He alone is God; And He is God alone. Part 2
Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the Gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints. (Romans 1-7)
We are still looking out the Eternal Purpose as mentioned by Apostle Paul in these early verses of Romans 1. In this post we will conclude on why He “Fainteth not, neither is weary”; and “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength" because He alone is God; And He is God alone. We will also conclude PLAN A of the eternal purpose – The Glory of God (Eph. 1:3-6)
To remind us the eternal Purpose is:
PLAN A – The Glory of God - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. PLAN B - The Gospel of Christ - In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: PLAN B2 –Back on Track - That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. (Eph.1:3-12 emphasis added)
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love”
Watchman Nee, in The Normal Christian life said: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/nee/normal.html
“To man sin leads to condemnation and hell; To God sin leads to forfeit of Glory”
Saturday 27 March 2010
Friday 22 January 2010
Tuesday 17 November 2009
LIFE OR DEATH; WHAT IS YOUR CHOICE
I had a long conversation with a friend of mine a couple of days ago; and that conversation brought back to my remembrance the need to be very cautious of what we focus our mind or thoughts on; because there is an incredible transformational power in what we set our focus on. It is very easy to look at our past and then focus who we are or desire to be today on the experiences of our past. When they are negative, focusing who we are on these experiences can be extremely damaging; but if these experiences are good and favourable, then it can be worth our while as they become virtues that we develop with time.
Better still, is the need to have a high standard than we can deduce from our past experiences; a standard that does not fluctuate due to circumstances around us such as other peoples expectations, political correctness etc. That standard for me is the glory (some may call it beauty or splendour) of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This is the essence of life; it is the very purpose of our creation by God, so that we may be like Him and His Son. The Bible, on the first day of creation says:
“God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth” (Genesis 1:26 Amplified Bible).
This cautiousness also applies to what we say about ourselves. The Bible says:
“A man's [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil]. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].” (Proverbs 18:20-21 Amplified bible).
A sequence of experiences can also make a person start to characterise and describe him or herself by past experiences; if they are good you hear the person come up with phrases like I’m rich; I’m famous; I’m intelligent etc; this is not a bad thing to do. But when the experiences are not favourable, one can be drawn into using his or her tongue to make matters worse – they say “when you are in a hole don’t dig” vocalising ones past bad experiences with that distinct negative sense of ownership can sometimes count as a curse. The dictionary reference of the word ‘curse’ as seen below shows that the essence of it’s (curse) existence is the tongue.
–noun
The expression of a wish that misfortune, evil, doom, etc., befall a person, group, etc; a formula or charm intended to cause such misfortune to another; the act of reciting such a formula; a profane oath; curse word; an evil that has been invoked upon one; the cause of evil, misfortune, or trouble;
–verb (used with object)
An ecclesiastical censure or anathema; to wish or invoke evil; calamity, injury, or destruction upon; to swear at; to blaspheme; to afflict with great evil; to excommunicate.
–verb (used without object)
To utter curses; Swear profanely.
But even when this is the case, all we need to remember and appropriate is the fact that Jesus Christ, at the Cross of Calvary has made Himself a permanent substitute for anything that represent a curse in our lives. I used the word ‘Appropriate’ because if we do not know what He has provided for us we will naturally not avail ourselves to it. Just as it can be impossible to spend money left to you in the will of a distant uncle you never knew existed and nobody ever told you about him or the money.
But today I can confirm this to you as the Bible says in (Galatians 3:13-14 Amplified bible):
“Christ purchased our freedom [redeeming us] from the curse (doom) of the Law [and its condemnation] by [Himself] becoming a curse for us, for it is written [in the Scriptures], Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified); To the end that through [their receiving] Christ Jesus, the blessing [promised] to Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that we through faith might [all] receive [the realization of] the promise of the [Holy] Spirit.”
So let us see ourselves as God sees us and not as “fallen” man which we all are, sees us. The Bible says:
“I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life; that you and your descendants may live.” (Deut. 30:19-20)
WHAT IS YOUR CHOICE?
