Daily Bread - July 22, 2017

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Saturday, 22 July 2017 08:38

Philippians 1:6 - Being confident that He Who began a good work in you will finish it till the day of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is devoted to bringing all of us into the fullness of the maturity of the measure of the ministry of Jesus Christ - unto a fully matured believer (Ephesians 4:13). The subject here is not salvation, or a process of being saved, but of the maturity of each believer: to come into all of the fullness of the glory of God provided for us through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:18-19). Yet, more than anything else, the completion of the work of Christ is our resurrection from the dead unto life immortal (Philippians 3:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). It is God Who works in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). Therefore, we can be confident along with Paul that God is faithful to complete His good work in us if we continue to look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). If we will simply respond to the invitation that has been given us to come and dwell in His glory, then we will bear all of the fruits of His nature and the blessings of fellowship with Him (John 15:1-5, 16; Romans 6:22; Philippians 1:11). There is no limit to the provision of God, and to the riches of Christ Jesus; which He will supply to us to meet our every need spiritually, physically, and financially (Philippians 4:19; 3 John 1:2; 2 Corinthians 9:8). We cannot expect that we are going to have the results that God wants to produce for us unless we are willing to have a right relationship with Him. The Macedonians at Philippi are an example to us of a right relationship; who after having received the Gospel, became partners for the advancement of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 8:1-5; Philippians 1:3-7, 4:15). Now we do not have to look to ourselves for ability to do these things; for God has empowered us with everything that we need to respond to him as obedient children (Romans 6:16-18, 6:22, 15:17-18; 1 Peter 1:2,14; 2 Corinthians 2:9, 10:5). With this grace that God has given, we must be willing to be faithful to the call of God; and be responsible to place the Kingdom of God, and the righteousness of God, above all other things in our life (Matthew 6:33). We should not do these things because we have to, but because we are motivated by the love of God that has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). Our hearts and motives have been united with Father in His righteous cause - and nothing should be more important to us than those things that please Him (Philippians 3:8; John 14:15, 15:10; 1 John 5:2; 2 John 1:6). Those who do not trust in themselves, but in Christ, do not have to look to themselves for a solution to their needs - but instead to Calvary! Christ Jesus is at work in us. The Holy Spirit is at work in us. We are being divinely assisted and strengthened by Almighty God to be everything that we have been created in Christ Jesus to be; but we must look to the Lord instead of ourselves for the help and the change that we need (Ephesians 3:20; Romans 8:26-28). Look to the cross where you began: where all this life was freely supplied. It is there that you will find all the forgiveness and provision of life still flowing freely to all who will believe. We must believe that God loves us at all times and never despises our weakness, but is devoted to our perfection (1 John 4:16-18; Romans 5:6,10). If we put our trust in Him, we will never be ashamed, but will always and at all times find help in time of need. When reproved don't feel condemned, but empowered with insight and expectation for those things you can be confident the Holy Spirit will provide! Too many times, when we are challenged or corrected (either by the ministry of the Spirit through a Pastor, or by life's circumstances), we allow ourselves to feel like a failure. We may even run from such correction, because we are so hard on ourselves. But when we will take every instruction, correction, and reproof and run to Christ Jesus with it, and look to the Author and Finisher of our faith - we will find grace and help (Hebrews 12:2). Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Father are devoted to our perfection, protection, and provision; all we have to do is to put our trust in God, and not in ourselves. We will find a continual blessing of provision for all of our needs if we refuse to trust in the arm of flesh; but instead, make God the sole object of our trust (Jeremiah 17:5-7). If we will faithfully hold to the reality that everything we have in Christ right now was freely given to us by the Spirit and not by our own ability, we will recognize that every need and shortcoming in our life will also be corrected and changed - not by the flesh (human ability), but by the same Spirit of the Lord; Who will continually supply His divine power, enabling us to grow and mature if we will just look to Him alone (Galatians 3:3). Never feel like a failure again; but instead be a recipient of continual growth as one being instructed in all the ways of God and established in His righteousness. Holy Spirit, take control of me, Come and rule every part for Your glory, Holy Spirit, take control of me, In You I delight!!!

