New Clothes

Fun topic today...clothing. Some of you gals may relate a little more to this concept than the guys, but who doesn't love to get a new outfit? Change of season and I'm all over the mall hunting down some new things to spruce up my closet. I'm not a "fashionista" in any sense of the word, but I look for trends and what fits me and my lifestyle. I do like to look and feel as young as I can, without being silly or age "In-appropriate".

Version: NAS
Galatians 3:26-29

26. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

And then in the King James Version:

Version: KJV
Galatians 3:26-29

26. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29. And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.


If you think about it, the Bible talks a lot about "clothes" and clothing. Not in a "fashion" sense, but in metaphorical reference to our spiritual life. Case in point, Joseph and the coat of many colors (Genesis 37), the Priest's holy garments (Exodus 39), Elijah's mantle (1 Kings 19:19), our spiritual armor (Ephesians 6), and our robes of righteousness (Revelation 7). These are just a few that come to mind.

It's important that we have a grasp of the society and culture of the day in which the Bible was written. In this case, the New Testament time in which Rome was in control of Israel and all the surrounding area. In studying for this lesson, I learned that when a Roman boy was school age he received a tutor, or teacher, that would serve him for his complete childhood. This tutor was a disciplinarian, babysitter, teacher, guide, and guardian of the child. He served his young master, but was really in charge of him. As a young boy the charge wore a youth's clothing, but as he became a young man, and "graduated" from his schoolmaster, he was given a new set of "adult" clothing which was covered by a tunic. This change in garment is referred to here, as we are all sons of God. It was made mention that the word "children" in the King James Version should actually translate "adult children" of God.

And not only do we "put on" Chist, we are told that we are all equal in the eyes of God. We are all sons and daughters of the Most High. There is no distinction in God's eyes as to rich or poor, influential or meek, male or female. We all have the same standing with Him and He treats us the same. So with that in mind we all need to think of ourselves the same way; brothers and sisters "in Christ". Then with that knowledge we realize that we are heirs with an inheritance.


Version: NAS
Romans 13:11-14

11. And this [do], knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 12. The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to [its] lusts.


The scripture that we have today says that once we make the decision to follow Jesus Christ and become a believer that we "put on Christ". And how do you do that you might ask. Well, it starts with a relationship, which means that we have to communicate with God: prayer, Bible Study, just spending time with Him. Making a determined effort to be "about" Him in our daily lives. 

"Putting on Jesus" has also been spoken of as a "uniform", like a military uniform, that shows the world we are believers. It's our duty as believers to be clothed in Jesus. We have a decision to everyday get up and wrap ourselves in the presence of Jesus. Sometimes I don't do a good job of it. I forget. This is a good reminder to me that our belief system and relationship with Jesus needs to be not only on the inside, but showing on the outside also!

love in Jesus,
Debra

Crucified With Christ

Quoting from the book Victory Over the Darkness by Neil Anderson:

"Generally speaking, all unbelievers are partakers of the old nature characterized by sin. Personally speaking, before you came to Christ you were one of those individuals. You were a sinner because it was your nature to sin; that is known as our old self, or as the King James Version says, the "old man"."

The New American Standard Version says it like this:

1 Corinthians 2:14
But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

So what happened to our "old man", or "natural man" at salvation?... He died. Not physically of course, but the old nature we had in our inner man, the one we inherited from Adam. And what was the method of our old man's execution?

Version: NAS

Romans 6:6-7
6. knowing this, that our old self was crucified with [Him], that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; 7. for he who has died is freed from sin.

Colossians 3:3
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the [life] which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.

Galatians 6:14
But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

At salvation we are placed "into Christ", the one who died on the cross for our sins. Being "in Christ", our old self, our old nature, died with Him there. And why did it have to die? Romans 6:6 tells us that the old self was independent and disobedient to God, so it had to die in order that "our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.

"Death is the ending of a relationship, but not of it's existence. Sin hasn't died; it is still strong and appealing. But when your old self died with Christ on the cross, your relationship with sin ended forever. You are no longer in the flesh, but "in Christ". Your old self - the sinner - and your old nature- characterized by the sin which was inevitable since you were separated from God - are gone forever because you are no longer separated from God."

Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

This doesn't say that we are sinless, The death of our old self formally ended our "relationship" with sin, but it did not end sin's existence. Sin and Satan are still around, but sin's power over you has been broken.

Romans 6:7-14
7. for he who has died is freed from sin. 8. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9. knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10. For the death that He died, He died to sin, once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts, 13. and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin [as] instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of righteousness to God. 14. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace.


There has been a lot of scripture that basically says the same thing to us. At salvation our old nature dies, and we become a new creature "in Christ".

We are no longer under any "obligation" to serve sin; to obey sin, or to respond to sin. We must realize this and incorporate it into our identity. Yes, we may sin, but we are no longer compelled to by our nature.

This is part of our new Identity In Christ. A simple statement, but a life-changing TRUTH. 

Sin's power over us is broken!

You may say, OK, this is good, but how does this affect my everyday life?
Have you ever said, "I know that this is wrong, but I just can't help myself?" Have you ever felt like you are powerless to quit a bad habit? Do you have problems with your mouth, the things you say, a bad attitude, nagging thoughts and little sins? I had these kinds of things in my life that I just could not get past. I thought it was just "me" and that I would never be able to get beyond them. Not until I realized that God's Word declared me dead to sin was I able to realize that, yes, it would be possible for me to quit them. Life changing and freeing.
Click on  Crucified With Christ as sung by Phillips, Craig and Dean. A powerful song, with a powerful message.

May we all remember this,

love,

Debra


(concepts and quotes taken from
Victory Over the Darkness )

Abba Father, He's My Dad!

Who wouldn't love to have a great relationship with our Dad? Many of us had great ones, while some of us really lacked the ability to have a wonderful father-child relationship. Some dads traveled, some dads weren't communicators, some dads had themselves been hurt as little children and couldn't show affection. Some were too harsh, others too lenient. Some were absent physically or emotionally. Some were even abusive. Then some of us were distant, too busy, or thoughtless. There are many reasons why we haven't had a perfect relationship with our earthly dads, but our Father in Heaven isn't like our earthly "Dad", no matter how wonderful he might be.

We as human parents love to give gifts to our children. Christmas, birthdays, sometimes even a "just because" gift, just to let them know we love them. Our Heavenly Father feels exactly the same about us. He wants to give us good things. He longs to bless His children.

Matthew 7:7-11
7. "Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. 8. "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. 9. "Or what man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone? 10. "Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11. "If you then, being evil, (by comparison) know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

Matthew 6:8
"Therefore do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him.

James 4:2
You lust and do not have; [so] you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain; [so] you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.

God knows what we need, yes. He's all knowing, but He still desires for us to ask. And then say "thank you, Father."
These first three scripture talk about our "asking" the Father for the things we need, but have you thought about asking Him for everything that HE would like to give you. There may be gifts and blessings that we haven't thought about, that He would like to bestow upon us.

We've probably heard the story about the man that arrived in heaven and was led to the large room filled with rows and rows of beautifully wrapped presents, each one tied with a bow and sitting on a shelf. He was amazed and asked his guide what they were. The guide replied. "These are all the gifts and blessings that God had for you, but you never thought to ask for."

A little simplistic, but wouldn't you want to receive each and every gift that God had prepared for you out of His great love? This goes for not only material things and blessings, but how about friendships, experiences, and spiritual gifts. Many people are afraid to ask for spiritual gifts because they think they are "scarey". God is good, He will prepare and nurture you for your giftings.


Psalm 103:1-5
1. [A Psalm of David]. Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, [bless] His holy name. 2. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; 3. Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases; 4. Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; 5. Who satisfies your years with good things, [So that] your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Here we see that God has gifts and "benefits". These come with our salvation "package", but sometimes we don't know or recognize it. Salvation, forgiveness of sin, health, love, spiritual optimism and hope. A satisfied life. Youth in body, mind, and spirit. These gifts are all available for us by "asking" for them.

