By Grace

Following His Example – Ephesians 5:1-17

Posted on March 29, 2008 by Lee

1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (NIV)

Just as we inherit characteristics in how we look (and possibly act) from our parents and family, when we become children of God, we should look to resemble Him by what we do, how we live etc. God sent His son

to die so that those who believe will not die, and so that we can become children of God. As part of the family we should look to our father for the example of how to live.

I am surprised that in nearly 3 months of regular Bible reading the word imitate has been one of the most regular subjects. I would be tempted to think I have covered this subject and can move onto something else, but I remember many mature Christians who have said to me that they continue to learn even 30 years later after reading the very same portion of scripture. The Bible really can speak something different into different situations of our lives all the time. I don’t know of any other book that can really cover all of life like the Bible does!

Moving back to imitation. I am reminded of days at school when a friend would decide to mimic ever action I made. If I scratched my head they would do so. I would get extremely annoyed by it in the end and start saying things like “I am silly” to get the person to say that! OK, perhaps a poor example, but we are called to copy Christ’s example.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (NIV)

It’s all very well being told to imitate, however how are we to do this? Well above is one clear example; we are to forgive as Christ forgave us. Note “just as Christ”, we see this also in the first 2 verses of this reading (Ephesians :1-2).

Moving through the passage, there is advice on what to and what not to do to help us keep true to our walk with the Lord. Vers 3 talks of sexual sin. Check out yesterdays reading I did on living in Darkness (Out of Darkness), it talks about sexual sin being something we need to flee from as it is different from all other sin. It is a sin inside the body, and our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Indulging in sexual sin or any other sin for that matter keeps us hidden in the darkness, and disconnects us from the help and support our Lord wants to give us. Remember he can’t look upon sin, but as soon as you ask forgiveness he is there in a shot!

Verse 4 talks of watching what you say and talk about. Filthy language never left Jesus mouth. He only spoke truth and love. We are likewise only to speak the truth, and not to use coarse, or vile words even if they emphasise a point! Mind you, you can still talk about unsavoury things without using bad language so we should also avoid “course talking”, for example joking where the subject has sexual connotations, or an unsavoury hidden (or at times not so hidden) meaning. Foolish talk is also mentioned, and this can mean swearing again, and also talking without thinking! If we babble we can sometimes say things that perhaps we didn’t mean and cause offence to someone. (Guilty as charged!)

Verses 5 & 6 rounds up the previous statements and emphasise the fact that those indulging in this behaviour will be subject to Gods wrath. That sounds scary, and yes God does punish sin. For those who do not believe their actions will lead to death! Why are these verses worded so harshly? I think to really drive the point home that living in darkness does not glorify our Father in Heaven and does not please Him. He will deal with things justly for he is a God of Justice. We have been warned!

Looking in more detail at verse 6, we are warned about being deceived by others words. One thing I am struck by watching some ministries on TV, is how they have used God’s word and Truths out of context. Changing God’s word to suit ourselves is to lie! As Christians we are to adjust our walk to reflect the truth, not to adjust the word to suit how we walk!

Verses 8-10 are a glorious reminder that we were once lost but are now found, we were once in darkness and are now in the light.

As believers we should adjust our actions to imitate our Lord so as to remain in the light, and to glorify Him. Glorifying the Lord acts as a “thank you” for what He did for us, and also offers a living example to those around us of how His saving grace has changed our lives, and that He can do the same for them!

Verses 11 & 12 emphasise the importance of not “going along” with evil deeds. By going along with them, your silence could act as an endorsement! We should always be clear and communicate where and when appropriate the Lords view on things using the Bible as our source of truth. The Bible is Gods Word. Gods Word is Truth. Making assumptions of the Lords stance on a situation can be dangerous, we need to make sure we always have Biblical backup to anything we say!

Verses 13 & 14 is an encouragement to those caught up in darkness! When you are deadlocked in/captive to Sin, you are in darkness and there is no means of escape. Repent and the light of the Lord will shine on you. Sin exposed can no longer have a hold on your life for you can now see! Wake up O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!

