Jesus spoke of the spiritual life. Found in John 18:36 "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight; so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.
Ruled by their senses, they, the Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes spoke and did their hearts desire. They crucified the Lord of glory. They were of this world. And it is Satan's spirit that permeates this world, and it works in those who disobey, as Paul writes in Ephesians 2:1-3.
Ephesians 2:1-3 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
Such was our condition before God regenerated us and endued us with His Spirit. However, the indwelling of God does not mean that our former selves have been banished. Thus, the epistles urge us to put off the works of the flesh, the hidden things of darkness, and the old man. Corruption will remain until the day of our resurrection or change when we finally put on in-corruption. Until then, we wrestle with the law of sin and death at work in our members, struggling to keep our old man bound in chains.
It is a walk in the word of God. Power is in God and not Satan.
Philippians 2:12-15 NKJV
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you
have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my
absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God
who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 14 Do all things without complaining and
disputing, 15 that you may become
blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked
and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
These four
verses admonish us on what God expects of us as the child in our relationship
with Him. It is important for us to understand that "work out your
salvation" does not mean work for salvation. It means we must take what
God has given us to its logical conclusion. God liberated Israel from Egyptian
slavery, but His purpose was not complete until they trekked across the
wilderness and possessed the Promised Land. Their liberty came as an act of
God's grace, but that same grace required them to meet responsibilities and
carry them to their conclusion.
Verse 13
explains that God's grace did not end at the borders of Egypt for them, nor
does it end for us once we are justified. He gives us both the motivation and
the power to accomplish what His pleasure is for us. But we should understand
that He gives us the desire and power to accomplish His will, not our
pleasures. This is an excellent principle for parents to apply in motivating
their children to respond positively. Children are largely the creations of
their parents. If parents expect their children to reach certain goals, they
must equip them with the attitudes, skills, and tools necessary to accomplish
those aims. ( It is what God has placed in each of them as children, and not of you the adult!)
"Fear
and trembling" indicates both a deep respect for the Almighty who has
called us, as well as a healthy measure of concern for uncertainties about what
will be required of us as we proceed along this way. As we spiritually mature,
the trials we must work through generally become more difficult, not easier.
When the Philippians took up their cross, they did not know for sure what lay
ahead, nor do we. For them, it was conflict (Philippians 1:29-30); for Jesus,
death (Philippians 2:8); for Paul, martyrdom (Philippians 2:17); for Timothy, costly
sacrificial service to the church (Philippians 2:20); and for Epaphroditus,
physical illness nearly to death (Philippians 2:27).
Of course,
these things are far more serious than a child's responsibility to put his room
in order, but we must consider if God is fair in His dealings with man. Is a
parent fair in charging his children with responsibilities to carry out around
the house? Being part of a family will always mean to participate with those parents in charge. And is God in charge of our lives when we become the born again? Lifted out of death to live with Jesus in our hearts, do we lean into His words to continue to live and walk daily in His truth?
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. 15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
Acts 28:28 "Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles and they will hear it!"
This always catches my attention! This is God speaking because he ( or she) has set his (her) love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him (her).
Psalm 91:14
Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set
him on high, because he has known My name.15 he shall call upon Me, and I will
answer Him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.16
with long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.
Dialogue is
present when Love Protects! Seeking His counsel, spending times of refreshing
with Him; and by loving Him and walking closely with Him through every day, we
enter into a sheltered place of promise not only regarding our health but the
love that protects. This is salvation, a walk of regarding God, and resting in that refreshing time with Him.
John
14:24-27 Amplified Bible 24 Anyone who does
not [really
] love Me does not observe
and obey My teaching. And the teaching which you hear and heed is not Mine, but [comes] from
the Father Who sent Me. 25 I have told you these things while I am still
with you. 26 But the Comforter
(Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the
Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My
name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all
things. And he will cause you to recall ( will remind you of, bring to your
remembrance ) everything I have told you. 27 Peace I leave with
you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I
give to you. Do not
let your hearts be troubled, neither let
them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed;
and do not permit yourselves
to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled].
Jesus had
dialog with the Father: 24 Anyone who does
not [really
] love Me does not observe
and obey My teaching. And the teaching which you hear and heed is not Mine, but [comes] from
the Father Who sent Me. 25 I have told you these things while I am still
with you.
1. The person fearful, intimated,
cowardly and unsettled will walk with hands outward, not to worship God but to
complain in their muddied water…muddied condition…a muddied environment!
2. Holy Spirit gives clear counsel, gives us ability to remember
everything Jesus spoke when we know what He has spoken
3. Jesus said: “do not permit” yourselves to be the agitated,
disturbed, fearful, intimidated, cowardly and unsettled; Peter was warned: love others as I have loved you; Being a
disciple of Jesus we are to love other disciples of Jesus, We are to love our
neighbors as ourselves!
From verse
27 “Peace I leave with you”: Colossians 3:15 And let
the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body;
and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom,
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Christ’s peace is to control our thoughts and emotions. AND to Be the thankful!
Philippians 4:7
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
1. Phi. 4:9 The things which
you learned and received
and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. We are to focus
our thoughts on that which is pure, lovely, virtuous and praiseworthy.
2. "The Psalms will certainly speak to your heart when dealing with any sickness or disease. I rely on it daily! Psalm 27: 1 The Lord is my light and salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Maintaining
God’s peace by focusing with interest & ambition heavenward to cultivate
His values: Colossians 3:1-16
NKJV If then you were raised with Christ
seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting
at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the
earth. 3 For you died, & your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in
glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth,
fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire,& covetousness, which is
idolatry. 6Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of
disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
1. So Paul lists those things we once
lived in as to: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, covetousness
which is idolatry
2. These come under the wrath of God and pertain to disobedience........... Why stop these? Because the wrath of God is coming upon those who participate and practice that disobedience.
3. Idolatry is the activity of the
“human heart” :It
starts in the heart, craving, wanting, enjoying, being satisfied by anything that you treasure more than
God. This covetousness, a disordered love or desire, loving more than God what
ought to be loved less than God and only for the sake of God.
4. Jesus warned Peter!
Peter was to make note to “love one another; as I (Jesus) have loved you, that
you also love one another. It is a heart ordered
right in God and in His image!
Colossians
3:8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice,
blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
1. Living under that old man lifestyle
: we are to put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language
2. We are to speak no evil
Colossians
3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his
deeds, 10 & have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of
Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew,
circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ
is all & in all. 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy & beloved, put
on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, & forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against
another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
1. The new man does not lie: but only
gives what is that renewed knowledge of God and according to the image of God;New
man is merciful, kind, humble, meek, longsuffering and always forgiving
Colossians 3: 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Bond of perfection
is God’s love: Put it on! With the Holy Spirit, hardness will turn soft, will
turn from “me, myself and I” to God’s purpose on earth! AGAIN From Colossians 3:1 we are to seek that which is from above,
the heavenly, not the worldly. We must discipline ourselves. We know
that we are to "put off" those things that do not reflect the image
of God and to "put on" the characteristics that do.
It is easy to see those who walk in lawlessness. We pray for our leaders and we vote for righteous leaders.. And we will become those daily who reflect the glory of God.
Thank you for reading the last blog on my healing. It was a total God thing. Healed on Good Friday....I am able to walk again. I am not fast as of yet, but it is coming. Glory to God, He reigns!
Teaching at: Voice of Prayer
Uphill with Jesus Christ: The Witness that Glorifies God
Deceit and Deception
