holies of Holies. It is a realm of fellowship where we personally interact with God in Spirit and in Truth. When we come into this realm of God's glory, we do so by and through the blood and body of Jesus (Hebrews 10:19). It is the blood and life of Jesus that has given to us righteousness, purity, and holiness, and we must always remember the source of our communion (1 John 1:7; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:19).

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 8 2007

Genesis 2:23 - "And Adam said, 'This is, at last, bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. And she shall be called Woman; for she was taken from Man.' "

The first covenant that we observe in the Bible is the covenant of marriage. God established this covenant by cutting the man open, and, in the midst of the blood, He brought forth the bone and marrow from which He built the woman. Through this act, the man and the woman became one flesh, bone of bone and flesh of flesh (Genesis 2:23).

We were also made one with Christ Jesus through the redemption that He purchased for us with His own blood. It was through the blood and body of Jesus that we were created anew (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:25; 10:16; Ephesians 2:5,10; 1 John 4:9; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; John 17:22). It may be said that as Eve was built from Adam, we were built from Jesus Christ - insomuch that we have been made one with Him and find all of our identity in Him (Galatians 2:20; Philippians 1:21). What Adam said of Eve, Christ Jesus has said also of us, "For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and His church" (Ephesians 5:30-32).

The same oneness between a man and a woman takes place today through the act of intimacy. The marriage between a man and a woman is very sacred to God and should be sacred to us as well. In fact, there really is no such thing as a casual sexual act; rather, it is a marriage that results in one person being joined unto another. This truth is made very clear by Paul when he says that if a man is joined unto a prostitute they are made one flesh (1 Corinthians 6:16).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 6 2007

Matthew 26:28 - "For this is my blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

Whenever you think that there is a separation between you and God just remember the covenant. If you have been unfaithful to God and the accuser of your soul is wringing out every drop of condemnation that is possible then just remember the covenant. All you have to do is look to Jesus who died upon the tree for your sins and remember that it was for you. Remember that He said all manner of sin would be forgiven you.

Every time I see a beautiful rainbow I remember that God has established His covenant. The rainbow is one of those constant reminders that God is faithful and that He never forgets. As certain as the rainbow will appear when the light shines upon the water it is that certain that God will keep His covenant. God wants us to remember His covenant and to believe in His love and goodness towards us. He does not want us to walk around in fear and dread; He wants us to be secure and safe with the knowledge that He intends to bless us so that we can multiply and be fruitful. In fact, every time I see a rainbow I don’t think of the flood of water that destroyed the evil upon the earth. I think of Jesus that destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light. I think about the fact that when God established His covenant, it is beautiful, it is perfect, and it is eternal.

Remembering the covenant that Jesus made for us at Calvary is important. The covenant that was made that day was between the Father and His only begotten Son. Jesus, as the representative for all man, took every sin and iniquity of man upon Himself, and through His death He destroyed its power. "And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, likewise, it is necessary that the Son of Man be lifted up - that everyone believing on Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:14-18)

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 5 2007

Mark 8:32-34 - "And He spoke that saying openly. And Peter took Him and began to rebuke Him. But when He had turned about and looked on His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, 'Get behind me, Satan; for you are not thinking of those things that are of God but the things that are of men.' And when He had called the people with His disciples also, He said unto them, 'Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

Peter's idea of how things would work out in the divine plan was different than Jesus’. I am sure that Peter wanted Jesus not only to be accepted by the masses but also to be the King of Israel. Certainly, he had forecasted a plan of how that would come about. The death of Jesus made no sense at all. Human ability could not deal with death. Death means it is simply over. Peter was unable to understand how that the Divine ability at work on the inside of Jesus would do something greater than conquering men; it would conquer death.

True humility is where human ability has come to an end. The willingness to deny yourself is humility, to exalt God's Word and plan above your own. To rely solely upon His power at work in you, this is humility. It is this humility that God is looking for. It is this surrender to Him that will allow Him to show forth His glory through you.

Probably one of our greatest challenges is to stop trying to do it our way. We come up with great ideas on how to reach the lost. We can have programs and schemes, but human ability will never raise the dead. In fact, if God had done it Peter's way we would not be redeemed today.