Verse 15. A call to live wisely. Something we cannot do on our own. Living not as others of this world live, but by following the Lords example and by using Gods Word as our source of wisdom.

Verse 16 tells us not to waste opportunities. We only have a limited time on this earth, thus we should make sure we jump at every opportunity we have to serve the Lord. Be it sharing our faith, helping someone who is needy, contributing our skills to a ministry etc.

And finally verse 17. We have advised over the last few verses firstly of what we must do: Imitate, and then we are given examples and warnings to help us in our walk. Verse 17 offers a “nutshell conclusion” (do not be foolish), and it then tells us we must understand what the Lord’s will is. We can only do this by feasting on His word as often as we can, communicating with Him in prayer, fellowship with other Christians and regular Worship.

This passage has been an encouragement and an eye opener for me giving me more insight into how I should act, and what I can do to please and glorify the Lord. Having been captive to sin and lost in the darkness for many years, I don’t want to return to that wilderness. This passage is invaluable in offering wisdom for the walk.

Out of Darkness – John 3:1-21

Posted on March 28, 2008 by Lee

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of

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the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (NIV)

Without Jesus we are in the dark. The darkness of Sin. We are lost. Jesus died so that we may have life and never have to walk in darkness again. Yet some of us choose even after being saved to return to that darkness, and to loose our way again. Thankfully our Father never looses sight of us, however whilst we are in sin and have an unrepentant heart, the Lord cannot help us.

When Jesus was on the cross, he bore all our sin.

Matthew 27:46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi,Some manuscripts Eli, Eli lama sabachthani?”–which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (NIV)

God cannot overlook sin, and although Jesus was completely without sin, that day he took it all on Himself. God could not look upon His own Son because of the Sin. What an amazing God whom would give His only Son to take the Sin of the world to save sinners like me and you!

As the Lord cannot overlook sin, when we are caught up in sin (darkness) for example a habitual sin or sexual sin (which can also be habitual) we cut ourselves off from the Lord, meaning he cannot hear help us until we come to Him with a repentant heart. The moment we say sorry the Lord is there quicker than a heart beat but whilst we harbour sin in our hearts and live in the darkness we will not benefit from His help.

Over the past few months, I have researched and discussed sexual sin with many brothers in Christ. Being caught up in the darkness of sexual sin can be like a slippery slope that you feel you can’t climb up out of. Sexual sin is different from all other sin as all other sin is outside the body, where as sexual sin is inside.

Our body is a temple to the Holy Spirit, in the Old Testament days no one would have dreamt of desecrating the temple in Jerusalem for example.

Sexual sin can manifest itself in many ways including self gratification, pornography, sexual relationships out of wedlock, un-natural relationships, affairs etc. For anyone who is captive to any of these, THERE IS HOPE! Jesus died on the cross so we don’t have to be caught up in darkness. Without Jesus we will always be searching to fill that God shaped hole we have made in our lives, and the deeper in sin we get to try and satisfy ourselves.

To break free turn to Jesus, repent of your sin, and ask for His help and before the words have finished leaving your mouth He will be there, and have brought you into the light. Of course it is hard for those who have been locked in darkness for so long, not to quickly return to the darkness and this is where you need to seek help. Pray to the Lord for strength, and also read His Word. But also seek Christian counsel from a Christian brother or sister. Bringing all your Sin to light to another brother or sister helps expose satan and all his tricks, and he will have to flee as he cannot stand the light! Sin brought into the light looses its power over you. The person you confide in can then offer advice, and also you can hold yourself accountable to them, and any time you fall, not only repent and seek the Lords help, but also talk with your brother or sister. It is less appealing to sin when you know you will have to look your brother or sister in the eyes and admit to them you failed.

I lived in darkness for many years and like a prodigal son turned to God. Like the loving Father He is, He came running to me and brought me back into the light. There is no turning back. I have Christian brothers to help me in my walk too, and the encouragement and wisdom they provide is invaluable.

It is hard, and the lie of the darkness can sometimes be overbearing. Whenever it gets that way, flee whatever the source of temptation is (literally) and look to the light of Christ. Don’t fight it alone!