Galatians 4:6
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Romans 8:15
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"


These last two verses talk about God refering to Himself not only as our Father, but as our Dad. How wonderful to know that God says "I love you so much, call me Dad!" Knowing God in this way enables us to go before Him to "ask" because we know He loves us, really loves us. This gives us the understanding that we have a loving dad who wants us to ask for the things we need, even though He knows these things in advance. He has a plan to give us all that He wants to give us, and so that we will come before Him with confidence, that we might have "effective prayer".

Hope you are having a great start to your week.

love,

Debra

Do you have GPS?

If you are a Christian we have one of these nifty little gadgets already installed. You don't have to pay extra, it comes with the package. Yes, we all have a GPS; you know, a "God's Plan System".

"GPS-the Global Positioning System is a U.S. space-based radionavigational, and timing services to civilian users on a continuous worldwide basis -- freely available to all. For anyone with a GPS receiver, the system will provide location and time. GPS provides accurate location and time information for an unlimited number of people in all weather, day and night, anywhere in the world."

Part of learning about God and His Nature is realizing that He cares for us, and that He has a good plan for us. God knows where you are at all times, and has a great plan to get you to your destination. He sees if we are "on course" and knows when we are about to make a wrong turn. He sees what lies ahead and warns, and protects. His timing is perfect and He asks us to stay close. It works all over the world and it's "freely available to all." He will talk us through every step of the way.

I know we've talked about God's plans for us before, but because this aspect of God's nature is so important I want to re-visit these scriptures. They never get old and can always offer us some new insight.

Version: NAS

Romans 8: 28-29
28. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to [His] purpose. 29. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined [to become] conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren.


I've heard unbelievers say "well, I just believe everything works out for the good." While that is an optimistic attitude it's not particularly "truth" for those who are not in relationship with Jesus Christ. As Christians that trust God and live a life according to what He desires, we can be confident that He will take all things that we learn and experience, and make them ultimately turn into "good".

I had a friend many years ago that had lost a son tragically in a car accident. Two years later when I met her, she was still raw and angry at God. She had received this "word" from God over and over, even by people that did not know her and the loss of her son. When the Lord impressed me with this scripture and was adamant for me to speak it to her, she became infuriated and blew up at me.
"How can you say what happened was good?"
Then I showed her that the verse did not say what happened was good, but that God would take it and ultimately make good come from it. As we submit our life and experiences to God, He will heal us from hurt and harm and will take those burdens from us, then He can work supernatural things in our life. But only if we allow Him to do so.

Romans 12: 2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.


As we allow God to "transform our thinking" we are then able to hear and understand His will. If we are "worldly thinkers" then we will not see God's plan or believe it to be "good".

Ephesians 1:11
NIV In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.
NAS: also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.

Our inheritance as God's children is to be like Jesus. He has a predestined (thought out in advance, determined and planned in advance) plan for us, and asks us to be available to follow that plan.

Ephesians 2: 10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

God created good works for us to do here on earth. Each person's works and plans are not the same. God calls each of us to be in His likeness, that way wherever He puts us and whatever He asks us to do, we will be letting Him shine through.

Proverbs 3:5-6
5. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. 6. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Going back to that GPS, isn't it easier to read if all you have to do is stick on a major Highway? I'm not particularly good at map reading, but when we go to St. Louis to see our kids, we have a straight path, one highway.

Jeremiah 29:11-14
11. 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12. 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13. 'And you will seek Me and find [Me], when you search for Me with all your heart. 14. 'And I will be found by you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.'

This is one of my favorite scripture passages and I speak this back to God frequently. His plans for us are for good and not calamity. He gives us a future and hope! No matter if we get off course, as these Israelites had done, He promises to bring us back to Him and that He will restore us.

Genesis 50:20
"And as for you, you meant evil against me, [but] God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.

As Joseph had been sold into slavery by his brother's lack of love and ruthless jealousy, God had a plan all along. He situated Joseph in the Pharaoh's household and gave him access to the wealth of Egypt. So when famine came God would have a plan to build the nation of Israel.

John 10:10
The thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Here Jesus is telling us that He does not kill, steal from you, or plan on destroying you. Please remember this. It is our, enemy, the devil that does these things.

With what is happening in our country today and in our personal lives, stay strong with the power of the Holy Spirit. Remind God of these scriptures, for yourself and family. TRUST Him and ask for His good plan for your life and your loved ones.

