Daily Bread - November 23, 2018

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Friday, 23 November 2018 11:26

(The Sixth Day - Genesis 1:24-31) Ephesians 5:1 - Be then imitators of God as loving children. Part 5 - The Greatest Opportunity Afforded to Man! We have been anointed and established together with Christ Jesus. We are called to come into the fullness of His maturity (2 Corinthians 1:21; Ephesians 4:13). We have been given an unspeakable and amazing opportunity to be taught by the Holy Ghost and live in all of God's glory. There could be no greater opportunity afforded men than to have this call. Being empowered to be imitators of God is greater than riches, fame, and all other achievements men so diligently give themselves to obtain. Why is it we remain so unbelieving and refuse to forsake everything else to pursue this Heavenly call? Can we truly believe all God has is ours and yet remain lukewarm, slothful, and negligent? Would we not stand up with ferocious loyalty and face all the great challenges attempting to stop us and cast them down like thieves? If we could see that our God is the one Who lives in humility, would we not want to be just like Him? The world makes pride and arrogance look strong, but the Most High, God Almighty, has chosen the way of the lowly (Isaiah 57:15, 66:1-2; 1 Peter 5:5). Give diligence to make your calling and election sure! (2 Peter 1:3-11) Song of the Spirit from this past First Day meeting: Wind of the Spirit flow, Cloven tongues of fire fall Rivers of the Holy Spirit flow, Through me! Church of the Living God, Body of the Lord Jesus, Fulness of the One Who fills all things, Arise! (Be seen!)

 

Daily Bread - November 22, 2018

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Thursday, 22 November 2018 09:06

(Fifth Day - Genesis 1:20-23) Ephesians 5:1 - Be then imitators of God as loving children. Part 4 - The Devotion of a Child of God We were converted and became like little children when we were born again. We became as newborn babes so we might be taught of God and grow up into all His ways (Romans 8:15-16; 1 Peter 2:2). There is a great reward in spiritual maturity, and we must not allow anything to draw us away from the prize set before us (Philippians 3:14). An independent, rebellious, and stubborn attitude demanding our own way should have no place in our lives. Such a disposition must be seen as a thief and a robber. We should rise up with a holy indignation and violence against it because it will indeed destroy everything. There is no way we can be a co-laborer with Christ Jesus if we are not His devoted followers. If we will walk in the love and humility of the Holy Ghost, we will learn to be ferociously loyal to God and to those who belong to His Kingdom ( Philippians 2:1-15; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12). Let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth! (1 John 3:18) Song of the Spirit from this past First Day meeting: Wind of the Spirit flow, Cloven tongues of fire fall Rivers of the Holy Spirit flow, Through me! Church of the Living God, Body of the Lord Jesus, Fulness of the One Who fills all things, Arise! (Be seen!)

 

Daily Bread - November 21, 2018

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Wednesday, 21 November 2018 11:49

(Fourth Day - Genesis 1:14-19) Ephesians 5:1 - Be then imitators of God as loving children. Part 3 - Dependency On God Our adversary, Satan, lays the snares of pride and self-exaltation in our way, and we must learn to recognize these traps. The pride of life must be cast down, for it would pull us away from living like little children following an admired and trusted leader. Many look down on someone who acts like another person, but that is naïve! Everybody acts like those who have influenced them, beginning with their parents. In fact, as little children we developed much of our behavior. We learn more as little children than at any other time in our life! Also during those early developmental years, we were more dependent upon leadership. It is a good thing to be converted and become like a little child who is dependent on God for everything -for out of the mouths of babes and sucklings (those that must be totally dependent upon God) strength has been ordained (Psalm 8:2; Matthew 18:3; Luke 18:17)! Walk in glorious freedom as children of light! (Ephesians 5:8; Romans 8:21) Song of the Spirit from this past First Day meeting: Wind of the Spirit flow, Cloven tongues of fire fall Rivers of the Holy Spirit flow, Through me! Church of the Living God, Body of the Lord Jesus, Fulness of the One Who fills all things, Arise! (Be seen!)

 

Daily Bread - November 20, 2018

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Tuesday, 20 November 2018 07:39

Ephesians 5:1 - Be then imitators of God as loving children. Part 2 - Delighting To Do His Will! Being self-willed must have no place in our life. Jesus taught us to deny ourselves, and instead do only those things the Father shows us to do (John 5:19, 5:30, 8:28, 54, 12:49, 15:5; Mark 8:34). Recognizing yourself is a challenging thing, but the Holy Spirit instructs us using both the contrast of our lives to Jesus and the beauty of what He reveals to us about the nature of God. If we are going to flow in the rivers of His Spirit, then we must not flow with the things of ourself. When it is our delight to do His will as the servants of the Lord, being self-willed becomes that much more apparent to us. Living for ourselves and after the strong impulses of what we think and perceive opposes our growth and blessings in God. We can cry out all day long for more anointing and more of this or that, but nothing will change until we are willing to do things God's way. God is faithfully committed to our spiritual maturity, but we must cooperate. If we walk in the love and humility of the Holy Spirit, we will be thrilled with the glory and goodness of God's divine order. We will gladly imitate God and all of His divine behavior, and follow those who follow Jesus and flow in the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1; Philippians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:7, 9; Hebrews 13:7, 17; 1 Peter 5:5). As we walk with God, we will develop an insatiable appetite for more of Heaven! Delight to do His will! (Philippians 2:5; Psalms 40:8; Hebrews 10:7) Song of the Spirit from this past First Day meeting: Wind of the Spirit flow, Cloven tongues of fire fall Rivers of the Holy Spirit flow, Through me! Church of the Living God, Body of the Lord Jesus, Fulness of the One Who fills all things, Arise! (Be seen!)

 

Daily Bread - November 19, 2018

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Monday, 19 November 2018 07:56

Ephesians 5:1 - Be then imitators of God as loving children. Part 1 - God Himself Made It Possible To Imitate Him God's nature is divine in every way. Everything about Him is good, lovely, and wonderful; and we are graced with the privilege of being taught to be like Him (Matthew 5:48; James 1:17; John 16:13-15; 1 Timothy 4:8; 2 Timothy 3:12; Hebrews 8:10-11; 2 Peter 1:3, 6-7). We are commanded to imitate God, walk in the Spirit, and follow Jesus (Ephesians 5:1; Galatians 5:25; Matthew 10:38). The concept of 'mimetai' (to mimic or imitate) goes beyond the idea of being God's friend or follower - it calls for us to act exactly like God! If we are going to act like God, we must be trained to function in His nature and ways. God made all of this possible: He changed our hearts and spirits to be like His, and He sent the Holy Spirit to teach us and train us (John 6:45; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Jeremiah 31:34). We should be eager to learn and mature! The anointing we have received reveals the things of God's divine nature to us, and our response should be a hunger and thirst for more (1 John 2:27; Matthew 5:6). As we listen to the Holy Spirit and respond to Him, we become increasingly sensitive to His voice and instruction. Along with sensitivity comes humility and meekness, and these make us even more pliable and cooperative (Matthew 11:29; Philippians 2:5-7). God the Holy Spirit will not do anything outside of love and humility; and if we are going to connect with Him, then we must learn to only give place to His divine disposition. Therefore, be taught of God to be like Him! (John 6:45; Ephesians 5:1) Song of the Spirit from this past First Day meeting: Wind of the Spirit flow, Cloven tongues of fire fall Rivers of the Holy Spirit flow, Through me! Church of the Living God, Body of the Lord Jesus, Fulness of the One Who fills all things, Arise! (Be seen!)