Better still, is the need to have a high standard than we can deduce from our past experiences; a standard that does not fluctuate due to circumstances around us such as other peoples expectations, political correctness etc. That standard for me is the glory (some may call it beauty or splendour) of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This is the essence of life; it is the very purpose of our creation by God, so that we may be like Him and His Son. The Bible, on the first day of creation says:
“God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth” (Genesis 1:26 Amplified Bible).
This cautiousness also applies to what we say about ourselves. The Bible says:
“A man's [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil]. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].” (Proverbs 18:20-21 Amplified bible).
A sequence of experiences can also make a person start to characterise and describe him or herself by past experiences; if they are good you hear the person come up with phrases like I’m rich; I’m famous; I’m intelligent etc; this is not a bad thing to do. But when the experiences are not favourable, one can be drawn into using his or her tongue to make matters worse – they say “when you are in a hole don’t dig” vocalising ones past bad experiences with that distinct negative sense of ownership can sometimes count as a curse. The dictionary reference of the word ‘curse’ as seen below shows that the essence of it’s (curse) existence is the tongue.
–noun
The expression of a wish that misfortune, evil, doom, etc., befall a person, group, etc; a formula or charm intended to cause such misfortune to another; the act of reciting such a formula; a profane oath; curse word; an evil that has been invoked upon one; the cause of evil, misfortune, or trouble;
–verb (used with object)
An ecclesiastical censure or anathema; to wish or invoke evil; calamity, injury, or destruction upon; to swear at; to blaspheme; to afflict with great evil; to excommunicate.
–verb (used without object)
To utter curses; Swear profanely.
But even when this is the case, all we need to remember and appropriate is the fact that Jesus Christ, at the Cross of Calvary has made Himself a permanent substitute for anything that represent a curse in our lives. I used the word ‘Appropriate’ because if we do not know what He has provided for us we will naturally not avail ourselves to it. Just as it can be impossible to spend money left to you in the will of a distant uncle you never knew existed and nobody ever told you about him or the money.
But today I can confirm this to you as the Bible says in (Galatians 3:13-14 Amplified bible):
“Christ purchased our freedom [redeeming us] from the curse (doom) of the Law [and its condemnation] by [Himself] becoming a curse for us, for it is written [in the Scriptures], Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified); To the end that through [their receiving] Christ Jesus, the blessing [promised] to Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that we through faith might [all] receive [the realization of] the promise of the [Holy] Spirit.”
So let us see ourselves as God sees us and not as “fallen” man which we all are, sees us. The Bible says:
“I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life; that you and your descendants may live.” (Deut. 30:19-20)
WHAT IS YOUR CHOICE?
Monday 16 November 2009
THE NEEDLE'S EYE - Gil Scott-Heron
The Needle's Eye
A circle spinning faster
And getting larger all the time
A whirlpool spelled disaster
For all the people who don't rhyme
Him who don't fit through the needle's eye
Him who just don't understand
Understand, understand, understand
A brand new sense of freedom
A brand new sense of time
Him may go and stand alone now
And leave the hate and fear behind
All the millions spent for killing
Seems the whole world must be dying
All the children who go hungry
How much food we could be buying
Him who don't fit through the needle's eye
Him who just don't understand
Understand, understand, understand
A brand new sense of freedom
A brand new sense of time
Him may go and stand alone now
And the leave the hate and fear behind
People wake up every morning
And simply push their lives aside
They seem to carry all their feelings
Crushed and crumbled up inside
Inside, inside, inside
Him who don't fit through the needle's eye
Him who just don't understand
So I went to see my father
Many questions on my mind
But he didn't want to answer me
God, the whole world must be blind
Him who don't fit through the needle's eye
Him may someday go insane
Insane, insane, insane
Without a brand new sense of freedom
A brand new sense of time
Him may go and stand alone now
A circle spinning faster
And getting larger all the time
A whirlpool spelled disaster
For all the people who don't rhyme
Him who don't fit through the needle's eye
Him who just don't understand
Understand, understand, understand
A brand new sense of freedom
A brand new sense of time
Him may go and stand alone now
And leave the hate and fear behind
All the millions spent for killing
Seems the whole world must be dying
All the children who go hungry
How much food we could be buying
Him who don't fit through the needle's eye
Him who just don't understand
Understand, understand, understand
A brand new sense of freedom
A brand new sense of time
Him may go and stand alone now
And the leave the hate and fear behind
People wake up every morning
And simply push their lives aside
They seem to carry all their feelings
Crushed and crumbled up inside
Inside, inside, inside
Him who don't fit through the needle's eye
Him who just don't understand
So I went to see my father
Many questions on my mind
But he didn't want to answer me
God, the whole world must be blind
Him who don't fit through the needle's eye
Him may someday go insane
Insane, insane, insane
Without a brand new sense of freedom
A brand new sense of time
Him may go and stand alone now
Sunday 8 November 2009
Back2Basics
At the deepest root of addiction may very well be a craven for love, honesty, trust, acceptance, affirmation; a need to balance the deficits of love from past or even present relationships– need for recognition of personal worth. Until there is a realisation that the only lasting or long term “medicine” for drug or alcohol addition (and indeed the never ending problems man finds himself in) is a constant connection to the source of love, man will continue in his cycle of helplessness. What this source is, is left to each individuals judgement. But then to make a good judgement, you need a good conscience, so the road still leads back to Love, for good conscience is derived from love - “love is pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith” No wonder they say “money cannot buy love” and if care is not taken, the presence of money without love can be a very good pre-requisite for destruction.
