Posts
timewithgod.blog-city.com — March 2010
Mark 15 -- Who Was Where, Doing What?
"The leading priests, the older leaders, the teachers of the law, and all the Jewish council (I'd say that about gets everyone) decided what to do with Jesus." What they didn't know was, despite their best-laid plans, God was
"The leading priests, the older leaders, the teachers of the law, and all the Jewish council (I'd say that about gets everyone) decided what to do with Jesus." What they didn't know was, despite their best-laid plans, God was getting done exactly what He'd planned since the beginning of time.
"The leading priests accused Jesus of many things," verse 3 said. Of course, that means that they'd decided that the end justified the means. They were protecting God and it didn't matter if they broke a commandment or two in doing it.
"Pilate knew the leading priests had turned Jesus in to him because they were jealous." They didn't like the fact that people were moving away from their worship to His.
"The leading priests and the teachers of the law were also making fun of Jesus (while He was on the cross)." They were mocking the man who was drawing people to Himself in the supreme act of sacrifice. We must make sure that we do not inadvertently turn people away from Christ by the distractions of arguments or turf wars.
Imagine their thoughts as the whole world went dark for 3 hours just before Jesus died.....
My sidebar said, "Men clad in religion stood off to one side. They smiled. Arrogant, cocky. They had protected God, they thought ...." They should have been weeping and so should we. God can protect Himself just fine.
That's what the church leaders were doing. And the disciples - the ones closest to Jesus?? They aren't even mentioned - conspicuously absent, at least in their willingness to defend the accusations and taunts of the church leaders toward their Savior. God and Jesus were at work culminating the plan they'd put into effect in eternity past. Did they miss it?
Father, help us not to attempt to thwart what You are doing. Instead, help us to join with You right where You are - to roll up our sleeves and ask, "What can I do to help?"
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
"The leading priests accused Jesus of many things," verse 3 said. Of course, that means that they'd decided that the end justified the means. They were protecting God and it didn't matter if they broke a commandment or two in doing it.
"Pilate knew the leading priests had turned Jesus in to him because they were jealous." They didn't like the fact that people were moving away from their worship to His.
"The leading priests and the teachers of the law were also making fun of Jesus (while He was on the cross)." They were mocking the man who was drawing people to Himself in the supreme act of sacrifice. We must make sure that we do not inadvertently turn people away from Christ by the distractions of arguments or turf wars.
Imagine their thoughts as the whole world went dark for 3 hours just before Jesus died.....
My sidebar said, "Men clad in religion stood off to one side. They smiled. Arrogant, cocky. They had protected God, they thought ...." They should have been weeping and so should we. God can protect Himself just fine.
That's what the church leaders were doing. And the disciples - the ones closest to Jesus?? They aren't even mentioned - conspicuously absent, at least in their willingness to defend the accusations and taunts of the church leaders toward their Savior. God and Jesus were at work culminating the plan they'd put into effect in eternity past. Did they miss it?
Father, help us not to attempt to thwart what You are doing. Instead, help us to join with You right where You are - to roll up our sleeves and ask, "What can I do to help?"
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Mark 16 -- ANOTHER One!
One more quiet time about what the disciples were or were not doing. In this chapter, Jesus had risen from the dead and was revealing that fact to His followers. Big as Dallas, the following shows up in verse 14: "Later Jesus s
One more quiet time about what the disciples were or were not doing. In this chapter, Jesus had risen from the dead and was revealing that fact to His followers. Big as Dallas, the following shows up in verse 14: "Later Jesus showed Himself to the eleven apostles while they were eating, and He CRITICIZED THEM because THEY HAD NO FAITH. They were stubborn and refused to believe those who had seen Him after He had risen from the dead."
The joyous reunion was marred - by the stubbornness and unbelief of Jesus' disciples, and Jesus wasn't about to let it go unsaid. Why was it obviously so important? I think my commentary gives a clue:
"Our task is to reach every person with the gospel ... By the year 2000, one-half of all the people who have EVER LIVED will be living then. As the population explodes, the task increases. But the method is always the same - devoted disciples with unlimited love for Christ who count no sacrifice too great for HIM. The will of God is the evangelization of the world. What are we doing about it?"
In God's timing, I think, He led me to contact the worship and music minister at a vital, thriving church yesterday, about what they were doing and why. During the conversation, the subject came up about those who had built the church years before, and the crisis of belief according to Henry Blackaby that they reached when their church had to decide where they were headed. The questions they asked seemed to fit right in with this:
"Why did you build this church?
