"I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
Jesus came to do one thing, namely to reveal just who is the God of Heaven, the creator of all that is seen and unseen. In fact, he is the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15), the full revelation of the Divine Father. He and the Father are two persons of one being so all that whoever has seen Christ has seen the Father. (John 14:9) The strangest thing is, that we do not die when we look upon Jesus, but we live. Generally, no one can see the LORD and live. (Ex 33:20)
But God made a way so that we could not only see him, but eat with him and dance with him and not be completely destroyed by his holiness. We can touch him and be healed and not destroyed. It means that God is innately a God with us and a God for us. He is a God who desires to be known by us and who desires relationship with us.
And not only that, the result of his continuing to make known to us the Father is that we fall deeper in love with him. And as Christ is in the Father, so we will be in Christ when we look upon him truly as who He is, being transformed into the very image of God.
Showing posts with label Father. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Father. Show all posts
Friday, August 5, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
Psalms 22:3
"Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel."
Psalm 22 starts out with a cry for help. It is the same cry Jesus called out before he breathed his last on the cross. "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" These words have been a mystery to scholars for centuries. Did God temporarily abandon Christ on the cross? But if you realize what Jesus was quoting, you realize that his last words were song lyrics. Reread Psalm 22 as if it were Jesus speaking on the cross and you will understand why he started to recite this song, why he started to sing.
It is because the LORD, the LORD, the holy God of Israel, is enthroned on the praises of his people. The King James translates that he inhabits the praises of his people. God is made king by praise and worship. It is while we are in worship that God is most present to us for he inhabits our praises. Jesus sang God's praises, and his Father was right there with him as he lay dying. As Jesus sang, he knew God would deliver him.
And in your times of trouble, praise God all the more. When you are weak, praise God. If you are near death, praise God. No matter what your situation is, praise God, and he will be given all authority in your situation. He will inhabit your praise and he will be with you until the very end of the age.
Psalm 22 starts out with a cry for help. It is the same cry Jesus called out before he breathed his last on the cross. "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" These words have been a mystery to scholars for centuries. Did God temporarily abandon Christ on the cross? But if you realize what Jesus was quoting, you realize that his last words were song lyrics. Reread Psalm 22 as if it were Jesus speaking on the cross and you will understand why he started to recite this song, why he started to sing.
It is because the LORD, the LORD, the holy God of Israel, is enthroned on the praises of his people. The King James translates that he inhabits the praises of his people. God is made king by praise and worship. It is while we are in worship that God is most present to us for he inhabits our praises. Jesus sang God's praises, and his Father was right there with him as he lay dying. As Jesus sang, he knew God would deliver him.
And in your times of trouble, praise God all the more. When you are weak, praise God. If you are near death, praise God. No matter what your situation is, praise God, and he will be given all authority in your situation. He will inhabit your praise and he will be with you until the very end of the age.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Genesis 24:51,67
"Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has directed."... Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death."
In the Old Testament tradition, it is your father's responsibility to find you a suitable wife. You can pick out one that you want, but ultimately the father has the last say in obtaining a wife for you. Such is the story of Isaac and Rebekah with an interesting twist; It was Abraham's Father in heaven who directed and arranged the marriage.
Notice in v67 that Isaac loved her, despite having just met her. Why? Because the LORD already knows who is compatible because he searches their hearts. If you submit to His will for your wife, you will not be disappointed (and same goes for ladies). Because you know that the LORD has made directed your marriage, you know already that your marriage will stand on a firm foundation for what God has joined together let no man separate. (Mark 10:9)
Be content with where God has you. He knows what you need and when you need it and if he sees fit to give you a wife or a husband it will be not only the right time, but also the right person. Give up the chase and let God give you grace! Hallelujah!
Footnote: Of course this is all contingent on God actually being your Father...
In the Old Testament tradition, it is your father's responsibility to find you a suitable wife. You can pick out one that you want, but ultimately the father has the last say in obtaining a wife for you. Such is the story of Isaac and Rebekah with an interesting twist; It was Abraham's Father in heaven who directed and arranged the marriage.
Notice in v67 that Isaac loved her, despite having just met her. Why? Because the LORD already knows who is compatible because he searches their hearts. If you submit to His will for your wife, you will not be disappointed (and same goes for ladies). Because you know that the LORD has made directed your marriage, you know already that your marriage will stand on a firm foundation for what God has joined together let no man separate. (Mark 10:9)
Be content with where God has you. He knows what you need and when you need it and if he sees fit to give you a wife or a husband it will be not only the right time, but also the right person. Give up the chase and let God give you grace! Hallelujah!
Footnote: Of course this is all contingent on God actually being your Father...
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Hebrews 12:27
"This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain."