If you are trapped in alcohol or drug abuse or any other addiction for that matter; or if one of your loved ones is; I have a word for you. The word is not “shame” , it is not “loser”, it is not even “Stop” because with your own efforts you can’t or won’t: The words are “trust and obey”. I encourage you to trust that God will offer you the hand of friendship and, where necessary, forgiveness.
Back2Basics, is for all those who have been in bondage to an addiction, and are now trying to recover. Addictions such as alcoholism, drug addiction and scores of others. This ministry is for all those who are seeking the solution to their seemingly hopeless condition, and understand that they do not have the power to solve their own problem. This ministry is for all those who know they are done, who want to find a solution, but are left in that place, as so many of us have experienced. We were stuck in that place, That place, that only we understand. That place that Apostle Paul, one of (if not) the greatest contributors to the Christian faith describes as:
We know that the Law is spiritual; but I am a creature of the flesh [carnal, unspiritual], having been sold into slavery under [the control of] sin. 15For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled, bewildered]. I do not practice or accomplish what I wish, but I do the very thing that I loathe [which my moral instinct condemns]. 16Now if I do [habitually] what is contrary to my desire, [that means that] I acknowledge and agree that the Law is good (morally excellent) and that I take sides with it. 17However, it is no longer I who do the deed, but the sin [principle] which is at home in me and has possession of me. 18For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot perform it. [I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out.] 19For I fail to practice the good deeds I desire to do, but the evil deeds that I do not desire to do are what I am [ever] doing. 20Now if I do what I do not desire to do, it is no longer I doing it [it is not myself that acts], but the sin [principle] which dwells within me [fixed and operating in my soul]. 21So I find it to be a law (rule of action of my being) that when I want to do what is right and good, evil is ever present with me and I am subject to its insistent demands. 22For I endorse and delight in the Law of God in my inmost self [with my new nature]. 23But I discern in my bodily members [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh] a different law (rule of action) at war against the law of my mind (my reason) and making me a prisoner to the law of sin that dwells in my bodily organs [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh]. 24O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from [the shackles of] this body of death? 25O thank God! [He will!] through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:14-25 (amp)
Like Apostle Paul, any recovering or recovered addict in their own way would say:
We stopped using or drinking. We gave up our crutch, our friend, the obsession that was killing us. With that went the only thing we knew of that kept us from the pain or feelings we had been hiding or numbed for so many years. We were all of a sudden thrust into facing so many years of abuse and hurting ourselves. We could look back at years of emotions, feelings, and now a world unknown. We were thus confused, hurting, and trapped. Many of us were at a turning point, a place of helplessness. Separated from our best friend, our strength, with a huge empty hole.. We were definitely ready to turn our life around. Many of us being stuck, with no choices left surrendered, and had to seek the truth about God. We had finally gotten to that place where we knew that He was God and that we weren’t. We were ready to make a decision. A decision about a god we had never understood. But we had to make a decision. Could He be the answer to our dilemma?