If we are going to follow Jesus into the supernatural power of God then we must deny ourself, our own way of doing things. Our way of doing things is limited to human ability. As long as we are trusting in human ability we forfeit divine ability. Even Jesus said that He could of His own self do nothing (John 5:30). If we are going to follow Jesus, we must be willing to rely upon the supernatural working of the Holy Spirit. We must be willing to look to the Father, to acknowledge Him, and to yield to Him. We must believe that He will do the work if we will step aside. Jesus said, "...the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself, but the Father that dwells in me, he does the works." John 14:10.

Stop relying on your own ability. Recognize that it is not by your might, nor by your power, but by the Spirit of the Lord. If He is going to work in you, you must be willing to believe. You cannot have faith in yourself and faith in God at the same time. Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God. Watch what He will do as you acknowledge His power at work on the inside of you. You will find that it is not you doing the work but your Father which is in you.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 4 2007

Ephesians 2:21 - "In whom the whole building fitted together grows into a holy temple in the Lord."

The Greek verb 'auxano,' which is translated 'grow,' means increase of every kind and may be understood as referring to every dimension of the church in size, number, age, maturity, glory, and power. This growth is not something that is automatic but demands action and responsibility as Jesus taught in Mark 4:26-29.

A seed is cast into the ground and the power is within the ground to produce of itself but the farmer rises day and night in tending and caring for the seed lest it be eaten or overrun by weeds and disaster. The proper growth or increase of the church is only possible when God's people are submitted to the Holy Spirit; for only He can provide the needed ingredients to bring forth the increase.

In Ephesians 4:14-16, we learn that the church both grows and makes increase of itself by functioning in love. Of course this divine love is supplied only by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). The purpose of God is that we mature into the fullness of Christ. He has purposed that we be a perfect man standing as tall as Jesus now in this present world (Ephesians 4:13; 1 John 4:17). It is by the love of Christ that we are able to comprehend with all saints what is the breath, the length, the height, and the depth to know the love of Christ that passes knowledge so that we might be filled with all of the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:18-19). Our lives both individually and collectively must find their existence in the vine, Christ Jesus; for without Him we can do nothing (John 15:1-8).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 3 2007

Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God foreordained that we should walk in them."

God’s work was to bring about a means by which mankind could be spiritually recreated. The twisted nature of sin had produced its destructive ruin in Adam instantaneously. Adam was left trembling in fear and shame unable to endure the presence of God. Every generation following Adam only grew deeper into the spiritual darkness of this corrupt nature. God provided the means by which anyone who is willing can escape the corruption of sin and be made a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Peter 1:4; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Hebrews 8:10; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Peter 2:20).

The unspeakable gift of salvation is entirely the work of God and can only be accomplished in Christ Jesus. Neither the works of the law or of human discipline can erase the sins of the past nor change the nature of man. There was no reconditioning of the heart that could bring about the necessary change in the fundamental nature of man. Therefore, through the work of Jesus Christ, every claim of the satanic dominion was broken.

Through the miracle of the new birth, God made it possible for everyone to receive a new heart and a new spirit in which only righteousness dwells. The new creation possesses the nature of God’s own Holiness and Purity so that we may enjoy and fulfill God’s intended purposes for our life to “be holy and without blemish before Him in love” (Ephesians 1:4; Luke 1:74-75; Romans 8:29; Ephesians 4:24; 5:27; Philippians 2:15; Colossians 1:22; 2 Peter 3:14; Colossians 3:10). All that Jesus has in His nature and glory He has freely given to those who will believe (John 17:22; 1:16). When the seed of His life was sown at Calvary; it brought forth much fruit after His own image and likeness (John 12:24).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 2 2007

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
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Jan 1st 2007

Ephesians 1:19 - "... and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us who believe according to the working power of His mighty power."

Our wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has loaded us up with all of the divine power and ability that we will ever need for anything that we will ever face. The biggest challenge on our part is to believe Him and look to Him for help in time of need. If we are willing to look to Him for help then He will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory.