He is good and has good plans for us!

love to you all,

Debra

Looking Forward

When we come to the end of December, we inevitably find ourselves in a place of contemplating the past year and considering the new year ahead. Where do we find ourselves? Are we comfortable with our status quo? Are we where we want to be, or do we want "change" in our life? This is a time for "New Years Resolutions". So, let's take inventory.

Version: NAS


Philippians 3:13-14
13. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of [it] yet; but one thing [I do]: forgetting what [lies] behind and reaching forward to what [lies] ahead, 14. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

In Old Testament times, in the Book of Jeremiah, God addresses the people of Israel. They as a nation, had wandered away from their faith. They were far removed from what God had called them to be. I think we can see a parallel with our country today. But as a nation, we are first individuals. If you find yourself wanting a closer relationship with God; if little by little in this last year or years you have lost focus for the future, listen closely as the Lord will show you how to come back.

Jeremiah 7:23-24
23. "But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.' 24. "Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in [their own] counsels [and] in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward.

There have been numerous times in my life that I have found myself far from God. How did I get there? How was it that one day I woke up and looked around and I found myself in a place that wasn't at all where I wanted to be? Each time there was a common denominator in my predicament...I had not been reading my Bible in a consistent way. I had gotten off the path for some reason or another, and ended up somewhere else.

I think the key word here is consistency. Not to let "life" get to be "Number 1". Putting God first, ahead of the cares of the immediate. Taking time to acknowledge Him every morning. Submitting myself to Him. Putting His Word in my heart and mind on a daily basis.

It's really "easy" to get off track. First I worry and fret, (we already talked about that one) then,I think I have an answer, my stubborn "will" takes over. I have forgotten to ask God. I have relied on my own understanding instead of His.

Proverbs 3:1-7
1. My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; 2. For length of days and years of life, And peace they will add to you. 3. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4. So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man. 5. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. 6. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 7. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

We can find ourselves in all kinds of situations in our personal lives. Living in a mess. Or someone else's. Wanting to have it change. Wishing our life was different. Acknowledging God is the first step. Going to Him; "calling on Him". That's the beginning. Seeking Him for the change, and not trying to do it in our own power. That's a key element. Seeing the need for change and then asking God to accomplish it in His way.

Jeremiah 33:3
'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'

Lamentations 3: 22-24
22. The LORD's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. 23. [They] are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness. 24. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him."

Psalm 103:12-13
12. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions (sin) from us. 13. Just as a father has compassion on [his] children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

Our Father is infinitely compassionate. He doesn't hold our sin against us and rub our face in it. He doesn't keep reminding us of our failures and shortcomings. He just wants us to return to Him; to be with Him and to hear what He has to say.

I read once, pertaining to us staying "on course" with God, that just a few degrees "off" will cause us to miss our destination. Just like with a plane or ship. Staying on course is critical. If we are off "just a little" every day, over the course of years we will totally miss the plan God had for us.

Jeremiah 12:15
"And it will come about that after I have uprooted them, I will again have compassion on them; and I will bring them back, each one to his inheritance and each one to his land.

In this scripture we see God talking about bringing us to our inheritance. What exactly does that mean? The dictionary defines it as our "birthright, legal legacy, heritage, endowment."
God has an inheritance for us as His sons and daughters. It's up to us to come to a place of receiving it. (more later on this thought)

Ephesians 3:16-19
16. that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; 17. so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; [and] that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18. may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19. and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God.

So let's call out to God, and let Him show us how to move forward in this next year. Even if we are in the place He has called us to be, God is never stagnant. He always wants us to keep moving. I want to move forward, daily knowing that I am on the right path with Him. That I am communicating and listening to Him speak daily.
I'm looking to God and His Word to "define" my future. I want to let Him make the plan for the future. More than just a "resolution", but a God inspired way of life. I want to be a willing participant in my destiny and inheritance, taking responsibility for my attitudes and actions by submitting myself to Him; letting Him lead the way.

May this coming year be a time

to get to know God in a more intimate way.

Love and blessings for the New Year,

Debra