2 Cor 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Eph 1:4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
Eph 1:11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Eph 2:22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Phil 3:8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—
Col 2:11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
1 Jn 2:5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
1 Jn 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Romans 12:5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
1 Cor 1:2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
1 Cor 1:30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Gal 3:26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Phil 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
Phil 4:21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.
Col 1:2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father
Philemon 1:23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you,
1 Pet 5:14 Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Thank you so much Jim! These Scriptures bring so much life to each of us. As we celebrate His resurrection this weekend, may we all remember who we are IN HIM! Thank you Jim for this wonderful reminder. God bless you and Carole.
God loves us so much! Wow. My heart is made glad.
Our Father placed us IN HIM. Awesome. I stand in silence before Him.
There is nothing I can do to top this free gift. Nothing I can do to repay Him.
It is all about His love for me. Thank you for blessing us with these verses, laid out one after the other, clearly showing our position IN HIM.
***
I am struck with fear for CJ and his bodyguards because they are messing with very special, very precious, very Children of God. Truly. My heart was clenched in fear as I thought of CJ, on that day, giving account for his actions.
***
So who am I, who are WE ?
We are sons and daughters of the one, true and only living G-D.
We are the children of G-D.
We are brothers and sisters of JESUS CHRIST.
We are bought and paid for.
We are forgiven.
We are whiter than snow.
We are the righteousness of G-D.
We are the glimmer in HIS eye.
We are HIS chosen.
We are the apple of HIS eye.
We share in the inheritance.
We are grafted in with Son.
We are clean.
We are Holy.
We are blameless.
We are G-D seekers.
We are the bride OF CHRIST.
We are the guests at the banquet table of the Lamb.
We are crown wearers and crown bearers.
We are those that bring HIM delight.
We are the SAINTS in whom HE finds great joy !!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Jim for these verses,
For those of us who have lost our way a little bit over these last several years and have focused instead on an institution, may the Lord help us to refocus our gaze on Him this resurrection weekend. Jesus Only is worthy of all our attention and allegiance, May He enable us to truly rest in our identity in Him. I prayed last nite thru many tears that the Lord would enable me to enjoy Him again, to just joy in His presence, it’s been so very long and has so morfed into a works/righteousness/condemnation cycle where what I experianced at the hands of leadership at church, I began to believe was who Jesus was…
May this resurrection Sunday bring great joy to all who know His Name.
Blessings to you all – May the Lord bring healing to all the hurts, By His stripes only we are healed.
HowDee, Ya’All,
Remnant Said:
“There is nothing I can do to top this free gift.”
“Nothing I can do to repay Him.”
“It is all about His love for me.”
Thank you also (Jim) for da scripture verses, “…laid out one after the other, clearly showing our position IN HIM.”
Count me in!
YeHaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
In “the long and winding road”…
“Leed us to Yourself, Jesus!”
Happy Easter!
In a little, ;~)
Sopy
Jim,
Thanks for helping us to put our focus more where it ought to be (versus the cross). This was very uplifting, such a wonderful reminder of what we now are and what we now have in Christ.
Bree
What a wonderful thing to read first thing this morning! Thank you Jim for reminding us of who we are in Christ Jesus! I was especially drawn to Col 2:11-15 (14) Jesus sacrifice canceled the record of debt that stood against me with its legalism!! It was nailed to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame by triumphing over them…….
How wonderful to have ALL my trespasses canceled! They were canceled on the cross many many years ago before I was born and they are still canceled….. I am one of the “whosoever will” ! I believe that Jesus is my Savior and my Redeemer…He is my help in times of trouble and my light in a dark world. He is the one who sacrificed His life . He died that I could live and now I am dying to myself so He can live through me…. I do not have to fear the men who set themselves up as rulers and authorities over me because they will be brought to shame…. My heart grieves for them too…. Lord open their eyes..Let them see their faces of pride and arrogance… Turn them to You. Reveal Yourself to them in a powerful earth shaking way and bring them into truth…Open the eyes of those who are still in bondage to their falsehoods… Give them the courage to walk away … Let them see that “the Emporer has no clothes on!”… Oh God rescue the men and women and children who don’t know the reality of Your love and forgiveness… Show them the Joy of Your Salvation….. Create in them clean hearts and renew right spirits within them…..Thank You that You hear our prayers ..Thank You that You died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead delivering us from the grip of eternal anguish… To You be all honor and power and praise forever!
Jim & Carole,
I agree with Martie, what a wonderful thing to read first thing in the morning!
