The past couple of days I have been reading and meditating on 2 Peter 1:[1-12]. There are so many truths in these verses. I am seeking to unpack and disscect them one by one. I feel the Lord has lead me to study this passage so that I can diligently grow in my faith. There is so much here I may be here for a couple of weeks.
2 Peter 1:[1-12]--"Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth."
There are two primary things in this passage that Peter gives to us that has stood out to me; Encouragement and Exhortation.
1. Encouragement
Where I find encouragement in this pssage is in verses, [3-4]--"as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
If we are children of God he has provided us with some awesome resources. God has provided us with His divine power, given us His promises, and has allowed us to partake of His divine nature. This is encouraging!!!!! It doesn't get any better than this. God has given us a way of escape. He has given us the ability to be in the world but not corrupted by the world. We are kept by His power. 1 Peter 1:5--"who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
God has given us so much therefore He deserves our endless praise. We must saturate ourselves in Gods word so that we can put much effort towards glorifying God with our lives.
I believe "His divine power" in this passage is refering to Jesus Christ. Through Christ's sufficient power we are able to persevere in our faith. 2 Corinthians 12:9--"And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
2. Exhortation
Where I find exhortation in this passage is in verse 5, when Peter says, "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence." Peter exhorts us about our responsibilities as Christians. I believe Peter is saying, God has done so much for us therefore there are some things that we are responsible to do. The key word Peter uses is "Diligence."
"Diligence" means--"hardship, discipline, struggle, effort"
Diligence requires much effort. There is no such thing as a "little effort." We don't like to think about this word alot, at least I don't because it means I am going to have to work, and work hard. Peter is telling us, because of all the things God has done and is doing for us we must be diligent to, "add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love." (verses 5-7)
Peter wrote this letter to the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. Peter wrote this letter to them just before he was martyred, by being crucified upside down. He was crucified in this manner because refused to be crucified like Christ. Knowing that He would soon die I believe he wrote this to these people as his last word and testament. Everything Peter tells them is important and full of wounderful truths about Christ. He wanted to remind them of these things before he died.
2 Peter 1: [14-15]--"knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease."
Peter is pointing out that there is something we have to do to add to our faith. This means being intentional about growing spiritually. Peter states that there are some benefits to being intentional in our spiritual growth and there are some consequences if we are not.
2 Peter 1:[8-10]--"For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;"
Peter is saying if you do these things then you will be fruitful in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, you will grow spiritually, and will not doubt your salvation. Peter also gives the consequences for not being diligent, which include: being barren, unfruitful of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, shortsightedness, blindness, and even question our salvation.
Then in verse 11, Peter uses his words to bring joy to these peoples weary heart's. He says if you live faithful and are fruitful you are promised an abundant entrance into heaven. If we pursue virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love and add these to our faith we will not only enjoy assurance now, but a full, rich reward in the future.
2 Peter 1:11--"for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
My faith is empowered by God. Praise God for His Power!!! God secures our salvation and no one can ever steal it from us. Our faith in God is evidence of His power.
Thank You Lord, for giving me a faith that is permanent that never dies nor can be stolen from me. Help me to pursue these virtues that I may bring glory to your name by being diligent in my faith.
Are you being diligent in your faith? If so, how much effort are you putting forth? Are you adding to your faith by practicing the spiritual disciplines God has lined out for us in scripture? Are you adding to your faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love?
Serving Our Lord Together,
Michelle Harrison
Friday, January 27, 2006
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
"I Know that My Redeemer Lives"
Today I have meditated on Job chapters 19, 20 and 21. The verses that really caught my attention were in Job 19: [23-27]. Through this passage I have learned alot about Jobs faith. Considering everything he went through Job makes an astounding confession of faith in verse 25a, he says, "For I know that my redeemer lives." Wow what a confession!!!! Even at the point of his heaviest destress his faith was at its greatest by confirming that God was his Redeemer.
Job 19: [24-27]--"Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! That they were engraved on a rock With an iron pen and lead, forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!"
Job wanted his confidence in God recorded so that all would know that even in the midst of his suffering he had not sinned against God. "Job had no hope left for his life, but was confident that "after" he was dead, His Redeemer would vindicate him in the glory of a physical resurrection in which he would enjoy perfect fellowship with the Redeemer."--John MacArthur
The foundation of Jobs hope was in the Redeemer. Even though Job was overwhelmed by his circumstances he keeps his eyes focused on Gods words. I believe the foundation and focus of Jobs life was the word of God. The truth of his confession is clearly the message of the gospel because Jesus Christ is the Redeemer. John 11:25--"Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live."
In this passage Job gives us at least three truths about our Redeemer.
