Daily Bread MAR/01/11

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Tuesday, 01 March 2011 11:50

Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace you are saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Faith that comes from God stands ready to act upon our hearts. When we hear the word of God, faith is ready to effect the change if we will respond (Romans 10:17). The gospel is the word of faith that imparts the faith of God into the heart of man (Romans 8:6). Once faith is imparted, all the child of God must do is agree with the word of God, and being willing and obedient - will receive all the promises of God (Hebrews 4:2). Faith that is activated by obedience to the word of God produces the miracles of the Spirit (Matthew 8:8; 14:28-29; Galatians 3:5). It must be emphasized that this faith has no human origin, but rather has come to us directly from God as a gift. There is only one faith; and it exists only in the realm of God, and comes only by Jesus Christ (Acts 3:16; Galatians 2:16). God has given us His faith by the supernatural working of the Holy Spirit. Faith takes a hold of grace, and in submission to the power of the Holy Spirit - all of the will of God is produced in our lives (Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 3:19; Hebrews 13:21). It is not a faith that humanity obtains through religious beliefs, knowledge, discipline, or works. Rather the grace that has appeared to all men provides this amazing gift of God to all who will obey: the faith of God (Mark 11:22; Galatians 2:20; Romans 12:3; Titus 2:11).

 

Daily Bread FEB/28/11

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Monday, 28 February 2011 11:53

Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace you are saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. When we consider the meaning and definition of grace, then we must view the entire work of grace. As we do, we discover that grace is God's divine power working for us and in us - to produce all that He has desired. Grace is an active agent of God's power and presence. It is an expression of the activity of the Spirit of God at work on the motives, inspirations, and actions of those who have been born of the Spirit. Grace is not a passive action of God toward man, but the activity of the Spirit and power of God at work in our lives. Grace is the alternative to works, even as the power of the Spirit is the alternative to human ability (Romans 11:6; Galatians 3:3; Romans 8:1-9; John 3:3-6). Grace is the means by which God saved us, through the actions of Jesus; who did for us what we could not do for ourselves (Ephesians 2:5). Furthermore, through the actions of our Savior, we were given the right and privilege to be born of the Spirit. Once again, the grace of God performed for us what we could never do for ourselves. Through the transformation of regeneration, the miracle of the new birth was accomplished for us; not by any works that we have done, but by the supernatural operation of the Spirit of God (Titus 3:5). Through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus we are allowed to live in a realm called grace, that we access by the faith we have received from the Spirit of God (Romans 5:2; Galatians 5:22-25; Romans 12:3).

 

Daily Bread FEB/26/11

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Saturday, 26 February 2011 13:28

Micah 6:8 - He has told you, O man, what is good and what Yahoah requires from you: but to do justly, and to love tender mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Justice, mercy, and humility must be at the heart of everything that we do. We must recognize that the grace that purchased us did so because of the great love in the heart of God - who showed us mercy when everything about our lives was repulsive. For God commended His love to us when we were yet dead in our trespasses and sins; and mercy rejoiced over judgment (Romans 5:8; Colossians 1:21; James 2:13). When we were His enemies by wicked works, God did not despise us, but laid down His life that we might be healed (Colossians 1:21-22; 1 John 3:16; 4:11; Ephesians 5:2). What God demands and what He wants more than sacrifices is mercy (Matthew 9:13; 12:7; 18:12-13; Luke 6:35-36). Without God's love and mercy there would be none saved; and we must realize that God demands that His mercy be revealed through us. We must recognize that if we are going to stand as His representatives, then we must participate in His love and mercy. Showing mercy and being forgiving must be our way of life (Colossians 3:12; Matthew 18:21-22). Compassion for others, tender mercies, and lovingkindness are the fruits of the Spirit that will shine as a light in a world torn by the devilish torments of pride and hate. God is rich in mercy because of His great love (Ephesians 2:4). This same love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Ghost, and is the evidence that we have been born of God (Romans 5:6; 1 John 3:14; John 13:35). We must love others faithfully - even as Jesus showed His love for us. The enemy of such a love is self-interest and self-exaltation. As soon as we are offended, we want to take up our own self-interest and care. But instead we must yield to the Spirit of grace, and allow God to clothe us with humility (1 Peter 5:5). It is important to understand that we are only going to walk in the ways of God and do these things from the heart if we are willing to walk in the Spirit. When we walk in the instruction of the word and walk in the Spirit, then we will walk in justice, mercy and humility. Many religious people attempt to replace obedience with ceremony. They will tithe and show perfect observance to ritual; but the weightier matters they pass over (Luke 11:42; Matthew 23:23). Yet for all who will believe: rivers of justice, love of mercy, and humility will pour from your life by the Holy Ghost!