I am one of the redeemed; a sinner saved by His amazing grace.
As the Knight would say, it doesn’t get any better than that.
I pray everyone here have a wonderful Holy Week & Easter, and may all of us rejoice in the joy of our salvation!
P.D.
Jim, Thankyou for reminding us of the life-giving truths in Gods Word. Jim and Carol,may the Lord bless you both in the power of His Might as you are in His calling to bring His Light to those who are in bondage to the letter of the law.
Posters to Refuge, may the Lord Himself, continue to cause your hearts to rejoice in the God of our Salvation—the One Who was sent because God SO LOVED the world, that He gave His only Son—the unfailing love ot the Father,pouring out Himself—for us—who can fathom such great great love???
As we remember the Passover week, and rejoice in the remembrance of the Resurrection of our Redeemer, may we all be in awe that “the same Spirit that raised Christ Jesus from the dead dwells in us” !!! (paraphrased Romans 8:11) Hallellujah—He is Risen, Indeed !
Thank you Jim for this wonderful reminder of who we are in Christ. Waters and everyone else who has posted thank you for the inspiring words. May we all focus this Resurrection weekend on the Resurrected Jesus Christ who has given us the victory. He is right now sitting at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us. We give (Colossians 1:12-14 Amplified Bible ) “ thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God’s holy people) in the Light. [The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins.”
Folks, as born again Christians, we are no longer called “sinners” but “saints”, God’s holy people. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ paid a huge price of pain, suffering, and sacrifice through coming to earth and taking all of our sin upon Himself and dieing on the Cross for us. He paid a huge price so that we may be called saints and sons and daughters of God. May we walk in thankfulness and bring Him glory by walking in our true inheritance which is VICTORY, LIFE, and FREEDOM. Yes we still battle sin in the flesh but we have VICTORY and POWER over sin and it no longer has control and dominion over us! Praise be to God!!! He is Risen! He’s ALIVE!
question….I know that Jesus intercedes for us before the Father but could we safely say Jesus IS our intercession?
HowDee, Ya’All,
Martie,
Jesus is “right there” with da Father!
Does dat count? : >grin<
“Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”
–Romans 8:34
Remember dat wonderful Holy Spirit -”down payment” stuff too!
Praise God Almighty…Hes a gota us “covered” seven ways ta Sunday!
Hurray!
“Peace to all of you who are in Christ.”
In a little, ;~)
Sopy
Call Jesus’ Name and He’ll be there!
HowDee Ya’All,
Bree,
This one is just for you!
Happy Easter!
*
Heavenly Father watching us all
We take from each other and give nothing at all
Well its a dog-gone shame
But never too late for change
So if your luck runs low
Just reach out and call His name, His name!
Chorus:
Yah mo be there (up and over)
Yah mo be there (up and over)
Yah mo be there (up and over)
Yah mo be there (up and over)
Whenever you call
Never be lonely lost in the night
Just run from the darkness
Looking for the light
cause its a long hard road
That leads to a brighter day (hey)
Don’t let your heart grow cold
Just reach out and call His name, His name!
Chorus:
You can count on it brother
cause were all just finding our way
Travelling through time
People got to keep pushing on
No matter how many dreams slip away
Yah mo be there
Well its a dog-gone shame
But never too late for change
So when your luck runs low
Just reach out and call His name, His name!
____
Plug dis into YouTube : O3dB98ZnwjM
Michael Mcdonald –“Yah Mo Be There”
Enjoy!
Praise You Jesus!
In ma prayers!
YaHooooooooooooooooooooo!
In a little, ;~)
Sopy
Sopy! So, who are you? ; )
Well, this may not be the best place for this question, I don’t know. But it’s late and being a little tired, I say, oh, well.
How does someone who’s inclined to be very legalistic move forward without making it all into a performance? Does that even make sense? Probably the question itself shows legality. Maybe I can answer my own question…it isn’t about doing it perfectly, it’s about what He’s already done? I remember, REST. It can be hard to find your way when for years you’ve been nothing but negative–always pinning it down to sin. Especially if you get really good at it and actually believe that it’s reality. You all here know what I mean, I think.
What a downer, eh?
Happy Easter to you and everyone else here, too!
Thank-you,
Bree
I get it. I mean, I don’t get it, so I just need to call out to Jesus. I get it!
Someone told me this very night that I need to stop thinking–too much, that is. I can’t figure it all out. The answer is Jesus–but I gotta call on HIm and trust Him to help. Yes?