1. Our Redeemer is God Almighty.
Job recognized that his redemption was not going to come from man but solely from God Himself. Jobs so called friends were trying to convience him that only bad things happen to those that have sinned, which just is not true. Job nor his friends could rationalize why job had to suffer after all he was a good man and only good things happen to good people, so they thought. His friends only conclusion was that Job had sinned against God. What they did not realize is that they did not need to understand the things that were happening to Job they just needed to trust in the Redeemer as Job did. Jobs life was a living testimony to his friends of God's mercy and grace. Jobs confession proved to his friends that God is the one and only true Redeemer. Wow!!!! , even in this story Job is presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ to his friends in the midst of his sufferings.
2. Our Redeemer is Personal.
In Job 19:25a--,He says, "I know that my Redeemer lives", Job knew that his Redeemer was a Personal God. Job knew just as we all do that God never leaves us but is ever with us. He is, "God with us." He promises to be with us and give us rest. Matthew 11:28--"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." We cannot rest in God enless we have a personal relationship with Him. God doesn't need us we need Him. Although Job could not see God, he knew his Redeemer lived. The foundation of our faith is to believe and know that our Redeemer lives and is faithful and true to His word.
3. Our Redeemer is a living Redeemer.
Job was confident that Jesus Christ his Savior was Alive. Job 19: [25b-27]--" And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!"
Christ died and rose again on the third day and then ascended to heaven and is sitting at the right hand of the throne of God proving that He is risen and lives!!!!! I believe Jobs only hope was that when he died he would get to see his Savior face to face. I believe Jobs heart longed to see Christ. Jesus came to this earth to die and raise again from the dead the third day that we may have life. He died that we may be forgiven of our sins and on the last day be raised up because we are dead in Christ and then given eternal life that we may live forever in His presence and glorify his name.
I praise God for these wounderful truths about Christ that are in this story of Job found in the Old Testament. What a wounderful picture of Christ we see here. What a glorious day that will be when we see our Redeemer face to face. Are you living your life in light of the fact that you serve a living Redeemer?
Serving Our Lord Together,
Michelle Harrison
Job 19: [24-27]--"Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! That they were engraved on a rock With an iron pen and lead, forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!"
Job wanted his confidence in God recorded so that all would know that even in the midst of his suffering he had not sinned against God. "Job had no hope left for his life, but was confident that "after" he was dead, His Redeemer would vindicate him in the glory of a physical resurrection in which he would enjoy perfect fellowship with the Redeemer."--John MacArthur
The foundation of Jobs hope was in the Redeemer. Even though Job was overwhelmed by his circumstances he keeps his eyes focused on Gods words. I believe the foundation and focus of Jobs life was the word of God. The truth of his confession is clearly the message of the gospel because Jesus Christ is the Redeemer. John 11:25--"Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live."
In this passage Job gives us at least three truths about our Redeemer.
1. Our Redeemer is God Almighty.
Job recognized that his redemption was not going to come from man but solely from God Himself. Jobs so called friends were trying to convience him that only bad things happen to those that have sinned, which just is not true. Job nor his friends could rationalize why job had to suffer after all he was a good man and only good things happen to good people, so they thought. His friends only conclusion was that Job had sinned against God. What they did not realize is that they did not need to understand the things that were happening to Job they just needed to trust in the Redeemer as Job did. Jobs life was a living testimony to his friends of God's mercy and grace. Jobs confession proved to his friends that God is the one and only true Redeemer. Wow!!!! , even in this story Job is presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ to his friends in the midst of his sufferings.
2. Our Redeemer is Personal.
In Job 19:25a--,He says, "I know that my Redeemer lives", Job knew that his Redeemer was a Personal God. Job knew just as we all do that God never leaves us but is ever with us. He is, "God with us." He promises to be with us and give us rest. Matthew 11:28--"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." We cannot rest in God enless we have a personal relationship with Him. God doesn't need us we need Him. Although Job could not see God, he knew his Redeemer lived. The foundation of our faith is to believe and know that our Redeemer lives and is faithful and true to His word.
3. Our Redeemer is a living Redeemer.
Job was confident that Jesus Christ his Savior was Alive. Job 19: [25b-27]--" And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!"
Christ died and rose again on the third day and then ascended to heaven and is sitting at the right hand of the throne of God proving that He is risen and lives!!!!! I believe Jobs only hope was that when he died he would get to see his Savior face to face. I believe Jobs heart longed to see Christ. Jesus came to this earth to die and raise again from the dead the third day that we may have life. He died that we may be forgiven of our sins and on the last day be raised up because we are dead in Christ and then given eternal life that we may live forever in His presence and glorify his name.