What people did you intend to reach?"
As it turned out, God had led them to reach those people, and in fact they were now a vital part of that church. The questions continued:
"We're at a different place now. If you were building it again today, how would you build it this time? Who's out there to be reached? How do we reach them?"
As Henry Blackaby said, you look to see where God is at work and join Him there.
I imagine that the disciples, now up in heaven, probably hate to hear us reading verse 14, and in fact every criticism God's pointed out to me in these 16 chapters in Mark. They probably look back and say, "MAN, I wish I'd done things differently - totally in the will of God with no regrets!" Do-overs are nice, but how much better to do it right to begin with!
Father, guide us as a church to see where You're at work and to join You there. Renew our desire to fulfill the Great Commission right in our own city. Let us count no sacrifice too great for You. Let us love You enough to do that.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
The joyous reunion was marred - by the stubbornness and unbelief of Jesus' disciples, and Jesus wasn't about to let it go unsaid. Why was it obviously so important? I think my commentary gives a clue:
"Our task is to reach every person with the gospel ... By the year 2000, one-half of all the people who have EVER LIVED will be living then. As the population explodes, the task increases. But the method is always the same - devoted disciples with unlimited love for Christ who count no sacrifice too great for HIM. The will of God is the evangelization of the world. What are we doing about it?"
In God's timing, I think, He led me to contact the worship and music minister at a vital, thriving church yesterday, about what they were doing and why. During the conversation, the subject came up about those who had built the church years before, and the crisis of belief according to Henry Blackaby that they reached when their church had to decide where they were headed. The questions they asked seemed to fit right in with this:
"Why did you build this church?
What people did you intend to reach?"
As it turned out, God had led them to reach those people, and in fact they were now a vital part of that church. The questions continued:
"We're at a different place now. If you were building it again today, how would you build it this time? Who's out there to be reached? How do we reach them?"
As Henry Blackaby said, you look to see where God is at work and join Him there.
I imagine that the disciples, now up in heaven, probably hate to hear us reading verse 14, and in fact every criticism God's pointed out to me in these 16 chapters in Mark. They probably look back and say, "MAN, I wish I'd done things differently - totally in the will of God with no regrets!" Do-overs are nice, but how much better to do it right to begin with!
Father, guide us as a church to see where You're at work and to join You there. Renew our desire to fulfill the Great Commission right in our own city. Let us count no sacrifice too great for You. Let us love You enough to do that.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
1 Peter 1 -- A Beautiful Mind
I recently bought Joseph new furniture for his bedroom, and we've been busy trying to move his stuff from his old furniture into his new furniture, including several trophies and a medal for participating in several team sports. I guess tha
I recently bought Joseph new furniture for his bedroom, and we've been busy trying to move his stuff from his old furniture into his new furniture, including several trophies and a medal for participating in several team sports. I guess that's what led me to see what my commentary said about verse 2: "We are trophies of His grace." I'd never thought about God being proud to display my salvation as a trophy in His display case! I don't think I'm all that great. But then God hit me with the real meaning. It's not me so much as it is His grace in forgiving my sins. That's huge. He can look at my life and say to Himself, "Boy, I remember what his life was once like, and overcoming that with My grace was huge! What a trophy that is!"