There are four "power" words used in this one verse of scripture:

1- dunamis
2- energeia
3- kratos
4- ischus

The Greek word "dunamis" is defined by the virtue that went out of Jesus to heal the woman with the issue of blood and the power that the Church would receive once the Holy Spirit came upon them. It has been said that "dunamis" is the ability to accomplish the promise; "energeia" is brute or muscular power or working efficiency - by application "supernatural strength" (Philippians 3:21, Colossians 1:29); "kratos" is the power to overcome obstacles, have dominion or controlling power; and "ischus" is the potential power, the power that will come to bear when needed (1 Peter 4:11). The word "ischus" is first used in Genesis 4:12: "When you till the ground it will not yield her strength to you..."

This use of four synonyms for power in one verse is similar to Ephesians 6:10, which commands the saints to be "endunamoo" (strong) in the Lord and in the "kratos" of His "ischus". The Almighty wants us to have a strong assurance of the faith to know for certain that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Father so wanted Abraham to be certain of the promise that He swore an oath to him, and in order to make us certain, Jesus sent the promise of the Father to both endue us and seal us with His Spirit (Luke 24:49; Hebrews 6:13-19; Hebrews 10:22-23).

Happy New Year,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Dec 30 2006

Acts 6:5 - "And the word was pleasing in the sight of all the multitude and they chose Steven a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Pharmenas and Nicolas a proselyte from Antioch."

Stephen was not only a man full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, but he was full of faith. The Greek phrase "pleres pistis" (full of faith) is only found two times in the New Testament, and in both instances it is used of Stephen in this chapter (6:5, 8). Stephen serves as an example to us of how much faith God has made available to us.

God has made all of the fullness of Jesus available to whosoever asks (John 1:16; Ephesians 3:19; 4:13; Romans 15:29; John 14:12). The faith that comes by Jesus Christ and functions in our lives by the Holy Spirit is so full of power that a very small amount will empower a person with the ability to move mountains into the sea and makes nothing impossible (Matthew 17:20; Luke 17:6; Mark 11:22- 23; 1 Corinthians 13:2; Matthew 21:21) .

The power of faith is revealed in Hebrews 11:2 as the operation of God at work when He framed the ages by His spoken word. When Jesus ministered healing, He revealed that it was by their faith that they were made whole (Matthew 9:22, 29; Mark 5:34; 10:52; Luke 7:50; 17:19) The result of Stephen being full of faith and power was that the Holy Spirit worked great signs and wonders through his life.

Stephen was an account of an ordinary man who was willing to believe all that God had promised. He was not an apostle nor was he called a presbyter but simply a man who had taken a hold of the power of God that is made available to everyone who will believe. God who is no respecter of persons who is gracious to all and desires to do for you what He did for Stephen.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Dec 29 2006

John 4:23 - "But an hour of the true worshipper is coming and now is when they shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth."

We now live in the time of the true worshipper. Not because of a special creed or liturgical practice but because God has poured out the water from on high (Isaiah 41:18; 44:3). The worshipper referred to here is a unique kind of worshipper never before talk about in the scripture. The true worshipper worships in a different way than any worshipper of the past has ever been able to worship. The true worshipper must worship in Spirit and Truth, something that is only possible through the living water that Jesus causes to come up out of our innermost being through the gift of God.

Jesus invited this woman - as well as all men in every generation - to come and draw water from the true well of life (Isaiah 12:3; John 7:38-39). The gift of God is supplied to us as a satisfying drink to a thirsty soul. When we drink of this water it becomes a wellspring and a river producing the limitless supply of Holy Spirit inspiration. Through receiving the miracle supply of the Spirit that Jesus desires to give, rivers from the deep places of our souls are released in worship unto God.

Jesus, who is the rock in the wilderness, now offers spiritual drink to everyone who is thirsty (1 Corinthians 10:4; Psalms 78:15; 105:14). He has come down to us like rain upon the mown grass as showers that water the earth (Psalms 72:6). For those who will receive the water that He gives, He turns the wilderness of our life into a standing water and the dry ground into water springs (Psalms 107:35).

Drinking is something that we do regularly because of a deep physical need. No matter who we are we also have a deep spiritual need for the living water. What many of God's people fail to recognize is that we need to come just as regularly to the fountain of life to satisfy the spiritual thirst that we have. Every time we drink of this spiritual water, the Holy Spirit will cause rivers of His pleasure to flow out of our innermost being. As we allow God to supply our deepest spiritual need, rivers of worship and truth flow out in praise unto our God.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Dec 28 2006

Acts 20:7 - "And on the first of the week, the disciples having come together to break bread, Paul addressed them being about to depart the next morning and continued to speak until midnight."