I praise God for these wounderful truths about Christ that are in this story of Job found in the Old Testament. What a wounderful picture of Christ we see here. What a glorious day that will be when we see our Redeemer face to face. Are you living your life in light of the fact that you serve a living Redeemer?
Serving Our Lord Together,
Michelle Harrison
Monday, January 23, 2006
"Speaking with Grace"
Today I have meditated on Colossians 4:5, Ephesians 4:[29-31], and many other passages of scripture that have to do with our speech and how we are to biblically communicate with others. What we say to people reveals to them alot about our character. Our words are more powerful than we realize because people's reaction to us will depend alot on the words we speak to them. Our words can bulid them up or tear them down. The Bible says that our conversations reveal our heart. What we say tells people who we really are. Paul gives us instructions in Colossians 4:5 as to how we are to communicate biblically with people.
Colossians 4:5--"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."
In this passage Paul says we are to be people who reach out and minister to people and encourage them with our words. Our words are powerful and they make a difference in peoples lives.
Words can diffuse conflicts or escalate them. This is found in, Proverbs 15:1--"A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger."
Words can destroy. This is found in, Proverbs 11:9--"The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered."
Words can bring healing. This is found in, Proverbs 12:18--"There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tounge of the wise promotes health." Proverbs 12:25--"Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad."
Words have impacted my life greatly. How about you? Did you ever have someone call you names in school? Names such as: your stupied, fat, skinny and or dumb. Have you ever had someone say that you could never do anything right? Has anyone ever told you, you have character? Has anyone ever told you that they appreciate you and love you? Has anyone ever told you I see Christ in you? Everything that we say to people whether positive or negative affect their lives. The question we are faced with is, Are we going to be obedient to God by speaking to people with grace?
How do we learn to speak to people with grace?
I believe the only way we can speak to people with grace is to have experienced God's transforming grace ourselves. We must have a personal relationship with God ourselves through believing in Jesus Christ as our Savior. Our relationship with God is the key factor in our relationships with others. We cannot show people grace if we've never expericed it first hand.
"with grace"--"To speak that which is spiritual, wholesome, fitting, kind, sensative, purposeful, complimentary, gentle, truthful, loving, and thoughtful."--John MacArthur
"seasoned with salt"--"Just as salt not only flavors, but prevents corruption, the Christian's speech should act not only as a blessing to others, but as a purifying influence with in the decaying society of the world."--John MacArthur
1. We can learn to speak to others with grace by listening more.
James 1:19--"So then, my brethern, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." If we listen to others we will learn from them, understand them, see their pain, be less likely to jump to conclusions and over react, and we will grow spiritually.
2. We can learn to speak to others with grace by controlling our anger.
Proverbs 16:32--"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city." James 1:20--"The wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." We must not try to resolve conflicts with others when we are angry. We must first pray and ask God to help us. We must ask Him to reveal to us any heart issues that may have caused us to become angry. We also must cool off before we talk to someone so that we do not react and respond in anger.
3. We can learn to speak to others with grace by choosing our words carefully.
Proverbs 21:23--"Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles." I believe it's not how long we talk that matters, it what we say.
Every conversation we have should glorify God by drawing people to Christ by the way we speak to them with grace. Our speech can always be with grace because Christ lives within our hearts.
Serving Our Lord Together,
Michelle Harrison
Colossians 4:5--"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."
In this passage Paul says we are to be people who reach out and minister to people and encourage them with our words. Our words are powerful and they make a difference in peoples lives.
Words can diffuse conflicts or escalate them. This is found in, Proverbs 15:1--"A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger."
Words can destroy. This is found in, Proverbs 11:9--"The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered."
Words can bring healing. This is found in, Proverbs 12:18--"There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tounge of the wise promotes health." Proverbs 12:25--"Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad."
Words have impacted my life greatly. How about you? Did you ever have someone call you names in school? Names such as: your stupied, fat, skinny and or dumb. Have you ever had someone say that you could never do anything right? Has anyone ever told you, you have character? Has anyone ever told you that they appreciate you and love you? Has anyone ever told you I see Christ in you? Everything that we say to people whether positive or negative affect their lives. The question we are faced with is, Are we going to be obedient to God by speaking to people with grace?
How do we learn to speak to people with grace?
I believe the only way we can speak to people with grace is to have experienced God's transforming grace ourselves. We must have a personal relationship with God ourselves through believing in Jesus Christ as our Savior. Our relationship with God is the key factor in our relationships with others. We cannot show people grace if we've never expericed it first hand.
"with grace"--"To speak that which is spiritual, wholesome, fitting, kind, sensative, purposeful, complimentary, gentle, truthful, loving, and thoughtful."--John MacArthur
"seasoned with salt"--"Just as salt not only flavors, but prevents corruption, the Christian's speech should act not only as a blessing to others, but as a purifying influence with in the decaying society of the world."--John MacArthur
1. We can learn to speak to others with grace by listening more.
James 1:19--"So then, my brethern, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." If we listen to others we will learn from them, understand them, see their pain, be less likely to jump to conclusions and over react, and we will grow spiritually.