 

Daily Bread - July 21, 2017

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Friday, 21 July 2017 09:42

Ephesians 2:3 - In this, we also all conducted ourselves in the desire of our flesh, fulfilling the will of the flesh and of the imagination; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. Although flesh is often communicated in a positive sense, in this verse it refers to a depraved nature that lives only for the gratification of its lust. Although Jesus was manifested in the flesh and suffered for us in the flesh, there was no dimension of depravity or immorality in His life (John 1:1-14; 1 Peter 3:18, 4:1-2; 1 Timothy 3:16). The depraved nature that lives only for vile affections takes center stage in Genesis 6. Men had become so given over to their fleshly lusts that the imaginations of their hearts were constantly bent on evil (Genesis 6:5). Because of the vile and wicked state of the heart of man, God repented that he had made men (Genesis 6:6). The wicked state of the heart corrupts every thought and action, and the only remedy is a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26; 2 Corinthians 3:3; Colossians 2:11; Hebrews 10:16). Flesh may also describe the muscles of the body, meat used for sacrifice or food, human ability, the body of man, and even the complete man (including the soul and spirit, as in "all flesh"). There is nothing unholy or unacceptable about the body of man. The body has been made the temple of the Holy Ghost; and we are to glorify God in our bodies, which are His (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; John 2:21). Yet, when men live under the dominion of sin and the power of the spirit of disobedience, then the natural desires are turned into every lust and unholy 'work of the flesh'. The nature of sin dominating the heart is expressed in every fleshly lust and wicked imagination that demons and men can invent to work unrighteousness. The spirit that works in the sons of disobedience turns everything that God had made for His holy purpose into the worst kinds of human depravities. In this sense, flesh and fleshly lust describe the state and works of the sons of disobedience. Humanity, under the dominion of sin, has no fellowship with God or ability to please God (Romans 8:8-9). Now that we have been delivered and made the sons of God, if we walk in the Spirit of obedience, then we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16, 24; Romans 6:22). To be the children of wrath is equivalent to being the children of disobedience. Sin is disobedience to God, and the wages of sin is death (Romans 1:18, 6:23). Paul includes himself with all men as those who were once the children of wrath and the servants of sin (Romans 6:16-18, 20). Men without a new heart and new spirit are alienated from God by wicked works (Colossians 1:21-22). Without Christ Jesus, the wrath of God abides upon mankind because of these fleshly lusts that work in those who are by (sinful) nature the children of wrath (John 3:36). Glorify God in your body and your spirit, which are His! And have this refrain ever on your lips: Holy Spirit, take control of me, Come and rule every part for Your glory, Holy Spirit, take control of me, In You I delight!!!

 

Daily Bread - July 20, 2017

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Thursday, 20 July 2017 09:39

Matthew 10:8 - Cure the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils; you received without payment, give without payment. Jesus commanded those that represented him to raise the dead. This may seem impossible to the modern day believer, but it is none the less that kind of preaching and ministry that Jesus demanded. Some would argue that He does not demand this kind of preaching anymore, but they have no Bible to back up their claims. These argue from experience and demand to see the evidence that such power still exists among God's people. The more important question is: does such a relationship with God still exist among God's people? Elijah and Elisha raised the dead (1 Kings 17:22; 2 Kings 4:35). Jesus raised the dead (Matthew 11:5; Luke 7:12-15, 8:55; John 12:1). Peter raised the dead (Acts 9:37-40). Paul raised the dead (Acts 20:9-10). Jesus said the works He did, we would do -and greater works; so that the Father might be glorified in the Son (John 14:12-13). Furthermore, Jesus opens up the unlimited possibility to anyone who would believe when He said all things are possible for them that believe (Mark 9:23). We have been called and chosen of God to bring forth the fruit of a dependent and intimate relationship with Jesus; and this fruit is that whatever we ask, He will do it (John 14:12-14, 15: 5, 16, 16:23). It is time that we rise up and begin to contend for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 1:3). Let us all be certain that they who know their God shall do great exploits in these last days (Daniel 11:32). Let us all be confident that the power of the Gospel, and the ministry of Jesus, has not been reduced to what frail and mortal men can do; but His ministry and His church are as strong and as powerful as ever (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Ephesians 1:15-23, 3:20-21)!