This is the first time that church services are mentioned as being held on the first day of the week other than the fact that it is implied in 1 Corinthians 16:2. Also, the idea conveyed in the meaning of the Lord's Day in Revelation 1:10 implies the day that Jesus arose from the dead. The fact that the disciples were assembled on the first day of the week, one week after the resurrection, seems to imply that the tradition of assembling to worship on Sunday began immediately after the resurrection of Jesus from the dead (John 20:26).

Certainly, the first day of the week was chosen as the time to assemble together in that Jesus arose from the dead on the first day of the week and then appeared to the disciples two consecutive times on the first day of the week (John 20:1,19, 26). The Greek phrase that is used here to express "the first of the week" is "mia ton sabbaton." This particular phrase - along with two other closely related phrases - is used 8 times in the New Testament (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2, 9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1, 19; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2). It is used almost exclusively to describe the day that Jesus arose from the dead which was Sunday. A fact that further substantiates that this was not merely an event when the disciples just happened to be gathered together is the use of the verb "sunago." The verb "sunago" refers to a formal gathering as opposed to "episuagoghn" which would be used of a regular gathering (A.T. Robertson; Acts 20:7).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Dec 27 2006

Acts 13:34 - "And that He raised Him from the dead never again to return to corruption; therefore, He has said, 'I will give you the holy things of faithful David. '"

This quote is found in Isaiah 55:3, "I will cut an everlasting covenant for you of faithful David's mercies (covenant love)." The last five Greek words used here in Acts 13:34 are identical to those found in the Septuagint, "ta hosia David ta pista" (the holy things of David's faithfulness). In the Hebrew Bible, this same passage reads, "mercies (covenant love) of David's faithfulness" ("chasdey david hanneemaneem"). Those who translated the Hebrew Bible into Greek understood the Hebrew word that many translate 'mercy' (chesed) to mean holy or sacred things.

What we can understand from looking at all of these texts is that the holy things of David was the covenant love that he had with God - a covenant love that was established by the mercies of God. The covenant love that God cut with David He also cut with Jesus, His only begotten Son. This same lovingkindness and tender mercies has been extended to us today through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Dec 26 2006

John 4:10 - "Jesus replied and said to her, "If you knew about the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked Him and He would give you living water."

The gift of God is the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; 8:20; 10:45; 11:17; Hebrews 6:4). The gift of the Holy Spirit was given to us so that we could receive the transformation of nature and be made a new creation (John 3:5-6, 8; Titus 3:5; 1 John 3:24; John 1:13; Romans 8:9). The gift of the Holy Spirit was given so that we could be empowered with divine power (Luke 24:49; Acts 2:8). The gift of God is a treasure on the inside of us that produces the excellence of God's power (2 Corinthians 4:7).

The gift is a wellspring producing spirit and truth, a river producing all that was seen on the day of Pentecost and more, the Comforter who abides with us forever, Christ in us the hope of glory, our seal of redemption, the teacher who leads and guides us into all truth, God's power on the inside of us producing all His fruits and testifying of all His glory (John 4:10; 7:38- 39; John 14:16; Colossians 1:27; 1John 4:24; Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 1:22).

The gift of God brought forth the Spirit of the Son, the divine nature, the new man and the new creation (Galatians 4:6; 2 Peter 1:4; Ephesians 4:24; 2 Corinthians 5:17). The gift of the Holy Spirit is received by asking the Father who has made it known that it is His good pleasure to give us the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13; Acts 2:38; Ephesians 1:5; Philippians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:11).

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Dec 24 2006

Ephesians 1:13-14 - "In whom you also heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation - in whom also you, believing, were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. Which is the first installment of our inheritance as a ransom payment for the purchase unto the praise of His glory."