2. We can learn to speak to others with grace by controlling our anger.
Proverbs 16:32--"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city." James 1:20--"The wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." We must not try to resolve conflicts with others when we are angry. We must first pray and ask God to help us. We must ask Him to reveal to us any heart issues that may have caused us to become angry. We also must cool off before we talk to someone so that we do not react and respond in anger.
3. We can learn to speak to others with grace by choosing our words carefully.
Proverbs 21:23--"Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles." I believe it's not how long we talk that matters, it what we say.
Every conversation we have should glorify God by drawing people to Christ by the way we speak to them with grace. Our speech can always be with grace because Christ lives within our hearts.
Serving Our Lord Together,
Michelle Harrison
Saturday, January 21, 2006
"The Power Of God"
Today I have studied and meditated on "The Power of God" which is just one of Gods many attributes. In our Sunday School class, we are reading a book entitled, "The Attributes of God", written by A.W. Pink, and seeking to study each attribute so that we can learn more about who God is as a class. This study has been very beneficial to me because I have learned many wounderful truths about God that have drawn me closer to Him. I recommend it to any one that is seeking God. You can buy the book or read it for free on line at: http://www.pbministries.org/books/pink/Attributes/attributes.htm.
I have heard and read many things about God's power and every time I meditate on the power of God I learn something new and appreciate Him more. God's power is something to be marvelled. I praise the Lord for giving me a fresh new glimpse of His power today. It has produced more of a hunger and a deeper love for God than I have had in the past.
A.W. Pink says, "we cannot have a right conception of God unless we think of Him as all-powerful, as well as all-wise." This statement is so true. We cannot even begin to understand who God is or even trust Him enless we see Him as all-powerful and all-wise.
"The power of God is that ability and strength whereby He can bring to pass whatsoever He pleases, whatsoever His infinite wisdom may direct, and whatsoever the infinite purity of His will may resolve. . . . As holiness is the beauty of all God’s attributes, so power is that which gives life and action to all the perfections of the Divine nature. How vain would be the eternal counsels, if power did not step in to execute them. Without power His mercy would be but feeble pity, His promises an empty sound, His threatenings a mere scarecrow. God’s power is like Himself: infinite, eternal, incomprehensible; it can neither be checked, restrained, nor frustrated by the creature. (S. Charnock)."
Psalm 147:5--"Great is our Lord, and and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite."
This is very encouraging and comforting to me because if we believe that God is all-knowing and all-powerful then we can trust that He will take care of us. If we believe these truths about Gods attributes we can rest in His presence in the midst of any storm. If we but believe and have faith in Gods power we can receive His strength when we are weak.
How many times have you been overwhelmed by a situation or even your current circumstances and you try fix to the problem(s) in your own strength?
I have done this many times. When we do this it causes us to become very weak spiritually. Sometimes we only turn to God when we realize there is nothing else we can do in our own strength. When if we had of turned to God in the first place, we could of had His strength to carry us through our trial and it may not of lasted as long. We must pray and ask God for deliverance and then wait on Him to answer our prayers. Many times after praying about something we become impatient and try to take things into our own hands because we feel God is taking to long to answer our prayer. If we truely believe God is all-powerful and all-knowing and all-wise we would be patient and wait on Him. We need to remember that God knows us better an we know ourselves and he knows exactly what we need and when we need it.
When will we realize that God does not work on our time table? If we would just trust God, pray and be patient God would bless us with His strength to over come any struggle or trial we may face. If we wait upon the Lord He promises He will renew our strength when we become weak.
Isaiah 40:[28-31]--"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youth shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint."
We have to be reminded of Gods power daily through His word, so that we never cease to glorify His name. I praise the Lord for gently reminding me of who He is when I allow satan to destract me with my problems instead of focusing on Him. I also praise Him for the grace, mercy and love that flows from His heart into my life. My prayer is that no matter what is going on around us we may not be moved because we are trusting in our all-powerful and all-wise God.
Serving Our Lord Together,
Michelle Harrison
I have heard and read many things about God's power and every time I meditate on the power of God I learn something new and appreciate Him more. God's power is something to be marvelled. I praise the Lord for giving me a fresh new glimpse of His power today. It has produced more of a hunger and a deeper love for God than I have had in the past.
A.W. Pink says, "we cannot have a right conception of God unless we think of Him as all-powerful, as well as all-wise." This statement is so true. We cannot even begin to understand who God is or even trust Him enless we see Him as all-powerful and all-wise.