For those who would like more information, check out http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com or drop me a line.

God Bless.

Who is God? – Psalm 146

Posted on March 27, 2008 by Lee

Who is God? A question that to which you may get many different answers. A close friend of mine things God is a guy in the clouds with a white beard who throws thunderbolts down from heaven and makes rules for us all to follow. His idea of God sounds much like the god Zeus from Greek mythology, and I seem to remember featured in the film Fantasia! Unfortunately as strange as it seems, he probably isn’t the only one who has this image of God. Many people have stereotyped God in a way that makes them feel comfortable, and perhaps they can then feel justified for not wanting a relationship with Him.

Surprisingly, even Christians can be guilty of creating an image of God for themselves of which does not truly reflect Him or His nature. If we want to see who God is, we need to turn to His Word, for the Word is Truth. Looking at the scriptures and statements below, we can start to see a loving Father God:

God is Love.
1 John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (NIV)

He is our Father.

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Isaiah 64:8 Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; We are all the work of your hand. (NIV)

He is the Creator.
Isaiah 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

He is Powerful
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (NIV)

Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. (NIV)

He Loves Us

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

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(NIV)

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (NIV)

The above are just a few verses that help us to understand who God is, and the only way to know Him better to to keep studying His Word, and communicating with Him in prayer. We wouldn’t get very far in our relationships if we were not to talk to each other! That’s why its important we work on our relationship with God and continue to want to know Him more and more each day.

Doubting His Power – Matthew 28

Posted on March 26, 2008 by Lee

17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

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Reading through some commentaries, it is suggested that this event happened with 500 followers present (I Cor 15:6). That would explain why some doubted as the 11 main disciples would have had little or no reason to doubt after the “Doubting Thomas” experience where Jesus showed the nail marks and the scar in his side to Thomas who had doubts.

We can all be guilty of doubting Jesus. It may not be doubting that he rose again, but perhaps doubting that he can help in certain situations that we are struggling with. We so often forget to place our issues at Jesus feet and ask for His guidance, and it’s often because we don’t see how He can help!

Jesus rose from the dead! What amazing power we see and yet still some of the disciples doubted! It is incredible, for Jesus defeated death in its own back yard! That Resurrection Power is available to us also! Therefore we should lean on the Lord, be it to help with a problem, or to give us the power to do something he is requesting of us. We should look to the cross and His resurrection should we ever doubt He can help, for our needs are a “walk in the park” compared to what was achieved that first Easter time!

Lord I am amazed at your awesome power. Forgive me any time I doubt your strength and fill me with renewed confidence in your ability to help and guide me in any situation. Please also give me the “get up and go” to do those things you require of me that I may have been putting off for whatever reason, be it doubt or lack of confidence. In Jesus name, Amen.

He is Alive! – Luke 24:1-12

Posted on March 25, 2008 by Lee

There are many theories banded around about Jesus death. Many people cannot believe that Jesus actually rose from the dead. Of course if Jesus had not risen from the dead, there would be no Christian Faith. We would simply be telling a sad story of a man who said amazing things but then died. Thankfully, however Jesus defeated death in its own playing ground and rose victorious able to give life to those who believe.

Today’s Our Daily Bread reading makes an extremely good point with regard to anyone doubting the resurrection. All of Jesus disciples (apart from John) died a martyrs death. Yes they died for what they believed and what they were telling people about. Their entire message was based on the fact that Jesus had risen from the grave. Would men who were making up a story really die for a lie? Of course not. I found this such an encouraging way to look at any questions of doubt that may arise.

Some people who wish to disprove the message say that Jesus “woke up” or recovered from basically being unconscious because of all that was done to Him (they claim he had not died). To clarify, there is no way that Jesus was still alive. How on earth he had managed to live after the flogging alone, then carrying the cross over His back alone is a testament to His determination and love. However once upon the cross, there was no way the Romans would let a man down until they were sure the victim was dead. To be sure a spear was plunged into his side and out came a mixture of blood and water. When someone dies the blood separates, proof Jesus was dead. The Romans carried out thousands of crucifixion’s there was no way they were going to get it wrong.