The noun 'arrabon' may be translated either 'first installment,' 'deposit,' 'down payment,' or 'pledge' all of which denote paying the first part of a purchase price. Jesus told the disciples in Luke 24:49 to go and wait until they received the "Promise of my Father." The Spirit of promise then hearkens back to the glorious day that the promise of the Father was poured out upon the 120 on the day of Pentecost. It was on that day that God made His first payment to us and sealed us as His sons and heirs (Acts 1:4; Acts 2:1; Luke 24:49).

It seems that we should be making a payment to Him for redeeming us. Instead, God made a payment to us providing proof that we have been "bought with a price," the precious blood of Jesus. The terms of this transaction is that we agreed to belong entirely to God and, in exchange, the Father through Christ Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

This experience of His grace is the initial evidence that we agreed to be purchased. Subsequently, in keeping with the covenant, we no longer live to ourselves; rather, we glorify God in our bodies and spirits which He has purchased.

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Dec 23 2006

1 Peter 1:25 - "But the word of the Lord remains unto eternity, and this is the word which has been proclaimed to you."

There are two words used in the Greek language for "word:" 'logos' and 'rhema.' However, these two words are translated by one Hebrew word many times and especially when the word of the Lord is being referred to; the Hebrew word is 'dabar.' A classic example of this is in Exodus 19:6-9 where we find 'dabar' translated as 'rhema' twice and 'logos' twice. This synonymous interchange between the Greek word 'rhema' and 'logos' is further emphasized in 1-Kings 12:24 and 1-Samuel 15:23 where the expression "the word of the Lord" is found in each case twice, and in both instances it is translated using 'rhema' and then 'logos.' This interchange is observed many times throughout the Bible leaving us little doubt that there is any difference between the two.

The one interesting thing to note is that the expression the "word of the Lord" in the five books of Moses exclusively uses 'rhema' beginning with Genesis 15:1 through Deuteronomy 34:5. Peter also uses these two words somewhat interchangeably having said that we are born of the 'logos' in verse 23 and then describes that 'logos' of which we were born to be the 'rhema' that endures forever.

This same revelation that God's word is eternal is found in Isaiah 40:8. Jesus said that heaven and earth shall pass away but my word will not pass away (Mark 13:31). The Psalmist says that God's word is forever settled in heaven and that He has exalted it above His own name (Psalms 119:89; Psalms 138:2). Jesus said that it was the words that He had spoken that would judge men in the last day (John 12:48). The word of God reveals to us the will of God which is unchanging. The word of God is living, revealing, life giving, faith imparting, supernatural creative power of God at work on the inside of those who will believe.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Dec 22 2006

Acts 10:35 - "But in every nation he who fears Him and practices righteousness is acceptable."

The Greek word 'dekton,' which means "acceptable," is used often in the Old Testament of the quality of sacrifice that is acceptable to God. The acceptable offerings are those offerings which a worshiper can worship God with. "If his offering is a whole burnt offering of the oxen it shall be a perfect male which he shall bring to the door of the tent of meeting; he shall come near; for it is acceptable before YHWH" (Leviticus 1:3).

Through the transformation of life that was brought to us by the redemption that is in Jesus Christ, we are made holy and acceptable so that we may present our lives as an offering to God (Romans 12:1). Paul said that the Gentile were made acceptable to God because they were sanctified by the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:16). In Proverbs, God says to do righteousness and judgment is more acceptable than sacrifice (Proverbs 21:3).

All worshipers along with the Psalmist cry out to God and say, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight oh Lord my strength and my redeemer" (Psalms 19:14). When Jesus began His ministry He introduced the acceptable day of the Lord wherein God is calling all men to repent and turn back to the way of righteousness, purity, and holiness for which we were created (Luke 4:19; Isaiah 61:2; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 2:9). God has called us to live in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost to which Paul says that they who serve God in these things are acceptable to God and approved of men (Romans 14:17-18).

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Dec 21 2006

Leviticus 1:7 - "The sons of Aaron the priest shall stoke the fire on the altar and lay out wood on the fire."

It was not the responsibility of the Priest to light the fire for they were specifically commanded to keep the fire burning by stocking and adding wood to it (Leviticus 6:5-9, 12-13). The fire that burned upon the altar was lit by God (Leviticus 9:24; 1 Chronicles 21:26; 2 Chronicles 7:1,3; 1 Kings 18:38; Acts 2:3). It was from this divine fire that all other fires and lights in the sanctuary were to be made (Leviticus 16:12; Numbers 16:46).

