Daily Bread - March 9, 2018

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Friday, 09 March 2018 08:03

Mark 11:22 - And Jesus answered them, "Have God's faith." It is quite fascinating how few Biblical scholars are willing to step forward and admit how this Greek phrase should be translated, "have God's faith," or "have the faith of God," or "...literally, have the faith of God" (The Pulpit Commentary). The noun is in the genitive case, and the verb 'to have' is in the imperative. There cannot be a more important topic than faith. I have heard how some people believe miracles ended with the book of Acts. Well, if miracles ended with the book of Acts, then there are no more salvations; for the salvation of a single person is the most wonderful miracle known to man! Now, all miracles depend on the divine work of faith. Jesus is not interested in us having the kind of faith you read about in a dictionary. He is not interested in us having the kind of faith that refers to various religious and philosophical beliefs. Jesus desires we have the faith of God. God's faith speaks to the absolutely impossible and watches it take place. God's faith moves beyond every doubt and notion of fear. God's faith will not be afraid of what others might think (Romans 4:16-18; Galatians 5:6; 1 John 4:16-18). Jesus informed the disciples that what he had done, they would also do (Matthew 21:21; John 14:12). He had commanded the fig tree to dry up, and it did. What Jesus said to them, He said to the Church for all time. Did He give the disciples something that did not belong to everyone else who would believe? Absolutely not! What Jesus supplied to those first few men which He trained, He poured out upon the whole Church by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8, 2:17-18, 39; Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:11-13; 2 Corinthians 12:7, 27-28; Jude 20). At some point, you and I must stand up and begin to curse the fig trees of unfruitfulness and speak to the mountains of impossibility. At some point, we must boldly proclaim these words of life and be willing to demonstrate the power of God that is present in our lives. Too many people cower in fear, waiting for someone else to do what Jesus commands us to do. Or, they are waiting for another day when they receive some special anointing. Saints, I tell you, if you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, then you have the One Who works the faith of God right there with you right now (Galatians 2:20; John 14:15-23, 17:16-23). All you have to do is be willing to open your mouth and take the risk. The disciples were amazed at Jesus' faith; and He was equally amazed at their lack of it (Luke 8:25; Matthew 17:17). Jesus was absolute about His position regarding our faith. We find this statement delivered to us as an imperative. Jesus demanded them then, and us today, to have God's faith -a faith defined and exemplified by what Jesus did when He commanded the fig tree to die. If we are going to walk in faith, then we must start moving. We must recognize that faith has a belief. Faith has a commitment, faith has a faithfulness, faith has a fight, faith works by love, faith is not dependent upon what is seen and heard in the realms of men. Faith calls those things which are not as though they were. Faith depends solely on what God has said. Faith is bold and will say what God has said. Faith is tested. Faith is strengthened. Faith is perfected. Faith will increase so that one may be full of faith (Hebrews 11:1-12:2). Have God's faith, and let it begin right now! (Hebrews 3:7-8; Jude 20-25)

 

Daily Bread - March 8, 2018

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Thursday, 08 March 2018 12:10