 

Daily Bread FEB/25/11

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Friday, 25 February 2011 12:02

Ephesians 3:20 - Now to him who has the power to do super-abundantly above all that we think or ask: according to the power that works in us. God desires that we be filled with all of His fullness! Such a thing goes beyond all that we could think or ask, but God is at work in us to teach us how to cooperate with His abundant life (Ephesians 1:19; 2 Peter 1:3-4). The gift of God has provided us with the ability to live a life full of His divine nature and goodness. The gift of God is a well-spring of God's power springing up from the depths of our soul; it is a river of God's presence flowing out of our lives. The gift of God is the Spirit of the living God at work in those who believe. It is the life of Jesus established in our souls (Colossians 1:27-28; 1 John 3:24; 4:4; 2 Corinthians 13:5). This glorious power that resides in us is a treasure of divine power at work: both strengthening and perfecting those who are willing to participate with His will (Philippians 2:12-13; 2 Corinthians 4:6-7). The power of God that has been supplied to us will perfect everything that concerns us if we are willing to obey (Hebrews 13:21). If we desire to walk in the Spirit, then we will be strengthened with all might so that we may walk worthy and be fruitful in every good work (Colossians 1:11; Ephesians 6:10). The ability to do everything and have everything that God has purposed is being supplied by the power that as at work in us. There is a dependency upon the power of God that must be established in each person. Otherwise we will not look to God, but to our own strength. We must believe that this power resides in us by the Spirit which has been given to us. This is not difficult nor mystical, but a simple act of faith: believe that God has come to dwell in you! Recognize that it is the will of God for you to live in the authority of sonship, in an abundant and prosperous life full of the demonstration of the Spirit and power. Be convinced that Jesus is Savior, Healer, and Provider - and that He will supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory. Arise and shine in the new covenant of divine power and strength, and say: "Nothing is impossible for those who will believe." Let your heart be ignited with the will of God and His desires. Realize that we are representing Jesus and the Kingdom of God to all humanity, and believe that all these works which Jesus did you shall do also. Say with the Psalmist, "Oh bless the Lord oh my soul, and forget not all of His benefits!" Start calling those things which God has promised done; and start announcing the good news of the wonderful works of God, both to yourself and all those that are around you. We make the connection with the power of God that is at work in us by agreeing with His word and speaking those words which God has spoken. Speak the truth and watch what takes place; discover the salvation that comes by confessing the word of God which is full of power and life. God's word is living (John 6:63; Hebrews 4:12). We have been baptized in the language of the Spirit to learn to speak God's word by the Spirit (Isaiah 50:4; 28:10-11; 1 Corinthians 14:21; Acts 2:11; 17-18; 19:6; Jude 1:20-21). The operation of the Spirit in our life is the power that works within us, and is the connection between us and all of God's benefits and signs and wonders (Acts 2:4; 1:8; John 7:38-39). Every dimension of the outworking of God is a result of our fellowship with God in the Holy Spirit. As we yield to the Holy Spirit and take seriously the commission that has been given to us to advance the Kingdom of God (through ministering to those who are lost as well as building up those who believe), there is an ever-increasing revelation of the power of God in and through our lives. If we will give ourselves to speaking God's word, and participating with His will in the ministry gifts given to reveal the living Jesus, then we can be certain that faith will increase - and the ability to operate in the power of God will be enlarged (Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 14:1,12; 12:7,31; Joel 2:28; Titus 2:14; Matthew 25:21,23). The meaning of 'dunamis' (divine power) is understood by believing that Christ Jesus lives in you, and that you live in Him. It is realized by receiving His ministry of baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire. At Pentecost, 'dunamis' was poured out on the believer by the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-47). We have received the baptism of the Spirit so that only Jesus would be seen in the life of God's people. Although the Greek word 'dunamis' is used in the Septuagint with various meanings, a special meaning is given to it by its application in the New Testament, in which it is always used for the divine power of God to save, heal, and provide. In fact, a summary statement for 'dunamis' is given in Acts 10:38, "God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power, who went about doing good and healing all of those oppressed with the devil." We gain insight into the meaning of 'dunamis' by its application with respect to the power that flowed out from Jesus into the woman with the issue of blood, as well as the power which was poured out on the saints in Jerusalem when Jesus baptized them in the Holy Spirit (Mark 5:30; Luke 6:19). That same power is at work in those who believe right now; and through it the One who is All-Powerful desires to fill you with all His fullness!

 

Daily Bread FEB/24/11

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Thursday, 24 February 2011 17:11

1 Corinthians 14:40 - And let all things be done decently, and in order. The Church is the place where we assemble ourselves to hear God speak. The only way that we are going to hear God speak in our assemblies is if those who are gathered know how to yield to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The church is not a place for everyone to share their ideas and opinions; it is a sacred place where an ever-increasing manifestation of the power and glory of God should be revealed. Anything that disrupts the sacred activity of the Holy Spirit or creates confusion is out of order. If an individual is not speaking by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, then what they are saying should have little to no place in the context of the church.