Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Something awesome about the Bible before we begin. There are 594 chapters before Psalm 117, which is the shortest chapter in the Bible. There are also 594 chapters from Psalm 119 onwards, which is the longest chapter in the Bible. 594+594=1188. So what is Psalm 118:8?
"It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in man."
How awesome is that? Lets dive into the Word now.
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:4-7)
What can we see from this?
1) God is rich in mercy. Some people have the mental image of an angry God, ready to punish them for any sin. Well, its true that God can get angry. But the Bible never records that He is "rich in anger". No, He is rich in mercy! That same lovingkindess sent Jesus Christ to take His wrath for our sins, meaning that His anger will never fall on us! Hallelujah!
2) We are already raised up with Jesus and seated in Him in the heavenly places. You may ask: "How can this be? I'm still here on Earth!" True, but that cannot negate your position in Christ. For example, the Queen of England would still be the Queen, even if she were dressed in casual clothing and eating from a hawker centre in Singapore! Similarly, your identity as a conqueror in Christ is secure, even on this side of heaven.
"But if I am a conqueror in Christ, where is my victory? I still feel this pain in my body!"
Beloved, the devil can only work in the feelings realm. He can make you feel depressed, he can make you feel sick. But what he CANNOT do is to work in the spirit realm, where it is the truth that you ARE healed in Christ! Don't forget that by His stripes we were healed. Take not that it is "we were healed", not "we will be healed." The healing has happened through the suffering of Jesus! So lets not base our feelings on what happens around us. If we do, we would never be at peace. Always feeling restless and worried about situations. But when our foundation for security is based on the perfect work of Jesus, we can rest. Lets believe God's promises because His promises are never revoked!
Some people serve in ministry because they think that God would love them more this way. How sad! Even the prodigal son, who spent his inheritance on riotous living, was loved unconditionally by his Father. We should serve because we are God's beloved, not in order to become God's beloved. Did you know that you can only truly help people when you are secure in Christ? Help people out of the overflow of God's love for you! If you are bound by other people's opinions of you, you cannot help them. God sees you in Christ, even now!
Always remember this: For in Him(Jesus) dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. In this security, be at peace. God completes you and come what may, will never leave you nor forsake you. Stay restful and God bless!
Abba, You love me.
8:53 PM
And for you to click these! *UPDATE* Thanks for the help!
And this button!
