Our Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit knowing and seeing all things, are not surprised that in our day and time, we would look around and see a culture, that is absorbing Christians into it, instead of the Christians transforming the culture into a culture of His Kingdom.
Subtly and gradually even our very cultural foundations are shifting, redefining what is evil and wicked into what is now ‘called’ normal and good; redefining foundational pillars of the Bible and of society, such as Love, Marriage and Family by simply attempting to change the very wording of the original definitions of these God Ordained institutions into something that kicks out God, thru legislation even.
Our Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit knew that in our day, especially in this Resurrection Sunday season, even governments would begin to use their resources and even their forces to try to decree and insist that ‘the Bible is archaic, outdated, and is an impediment to progress, and it is time for Christians to get out of the way and let the enlightened thinkers lead the way, so that we can solve the problems of this world, and We don't need or want God, especially Jesus, to do that.’
“But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.” Isaiah 53:5 NLT
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 KJV
Many centuries before his birth, the “He” of which the prophet wrote and spoke was Jesus, the son of man… the Son of God. Not many decades after the Life, Ministry, Crucifixion, Death, Burial, Resurrection and Ascension of this same Jesus, the son of man….. the Son of God, the Apostle Paul declared,
“I want to Know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death…” Philippians 3:10 NLT
This same Paul had been many years earlier commissioned and ordained by Jesus Christ personally, after Paul repented from his many sins and accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and LORD. Paul went on to declare the Good News of the Kingdom of God to the entire known world of his day, raise the dead and to witness to anyone who would listen to him ,… the poor, the middle class, the religious regimes, the intellectuals and scholars and to kings and queens. He became the same man who is accurately credited by Biblical scholars for writing nearly two thirds (2/3) of the entire New Testament.
Yet, in spite of the years of his many exploits of spiritual and holy power and prowess assigned to him by the LORD, the Apostle Paul’s heart cry and prayers during the final years of his earthly ministry and life was still humbly and sincerely,
“… That I may Know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” Philippians 3:10-11 KJV
Most if not all, know about Jesus, which is why we celebrate in this season. But not many of us ‘Know Him’ or even desire to know him in the context that Paul constantly and continually craved. To “Know” means ‘to have actual, experiential and intimate contact with...'
During this Resurrection/Easter season of the year wherein we observe and celebrate the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus, we should pause, ponder with prayer and ask ourselves, “Do I ‘know’ Him? Do I even desire to truly ‘know’ Him more and more?”
We must continue to look unto, look up to, and look into, the Word, the Eyes and the Heart of Jesus Christ as the Author and the Finisher, the Developer, the Furnisher, and the Completer of our Faith (Hebrews 12:2 KJV) Why? Because, although our Salvation is a free gift, … our free ticket to Heaven if you will, the maturing from a child into a fully grown man or woman of God is not automatic and is not a free gift as when we are saved. As a born again believer and child of the Living God, our LORD is after more than only our status as a mere complacent citizen in His Kingdom by virtue of our new birth.
-------------------------------
Our LORD hopes to eventually gain a mature man or woman, a mature son or daughter whom He can entrust to operate and function with vast authority in His Kingdom Administration, and in His character and holiness. Galatians 4:19 KJV
But we must pay a price called ‘Choosing to Cooperate with Him’ in the process of our maturing through submissive obedience to His Word(s), His Will and His Way(s). We do this primarily by looking unto Jesus regularly and consistently, as we die daily to our words, our will and our ways. This is the only way the seed of Jesus Christ deposited in us at the new birth, can be formed (developed) into and unto a mature fully grown stature, the hope of glory…. His hope of Glory. Colossians 1:27
Finally, as we come to truly Know Him, we will fully realize and never forget, that though He was crucified and buried as Jesus the son of man, He was raised Jesus Christ, the Son of God, for in the purpose of our Father, “He was Born to Die, He Died to Rise, He Rose to Ascend and He Ascended to be Seated at the right hand of the Father, where He shall forever Rule and Reign.” Will you let Him finish His process of maturing You?