"The power of God is that ability and strength whereby He can bring to pass whatsoever He pleases, whatsoever His infinite wisdom may direct, and whatsoever the infinite purity of His will may resolve. . . . As holiness is the beauty of all God’s attributes, so power is that which gives life and action to all the perfections of the Divine nature. How vain would be the eternal counsels, if power did not step in to execute them. Without power His mercy would be but feeble pity, His promises an empty sound, His threatenings a mere scarecrow. God’s power is like Himself: infinite, eternal, incomprehensible; it can neither be checked, restrained, nor frustrated by the creature. (S. Charnock)."
Psalm 147:5--"Great is our Lord, and and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite."
This is very encouraging and comforting to me because if we believe that God is all-knowing and all-powerful then we can trust that He will take care of us. If we believe these truths about Gods attributes we can rest in His presence in the midst of any storm. If we but believe and have faith in Gods power we can receive His strength when we are weak.
How many times have you been overwhelmed by a situation or even your current circumstances and you try fix to the problem(s) in your own strength?
I have done this many times. When we do this it causes us to become very weak spiritually. Sometimes we only turn to God when we realize there is nothing else we can do in our own strength. When if we had of turned to God in the first place, we could of had His strength to carry us through our trial and it may not of lasted as long. We must pray and ask God for deliverance and then wait on Him to answer our prayers. Many times after praying about something we become impatient and try to take things into our own hands because we feel God is taking to long to answer our prayer. If we truely believe God is all-powerful and all-knowing and all-wise we would be patient and wait on Him. We need to remember that God knows us better an we know ourselves and he knows exactly what we need and when we need it.
When will we realize that God does not work on our time table? If we would just trust God, pray and be patient God would bless us with His strength to over come any struggle or trial we may face. If we wait upon the Lord He promises He will renew our strength when we become weak.
Isaiah 40:[28-31]--"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youth shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint."
We have to be reminded of Gods power daily through His word, so that we never cease to glorify His name. I praise the Lord for gently reminding me of who He is when I allow satan to destract me with my problems instead of focusing on Him. I also praise Him for the grace, mercy and love that flows from His heart into my life. My prayer is that no matter what is going on around us we may not be moved because we are trusting in our all-powerful and all-wise God.
Serving Our Lord Together,
Michelle Harrison
Friday, January 20, 2006
"Our Joy is Rooted in Christ"
Today I have read and meditated on Psalm 21:[1-7], which has led me to meditate on several other passages of scripture. I have been thinking alot about our joy in the Lord. Many times when I seem over whelmed at any given moment with something that may steal my joy I sing the song "The joy of the Lord is my strength." This helps me to refocus and remember that my joy is not dependent on my circumstances. I began to meditate on and ask myself, "What does this song really mean?" As I began to meditate on this the Holy Spirit brought me to several passages of scripture that spoke to me about my joy being in the Lord.
Psalm 21:1--"The King shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord; And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice."
Our Joy comes from God's strength because our joy is rooted in--Christ--our Salvation. It does not matter what we may be going through in our life we can have joy because Christ purchased our joy when He died on the cross.
I like what Lancelot Andrews says about this verse. I am not sure which version of the Bible he used but he says,"Thy strength...Thy salvation", instead of Your strength....Your Salvation.
Ver. 1. Thy strength... thy salvation. So you have two words, "virtus and salus, "strength and salvation. Note them well; for not virtus without salus, not salus without virtus, neither without the other is full, nor both without Tua Domine. In virtute is well, so it have in salute after it. For not in strength alone is there matter of joy, every way considered. No, not in God's strength, if it have not salvation behind it. Strength, not to smite us down, but strength to deliver; this is the joyful side. Now turn it the other way. As strength, if it end in salvation, is just cause for joy, so salvation, if it go with strength, makes joy yet more joyful; for it becomes a strong salvation, a mighty deliverance. Lancelot Andrews (Bishop), 1555-1626, in "Conspiracie of the Goweries."
The joy spoken of in this verse is one of exclamation,--"how greatly"-- which is used to express excitement. We must rejoice because the Lord has died and is risen so that we may gain salvation. Christ is the object of our Joy. When Christ came to earth as a man He found His strength in God and found His Joy in God's strength. We must rejoice with the Lord in our salvation because it comes from God through Christ to us. God is the source of our strength. We must rejoice because we have access to God through Christ. Because of salvation we can stand firm in our faith and enjoy God's grace at work in our lives. We can rejoice in our salvation because we have hope in Christ. We can rejoice because God brings us through different trials and tribulations for His own glory that we may be sanctified.