Matthew 7:21-22 - Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord", shall enter into the Kingdom of the Heavens; but he who does the will of My Father Who is in the Heavens. Many shall say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name, and in Your Name cast out devils, and in Your Name done many wonderful works?" Deception is so powerful that the deceived have no idea they are under its ruthless and blinding power. What we must realize is God has no fellowship with those who walk in darkness (1 John 1:6; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:11). The most important proof that a person has been born of God, and that they love and know God, is obedience (1 John 2:3-4, 3:24, 5:2; John 15:10). God has given us a faith that overcomes the world, and every one who has been born of God has that overcoming power in their lives (1 John 3:7-8, 5:4-5,18). Just because a person appears to have gifts and signs and wonders working through his life is no proof the person knows God. Satan can transform himself into a messenger of light, and men can be wolves in sheep's clothing (2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Matthew 7:15-16). There are many supposed miracle-workers among the Hindus and Buddhists; and we know that whatever it is that they are doing, it is not by the power of God. Those who work iniquity and call themselves the messengers of Christ have no fellowship with God; and whatever it is they do is not by the Spirit of the Lord, but a power of deception. We live in perilous times, and many deceivers have come in the Name of Jesus. We must hold fast to the Word of God and not believe those who try to tell us things should be taken away from the Bible, or that they were for the time of the first-century Church only; or for that matter, that anything should be now added through some function of revelation. All of these ideas are inspired by Satan, and have come to deceive the hearts of men. Although there are deceptions and falsehoods all around us, we must hold to the absolutes of the Word of God. Absolutes are essential if there is going to be certainty. If we are going to move in faith, then we must have absolute certainty about the things that the Lord has spoken. The Lord Jesus reigns in righteousness and truth right now; and no one who tells lies or works deceit in his or her heart can stand in His Presence (Psalm 101:7). Christ Jesus is Lord over His House and will execute judgment, even though wrongdoing seems to linger. The Father has a jealous love for His Son Jesus, and will not allow His Name to be profaned for long. It is time that the Church arise in the Spirit of holiness and power. If there has ever been in a time to move in the faith of Jesus Christ with the Gospel that casts out devils and works righteousness, it is now! We must stand up in His righteous cause and say, "No more!", to the things that profane His Holy Name! We must ignore the things in the realm of experience that present themselves as contradictions to the Word of God. The realm of deception would not allow us to find any place of certainty based upon the things we can conclude from our observations. It is hard to understand how men can actually come in the Name of Jesus and seemingly work miracles, yet still live unholy lives; but what we must all conclude is they do not know the Lord. Anything that does not align itself with the Word of God and the fruits of the Spirit must be categorized as falsehood and deception -no matter what kind of proofs may be seemingly provided. There are no exceptions to the rule: a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a evil tree bring forth good fruit (Matthew 7:17-18). We cannot get both sweet and bitter water from the same fountain (James 3:11-12). Those who hold the truth in unrighteousness can not be restored; they must be converted. The power of deception can only be broken when such a one will face the sin and iniquity, and repent. Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only! (James 1:22)

 

Daily Bread - March 7, 2018

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Wednesday, 07 March 2018 11:16

Romans 8:18 - For I calculate that this which befalls us now for a season is not worthy of the glory that is about to be revealed in us. Paul's calculation is that the level of suffering we endure now is not even in the same category with the glory about to be revealed. When Paul was writing to the Corinthians, he referred to this suffering as a light affliction (2 Corinthians 4:17). The Greek word Paul uses to help us put things into proper perspective is 'logizomai', translated 'calculate', which refers to a 'logical reality'. Now, the logical calculation is this: the suffering is so insignificant in comparison to the glory, it is almost meaningless. How are we supposed to deal with the suffering and pain we encounter here in this life? Paul, who had more than his share of opposition and turmoil, reveals to us how to live life free from discouragement. All we need to do is realize how the hand of God is shaping us for greatness -both now and in the future. We must realize He is not only with us through these things, but He is so close to us that we are under His shadow (Psalms 91:1). We must realize whatever 'groanings' we may encounter today will be overshadowed by the glorious liberties of tomorrow. As a result, we will not lose our confidence and joy, which will result in a great reward (Hebrews 10:35, 3:6, 11:6,26). Jesus endured the sufferings of the cross with joy realizing it would result in our salvation and His exaltation (Hebrews 12:2). We are also called to share in the same sufferings of Christ which are all about advancing the Gospel and must be kept in the same perspective (Philippians 3:10, 2:1-11; 2 Timothy 2:12; 1 Peter 4:12-16; 2 Corinthians 11:23-30). However, many of the things we go through are simply Father's desire to give us something far better than what we have now (1 Peter 1:6-7; James 1:2-3). One Christmas morning, I had given one of my sons, who was about three at the time, one of his gifts. It was a very small toy that he immediately thought was the greatest thing ever. I had something far better for him I wanted him to have; but he was so distracted with his new little toy, he would not come over and unwrap his bigger present. Of course, I was very excited about the gift I had for him; so in order to redirect his attention, I took the little toy away from him after some struggle. It ended up in a disaster, because he thought I was punishing him when all I wanted him to do was to set his little eyes on the main event of that Christmas morning. We must realize that no matter what we are enduring, Father has a bigger blessing awaiting us. We must not allow ourselves to sink into the despair of what we may have lost, but keep our eyes set on what we are to gain (Romans 5:1-5, 8:26-39). For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory! (2 Corinthians 4:17, 12:9-10; Romans 5:3-5; Hebrews 11:6)