(Posted Friday, April 18, 2014)
Subtly and gradually even our very cultural foundations are shifting, redefining what is evil and wicked into what is now ‘called’ normal and good; redefining foundational pillars of the Bible and of society, such as Love, Marriage and Family by simply attempting to change the very wording of the original definitions of these God Ordained institutions into something that kicks out God, thru legislation even.
Our Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit knew that in our day, especially in this Resurrection Sunday season, even governments would begin to use their resources and even their forces to try to decree and insist that ‘the Bible is archaic, outdated, and is an impediment to progress, and it is time for Christians to get out of the way and let the enlightened thinkers lead the way, so that we can solve the problems of this world, and We don't need or want God, especially Jesus, to do that.’
“But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.” Isaiah 53:5 NLT
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 KJV
Many centuries before his birth, the “He” of which the prophet wrote and spoke was Jesus, the son of man… the Son of God. Not many decades after the Life, Ministry, Crucifixion, Death, Burial, Resurrection and Ascension of this same Jesus, the son of man….. the Son of God, the Apostle Paul declared,
“I want to Know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death…” Philippians 3:10 NLT
This same Paul had been many years earlier commissioned and ordained by Jesus Christ personally, after Paul repented from his many sins and accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and LORD. Paul went on to declare the Good News of the Kingdom of God to the entire known world of his day, raise the dead and to witness to anyone who would listen to him ,… the poor, the middle class, the religious regimes, the intellectuals and scholars and to kings and queens. He became the same man who is accurately credited by Biblical scholars for writing nearly two thirds (2/3) of the entire New Testament.
Yet, in spite of the years of his many exploits of spiritual and holy power and prowess assigned to him by the LORD, the Apostle Paul’s heart cry and prayers during the final years of his earthly ministry and life was still humbly and sincerely,
“… That I may Know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” Philippians 3:10-11 KJV
Most if not all, know about Jesus, which is why we celebrate in this season. But not many of us ‘Know Him’ or even desire to know him in the context that Paul constantly and continually craved. To “Know” means ‘to have actual, experiential and intimate contact with...'
During this Resurrection/Easter season of the year wherein we observe and celebrate the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus, we should pause, ponder with prayer and ask ourselves, “Do I ‘know’ Him? Do I even desire to truly ‘know’ Him more and more?”
We must continue to look unto, look up to, and look into, the Word, the Eyes and the Heart of Jesus Christ as the Author and the Finisher, the Developer, the Furnisher, and the Completer of our Faith (Hebrews 12:2 KJV) Why? Because, although our Salvation is a free gift, … our free ticket to Heaven if you will, the maturing from a child into a fully grown man or woman of God is not automatic and is not a free gift as when we are saved. As a born again believer and child of the Living God, our LORD is after more than only our status as a mere complacent citizen in His Kingdom by virtue of our new birth.
-------------------------------
Our LORD hopes to eventually gain a mature man or woman, a mature son or daughter whom He can entrust to operate and function with vast authority in His Kingdom Administration, and in His character and holiness. Galatians 4:19 KJV
But we must pay a price called ‘Choosing to Cooperate with Him’ in the process of our maturing through submissive obedience to His Word(s), His Will and His Way(s). We do this primarily by looking unto Jesus regularly and consistently, as we die daily to our words, our will and our ways. This is the only way the seed of Jesus Christ deposited in us at the new birth, can be formed (developed) into and unto a mature fully grown stature, the hope of glory…. His hope of Glory. Colossians 1:27
Finally, as we come to truly Know Him, we will fully realize and never forget, that though He was crucified and buried as Jesus the son of man, He was raised Jesus Christ, the Son of God, for in the purpose of our Father, “He was Born to Die, He Died to Rise, He Rose to Ascend and He Ascended to be Seated at the right hand of the Father, where He shall forever Rule and Reign.” Will you let Him finish His process of maturing You?
(Posted Friday, April 18, 2014)