: )
Bree,
A friend of mine who is still in our local sgm church recently wrote me this sentence of exasperation: “…I pray I could get to a reflective place where I’m not wearing sin-glasses anymore (like sun-glasses but the sin blinds me and keeps out the Son).” Even if there is a legalistic, check-list bent in our personality—still, we can take off the “sin-glasses” and behold the Son—the One Who says “IAM the Resurrection and the Life”;…and “come to Me, all ye who are weary and heavy-ladened and I will give you rest.”…….Blessings to you ….
Bree… I know what you mean… Even tho I hate some of the things that I do ( legalisticly) I still find myself thinking that way. Something that is helping me may help you. When I recognize I am being legalistic I ask myself what the motive behind it is. Usually my answer is …I’m trying to please someone ( even God) or I don’t want to get in trouble. I am legalistic because I am afraid of not being acceptable….. I am afraid of failing…. I then think of what the Word tells me in Psalms 34:4-8 ” I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are raidant ; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called and the Lord heard Him;He saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and He deliveres them.Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” I have to accept this by faith. I have to trust God that His word is true. This is what it says. and I am chosing to believe it. The work was finished. I still am to obey His commandents but I am to do it not for a reward but for the joy of just being His child. I am still trying to figure this whole grace thing out ….. So far this is what I understand …If anyone can add to or take away from what I said please do…….
Hi Bree
I’ve been more of a reader of the posts then a poster, but I really related to what you shared, I’m there in the very same place. I was trying to find a song done by a particuler artist named Kelley Warren called “Wrap me in your Arms” I couldnt find her version , but I’ve found another version on youtube, I hope you will be blessed - see below,, Anyways, I just play and replay it until the truth of the words begin to quiet my heart.
Blessings in Jesus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O9-4El1KmM
Waters,
Knowing the things Jesus said, believing them, but somehow not truly–not walking in that place or trusting, that’s for sure…
Thank-you for sharing that, both what your friend told you (great analogy) and Jesus’ Words. I’m going to think on those Words of His today and pray for faith, that I trust what He’s saying is rock-solid truth.
Bree
the enemy of our soul loves to try and get us believing that if we don’t feel a certain way that it is not a reality in our heart. Trusting God is by faith not by feel of course sometimes we do have a wonderful feeling of well-being( and the times are getting longer for me ptl) but faith is believing without seeing or feeling…. We trust what He says because He said it….. We stand on His promises because we KNOW His word is truth…. You will make it Bree…God completes the work He started…. One day at a time…..
Martie,
Thank-you for sharing your own personal walk with me. And I do see the same motive for myself–fear, A LOT of fear. Like I said to Waters, having read Scripture, believing it to be true, and yet not really trusting it… the passages both you and Waters shared today seemed new somehow when I read them. Maybe I read them more slowly, just maybe God was speaking them to my heart. I need to comtemplate all the truth in those few verses from Psalms. “He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him…their faces are NEVER covered with shame…” That goes extremely well with the thought of taking off my “sin-glasses.” : )
Thank-you so much!
Bree
My heart is singing this morning because of God’s promises. “This poor [girl] called, and the LORD heard [her]…”
What a wonderful song!! Thank you for pointing it out Much Afraid! I also liked All I Need is You….. I am going to listen to both of those songs until they are in my heart
Martie,
I do struggle with not having the right “feeling.” But isn’t joy a feeling? Or no? I’ve walked along without the feelings that I desired, decided I wasn’t going to have those anymore, but is that really it?
I know that I am supposed to have faith mentally–that’s all believe means. But can I trust without any expression within? I’m honestly asking this. I think too much and I could get really distracted with this one. : )
If I believe, truly believe, that “blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him,” won’t I have an inner response of some-sort? Maybe because I’m “feeling” things this morning after such encouragement, it just seems like there has to be feelings. But I know there’s mainly not…
Thank-you for reminding me that God is working, “He who began a good work…” (Phil. 1:6)
Bree
Much afraid,
That’s a beautiful song…I’m really taken back by all the encouragement here today. Thank-you so much for sharing that with me!
People here really love the LORD and love their brothers and sisters, too. How blessed I am! Although I just said last night it [SGM time and more] has all been a mistake, God knows, and He meant it for good. Maybe through the darkness, He can best show us the light. No, not the SGM thing where seeing my sin is good because then the cross looks more beautiful. But the path we’ve taken–legalism versus grace.