God would not tolerate a fire that was produced by man in His house. Such a fire whether on a candle or in the bowl of incense was considered strange fire and carried with it the penalty of death (Leviticus 10:1; Numbers 3:4; 26:61). It was out of the fire of God that Moses received the revelation of who Yahowah God is (Exodus 3:2; 19:18; 24:17; Deuteronomy 4:12,33, 36,5:4,22,24; 9:10; 10:4). It was by the fire of God that the Israelites were led and given light in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21). The fire of God sanctified the place that God had ordained and designed for worship (Exodus 40:38). It was by the fire of God that all who desired to worship would present their offerings (Exodus 30:20; Leviticus 1:9; 2:2).

The fire of God is also central to worship in the New Testament ( John 4:23; Philippians 3:3; Jude 20). Jesus Christ is given the ministry of baptizing those who come to Him with the fire of God. Those who were baptized in the Holy Ghost and Fire on the day of Pentecost spoke forth the word of God and worshiped in Spirit as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:1-11; 1 Corinthians 14:2). Every offering and act of worship is to be produced by the same fire of the Holy Spirit that Jesus has come to baptize us with. To arise and shine with the glory of God as lights unto the world we must be set on fire by the Holy Ghost (Isaiah 60:1; Ephesians 5:8; Matthew 5:14).

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Dec 20 2006

Acts 3:16 - "And the faith upon His name has made this one whom you see and know strong; and the faith that is through Him gave to him this perfect health before you all."

The Greek preposition 'epi' is translated most often 'on' or 'upon,' and, although it is awkward, it is accurate. The next phrase uses yet another preposition 'dia,' which is most commonly translated 'through,' 'on account of' or 'because of.' The healing power of God is manifested by "the faith upon His name" and "the faith that is through the name of Jesus." Jesus made it known that all power was given unto Him in heaven and in earth, therefore, He commanded that when we preach or minister we are to do it in His name.

The name of Jesus communicates faith, and by the name of Jesus, the miracle power of faith is released. Jesus said, "These signs shall follow them that believe, in my name," devils will be cast out, the believer will "speak with new tongues," they will "lay hands on the sick and they will recover" (Mark 16:17; Luke 24:47). Jesus is still at work today because He is the unchanging Savior who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the unchanging Savior whose government is forever increasing.

When Paul cast out devils or ministered healing, he used the name of Jesus just as Peter and John used the name of Jesus. The sons of Sceva failed when they used the name of Jesus because they had no authority to use His name. They could not speak of Jesus as their Lord but only Jesus whom Paul preached. As a result, the evil spirit did not have to listen to them but rather attacked and hurt them (Acts 19:13). "But as many as would receive Him, who having faith in His name, to them He gave authority to be the sons of God" (John 1:12).

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org

Daily Bread - Dec 19 2006

1 Peter 3: 4 - "But the hidden man of the heart in the incorruptible - even a gentle and quiet spirit - which is of great value before God."

The heart of man is the "hidden man" or the inner man. It is that immortal dimension of ourselves that now exists in this mortal body. When our bodies die, our inner man departs either to be with the Lord or into the punishment of eternal death. The heart is that hidden dimension of man where God desires His truth and wisdom to dwell (Psalms 51:6). Those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus have had their hearts liberated from the darkness of sin by the circumcision of Christ which removed its foreskin (Colossians 2:13). The hard and calloused heart of man has been softened by redemption's transformation which created a new heart and a new man (Ezekiel 36:26; Ephesians 4:24).

God has made our hearts His dwelling place, and because He dwells there, our inward man grows and is strengthened every day (2 Corinthians 4:16). In that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ dwells in our hearts, His word also dwells there, and it is from our hearts that His peace rules our lives (Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 3:16; 3:15; Philippians 4:7). It is from our heart that the Spirit of God cries out unto the Father (Galatians 4:6; 2 Corinthians 1:22). It is with our heart that we believe unto righteousness (Romans 10:10).