No matter what happens, God will never change. Those who are in Christ are unshakeable because they are being held in the hand of the Eternal One. You who are in Christ are a child of God and nothing in this world can ever change that because it is God who has ordained you for salvation and has adopted you legally to be his child. At the end of the day and everything is falling apart, rejoice! Rejoice because you have a Father in heaven who will never leave you or forsake you.
A time is coming soon when heaven and earth will pass away, but the Word of Christ endures forever. (Mt 24:35, Mk 13:31, Lk 21:33) God's promises to us stand firm forever. They cannot be shaken by anything. They are the firm foundation on which we build (Mt 7:24). They never fade and they never falter and in the end they will be all that remain.
Why wait until heaven to enjoy your salvation when salvation has come unto the world? Everything God creates is made to change. So even when you are robbed of all that you hold dear and life takes its toll you can still say, "God is my gracious Father because Christ is my faithful husband! Why should I worry?"
No matter what happens, God will never change. Those who are in Christ are unshakeable because they are being held in the hand of the Eternal One. You who are in Christ are a child of God and nothing in this world can ever change that because it is God who has ordained you for salvation and has adopted you legally to be his child. At the end of the day and everything is falling apart, rejoice! Rejoice because you have a Father in heaven who will never leave you or forsake you.
A time is coming soon when heaven and earth will pass away, but the Word of Christ endures forever. (Mt 24:35, Mk 13:31, Lk 21:33) God's promises to us stand firm forever. They cannot be shaken by anything. They are the firm foundation on which we build (Mt 7:24). They never fade and they never falter and in the end they will be all that remain.
Why wait until heaven to enjoy your salvation when salvation has come unto the world? Everything God creates is made to change. So even when you are robbed of all that you hold dear and life takes its toll you can still say, "God is my gracious Father because Christ is my faithful husband! Why should I worry?"
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Acts 9:4-5
He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.
Curiously, Jesus tells Saul that he is persecuting him when clearly it says in verse 1 Saul is persecuting the Church of the Lord's disciples who called themselves "The Way". Jesus makes no distinction between the persecution of his Church and of himself for the Church is his body.
Jesus Christ has made his will and the will of the Father known. Because there exists a holy God, there is a holy church. Because there is one God, there is one church. Because God is universal, so too is the church universal (catholic). And because the Father sent his Son to do this work through the sanctifying Spirit, so too does Christ send us to be his body in the world animated by His Holy Spirit. We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church because we believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic God.
And thus those who try and frustrate the interests of the Church try and frustrate the interests of God. For this reason they will fail, for no one frustrates the will of God. Therefore as the Church, we seek not our own interests, but the interests of God and his interest is in the salvation of mankind to the glory of His name. So here we remain until the Lord calls us home.
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.
Curiously, Jesus tells Saul that he is persecuting him when clearly it says in verse 1 Saul is persecuting the Church of the Lord's disciples who called themselves "The Way". Jesus makes no distinction between the persecution of his Church and of himself for the Church is his body.
Jesus Christ has made his will and the will of the Father known. Because there exists a holy God, there is a holy church. Because there is one God, there is one church. Because God is universal, so too is the church universal (catholic). And because the Father sent his Son to do this work through the sanctifying Spirit, so too does Christ send us to be his body in the world animated by His Holy Spirit. We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church because we believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic God.
And thus those who try and frustrate the interests of the Church try and frustrate the interests of God. For this reason they will fail, for no one frustrates the will of God. Therefore as the Church, we seek not our own interests, but the interests of God and his interest is in the salvation of mankind to the glory of His name. So here we remain until the Lord calls us home.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
John 14:31
"But the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me."
Jesus's mission is clear: to reveal the Father in heaven in all His glory unto a desperate and sinful world. If Jesus did not love the Father, who then could know him? If Jesus did not do as the Father commanded of him, to who, then, would the Father be revealed? If Jesus were not holy, no one would be able to see God the Father in him (Hebrews 12:14).
And should we not imitate Christ? (Eph 5:1) If Christ is not revealed through us then Christ is not in us and if he is not in us how can we be sanctified? The world must, and I repeat MUST learn that Jesus Christ loves the Father and obeys his commands. How else can it be saved?
We too, must show the world our love for the Father and our obedience (which comes from faith) and loyalty to His Commands. We obey his good, perfect and pleasing will because there is honestly no better will to follow. Sure we could go our own way, but because we are not God, our will is less than optimal. Once we submit our will to that of the Father, how can we help but be blessed and be a blessing to the nations (Gen 12:3) through Christ our King, the Son of David and true Seed of Abraham?
Jesus's mission is clear: to reveal the Father in heaven in all His glory unto a desperate and sinful world. If Jesus did not love the Father, who then could know him? If Jesus did not do as the Father commanded of him, to who, then, would the Father be revealed? If Jesus were not holy, no one would be able to see God the Father in him (Hebrews 12:14).
