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.

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

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! 

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

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

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!

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
***

“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

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

And Jesus is my Rock (“He…set my feet on a rock…”). Wow. Thank-you, Jesus.

Blessings to you,

Bree

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

Blessings and joy …….

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

*
*

Let Us Be LOUD, And Let Us Do It Often! –”We Cry Out Ta You, Jesus! ”

*

In da twinkling of an eye,  ;~)
In Christ,
Sopy

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

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

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).

“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

Glad to see you here!

I’m a fan of what you’ve said on survivors.

Grab a chair…

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.

“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

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