Even if they did get it wrong (which if you remember the spear in the side, they didn’t), having been flogged, lost so much blood, been nailed to a cross and suffocated, being pierced by a spear etc, that a man would be able to make a full recovery and then roll away a tomb stone many times his own body weight to then appear to many disciples around the area.

Stolen body? Not at all, the Romans nor the Jews wanted to give Jesus disciples any more reason to “go on” about Jesus. That’s why they crucified Him! Thats also why they put guards to stop people getting near Him. And of course as we have said, if the disciples had stolen Him, why on earth would they die for a lie? They simply wouldn’t. And finally then, how would we explain the many appearances of Jesus to Disciples and friends all around the area?

I am 100%, totally and utterly convinced of the resurrection and the power of the Lord Jesus over death! I am so thankful he came to earth to die for our sins that we whom believe may have everlasting life. Put any doubt away, and start believes in the Risen Lord.

Amen

Take up your Cross – Luke 9:23

Posted on March 24, 2008 by Lee

A blog entry isn’t enough space to fill all the things I want to say about the following, and I will more than likely post a commentary about this verse in the near future. In the meantime here are some of the home truths I learnt and was reminded of today;

23 Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

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(NIV)

A hard verse to stomach perhaps? Jumped out at me! Jesus foretells his own death, then invites His disciples (and us) to pick up their own crosses and follow Him. I really wasnt all together what picking up your own cross meant so I did some digging around.

From what I have read, in a nutshell, taking up your cross is to lead your life as Jesus would live. We should therefore not indulge in our selfish desires, thinking only of our own gain, but live a selfless life just as Jesus led. This is in no way easy, and we can face many oppositions, many conflicting feelings, attacks and stumbling blocks that will try to steer us off the right path.

To gain life, you need to loose it! That means putting your old life behind you! Turning 180 degrees, so our backs are to it, and begin walking with Jesus. Only then will we begin to experience real life! A life that is given completely and utterly is a life that is guaranteed to succeed! After all with God in the driving seat we can lean on Him and trust his direction.

When I say guaranteed to succeed, I don’t mean promotions at work, and riches beyond your wildest dreams, but treasures in heaven, spiritual gifts, blessings, a quenched thirst, a fulfilled life. The persecution you could receive for living for the Lord is but a small price to pay for the rewards we will get from our Saviour. The reward of life.

An earthly lifetime of truth, and an eternal life with Him.

The Holy Spirit – Romans 8:11-18

Posted on March 23, 2008 by Lee

Happy Easter! Christ is Risen. Hallelujah! He has defeated sin and death and is sat at the right hand of the Father in heaven. He has gone ahead to prepare a place for us. In the mean time it is our duty to go make disciples of ALL nations. Our saviour didn’t expect us to do this on our own of course as human nature is weak and quick to give in! He has poured His Holy Spirit into us so that we may have the necessary strength to witness.

On this Easter Sunday morning I am so encouraged and overjoyed as I remember that Christ rose again and ascended into heaven having completed His work on earth…. The exciting thing is, although he completed that part of Gods plan, He is still working in the lives of countless Christians around the world through the power of His Holy Spirit. It wasn’t the plan to die on the cross, tell a few people then disappear and wait for people to react! It was His plan to unleash power to those who believe that they may grow strong in faith and wisdom, and be a shining light to the lost to guide them home.

As Christians we need to embrace the full power of the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit is real and so important to the Christian life! The Spirit is not something we should avoid talking about in church, nor is it something we should assume is a taboo subject. We are talking about Gods OWN Holy Spirit that he has poured out to give you and me strength! Not only did He give His life, but He is here among us and in our hearts continuing His works in our lives.

16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

I remember when this finally dawned on me that I was a child of God! My first words were WOW! Of course wow doesn’t even do the honour justice! Because of Jesus death and resurrection, we as believers are adopted into God’s family! In the UK, and adopted child becomes a lawful son or daughter, and legaly inherits an equal share of their adopted parents estate. We are His Sons and Daugthers. Heirs to the Kingdom. We will inherit eternal life with Him. WOW!

