Archive for December, 2012

“The Temple of the Holy Spirit”

December 5th, 2012

. . . only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you —Genesis 41:40

 

I am accountable to God for the way I control my body under His authority. Paul said he did not “set aside the grace of God”— make it ineffective (Galatians 2:21). The grace of God is absolute and limitless, and the work of salvation through Jesus is complete and finished forever. I am not being saved— I am saved. Salvation is as eternal as God’s throne, but I must put to work or use what God has placed within me. To “work out [my] own salvation” (Philippians 2:12) means that I am responsible for using what He has given me. It also means that I must exhibit in my own body the life of the Lord Jesus, not mysteriously or secretly, but openly and boldly. “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection . . .” (1 Corinthians 9:27). Every Christian can have his body under absolute control for God. God has given us the responsibility to rule over all “the temple of the Holy Spirit,” including our thoughts and desires (1 Corinthians 6:19). We are responsible for these, and we must never give way to improper ones. But most of us are much more severe in our judgment of others than we are in judging ourselves. We make excuses for things in ourselves, while we condemn things in the lives of others simply because we are not naturally inclined to do them.

Paul said, “I beseech you . . . that you present your bodies a living sacrifice . . .” (Romans 12:1). What I must decide is whether or not I will agree with my Lord and Master that my body will indeed be His temple. Once I agree, all the rules, regulations, and requirements of the law concerning the body are summed up for me in this revealed truth-my body is “the temple of the Holy Spirit.”

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December 5, 2012

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, lessons like this one stop me cold. Because I know I could and should treat my body as if it is yours and not mine. I know that I should take much better care of myself; work out more frequently, eat the right foods, think better thoughts, and in general demonstrate that I understand that my body belongs to You and is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  This lesson convicts me Lord. What can I do to become more disciplined about my body? How can I bring it under control?

And Gods says…”It is the very same lesson you have been learning for many years. You cannot, as Paul wrote, do the right things, but Jesus living inside of you can and does. Let go of your idea that you need to be a better man with more discipline. It does not work. Grinding your teeth and promising to do “the right thing” will only frustrate you, as you fail time after time after time.  Surrender your entire person to Jesus every day, every hour and every minute. Keep Jesus in your sight and let Him live through you. There is no reason to keep fighting a fight that has  already been won. Trust in the Lord with all your might and do not rely on your own methods and  discipline and He will make your paths straight. I will finish the good work I began in you; simply stay connected to Jesus and observe…. as the Spirit of the living God remakes you in His image.”

The Law of Opposition

December 4th, 2012

To him who overcomes . . . —Revelation 2:7

 

Life without war is impossible in the natural or the supernatural realm. It is a fact that there is a continuing struggle in the physical, mental, moral, and spiritual areas of life.

Health is the balance between the physical parts of my body and all the things and forces surrounding me. To maintain good health I must have sufficient internal strength to fight off the things that are external. Everything outside my physical life is designed to cause my death. The very elements that sustain me while I am alive work to decay and disintegrate my body once it is dead. If I have enough inner strength to fight, I help to produce the balance needed for health. The same is true of the mental life. If I want to maintain a strong and active mental life, I have to fight. This struggle produces the mental balance called thought.

Morally it is the same. Anything that does not strengthen me morally is the enemy of virtue within me. Whether I overcome, thereby producing virtue, depends on the level of moral excellence in my life. But we must fight to be moral. Morality does not happen by accident; moral virtue is acquired.

And spiritually it is also the same. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation . . .” (John 16:33). This means that anything which is not spiritual leads to my downfall. Jesus went on to say, “. . . but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” I must learn to fight against and overcome the things that come against me, and in that way produce the balance of holiness. Then it becomes a delight to meet opposition.

Holiness is the balance between my nature and the law of God as expressed in Jesus Christ.

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December 4, 2012

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, I am not really certain what Chambers was trying to say here, but the thread of a lesson has been working its way into my mind over the last few days; that struggles and trials are essential for spiritual maturity.  There was a time when I believed that life was supposed to be day to day living without pain, fear, anxiety or trials. And that if there was hardship then there must be something amiss. I must be doing something wrong, and perhaps You even abandoned me.

And God says…”It is a very important lesson to learn. It is like a demonstration of courage.  Courage is not acting as if you have no fear; courage is doing the right thing, taking the right action even in the midst of fear. Abundant living is not living without trouble, trials, fears or pain. Abundant living is the act (s) of living in Jesus and His abundant life even in the midst of trials, doubt and uncertainty.  You may still have difficult circumstances, and be pressed upon all around, but when you surrender it all to Jesus, you still can live an abundant life. And as you look back you will notice that those difficult times were the very sandpaper and whetstones that shaped you into the person I knew you to be. Do not try and get out of your trials too soon. Let them have their perfect result. You must feel the hurts, pain and trials for them to have their very positive result in you. And never fear; I am with you always and will allow nothing to touch you that has not first passed through My hands.”

“Not by Might nor by Power”

December 3rd, 2012

My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power . . . —1 Corinthians 2:4

 

If in preaching the gospel you substitute your knowledge of the way of salvation for confidence in the power of the gospel, you hinder people from getting to reality. Take care to see while you proclaim your knowledge of the way of salvation, that you yourself are rooted and grounded by faith in God. Never rely on the clearness of your presentation, but as you give your explanation make sure that you are relying on the Holy Spirit. Rely on the certainty of God’s redemptive power, and He will create His own life in people.

Once you are rooted in reality, nothing can shake you. If your faith is in experiences, anything that happens is likely to upset that faith. But nothing can ever change God or the reality of redemption. Base your faith on that, and you are as eternally secure as God Himself. Once you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you will never be moved again. That is the meaning of sanctification. God disapproves of our human efforts to cling to the concept that sanctification is merely an experience, while forgetting that even our sanctification must also be sanctified (see John 17:19). I must deliberately give my sanctified life to God for His service, so that He can use me as His hands and His feet.

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Journal Entry for Today-JDV

December 3, 2012

Lord, what takes You so long? Why do you wait, and wait, and then wait some more when I am in pain, hurt or doubting? Why must I go through the pain, doubt and uncertainty? Lord, I know You love me; I know that You want  the very best for me. Then why do You leave me alone and adrift sometimes wondering if you are there at all? Why don’t You respond to my cries for help immediately? Why must I be left alone inside my own pain, hurt or doubts for  what seems to be a long, long time before you show up?

And God says…” My ways are not your ways, and I do know what is the very best for you. I also know how you will learn, grow and become purified over time.  Trust in Me and even when you do not see or hear Me just know that I am letting the trial, doubt or uncertainty have the perfect result in your life. Know that I love more than you can ever imagine and the evidence of that is the sacrifice of Jesus. Look for Me to love You and because I love you, know that very often immediate rescue is not the answer. Look for me inside all that surrounds you, not just the rescue. Look for Me in all that touches you and know that I am God, and I will allow nothing to touch you that has not first passed through My hands. Know that many things that shape and mold you are Jesus in disguise.”