Peter then, with that realization, conveys God's desire for how we should live, knowing what a trophy our "catch" is for God. He calls it "girding up the loins of your mind." According to my commentary, that includes:
1) A mind that avoids panic and distraction
2) A mind that is strong, composed, cool, and ready for action
3) A mind unimpeded by the distraction of human fear or persecution
4) A mind displaying self-control in contrast to hysteria - poised and stable
5) A mind that is optimistic and forward-looking
6) A mind that's obedient - not indulging in even sinful thoughts which characterized us in our former lives
7) A mind which puts away the things we did in the days of our ignorance
8) A mind which reproduces the holy character of the One who called us
9) A mind that displays a wholesome fear of displeasing God
10) A mind which displays love for our fellow believers
What a beautiful mind God intends for us to have. What a work of the Spirit it requires. And what amazing grace it takes to produce. Please continue to mold and shape my mind to become what You desire it to be, Father.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Peter then, with that realization, conveys God's desire for how we should live, knowing what a trophy our "catch" is for God. He calls it "girding up the loins of your mind." According to my commentary, that includes:
1) A mind that avoids panic and distraction
2) A mind that is strong, composed, cool, and ready for action
3) A mind unimpeded by the distraction of human fear or persecution
4) A mind displaying self-control in contrast to hysteria - poised and stable
5) A mind that is optimistic and forward-looking
6) A mind that's obedient - not indulging in even sinful thoughts which characterized us in our former lives
7) A mind which puts away the things we did in the days of our ignorance
8) A mind which reproduces the holy character of the One who called us
9) A mind that displays a wholesome fear of displeasing God
10) A mind which displays love for our fellow believers
What a beautiful mind God intends for us to have. What a work of the Spirit it requires. And what amazing grace it takes to produce. Please continue to mold and shape my mind to become what You desire it to be, Father.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
1 Peter 2 -- Ridding and Avoiding
This chapter says a lot about how we can live for God. It mentions things we need to get rid of and things we need to avoid. We're supposed to rid ourselves of all evil, all lying, hypocrisy, jealousy, and evil speech. It looks
This chapter says a lot about how we can live for God. It mentions things we need to get rid of and things we need to avoid. We're supposed to rid ourselves of all evil, all lying, hypocrisy, jealousy, and evil speech. It looks like this has a lot to do with our relationships to others. We're also to "avoid the evil things your bodies want to do that fight against your soul."
Verse 24 reminds us, "Christ carried our sins in His body on the cross so we would stop living for sin and start living for what is right." My commentary said, "The Savior's agony ... was for our sins ... Because He has suffered for our sins once for all, we should never allow ourselves to get into the position where we have to suffer for them, too. The fact that He died for them should cause us to die to them." It also asks, "What should be our attitude toward sin when our healing cost the Savior so much?"
I saw a tie-in to all of this in verse 17. My commentary, in talking about fearing God, says, "We fear doing ANYTHING that would displease Him and we fear misrepresenting Him before men." Our sins cause us to do both of those things, unfortunately.
Father, I want to represent You well. Please help me to rid my life of anything that's not of You and to avoid things that would pull me away from You or misrepresent You to others. I also don't want to add to the sins that Your Son took upon Himself as He died on the cross for me. He's done more than enough.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Verse 24 reminds us, "Christ carried our sins in His body on the cross so we would stop living for sin and start living for what is right." My commentary said, "The Savior's agony ... was for our sins ... Because He has suffered for our sins once for all, we should never allow ourselves to get into the position where we have to suffer for them, too. The fact that He died for them should cause us to die to them." It also asks, "What should be our attitude toward sin when our healing cost the Savior so much?"
I saw a tie-in to all of this in verse 17. My commentary, in talking about fearing God, says, "We fear doing ANYTHING that would displease Him and we fear misrepresenting Him before men." Our sins cause us to do both of those things, unfortunately.
Father, I want to represent You well. Please help me to rid my life of anything that's not of You and to avoid things that would pull me away from You or misrepresent You to others. I also don't want to add to the sins that Your Son took upon Himself as He died on the cross for me. He's done more than enough.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
1 Peter 3 -- A Real Definition Of Love In A Church
Words for helping a church get along are found starting in verse 8: "Finally, all of you should be in agreement [It doesn't say we're expected to see eye-to-eye on everything, my commentary notes], understanding each other [literal
Words for helping a church get along are found starting in verse 8: "Finally, all of you should be in agreement [It doesn't say we're expected to see eye-to-eye on everything, my commentary notes], understanding each other [literally says "suffer with each other"], loving each other as family, being kind and humble. Do not do wrong to repay a wrong, and do not insult to repay an insult. But repay with a blessing because you yourselves were called to do this so that you might receive a blessing."
My commentary has wise words about what we're to do when we are called to love yet don't feel loving: "But remember that true love does not necessarily originate in the emotions, but in the will; it consists not in feeling but in doing; not in sentiment, but in action; not in soft words, but in noble and unselfish deeds."
Father, I pray that as we as individuals relate to one another in our church, that You will give us supernatural ability to get along. Help us to view what someone else says through their filter to fully understand what they are trying to say, and cause us to carefully filter what we say so as not to offend. Let our love be proved by our deeds much more than by our words, and lead us to willingly prove it often.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
My commentary has wise words about what we're to do when we are called to love yet don't feel loving: "But remember that true love does not necessarily originate in the emotions, but in the will; it consists not in feeling but in doing; not in sentiment, but in action; not in soft words, but in noble and unselfish deeds."