Blessings to you Much afraid,
Bree
Bree-we can’t trust our feelings. Trust in Him alone.
The author and finisher of our faith will complete the good work He started in you.
Sit at His feet and thank Him that you are IN HIM.
I have 3 adult children. There is nothing they can do to cause themselves to no longer be my children. Carole gave birth to them. No one can undo that.
The Holy Spirit gave birth to you. Nothing can undo that. You are accepted in the Beloved (in Him). You belong to Him. Forever.
Sometimes we need to stop trying to figure everything out and just be still and know that He is God.
Isa 41:9, 10 - you whom I took from the ends of the earth,
and called from its farthest corners,
saying to you, “You are my servant,
I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isa 49:15, 16 - “Can a woman forget her nursing child,
that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Even these may forget,
yet I will not forget you.
Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are continually before me.
Bree,
When I say feelings I am talking about saying things like”I don’t feel like God loves me or I don’t feel loved…. ” Those are false feelings because what we are feeling goes against scripture….. To me Joy is more than a feeling….Happiness is a feeling but Joy and happiness are a different thing to me….Joy is something that is there even when we “feel” sad…I know I’m probably not making any sense…..I am reminded of a song we used to sing long ago…One of the lines says…” Real joy is mine no matter if the teardrops start…I’ve found a secret…It’s Jesus in my heart…..” The thing that gets us up when we are down is the Joy that is in our heart because we believe…. That joy is always there when we are down or up or neutral…All we have to do is think about what Jesus did for us and the joy springs up in our heart….. Happiness is controled by my feelings….. We do “feel” things when God is revealing things to us… I just lost a grandson a couple weeks ago…He was stillborn… My feelings were sorrow but in my heart I had a sense of Joy because Samuel was with Jesus and would never have to experience the hard things of this life…. My faith gave me hope …It wasn’t a feeling as much as it was an assurance of what I believe….. I’m going to stop writing now…I may just be making things more foggy for you… God will show you in His own special way….
Bree, may I offer a thought? If joy and happiness are the same things, then we just need to improve our lives, and we will be happy and joyful. If these two words are the same then they are indeed feelings that depend on how we perceive our lives and events in them. On the other hand, i would offer that happiness does depend on happy things happening. Joy, however, doesn’t depend on happy things occurring; rather, joy depends on that deep abiding presence of LIFE inside of us, that resurrected life producing itself up through the “vine into the branches.” Joy is a by-product of HIS LIFE unimpeded by us trying so hard to make this Christian life work. HE IS LIFE! Joy, then, is a resting trust of HIS life manifesting itself out through us, as us. Joy, as the fruit of the Spirit, isn’t something we wait for as a feeling or an event but a result of us walking in the Spirit, without making even that another religious thing on our part.
that was very well said Gratefully! I was struggling for words and you came right out and spoke them….God answered my prayer for the right words! And they came through you! Isn’t God amazing!
Jim,
I know you’re right–we can’t trust our feelings. I probably can’t explain myself, but it makes me sad to think that certain feelings are gone. I should stop hoping for those? I’ve done that before… life has to be lived, yes.
I know I need to focus on Him, trust Him. I haven’t even faced the heartache that so many people here have. What I have faced… I do want answers. I do have a hard time not trying to figure it all out.
But, I should find my joy in Him… I have to let some things go?
How sad is it that I come to people I’ve never even seen for help… what a waste to have spent all that time developing relationships with people who only want to point me to myself…
Oh, I’m rambling. Those Scriptures are wonderful, Jim. I do know them, but it means so much when someone shares them, to encourage. Thank-you.
Martie,
Thank-you, yes, I understand you. I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m praying for your family.
Gratefully,
Jesus is the life, yes. You are saying abide in Him and the fruit of joy will be there regardless of circumstances. But may I ask, does joy exist along with a certain flatness (I don’t want to say deadness, can’t think of the right word) in your spirit? Say circumstances never change, or maybe they’re O.K. anyway, are we to accept a lack of happiness–does joy exist without that? I guess I still am not sure I understand. Yes, I shouldn’t trust my feelings. So forget about them? Maybe they come, maybe they go?
Heavy junk. Thank-you all.
Bree
Bree, I do understand what you are saying about missing the feelings…. I have been away from pdi for 3 years now and it has just been recently that I have started enjoying fellowship and church again… I was waiting for the hidden agenda lurking behind the smiles…..I was afraid of “making a mistake” again with which church to attend…It will get better and you will once again praise Him in a way that excites you to the inner most part of your Being…..