God in His loving kindness and tender mercies has caused the light of His glorious gospel to shine into our hearts and, as a result, His nature and ways are inscribed there (2 Corinthians 4:6; Hebrews 8:10; 10:16; Jeremiah 31:33; 2 Corinthians 3:3; 1 Peter 1:23-24; Romans 8:4). It is our responsibility to treasure what God has done for us and adorn our hearts with the beauty of holiness. God has brought His Glory into our hearts, and all we must do is yield to Him and let Him reign.

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Daily Bread - Dec 16 2006

John 3:34 - "He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit to Him without measure."

This very unique phrase "ek metrou" (by measure) does not appear anywhere else in the Bible nor in Greek writings (The Gospel According to John, Raymond Brown). This expression could be translated "boundless" and refers to the fact that Jesus came ministering with the fullness of God's Spirit. As the only begotten Son of God who was God incarnated into flesh, Jesus holds the supreme place of receiving the Spirit in a way superior to all others (Hebrews 1:1). Although many men received special anointings of the Spirit in the Old Testament Jesus was the first to be honored with the Spirit without measure.

An example of the measure of the Spirit received by the Old Testament saints may be observed in the story of Elijah and Elisha. Elisha sought for a double portion of the Spirit that was upon Elijah and as a result he did twice the miracles of Elijah (2 Kings 2:9). Moses was anointed with the Spirit when He stood before the fire of God and was empowered to do extraordinary miracles (Exodus 3). In fact, when Moses was allowed to look on the glory of God on Mount Sinai, the anointing of the Spirit and presence of God was so great that his face shone with the glory of God (Exodus 34:29-33, 35; 2 Corinthians 3:7, 13). There was enough of the Spirit of God on Moses that it could be taken from him and placed upon seventy men selected to help Moses (Numbers 11:16-17, 25).

There was never a prophet like Moses in all of the Old Testament who talked with God face to face, yet he received the Spirit by measure (Deuteronomy 34:10; Exodus 33:11; Numbers 12:8). God never honored anyone in the Old Testament with the fullness of the Spirit, yet today the same anointing and glory that Jesus received when He was baptized with the Spirit is made available to anyone who asks (John 7:38-39; John 16:13-15; Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33;17:22; 14:12).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Daily Bread - Dec 15 2006

John 15:4 - "Dwell in me and I in you. Just as the branch has no power to bring forth fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me."

Jesus has made the reality of God's will very plain to us by the use of this allegory. The life that God offers to us is one that is totally united with Him that functions as a result of His care and provision. A botanical understanding of a vine thoroughly and simply drives home the point. The vine is the only connection that the branch has to the source of the life-giving nutrients essential to its survival. The vine supplies the structure and resources from which the branch can produce the fruit. The fruit that the vine produces is specific to the DNA of the vine - which in this case is the fruit of God's own nature. It is the gardener's objective to tend the branches in such a way as to maximize, first, the quality of the fruit and, then, as the branch matures, the quantity.

Both the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ have not only purposed that we bring forth fruit but they have dedicated themselves to supply everything that we need in order to do so. Our role as the branch is very simple; all that we must do is obediently respond to the will of the Father who is cultivating our lives to fulfill the very specific objective of producing the fruit of the vine. As a branch, we must see our whole identity and purpose defined by the vine from which we grow. This intimate relationship and absolute identity ultimately results in Father doing whatever we ask (John 15:7; 14:13-14).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Daily Bread - Dec 14 2006

Ephesians 5:8 - "Indeed you were once darkness but now light in the Lord; walk as children of Light."

Jesus Christ is first and foremost, the true Light that has come into the world (John 1:7-9; 8:12; 9:5). Jesus came to give this light to everyman that is in the world (Luke 1:79; 2:32; John 1:9; Matthew 4:16;). Those who believe are empowered to walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7; Ephesians 5:8; John 8:12). It is God's desire that His redeemed saints be the light of the world, a city set upon a hill so that all men might see Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16; John 12:36; Acts 13:47; 1 Thessalonians 5:5).