Romans 5: [1-4]--"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into His grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance and perseverance, character, and character hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in the hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
If we want to have any strength against satan we must keep our joy. Satan is always out to steal our joy because he knows that if we lose our joy we lose our strength. We have joy and can keep it because of who we are in Christ. Joy is a decision. We must decide every morning upon waking up that we will have joy and be content and happy with our life in Christ. God wants us to enjoy Him. We do not need to let satan rob us of the happiness God wants for us to enjoy.
"Enjoying the abundant life Jesus died to give you is based on a decision you make, not on your circumstances."--Joyce Meyer
John 10:10--"The theif does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that you may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
Ecclesiastes 5:19--"As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to recieve his heritage and rejoice in his labor--this is the gift of God."
Serving Our Lord Together,
Michelle Harrison
Psalm 21:1--"The King shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord; And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice."
Our Joy comes from God's strength because our joy is rooted in--Christ--our Salvation. It does not matter what we may be going through in our life we can have joy because Christ purchased our joy when He died on the cross.
I like what Lancelot Andrews says about this verse. I am not sure which version of the Bible he used but he says,"Thy strength...Thy salvation", instead of Your strength....Your Salvation.
Ver. 1. Thy strength... thy salvation. So you have two words, "virtus and salus, "strength and salvation. Note them well; for not virtus without salus, not salus without virtus, neither without the other is full, nor both without Tua Domine. In virtute is well, so it have in salute after it. For not in strength alone is there matter of joy, every way considered. No, not in God's strength, if it have not salvation behind it. Strength, not to smite us down, but strength to deliver; this is the joyful side. Now turn it the other way. As strength, if it end in salvation, is just cause for joy, so salvation, if it go with strength, makes joy yet more joyful; for it becomes a strong salvation, a mighty deliverance. Lancelot Andrews (Bishop), 1555-1626, in "Conspiracie of the Goweries."
The joy spoken of in this verse is one of exclamation,--"how greatly"-- which is used to express excitement. We must rejoice because the Lord has died and is risen so that we may gain salvation. Christ is the object of our Joy. When Christ came to earth as a man He found His strength in God and found His Joy in God's strength. We must rejoice with the Lord in our salvation because it comes from God through Christ to us. God is the source of our strength. We must rejoice because we have access to God through Christ. Because of salvation we can stand firm in our faith and enjoy God's grace at work in our lives. We can rejoice in our salvation because we have hope in Christ. We can rejoice because God brings us through different trials and tribulations for His own glory that we may be sanctified.
Romans 5: [1-4]--"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into His grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance and perseverance, character, and character hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in the hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
If we want to have any strength against satan we must keep our joy. Satan is always out to steal our joy because he knows that if we lose our joy we lose our strength. We have joy and can keep it because of who we are in Christ. Joy is a decision. We must decide every morning upon waking up that we will have joy and be content and happy with our life in Christ. God wants us to enjoy Him. We do not need to let satan rob us of the happiness God wants for us to enjoy.
"Enjoying the abundant life Jesus died to give you is based on a decision you make, not on your circumstances."--Joyce Meyer
John 10:10--"The theif does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that you may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
Ecclesiastes 5:19--"As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to recieve his heritage and rejoice in his labor--this is the gift of God."
Serving Our Lord Together,
Michelle Harrison
Thursday, January 19, 2006
"True Faith in God is Unbreakable"
Today I have meditated on and read Job chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4. Most everyone I know has heard or read the story of Job and the suffering he endured. Job was a righteous man and is well known for his spiritual endurance. God used Job to show His glory to his family, friends, Satan, the angels and to us. This story never gets old because it is a reflection of God's Grace, Compassion, Wisdom, Mercy, Love, and His Sovereignty.
Even though Job did not know why he was going through a time of suffering he trusted in his Sovereign God. There was a debate between God and Satan about Job's righteousness. Satan wanted his righteousness to be tested. Satan said in Job 1 that Job was faithful to God only because God had blessed him but, if God took everything away from him then Job would surely reject Him.
Job 1:[9-11]--"So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”
I am amazed at how strong Jobs faith was through everything he had to endure. Even through his deepest grief he hunbled himself and fell to the ground and worshipped God. In stead of cursing God for his family dying he blessed God. Jobs submission to God in worship disproved Satans accusations. Job was who God said he was, proving that he was a true believer and that he had faith that could not be broken. It is amazing to me how when we trust God He gives us the strength to endure the trials and tribulations that we may face. We may not understand what is going on in heaven with God nor know how it effects our life, but we can trust Him because He is All-Knowing.
Job 1:[20-22]--"Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “ Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong."