Father, I pray that as we as individuals relate to one another in our church, that You will give us supernatural ability to get along. Help us to view what someone else says through their filter to fully understand what they are trying to say, and cause us to carefully filter what we say so as not to offend. Let our love be proved by our deeds much more than by our words, and lead us to willingly prove it often.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
1 Peter 4 -- Having "Ceased From Sin"
The first verse caught my eye and kept it: "Since Christ suffered while He was in His body, strengthen yourselves with the same way of thinking Christ had. The person who has suffered in the body is finished with sin."
The first verse caught my eye and kept it: "Since Christ suffered while He was in His body, strengthen yourselves with the same way of thinking Christ had. The person who has suffered in the body is finished with sin."
My commentary said, "Whoever has suffered in the flesh, that is, in the body, has ceased from sin. The believer is faced with two possibilities - sin or suffering. On the one hand, he can choose to live like the unsaved people around him, sharing their sinful pleasures, and thus avoid persecution. Or he can live in purity and godliness, bearing the reproach of Christ, and suffer at the hands of the wicked ... When a believer deliberately chooses to suffer persecution as a Christian rather than to continue in a life of sin, he has "ceased from sin". This does not mean that he no longer commits acts of sin, but that the power of sin in his life has been broken. When a man suffers because he refuses to sin, he is no longer controlled by the will of the flesh. During the remainder of a believer's earthly life, he is not controlled by human passions but by the will of God. He prefers to suffer as a Christian rather than to sin like the unbelievers. He would rather die than deny his Lord ... The believer chooses to live the remainder of his life for the glory of God rather than for the gratification of sensual appetites."
There's a single-mindedness that shows up in there. We really can't have it both ways. Believers want to have ceased from sin. In fact, as it said, the power of sin is broken and it no longer controls us, but there can and probably will be lapses. It takes daily strengthening, as verse 2 says, and we don't get that from the world, but only from God through the Holy Spirit.
Father, even though Your power has caused me to have "ceased from sin" in my life, I still do sin, and I struggle. Strengthen me every day to pick suffering over sin. You are worth it!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
My commentary said, "Whoever has suffered in the flesh, that is, in the body, has ceased from sin. The believer is faced with two possibilities - sin or suffering. On the one hand, he can choose to live like the unsaved people around him, sharing their sinful pleasures, and thus avoid persecution. Or he can live in purity and godliness, bearing the reproach of Christ, and suffer at the hands of the wicked ... When a believer deliberately chooses to suffer persecution as a Christian rather than to continue in a life of sin, he has "ceased from sin". This does not mean that he no longer commits acts of sin, but that the power of sin in his life has been broken. When a man suffers because he refuses to sin, he is no longer controlled by the will of the flesh. During the remainder of a believer's earthly life, he is not controlled by human passions but by the will of God. He prefers to suffer as a Christian rather than to sin like the unbelievers. He would rather die than deny his Lord ... The believer chooses to live the remainder of his life for the glory of God rather than for the gratification of sensual appetites."
There's a single-mindedness that shows up in there. We really can't have it both ways. Believers want to have ceased from sin. In fact, as it said, the power of sin is broken and it no longer controls us, but there can and probably will be lapses. It takes daily strengthening, as verse 2 says, and we don't get that from the world, but only from God through the Holy Spirit.
Father, even though Your power has caused me to have "ceased from sin" in my life, I still do sin, and I struggle. Strengthen me every day to pick suffering over sin. You are worth it!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
1 Peter 5 -- No Worries
Peter gives us sound advice, straight from God, about suffering and worry. About suffering, he said, "And after you suffer for a short time, God, who gives all grace, will make everything right. He will make you strong and support yo
Peter gives us sound advice, straight from God, about suffering and worry. About suffering, he said, "And after you suffer for a short time, God, who gives all grace, will make everything right. He will make you strong and support you and keep you from falling." My commentary said, "His dealings with us are not based on what we deserve, but on His thoughts of love for us ... He has called us to His eternal glory. This enables us to look beyond the sufferings of this life to the time when we shall be with the Savior and be like Him."