Light is used figuratively of truth, life, vision, redemption, purity and righteousness (John 1:4; 11:9; 12:35, 46; Luke 11:34-36; Acts 26:18; 2 Corinthians 4:6; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 1:5). Light, as a metaphor of righteousness, is set in contrast to darkness and evil (Matthew 6:23; Luke 11:34; John 3:19; Romans 13:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 John 2:9). It is that which the unrighteous are unwilling to come to because it is light that reveals the truth and reproves unrighteous deeds (John 3:20). To understand the true meaning of light, we look to the fact that it represents who God is in His moral perfection and holiness.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Daily Bread - Dec 13 2006

Ephesians 5:8-9 "Indeed you were once darkness but now light in the Lord, walk as children of Light. For the fruit of the Spirit, in all goodness and righteousness and truth."

Our primary focus must be on righteousness, which has been both imputed and imparted to us by the Grace of our Righteous God. God's righteousness is supplied to us by the Holy Spirit and operates in our lives through His vital working power (Romans 8:4; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Righteousness is the chief characteristic of the Kingdom of God and that, which is to receive the foremost attention in our lives (Matthew 6:33; Romans 14:17). Righteousness is to be the focus of our faith and the desire of our heart every day (Romans 10:6,10; Galatians 3:11; Philippians 3:9). God demands that we awake to the righteousness that we have been given and sin no more (1 Corinthians 15:34). We should recognize that we live under the administration of righteousness and that we are to walk with the protective armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left (2 Corinthians 3:9; 6:7; 1 Timothy 6:11). Walking in righteousness is the proof that we have been born of God and it is the light that the world needs to see (1 John 2:29; 3:7; Matthew 5:14-16).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Daily Bread - Dec 12 2006
2 Peter 2:5 - "And did not spare the ancient world but kept Noah, eighth, a preacher of righteousness bringing a flood upon a world of ungodliness."

God demands righteousness and there is no possibility that He will in any way compromise the necessity of it. In fact, when we consider the potential result of God making a compromise and allowing unrighteousness to exist in His kingdom we would conclude that it would be the ultimate ruin of everything that is good.

Righteousness is a word that is clearly defined by its frequent use in the Bible. It appears 249 times in the Bible and is primarily translated from the Hebrew word "tsedakah" and the Greek word "dikaiosune". From its first appearance in Genesis 15:6 to its final occurrence in Revelation 22:11, it speaks of obedience to God's will and describes purity and moral integrity.

In this passage here in Second Peter Noah is set in contrast to the rest of the world (Genesis 6:9; 7:1). Noah was the one that God called righteous while all the others were unrighteous or ungoldly. Righteousness by definition means one who is pure and virtuous. Through God's amazing love and grace we are made the righteousness of God. When we think about this level of righteousness we are confronted with the purest and most exact righteousness that exist.

Even though Noah was righteous and it was by his righteousness that he was saved God has given us a greater righteousness. We were not given the righteousness of Noah or Abraham but the righteousness of God. How? Because Jesus who knew no sin became the sin offering for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 2:21; Philippians 3:9; Ephesians 4:24; 5:9; 6:14; Romans 8:4; Philippians 1:11; 1 Timothy 6:11). God has given us this wonderful free gift and we must give His righteousness first place in our life (Matthew 6:33).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Daily Bread - Dec 11 2006

Acts 15:10-11 - "Now then why tempt God to lay a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor us had strength to bear? But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ in the same manner also."

The first definition of "saved" cited in Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (Eleventh Edition) is, "delivered from sin." Peter suggests that there is no difference between Jew and Gentile and that if anyone is going to be saved it will be by the same Jesus through the same faith. The Jews who had depended upon the Law for salvation were faced with the crisis of an instantaneous righteousness through the miracle of salvation instead of a righteous status maintained by strict observance of the Law. The transition that they were engaged in was that there was now no more need for the Law and that the Gentiles were being granted equal position with them in God.

The salvation that is in Christ Jesus is so radically different because the dominance of sin is removed. The revelation of the purity and righteousness that comes by the miracle of faith was also expressed by Paul in Acts 13:38-39 where he declared that all who believe in Jesus Christ "are shown to be righteous" which is something that the Law of Moses was powerless to do. The Law of Moses was weak in that it depended upon the ability of man - who themselves were governed by a disobedient nature (Romans 8:3; 7:5; Galatians 3:21; Hebrews 7:9). However, through the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, everyone who believes has the righteousness of the Law fulfilled in them because they are walking in the Spirit of God (Romans 8:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:24).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org