And should we not imitate Christ? (Eph 5:1) If Christ is not revealed through us then Christ is not in us and if he is not in us how can we be sanctified? The world must, and I repeat MUST learn that Jesus Christ loves the Father and obeys his commands. How else can it be saved?
We too, must show the world our love for the Father and our obedience (which comes from faith) and loyalty to His Commands. We obey his good, perfect and pleasing will because there is honestly no better will to follow. Sure we could go our own way, but because we are not God, our will is less than optimal. Once we submit our will to that of the Father, how can we help but be blessed and be a blessing to the nations (Gen 12:3) through Christ our King, the Son of David and true Seed of Abraham?
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Ephesians 1:13-14
"And you were also included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-- to the praise of His glory."
In this short little introduction to Ephesians, Paul marks out the will of God for the salvation of men. Here, we see the fullness of the Trinity coming together for our redemption; We are marked (by the Father) in Him (Christ) with the promised Holy Spirit. It is the Father who draws us in through the Son by the Holy Spirit. The Father is the fisherman, the Son the rod, and the Holy Spirit is the hook that never lets us go. Because it is God working in all three aspects of salvation, the process is made perfect. Were salvation from men, salvation would fail. But thank God that salvation is guaranteed for those who believe and are sealed with the Holy Spirit!
And this then is the mark of salvation for every true believer: That even when you sin and stray from the path, The Spirit will convict you, Christ will forgive you, and the Father will always bring you back to him for the Father always disciplines his children. All three Persons work together in perfect harmony for our redemption. Do you believe it? But truly, truly, by faith it is so!
In this short little introduction to Ephesians, Paul marks out the will of God for the salvation of men. Here, we see the fullness of the Trinity coming together for our redemption; We are marked (by the Father) in Him (Christ) with the promised Holy Spirit. It is the Father who draws us in through the Son by the Holy Spirit. The Father is the fisherman, the Son the rod, and the Holy Spirit is the hook that never lets us go. Because it is God working in all three aspects of salvation, the process is made perfect. Were salvation from men, salvation would fail. But thank God that salvation is guaranteed for those who believe and are sealed with the Holy Spirit!
And this then is the mark of salvation for every true believer: That even when you sin and stray from the path, The Spirit will convict you, Christ will forgive you, and the Father will always bring you back to him for the Father always disciplines his children. All three Persons work together in perfect harmony for our redemption. Do you believe it? But truly, truly, by faith it is so!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Habakkuk 2:18
"What good is an idol carved by man,
or a cast image that deceives you?
How foolish to trust in your own creation--
a god that can't even talk! "
It is pure foolishness to trust in that which cannot last. Money comes and goes. The best engineered buildings and bridges will collapse in time. People are here today and gone tomorrow. Even the flowers of the field see decay. All things will come to an end unless they are being sustained by the Infinite Yes.
All those who trust in things they have made themselves will become just like them: lifeless, silent, and temporary. This is idolatry. It isn't just making little statuettes and bowing down to them, but it is to trust in anything you create and sustain independent of the Eternal Trinity, whether it be money, or relationships, or your physical appearance, or even your reputation, fame and popularity.
You only become that which you reflect. If your eyes desire wealth, you may become wealthy, but you will also become lifeless. If your eyes desire beauty, you may obtain beauty, but you will also be lifeless. If your eyes desire a husband or wife, you may have one, but the marriage will be troubled for where is Love? That is only contained within the immortal God. Therefore I tell you, turn your eyes toward Heaven and gaze upon the Father and He will grant you life, love, and peace for He is all these things.
or a cast image that deceives you?
How foolish to trust in your own creation--
a god that can't even talk! "
It is pure foolishness to trust in that which cannot last. Money comes and goes. The best engineered buildings and bridges will collapse in time. People are here today and gone tomorrow. Even the flowers of the field see decay. All things will come to an end unless they are being sustained by the Infinite Yes.
All those who trust in things they have made themselves will become just like them: lifeless, silent, and temporary. This is idolatry. It isn't just making little statuettes and bowing down to them, but it is to trust in anything you create and sustain independent of the Eternal Trinity, whether it be money, or relationships, or your physical appearance, or even your reputation, fame and popularity.
You only become that which you reflect. If your eyes desire wealth, you may become wealthy, but you will also become lifeless. If your eyes desire beauty, you may obtain beauty, but you will also be lifeless. If your eyes desire a husband or wife, you may have one, but the marriage will be troubled for where is Love? That is only contained within the immortal God. Therefore I tell you, turn your eyes toward Heaven and gaze upon the Father and He will grant you life, love, and peace for He is all these things.
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