Through testing Job Satan wanted to prove that salvation was not permanent, and that saving faith could be broken. If Satan could prove this than anyone that was God's people could be become his. I believe Satan was confident he could turn Job against God by inflicting suffering and pain upon him because he had been able to decieve a 1/3 of Gods angels to follow him. What satan did not realize is that what he meant for evil God meant for good. God released Satan to try to prove his point, if he could, but failed. Jobs faith in God never failed therefore proving that true faith is unbreakable. God allowed Satan to make Job suffer so that He could prove to Satan that saving faith can not be destroyed no matter how much a Child of God suffers.
This story leads us to Christ because of what He did on the cross for our sins. Because of His death on the Cross we are God's forever. Once saved always saved. Jesus is the reason that we have faith. Jobs life was used to point those around him to Christ.
Romans 8: [31-39]--"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “ For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Job persevered because he was totally dependent on God for his strength to endure his sufferings. Job could safely leave his life in God's hands because he trusted in God's love, mercy and grace. Even though God seems far away at times in our life he never leaves us nor forsakes us, but promises to preserve our faith. Therefore, we must never abandon God in the midst of our suffering but must draw ever near to Him. When we fellowship with God He gives us the comfort we need to endure. Our suffering may be intense but it will ultimately come to an end and God will bless us even more abundantly for our faith in Him. We must never forget who we are in Christ.
Serving Our Lord Together,
Michelle Harrison
Even though Job did not know why he was going through a time of suffering he trusted in his Sovereign God. There was a debate between God and Satan about Job's righteousness. Satan wanted his righteousness to be tested. Satan said in Job 1 that Job was faithful to God only because God had blessed him but, if God took everything away from him then Job would surely reject Him.
Job 1:[9-11]--"So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”
I am amazed at how strong Jobs faith was through everything he had to endure. Even through his deepest grief he hunbled himself and fell to the ground and worshipped God. In stead of cursing God for his family dying he blessed God. Jobs submission to God in worship disproved Satans accusations. Job was who God said he was, proving that he was a true believer and that he had faith that could not be broken. It is amazing to me how when we trust God He gives us the strength to endure the trials and tribulations that we may face. We may not understand what is going on in heaven with God nor know how it effects our life, but we can trust Him because He is All-Knowing.
Job 1:[20-22]--"Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “ Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong."
Through testing Job Satan wanted to prove that salvation was not permanent, and that saving faith could be broken. If Satan could prove this than anyone that was God's people could be become his. I believe Satan was confident he could turn Job against God by inflicting suffering and pain upon him because he had been able to decieve a 1/3 of Gods angels to follow him. What satan did not realize is that what he meant for evil God meant for good. God released Satan to try to prove his point, if he could, but failed. Jobs faith in God never failed therefore proving that true faith is unbreakable. God allowed Satan to make Job suffer so that He could prove to Satan that saving faith can not be destroyed no matter how much a Child of God suffers.
This story leads us to Christ because of what He did on the cross for our sins. Because of His death on the Cross we are God's forever. Once saved always saved. Jesus is the reason that we have faith. Jobs life was used to point those around him to Christ.
Romans 8: [31-39]--"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “ For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Job persevered because he was totally dependent on God for his strength to endure his sufferings. Job could safely leave his life in God's hands because he trusted in God's love, mercy and grace. Even though God seems far away at times in our life he never leaves us nor forsakes us, but promises to preserve our faith. Therefore, we must never abandon God in the midst of our suffering but must draw ever near to Him. When we fellowship with God He gives us the comfort we need to endure. Our suffering may be intense but it will ultimately come to an end and God will bless us even more abundantly for our faith in Him. We must never forget who we are in Christ.
Serving Our Lord Together,
Michelle Harrison
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Sin--The Bloodsucking Leech--Defeated!
Proverbs 30:15-16--"The leech has two daughters--Give and Give! There are three things that are never satisfied, Four never say, “Enough!”: The grave, The barren womb, The earth that is not satisfied with water--And the fire never says, “Enough!”"
I have been meditating on these two verses for some time now. Each time I read them I see and understand something new. It's as if I have read them for the the first time each time. It has been difficult to understand them but I will try to express to you as clearly as I know how, what I have learned from meditating on them.
The book of Proverbs talks alot about what we desire and what satisfies us. In this proverb written by Agur, I believe he is painting a hopeless picture of the reality of sin. Agur gives us three examples of things that are never satisfied and one that never says enough.
The three things in this passage that are never satisfied are: The grave, The barren womb, and The earth that is not satisfied with water. The example given in this passage that never says enough is: Fire.
All four of these examples are directly related to sin and have been the exact result of sin.
1. The grave. The grave would not exist if it were not for sin. Genesis 3:3--"but of thr fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die." Job 25:19--"As the drought and heat consume the snow waters, so the grave consumes those who have sinned." Proverbs 27:20--"Hell and Destruction are never full; So the eyes of man are never satisfied."