About worry, he said, "Give all your worries to Him, because He cares about you." My commentary adds: "Worry is unnecessary; there is no need for us to bear the burdens when He is willing and able to bear them for us. Worry is futile ... Worry is sin because it denies the wisdom of God; it says that He doesn't know what He's doing. It denies the love of God; it says He does not care. And it denies the power of God; it says that He isn't able to deliver me from whatever is causing me to worry."
Father, I trust You. I know that You are strong and supportive of me. I know that You are willing and able to bear my cares. You are all-wise and all-knowing; You love me and care for me. You are all-powerful and can handle anything that comes up in my life. In fact, You know it ahead of time. You are exactly what I need.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
About worry, he said, "Give all your worries to Him, because He cares about you." My commentary adds: "Worry is unnecessary; there is no need for us to bear the burdens when He is willing and able to bear them for us. Worry is futile ... Worry is sin because it denies the wisdom of God; it says that He doesn't know what He's doing. It denies the love of God; it says He does not care. And it denies the power of God; it says that He isn't able to deliver me from whatever is causing me to worry."
Father, I trust You. I know that You are strong and supportive of me. I know that You are willing and able to bear my cares. You are all-wise and all-knowing; You love me and care for me. You are all-powerful and can handle anything that comes up in my life. In fact, You know it ahead of time. You are exactly what I need.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
2 Corinthians 1 -- Why We Are Comforted
"He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us. We share in the many sufferings of Christ. In the same way, much comfort comes to us through Christ ...
"He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us. We share in the many sufferings of Christ. In the same way, much comfort comes to us through Christ ... We had great burdens there that were beyond our own strength ... But this happened so we would not trust in ourselves but in God, who raises people from the dead ... We have put our hope in Him, and He will save us again."
Somewhere in my commentary, I'd heart this being called "training for reigning". It also said about verse 5: "The comforts of Christ are equal to the sufferings that are endured for Him."
I couldn't help but think about the night before last when my oldest son woke up very sick to his stomach. I hurt for him as he endured several hours of throwing up. And as his dad, I could do nothing else but take on the duty of cleaning up the mess. I thought about Christ and how He suffered immeasurably more than all of that, yet He had no one to comfort Him, even having to endure the agony of God turning His back on His suffering Son so that we might have eternal life.
Our "mission" in our sufferings is to be able to say, "I know. I understand. God took me through it, too. Let me help comfort you," when those we love find themselves suffering. In doing so, we are in fact the hands and feet of Christ in this world.
Father, I suffered as I endured what I somewhat jokingly called "the edge of fatherhood". But as I read this, You reminded me of others in the past who'd comforted me, and even others I'd comforted, preparing me even for this. I'm so glad that You comfort us to make us comforters, not comfortable.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Somewhere in my commentary, I'd heart this being called "training for reigning". It also said about verse 5: "The comforts of Christ are equal to the sufferings that are endured for Him."
I couldn't help but think about the night before last when my oldest son woke up very sick to his stomach. I hurt for him as he endured several hours of throwing up. And as his dad, I could do nothing else but take on the duty of cleaning up the mess. I thought about Christ and how He suffered immeasurably more than all of that, yet He had no one to comfort Him, even having to endure the agony of God turning His back on His suffering Son so that we might have eternal life.
Our "mission" in our sufferings is to be able to say, "I know. I understand. God took me through it, too. Let me help comfort you," when those we love find themselves suffering. In doing so, we are in fact the hands and feet of Christ in this world.
Father, I suffered as I endured what I somewhat jokingly called "the edge of fatherhood". But as I read this, You reminded me of others in the past who'd comforted me, and even others I'd comforted, preparing me even for this. I'm so glad that You comfort us to make us comforters, not comfortable.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
2 Corinthians 2 -- What Happens When A Church Doesn't Obey
We don't think a lot about church discipline today, but Paul certainly writes about it in this chapter. My commentary said it with conviction: "The emphasis in this letter on church discipline is an index of its importance.&nb
We don't think a lot about church discipline today, but Paul certainly writes about it in this chapter. My commentary said it with conviction:
"The emphasis in this letter on church discipline is an index of its importance. Yet it is a subject that is all but neglected in many evangelical churches today. It is another instance where we can profess to believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures, yet refuse to obey them where it suits our purposes. Just as there is danger for an assembly if it does not take disciplinary action when called for, so there is a danger of not exercising forgiveness when true repentance has taken place. Satan is always ready to step into a situation such as this with his cunning devices. In the first case, he will wreck the testimony of the assembly through tolerated sin, and in the second, he will overwhelm the repentant person with overmuch sorrow, if the assembly does not RESTORE him. If Satan can't destroy by immorality, he will try by the unmeasured sorrow following repentance.