 

Daily Bread - March 6, 2018

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Tuesday, 06 March 2018 08:23

Ephesians 2:22 - In Whom also you are built together into a habitation of God by the Spirit. Through the mercy and grace of God, we are brought into the family of God and are being taught and prepared by the Holy Spirit to live the life of God. Both Jew and Gentile believers must submit themselves to this work of grace and allow God the Holy Spirit to take control of their lives. There is no doubt God has future plans for Israel as a nation, but everyone must realize the only way they can come into the Kingdom of God is through Jesus Christ. Jesus was not just the means by which the nations', or Gentiles', sins were washed away; but He is also the means for Israel as well (Acts 4:12; Romans 10:1-4) Through Jesus, we grow into a holy temple; and through Jesus, we are built together as a holy habitation where God dwells (1 Peter 2:5). This does not take away from the miracle that made each person the temple of the Holy Spirit and the habitation of the Lord (1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 6:16; John 14:23). Rather, this expands it into how we are brought together in the culture and relationship of God's eternal Kingdom. There is only one Church, one company of the redeemed; and they are made up of all the nations of the Earth, including Israel. There are no walls, or partitions, to make room for different expressions and beliefs. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and one Father (Ephesians 4:4-6). The Greek verb 'sunoikodomeo', translated 'built together', is a compound verb of 'sun' and 'oikodomeo'. The verb 'oikodomeo' is used in the same context in 1 Peter 2:5 and Matthew 16:18. This Greek verb is in the form of a present passive indicative which denotes a continuous process. Each time someone is born of the Spirit, they are incorporated into this building of God. Bless the Lord, we get to be His habitation!

 

Daily Bread - March 5, 2018

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Monday, 05 March 2018 14:56

Ephesians 2:21 - In Whom the whole building fitted together grows in a holy temple in the Lord. The Greek verb 'auxano,' which is translated as 'grow,' means 'increase of every kind' and may be understood as referring to every dimension of the Church including size, number, age, maturity, glory, and power. This growth does not happen automatically, but demands action and responsibility as Jesus taught in Mark 4:26-29. A seed is cast into the ground and the power is within the ground to give the seed life so that it can produce of itself; but the farmer rises day and night to tend and care for the seed lest it be eaten or overrun by weeds and disaster. The proper growth and increase of the Church is only possible when God's people are submitted to the Holy Spirit, for only He can provide the needed ingredients to bring forth the increase. In Ephesians 4:11-16, we learn that the Church both grows and makes increase of itself by functioning in love. Of course, this is Divine love that can only be supplied by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22; Romans 5:5; 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 Peter 1:22). God's desire is that we mature into the fullness of Christ. He has purposed that we be fully matured sons of God standing in the full measure of the anointing of Jesus now in this present world (Ephesians 4:13; 1 John 3:1-3, 4:17). By the love of Christ, we are able to comprehend every dimension of God's person and purpose. We mature and grow in the precise knowledge of God by coming to know the love of Christ that passes knowledge, so that we might be filled with all of the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:17-21). Our lives, both individually and collectively, must find their existence in the Vine, Christ Jesus; for without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:1-8). Allow God in His love to bring the increase He desires!