Then Like Apostle Paul, we came to Chapter 8:
1THEREFORE, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. 2For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death. For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice], 4So that the righteous and just requirement of the Law might be fully met in us who live and move not in the ways of the flesh but in the ways of the Spirit [our lives governed not by the standards and according to the dictates of the flesh, but controlled by the Holy Spirit]. 5For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit. Romans 8:1-5 (amp)
Back2Basics hopes to welcome, love, comfort and guide you and your family/organization through the authority of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit (2Cor 1:2-7). for Gods Glory; back on path to our Father's home, will and purpose for your life and that of your troubled loved ones. (Rom 8:28).
If you are trapped in alcohol or drug abuse or any other addiction for that matter; or if one of your loved ones is; I have a word for you. The word is not “shame” , it is not “loser”, it is not even “Stop” because with your own efforts you can’t or won’t: The words are “trust and obey”. I encourage you to trust that God will offer you the hand of friendship and, where necessary, forgiveness.
Back2Basics, is for all those who have been in bondage to an addiction, and are now trying to recover. Addictions such as alcoholism, drug addiction and scores of others. This ministry is for all those who are seeking the solution to their seemingly hopeless condition, and understand that they do not have the power to solve their own problem. This ministry is for all those who know they are done, who want to find a solution, but are left in that place, as so many of us have experienced. We were stuck in that place, That place, that only we understand. That place that Apostle Paul, one of (if not) the greatest contributors to the Christian faith describes as:
We know that the Law is spiritual; but I am a creature of the flesh [carnal, unspiritual], having been sold into slavery under [the control of] sin. 15For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled, bewildered]. I do not practice or accomplish what I wish, but I do the very thing that I loathe [which my moral instinct condemns]. 16Now if I do [habitually] what is contrary to my desire, [that means that] I acknowledge and agree that the Law is good (morally excellent) and that I take sides with it. 17However, it is no longer I who do the deed, but the sin [principle] which is at home in me and has possession of me. 18For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot perform it. [I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out.] 19For I fail to practice the good deeds I desire to do, but the evil deeds that I do not desire to do are what I am [ever] doing. 20Now if I do what I do not desire to do, it is no longer I doing it [it is not myself that acts], but the sin [principle] which dwells within me [fixed and operating in my soul]. 21So I find it to be a law (rule of action of my being) that when I want to do what is right and good, evil is ever present with me and I am subject to its insistent demands. 22For I endorse and delight in the Law of God in my inmost self [with my new nature]. 23But I discern in my bodily members [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh] a different law (rule of action) at war against the law of my mind (my reason) and making me a prisoner to the law of sin that dwells in my bodily organs [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh]. 24O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from [the shackles of] this body of death? 25O thank God! [He will!] through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:14-25 (amp)
Like Apostle Paul, any recovering or recovered addict in their own way would say:
We stopped using or drinking. We gave up our crutch, our friend, the obsession that was killing us. With that went the only thing we knew of that kept us from the pain or feelings we had been hiding or numbed for so many years. We were all of a sudden thrust into facing so many years of abuse and hurting ourselves. We could look back at years of emotions, feelings, and now a world unknown. We were thus confused, hurting, and trapped. Many of us were at a turning point, a place of helplessness. Separated from our best friend, our strength, with a huge empty hole.. We were definitely ready to turn our life around. Many of us being stuck, with no choices left surrendered, and had to seek the truth about God. We had finally gotten to that place where we knew that He was God and that we weren’t. We were ready to make a decision. A decision about a god we had never understood. But we had to make a decision. Could He be the answer to our dilemma?
Then Like Apostle Paul, we came to Chapter 8:
1THEREFORE, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. 2For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death. For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice], 4So that the righteous and just requirement of the Law might be fully met in us who live and move not in the ways of the flesh but in the ways of the Spirit [our lives governed not by the standards and according to the dictates of the flesh, but controlled by the Holy Spirit]. 5For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit. Romans 8:1-5 (amp)
Back2Basics hopes to welcome, love, comfort and guide you and your family/organization through the authority of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit (2Cor 1:2-7). for Gods Glory; back on path to our Father's home, will and purpose for your life and that of your troubled loved ones. (Rom 8:28).
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