 

Daily Bread - July 19, 2017

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Wednesday, 19 July 2017 11:03

Philippians 1:9 - And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and discernment; God has equipped us by Christ Jesus to be pure and blameless unto the day of Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:8; Philippians 2:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Peter 3:14; Jude 24). But in order for us to remain spotless, we must be willing to allow God's love to influence every decision we make. It is essential that the love of God govern our every action; otherwise our own self-interest and ambition will take over, and our judgment will be tainted. God wants us to test things out, and to make sure that our every decision is the product of His love. Through the governorship of His Word and the love of the Spirit that has been given to us, He has equipped us with the ability to know the difference between good and evil (Hebrews 5:14; Psalms 119:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). If we allow the love of God to preside over us, then we will be able to make proper distinctions. We must be willing to keep ourselves in the love of God; and realize that without doing so, we will not have proper discernment in the decisions that we make (Jude 20-21; 1 John 4:16-17; John 14:23-26, 15:5-10). If the fruits of righteousness are going to be manifested in our lives, then we must be willing to abide in His love (John 15:10; Philippians 1:9-11). When we come to realize that love works no evil, then we can understand how that, as we remain in this love, we will remain pure and blameless (Romans 13:10; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Let the love of God move you and inspire you in every decision that you make. And keep singing... Holy Spirit, take control of me, Come rule every part for Your glory, Holy Spirit, take control of me, In You I delight!!!

 

Daily Bread - July 18, 2017

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Tuesday, 18 July 2017 10:53

Ephesians 2:4 - But God, Who is rich in mercy through His abundant love with which He has loved us, The message that we must hear and believe is that God is rich in mercy. His mercy flows from a deep and passionate love for all mankind! Oh, how much more shall we be able to benefit from the rich mercy of the One Who loves us now that we have been reconciled by faith in the blood of Jesus and born of the Spirit (Romans 8:32)? To know and believe the love that God has for you will cause you to be firmly rooted and grounded in love (1 John 4:16; Ephesians 3:17-20). Just believe God! Whether you have walked perfectly before the Lord or not, just believe God! Trust that just as He rescued you from your sins and saved you by His blood when you were dead in sins, He will also save you now (Isaiah 35:4). The Lord saved us by His mercy when we were dead in our trespasses and sins, and He will save and heal us now no matter how we have failed, or what state we are in (Zechariah 8:13). He washed and renewed us, giving us life and blessings -not because of any works of righteousness which we had done- and he will do it once again! When we were alienated from the life that is in Christ Jesus, God commended His love to us so that we may say, "By His grace we were saved!" (Titus 3:4-6; Ephesians 2:4-8) God has not run out of grace, nor has He run low on mercy. The love of God that purchased your salvation is also the love of God that will perfect you and keep you, so just believe God (Romans 16:25; 2 Corinthians 1:20-22; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, 3:3)! The most important thing for you to consider is that God wants you to look to Him for deliverance, no matter what your circumstance. If there is a reoccurring sin, or a circumstance that is too much to bear, our God wants us to turn to Him for help. He will come and rescue you (Isaiah 35:4). If nothing else, just believe the love that God has for you (1 John 4:16). Believe the record that God has given of His Son (1 John 5:11). If you will just fall down on your knees and cry out to Him again, He will do nothing less than love you freely and show his rich and abundant mercy for you. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Know and believe God's love, and sing this song to Him all day long... Holy Spirit, take control of me, Come rule every part for Your glory, Holy Spirit, take control of me, In You I delight!!!