Thank-you, Martie.
Bree,
We are humans, yes. We want to be loved; we want to be happy. And we can work very hard to apprehend those things.
The truth, however, is that we are complete in Christ. Complete meaning lacking NOTHING. Why do we, then, still chase and exhaust ourselves with religious gymnastics? Why do we still work ourselves to a frazzle. Simple because the deceiver, like he did with Adam and Eve, speaks the lie into our lives that God is withholding something from us that we need to grab for ourselves.
The result is that entertaining the lie places us into bondage. Jesus say the truth sets us free. Joy isn’t an event or a series of events. Joy is supernatural and cannot be manufactured or grabbed or worked up. Joy isn’t found in a method, a book, a conference, in a blog, or any other human venue. Joy lives in the spirit where HIS SPIRIT has come in giving LIFE where there was death. That is a FACT. Unfortunately, we can tend to walk by sight, in the flesh–Again, walking in the flesh is humanity living independently of God. God allows that in the Christian. He does that because He loves us, knowing that after we have tried so hard to make the Christian life work in our own efforts, we will run to Him, finding healing and grace and YES REAL JOY. So yes joy exists in that “certain flatness,” but we often don’t perceive it because we are looking for it with our human senses. Joy isn’t experienced through human senses alone. Biblical joy is found in Him, as His life finds expression in us and out through us, as us.
“Are we to accept a lack of happiness?” Unhappiness drives up to find better circumstances. That isn’t a bad thing at all. But again, happiness and joy cannot be lumped into the same meaning. They do not mean the same thing. Joy can be evident in the worst of life’s experiences. On the other hand, happiness can be missing in the best of circumstance–look at Hollywood!
Gratefully,
Wow! That was very well said–helped to make things much clearer for me. You’re right, we do have all we need in Him. If that’s true, and it is, then it’s really that simple. Christ alone. In Him.
Human senses. Well, I have to believe that what God gives is greater than what the world gives. The truth sets us free…and yes, it does feel like bondage having unmet expectations to do with feelings.
O.K. I could ask another question, but I won’t. : ) I’ve been hogging the blog here.
Thank-you so much for taking the time! I really appreciate it.
In Him,
Bree
Bree, You said:
“My heart is singing this morning because of God’s promises. “This poor [girl] called, and the LORD heard [her]…”
Amen!… You go Girl!
Yous juz keep on a “Call’in, and a “Call’in, and a Call’in on Jesus!
Ya never, no nev’a gon’na whare His name out, ya hear?
He’s gona come and wrap ya in warm blankets and feeds ya nice hot chicken soup and tells ya how much, He loves ya!
Gona get bedder real soon, ya hear!
We’se all love ya Bree, and we’se a pray’in!
Look at all da sweet words from all de wonderful people here!
Praise you dear Jesus!
Sure don’t get no bedder!
In de twinkling of an eye, ;~)
In Christ,
Jesus’ Sopy
Bree-
Hi! Wow… you Ex-SGM brothers and sisters DO fellowship together well, encouraging and praying for each other!
NEway, below is the comment I made to a friend concerning “joy” — it is not a full version of what I had in mind, but summary of a thought when I wrote it. Hope it helps a little.
NOTE: according to William Mounce, the term “joy” (Gk. kara) in the NT, “denotes ‘joy, happiness, gladness.’ It can refer to feelings and can result from circumstances (Jn. 16:21), but for the believer, it is continual because of our relationship with Christ (1Pet. 1:8)” From, Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words, p. 369.
****** *****
A “joyless” Christian is misnomer. From the beginning of Incarnation to the birth of Church, the “joy” is direct result of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His salvific mission (Matt. 1:21). See:
1. Magi “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (Matt. 2:10) when they saw the star stood over where the Christ was born. Then worshiped Him (2:11).
2. Mary “rejoiced in God [her] Savior” (Lk. 1:47) after hearing the news that she will be the “Theotokos.”
3. The angel declared that the birth of Christ is a “good news of great joy… for all the people” (Lk. 2:10,11). Here, the “good news” – the Gospel is the source for all the people (not just the religious, but also to those who feel rejected by God and discouraged).
4. The practical result of our justification, while many (and there are MANY), one of them is “rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:11 ESV). We could enjoy and delight in God BUT only through Jesus Christ and what He has done for us. The Gospel is the key to this reality.