Father, help us to see clearly if we are letting our witness be ruined by tolerated sin. Give us the will to obey Your word in all things. Yet when a sinner sincerely repents, help us to lovingly restore him to fellowship with us and with You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
"The emphasis in this letter on church discipline is an index of its importance. Yet it is a subject that is all but neglected in many evangelical churches today. It is another instance where we can profess to believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures, yet refuse to obey them where it suits our purposes. Just as there is danger for an assembly if it does not take disciplinary action when called for, so there is a danger of not exercising forgiveness when true repentance has taken place. Satan is always ready to step into a situation such as this with his cunning devices. In the first case, he will wreck the testimony of the assembly through tolerated sin, and in the second, he will overwhelm the repentant person with overmuch sorrow, if the assembly does not RESTORE him. If Satan can't destroy by immorality, he will try by the unmeasured sorrow following repentance.
Father, help us to see clearly if we are letting our witness be ruined by tolerated sin. Give us the will to obey Your word in all things. Yet when a sinner sincerely repents, help us to lovingly restore him to fellowship with us and with You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
2 Corinthians 3 -- Glory Within Us
Paul wrote: “But when a person changes and follows the Lord … we all show the Lord’s glory, and we are being changed (metamorphosed) to be LIKE HIM. This change in us brings even greater glory, which come from the Lord,
Paul wrote: “But when a person changes and follows the Lord … we all show the Lord’s glory, and we are being changed (metamorphosed) to be LIKE HIM. This change in us brings even greater glory, which come from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
Oswald Chambers, in My Utmost For His Highest, wrote: “The golden rule for your life and mine is this concentrated keeping of the life open towards God… The rush of other things always tends to obscure this concentration on God…. Let other things come and go as they may, let other people criticize as they will, but never let ANYTHING obscure the life that is hid with Christ in God.”
My commentary dittoed all of that: “As we are occupied with the glory of the risen, ascended, exalted Lord Jesus Christ, we are being transformed into the SAME image. Here, in a word, is the secret of Christian holiness – occupation with Christ. Not by occupation with self; that brings only defeat. Not by occupation with others; that brings disappointment. But by occupation with the glory of the Lord, we become more and more like him … It is not a matter of instant change. There is no experience in the Christian life that will reproduce His image in a moment. It is a process, not a crisis … The Spirit of the Lord works in our life the marvelous miracle of increasing conformity to Christ … Whereas Moses’ face reflected glory, our faces radiate glory from inside.”
Father, because I still sin, it’s often tough for me to accept or concur or agree that You’ve imparted glory to ME already, and that it’s radiating outward so that others can see, but I know it is true. Help me never to let anything I do obscure that glory. Keep me occupied with Christ as You change me over time to become more like Him. Thank You for sending Your Spirit to accomplish that task in me!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Oswald Chambers, in My Utmost For His Highest, wrote: “The golden rule for your life and mine is this concentrated keeping of the life open towards God… The rush of other things always tends to obscure this concentration on God…. Let other things come and go as they may, let other people criticize as they will, but never let ANYTHING obscure the life that is hid with Christ in God.”
My commentary dittoed all of that: “As we are occupied with the glory of the risen, ascended, exalted Lord Jesus Christ, we are being transformed into the SAME image. Here, in a word, is the secret of Christian holiness – occupation with Christ. Not by occupation with self; that brings only defeat. Not by occupation with others; that brings disappointment. But by occupation with the glory of the Lord, we become more and more like him … It is not a matter of instant change. There is no experience in the Christian life that will reproduce His image in a moment. It is a process, not a crisis … The Spirit of the Lord works in our life the marvelous miracle of increasing conformity to Christ … Whereas Moses’ face reflected glory, our faces radiate glory from inside.”
Father, because I still sin, it’s often tough for me to accept or concur or agree that You’ve imparted glory to ME already, and that it’s radiating outward so that others can see, but I know it is true. Help me never to let anything I do obscure that glory. Keep me occupied with Christ as You change me over time to become more like Him. Thank You for sending Your Spirit to accomplish that task in me!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
No comments:
Post a Comment