2. The barren womb. The barren womb was a direct result of Abraham's sin. His sin caused King Abimelech's wife and maid servants to become barren. Genesis 20:[17-18]--"So Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants. Then they bore children' for the Lord had closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham's wife."
3. The earth that is never satisfied with water. God consistantly waters the earth and satisfies it's thirst for water so--Psalm 104:13a--"He waters the hills from His upper chambers."--I believe Agur is describing a land that has experienced drought that is dry and not satisfied with water. In the Old testament there are examples of drought being a covenant curse directly relating drought to sin. God brought drought upon the Babylonians as an expression of His wrath against their sin. Jeremiah 50:[12b-13a]--"Behold the least of the nations shall be a wilderness, A dry land and a desert. Because of the wrath of the Lord She shall not be inhabited, But wholly desolate."
4. The fire. The fire never says enough! The fire is never quenched. The fire in this verse is refering to hell. Hell is the ultimate punishment for sin. Isaiah 66:24--"And they shall go forth and look Upon the corpses of the men Who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die, And their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh."
I believe Agur is using the leech in this verse as a metaphor for sin. I only came to understand how the leech related to sin after doing a little research on the leech. I felt I needed to do some research because I wasn't sure how the leech related to The grave, The barren womb, The earth that is not satisfied with water and fire.
The Leech--is a bloodsucking parasite. It lives in water and attaches itself to any living creature that passes by and feeds on it's blood. The leech has a sucking disk at each end of it's body. It has three toothplates in it's mouth which are used to pierce its hosts' skin. Once they sink their teeth into the skin they can begin to feed on the blood of the host. The leech can eat for long periods of time because of the substance hirudin that is produced in it's salavia. Hirudin prevents the host's blood from clotting. A leech can survive for several months just on one feeding. Leeches are greedy creatures. Their whole purpose is to take more and more so that they can reproduce more and more of their own kind. Their purpose is to take and command others to give.
Agur saysin verse 15 that,"The leech has two daughters--Give and Give!". I believe the daughters spoken of here is not used literally but figuratively. I believe he is refering to a single leech not a mother leech and her two daughters. I think he is refering to the two body parts--the sucking disks at each end of the body--of the leech not literally the two daughters of the leech. The sucking disks are two body parts of the leech that cry give! give!
What all four of these examples and the leech teach us is that sin is an endless cycle. Sin takes all it can from us and gives us absolutely nothing in return. Sin demands more and more of us until it totally consumes our life. If it were not for Christ sin would have consumed our whole life and being. We do not have to allow sin to consume us because we have hope in Christ. With Christ's perfect sacrifice of blood on the cross, there is satisfaction.
There is nothing in this world that will truely bring anyone satisfaction apart from Christ. In fact, most people try to find there satisfaction in a bigger house, a better car, more money etc....and become consumed with greed, when the satisfaction that they seek can only be found in Christ. Through Christ our dissatisfaction has turned to satisfaction. We as Christians need to be finding our contentment and satisfaction in Christ alone. Sin is a parasite just like the leech. Without Christ sin will suck you dry until it kills you. Sin will suck your spiritual blood dry if you allow it to control you.
We will struggle daily with sin in our life but if we willing submit to our lives to God's word and obey it we will have freedom to over come it through Christ. We must put to death our sinful nature. We can do this by getting self out of the way and putting God first in our life. We as Christians must put off the the old sinful nature and put on our new nature. We have been given the power to put off the old sinful nature through the Holy Spirit because we are dead to sin. We have been given the ability to put on our new nature because in Christ we have been made alive from the dead and have become instruments of God's righteousness. Sin no longer has power or domination over us because we are in Christ, Paul tells us this in Romans chapter six. Our desire needs to be more of Christ and less of us. Our attitude should be more and more of God and less and less of ourselves only then will we be truely satisfied.
"God is the most satisfied in us when we are the most satisfied in Him."--John Piper
Are we feeding the sin in our life? or are we feeding on the bread of life, Jesus Christ? Where are we finding our satisfaction?
Sin and all the results of sin are like the greedy leech that will always demand more. Sin will always demand more and more and wants us to give and give! We need to abide in Christ and seek to starve sin by submitting our lives to Christ by persuing holiness. We are no longer enslaved to sin but rather have become slaves to God. Sin no longer has claim over us, we are free!!!!! Romans 6:22--"But now having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life."
I thank and praise God for making satisfaction for my sin through Jesus Christ. I am thankful that the benefit of being a slave to God is my sanctification, and the outcome of my sanctification is to live forever in His presence perfect just as christ is perfect.
Serving Our Lord Together,
Michelle Harrison
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