5. So Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4) and “Rejoice always” (1Thess. 5:16). There is no real or true joy outside of Christ. Our first duty of the Gospel is to behold Jesus Christ by faith perpetually, so that our joy may become more real and sustaining.
6. Peter said of those believers who were experiencing the persecution for their faith, “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” (1Pet. 1:8). Very few, I dare say experience this kind of joy — inexpressible joy. But the good news is that, the verse tells us that it is possible for believers to have this kind of joy.
Simply put, the entire Scripture testifies that Jesus is THE source of true and lasting joy. BUT the Scripture also testifies that this joy in Christ is NEVER separated from His work of salvation (i.e., the Gospel).
Therefore, perhaps, you may have studied the Bible to be instructed as how one should live a life of faith, but the Scripture PRIMARILY is about Christ and His work of redemption (Lk. 24:25,26,44-47) for sinful and unworthy human race.
There must be a joy of believing (Rom. 15:13) because we understand deeply what Jesus has done for us. Joyful obedience (or good deeds) rises from our clear understanding of the Gospel that has been embraced by faith.
Sure we can manufacture obedience without dwelling on or believing each day of the power of the Cross, but we shall be joyless and be filled with self-righteousness attitude or self-condemnation (when we fail to obey). Jerry Bridges said, “Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace, and your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.”
In short, when we understand and really believe in the sufficiency of Christ in all things, then it will produce “joyful” obedience in our lives without losing the wonder and the mystery of His incarnation.
doulos-
Glad to see you here!
I’m a fan of what you’ve said on survivors.
Grab a chair…
Oh, thank-you Sopy. Yes, the love here is so evident. I feel very blessed indeed.
“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Ps. 16:11)
“Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence.” (I Kings 8:28b)
Bree
Bree –
Hi again! =)
Perhaps, the Gospel blessing of Adoption can encourage your intimacy with the Lord. I am posting what I posted in my blog last year:
Paul said, “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent for His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son…” (Galatians 4:4-7a NASB).
This is what is known as the doctrine of adoption. When we ponder the truth of this doctrine and believe in this truth, our hearts will melt in wonder and adoration. Now, many of us know or at least heard about the doctrine of justification (that God declares a sinner righteous on the basis of faith in the work and the Person of Christ). And indeed, this is the heart of the Gospel that cannot be neglected, on the contrary, it must be repeated at every corner of our lives. But what we do forget is the result (or subsequent purpose) of justification. Now, God could have saved us and made us as His slaves in the Kingdom of God, which I will be so grateful eternally. But God did not. God was not satisfied in merely justifying us, but also clothed us with the highest privilege of salvation — adoption (see J.I. Packer, Knowing God, pp. 206-209).
1. Notice what Paul said in above passage, “He might redeem those who were under the law, that (Gk. hina, means “in order that”) we might receive the adoption as sons…” The purpose of redemption is the adoption. We do not earn this adoption, we do not purchase this adoption. It was purchased by God in Christ. This is an act of God’s sheer grace that glorifies Him.
2. God was so concerned about this adoption in our lives (because it is not easy thing for us to believe that we are really His children and therefore loved by the Father. Rather even after justification, we act as though we are one of His subjects or slaves when we approach God), He sent His Spirit to convince us of that truth in our hearts! (See Gal. 4:6; Rom. 8:15,16, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirits that we are children of God [v. 16]“). There is (and always will be) a gentle and powerful voice of the Spirit in our hearts telling us and reminding us that we are God’s precious and beloved children on account of our faith in Christ (Jn. 1:12,13) and not what we have done or promise to do. Our adoption is NOT conditioned upon our obedience to the Father, it is already purchased by the blood of Christ. Once you are adopted by the Father you will never be disowned by Him. And this adoption proves how much God loves us (1Jn. 3:1).
3. So when we obey, we obey as sons (Gospel) and not as slaves (Law). This is the thrust of Paul’s explanation of the Gospel. Slaves are never certain whether their master approves their work. But sons are already approved because of the nature of their relationship with the Father. John Owen said in his book, Communion with God, “If the love of a father will not make a child delight in him, what will?” In other words, slaves obey the master out of fear of punishment (rejection) or out of earning master’s approval (acceptance). But the son knows he is already accepted and loved by the Father, so the son obeys the Father out of love and willing heart. This is what in known as “Gospel holiness.” J.I. Packer said, “(Gospel holiness) is no doubt an unfamiliar phrase to some. It was Puritan shorthand for authentic Christian living, springing from love and gratitude to God, in contrast with the spurious ‘legal holiness’ that consisted merely of forms, routines and outward appearances, maintained from self-regarding motives. (Knowing God, p. 221).”