With that we need to rid ourselves of things that would cause us to sin, things that would enslave us. For we need to be living each day by the Spirit. For just as Jesus was raised from the dead, the Spirit will raise us from the dead (the depths of Sin) and bring us new life! Amen

More Proof? – Romans 1:18-23

Posted on March 22, 2008 by Lee

9 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Every now and again, a little doubt is sometimes entertained by my mind of God existence. Thankfully any time that happens, within seconds I realise how foolish it to doubt! Just looking up at the stars at night is such an awesome sight. Beautiful celestial creations, powerful yet graceful, placed their by Gods hand.

Not just the stars in the sky, but the very nature we see around us is so amazing. Take a look at this website www.edenpics.com, it is full of pictures of God’s glorious creation. Awe inspiring landscapes, breath taking views, and science would have you believe that all that beauty was an accident! A reaction that caused an explosion that created all we see? Not likely! All I can see is an awesome masterpiece made by a loving artist. Our God.

Proof of Gods existence is everywhere. It is humbling therefore to think that our Father God, loved us SO much that he sent His Son to take away the sin of the world, that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. Do you sometimes doubt Jesus existence? You only need to look at the history books, and how many people wrote about Him, saw Him and had heard of Him. We believe in the existence of Julius Ceaser, and yet there is not a lot of evidence he actually existed! We have the Bible, down through the ages, the written word. The Bible is Truth.

So he existed, but how can we be sure he was the Son of God. For me it is how everything he said so perfectly matched Gods promises in the Old Testament! (Check out Isaiah for a start off!) Check out this link http://www.sowhataboutjesus.com/who.php that looks in depth into was Jesus a Liar, Lunatic or the Son of God. You will come to the same conclusion I came to long ago, that he really is the Messiah, the Son of God, sent to this world to pay the price for our sins.

Coming to this realisation really humbles me. What amazing love that He would die for me. I can’t thank Him enough. Its at Easter time that I feel so sad and ashamed that my sin drove those nails into His hands and His feet. But then I remember that He rose again, victorious over death, so we may too have eternal life. That we may have a relationship with Him, and love him forever.

Thank you God for loving us so much. Thank you for your sacrifice on the cross. You are amazing God. I love you.

Remembered – Luke 23:39-43

Posted on March 21, 2008 by Lee

This passage of scripture moves me every time I read it. Here we have 2 men either side of Jesus.

Both are being punished for things they have done. One of them mocks Jesus and challenges Him to save them all on the crosses. However the other robber realises that Jesus has done no wrong. What this man says, followed my Jesus response is truly wonderful:

40But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentenc

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e? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.^[a]”

43Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (NIV)

For me this acts as a perfect example as to why Jesus died on the cross. He was the perfect sacrifice, without Sin so that he could take the punishment for our sins. So that those who believe will have eternal life with Him. This criminal realised the significance that Jesus did not deserve to be there, he spoke to Jesus and offered kind words. From this realisation Jesus repays the man’s faith with eternal life. Wow!

Our Daily Bread goes on to look more deeply at verse 42, where the criminal asks Jesus to remember Him. There are many people in the world who will go to extraordinary lengths to be remembered, to have their name in print, and yet we forget the importance of being remembered by God! True immortality is not having our name in a newspaper or on a statue, it is being remembered by God as one of His Children.

We are saved by grace because of what Jesus did on that cross for us. For those of us who believe, we will be remembered by God, and welcomed into His kingdom. We shouldn’t concentrate our lives on ourselves looking to be seen and remembered by others. We should be living our lives to Glorify God, and talking to others about what he did so that they may too be saved.

Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on that cross for my sins so that I may have eternal life with you. What it took, the love, the bravery, the sacrifice, everything about what you did Lord humbles me, it is beyond imagining what you went through. Help me to live a life that glorifies you, and that acts as a witness that others may too be saved. I love you Lord Jesus.

Amen.