4. J.I. Packer notes, “If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all (Knowing God, p. 201).” He is right. If we are not sons, we are still slaves. If we are sons but act like slaves before God, then we do not know the Gospel well. We have not applied or believed the Gospel message in its entirety. Remember what Paul said, “you are no longer a slave, but a son…” (Gal. 4:7).
Let us then, by faith hold on to this promise of the Gospel. In Christ, we have all our sufficiency that is needed to approach our God as Father who loves us very much. Let us not draw back to the Law but stand firm in the freedom of the Gospel (Gal. 5:1).
Doulos!
You’re helping me grow yet again. : ) The folks here are amazing, aren’t they? I don’t think I’ve ever experienced so much encouragment from so many in one place (except over at survivors). I’m a lucky girl.
I learned from what you’ve shared here. It gives me hope to think that it is possible to have “inexpressible joy.” Knowing that it is a fruit of the Spirit, I can’t work it up, as Gratefully said, but it is there for each of us, isn’t it?
I’m going to hold on tightly to this one: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Rom. 15:13) And call to the One who is THE source–our Redeemer, who lives.
Thank-you, Doulos!
Bree
Doulos,
You know, I’ve heard these things and read these Scriptures, but it sounds new–and uplifting. Possibly I haven’t applied it, like you said. I kind of feel like Drew Barrymore in 50 First Dates. I think I need to re-read all I’m learning from my brothers and sisters on these sites every morning or I know I’ll forget! So much good, and I was brought up in the Word, but I think I just forget. Again, I need to call out to Him? I can’t keep all this good stuff right there in my mind all the time–but I want to.
Thank-you for taking the time to encourage and instruct. Since we don’t have a new church family yet, I really do glean a lot from your teaching here, kind of like my own pastor. Thank-you for being here (and there, survivors).
Bree
“I Laid Me Down And Slept; I Awaked; For The LORD Sustained Me.”
HowDee, Ya’All,
Bree,
I’ze rememba reed’in dis and I’ze really likes it: (yez, I do!)
But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and He heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. –Psalm 3:3-5
I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before Him; I shewed before Him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path… –Psalm 142:1-3
In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and He heard me. –Psalm 120:1
*
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Let Us Be LOUD, And Let Us Do It Often! –”We Cry Out Ta You, Jesus! ”
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In da twinkling of an eye, ;~)
In Christ,
Sopy
bree…
Another psalm I love to read and recite to myself often is Psalm 40… I especially like verses1-8 I waited patiently for the Lord , He turned to me and heard my cry,He lifted me out of the miry clay and set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand…He put a new song in my mouth a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord..Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods Many oh Lord my God are the wonders You have done. The things You planned for us no one can recount to You. Were I to speak and tell them they would be too many to declare. Sacrifice and offering You did not desire but my ears You have pierced…Burnt offerings and sin offerings You didn;t require Then I said here I am I have come it is written about me in the scroll I desire to do Your will oh my God your law is within my heart….”
Blessings and joy …….
Sopy,
Such encouraging words from the Psalms! Thank-you for pointing them out to me. I’ve been crying out to Him today, a lot more often than usual. Actually, I started last night when I realized or remembered (duh) that I needed to look to Him, not just quit thinking, but call out for help. And look what wonderful things He’s done for me this day! So much help and encouragement coming my way. He’s so good, isn’t He?
Oh, and thank-you for pointing me in the right direction all along. God bless you, friend.
In Him,
Bree
Oh, Martie, thank-you so much for sharing that Psalm with me. I’m so amazed at all the encouragement today. There’s just something special about reading a Scripture that someone specifically chooses to share with me. I guess it’s the being cared for. And I sure do feel cared for.
And Jesus is my Rock (“He…set my feet on a rock…”). Wow. Thank-you, Jesus.
Blessings to you,
Bree
HowDee, YaAll,
Glad songs of salvation…
are in the dwelling places of the righteous:
Your right hand O’ LORD does valiantly!
I wait for your great Salvation!
Even as You are, Lord, so it will be! Glorious!
I love you Jesus, thank you for dying for me!
Thank You, Father God, for raising up Jesus!
Thank You Precious Holy Spirit, for living in me!
Like you said to Pilate, Jesus, “–You could have no power at all…, except it were given from above.”
Praise You Jesus! You alone are worthy of my praise!
In a twinkling of an eye, ;~)
Sopy
Soar On the Wings of Eagles!
HowDee Ya’All,
Bree,
Juz a little some’thin…:
When my pain and problems keep me chained
And my troubled heart makes me weak
I’ll wait for You to comfort me, Jesus
And in You I know I’ll find my strength
I will soar on the wings of eagles
I will learn to fly high above the things of this world
And I will soar on the wings of eagles
I will learn to fly
I will learn to fly high above this world
When I tremble with this heavy weight
And I’m buried underneath my grief
I’ll run to You, Jesus and not grow faint
And I’ll lay my burdens at Your feet, Jesus!
and not grow faint!
and not grow faint!
and not grow faint!
*
(Plug dis into YouTube: 5Z_M9366Imk )
TD:Eagles
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“You have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.” – Exodus 19:4
In the twinkling of an eye, ;~)
Jesus’ Sopy
Sopy,
I kid you not, that was the first song I heard this morning when I turned on my satelite radio! : ) And whether it’s supposed to matter or not, I had positive feelings. I know I can’t trust them or chase after them, but I felt hope today, like I haven’t in a long time. I think that’s from the God of hope. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
I’ve been calling on Him and it’s not like some method or legalistic rule that gets you what you want without going to Jesus. It’s going TO HIM. I was thinking that so much of what we were taught within SGM was really (or it sure seems like looking back) a way to climb over the wall, like in Pilgrim’s Progress. That’s not where it’s at. Jesus is THE life and there’s no other way.
I trusted Jesus as a little girl, but I must have left my first love because He’s drawing me back and it’s real. He’s real.
In Him,
Bree
P.S. Jim, my comment up there about feelings was not directed at you. You told me the truth and it’s important for me to keep truth foremost. I was so encouraged by your comment…made me fall all apart for some reason…so much hope in the truth, that the Spirit gave birth to me and nothing can ever change that.
My dear husband put this whole thread into a pdf file (? I think) so I can read over it whenever. God knew just what I needed to hear. I’m so thankful, so honored to be here and to be cared for by such an awesome, loving part of the church (ekklesia).
Thank-you. And for those who prayed and helped me, thank-you. May God bless you all!
It’s His Sufficiency, Silly!
It is you that has blessed us Bree..
Blessings to the household of Bree!
Happy Easter, All!
Its About His Sufficiency:
“And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also has made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life.” –2 Corinthians 3:4-6
I know that God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, having Christ’s sufficiency, may abound to every good thing your word, your heart and your hand touches.
Cuz Jesus has called you friend. (John 15:15)
Don’t get no bedder, Ya hear!
Blessings–
In the twinkling of an eye, ;~)
Sopy
Sopy,
You know, SGM opens the Bible and teaches the Word. Like, “focus on Jesus”: “We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” (Hebrews 2:1) So I added that to my to-do list (and that was the most important to-do) but as usual I found I could only maintain that for so long and then I failed yet again. And while SGM always says we must do all these things depending on the Holy Spirit, it’s still about what I have to do.
So there was always the fear that I wouldn’t be able to keep myself where I ought to be. I’m sure others have felt that way, too. And here you mention His sufficiency…Now that’s a very freeing thought. I guess it’s easy to overlook while in a legalistic mindset. But what a blessing to those who know their need.
Thanks for sharing that Scripture. How strange that it should sound like something amazing that I’ve never heard before when I have read it before…
Like Doulos said, you can study the Scriptures looking for how to live the Christian life, or you can see that it’s primarily about our Redeemer, who lives, our redemption. “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.” (Job 19:25)
“In short, when we understand and really believe in the sufficiency of Christ in all things, then it will produce ‘joyful’ obedience in our lives without losing the wonder and the mystery of His incarnation.”
Happy Easter all!
Bree
: ) Jesus’ friend
Bree,
I’ve just been catching up on the posts, and have to say that the Lord is doing something so sweet in your life. This is the REAL thing. Keep going. Rest, rest, rest in Jesus!
Canary,
He sure is. : ) I feel so blessed that God drew us out of SGM (and I pray for those who still remain). Would I have ever known how much Jesus loves me? Would I have known Jesus as One who would wrap me in His arms?
“…that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Eph. 3:17-20)
Bree
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…”
I needed to hear that today! God seems to always manage to surprise me. If I ask for an apple, He gives me a whole bowl of fruit. If I ask for a loaf of bread, He gives me a bakery. He gives immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine! Thanks for that reminder, Bree.