Daily Bread - August 9, 2017

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Wednesday, 09 August 2017 10:19

John 17:19 - And I sanctify Myself for them, so that they may also be truly sanctified. The first time that the word 'sanctified' is used in the Bible is in Genesis 2:3. The word in both the Hebrew language and the Greek language may be translated "made holy". Sanctified may also be understood simply as "set apart". Jesus set Himself apart for one purpose, and that was to give His life to destroy the power of sin and death; so that through His death, mankind might be set free from the darkness of sin. Jesus set Himself apart, or consecrated Himself, to the Father so that we may also be consecrated, or made holy. Although Jesus was holy and set apart unto God from birth, yet He also set Himself apart for the specific purpose of giving Himself a ransom for every man. God made us holy in Christ Jesus to live a life consecrated by the Holy Spirit. Now that we have been made holy by the Lord Jesus, we are called to voluntarily present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God (Romans 12:1-2). We are called to perfect holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1). When God finished His work of creation, He sanctified the seventh day. When God finished His work of redemption, He sanctified man. We totally belong to God. We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 6:11, 19-20; 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1). God, Who both created and redeemed us, has extended the invitation to everyman to come and walk with Him in His ways of life. We have been set free from every twisted and evil thing, so that we can enjoy life in the Holy Ghost. God has given us everything that pertains to life and godliness, so that we can enjoy life in its fullness (2 Peter 1:3-11; John 10:10; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 2 Corinthians 9:8). Let the Holy Spirit lead you in the way of life that God has liberally supplied to us. The Holy Spirit was given to us, so that we can learn and enjoy all the realms of God's abundant life (Psalms 16:11; John 16:13-15; Ephesians 4:13; 2 Timothy 3:17). Set yourself apart to the Lord, and let Holy Spirit lead you!

 

Daily Bread - August 8, 2017

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Tuesday, 08 August 2017 12:38

Romans 5:1 - Therefore, having been made righteous by faith, we have peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. One of the many important concepts that must be grasped with the word 'justified' is given in Proverbs 17:15, "He who justifies (tzadek) the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous are both alike, an abomination to the Lord." When God justified the wicked in the New Testament, He did so by removing all of their wickedness (Colossians 2:11; Romans 6:6). The power of the blood of Jesus removed the effects and penalty of sin that had been committed (2 Peter 1:9; Hebrews 8:12, 10:17; Romans 6:22; Revelation 1:5). God also removed the power and dominion of sin that would continue to drive a person to sin against his or her own will (Romans 6:14; 1 John 3:5, 8; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 2:14; 2 Timothy 1:10; Galatians 1:4). In the New Testament, we may group the concept of being justified into two categories: being self-justified and being justified by God. In the first category, there are examples like a lawyer in Luke 10:25-29 and the Pharisees in Luke 16:14-15. The only way to move from being self-justified to being justified by God is to acknowledge being wrong and thus leave off self-justification. The act of repentance and faith in Christ Jesus then produces the miracle of salvation, which makes one righteous (justified). The ability, then, to live righteously in Christ Jesus through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit results in one being shown to be righteous (justified) (Romans 6:18,22; 2 Corinthians 5:17-18; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 1:21, 3:20). The word 'justified' is also used by Jesus of a person being free from all charges of wrong doing such as those whose words are spoken in truth and purity (Matthew 12:37). Another example is the sinner who, unlike the Pharisee, refused to justify himself (Luke 18:13-14). To be justified one must be forgiven by God. God's forgiveness, provided for us through the blood of Jesus, erases the sin; and, as a result, there is a verdict of innocent. However, if a person then sins after being forgiven by God, then they are guilty and must seek to be forgiven again (1 John 1:9, 2:1; James 1:14-16; Romans 6:23). God does not justify a sinful life style; He justifies the repenting sinner seeking forgiveness. The concept of being justified includes not only being forgiven of sin, but being dead to sin (Romans 6:6-7). When God justifies the wicked man who repents, he puts the sin to death by putting the sinner to death in Christ Jesus (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3; Romans 6:4). Thus, reconciliation -or the exchange of life- takes place (2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Romans 5:10). The sinner exchanges his life of unrighteousness for the life of Christ and His righteousness. The miracle of salvation allows us to be crucified with Christ and buried with Him by baptism into His death, so that we can also be raised up together with Him (Colossians 3:1-4, 2:12; Romans 6:4). The newness of life in that we receive in salvation is the very life of Christ; insomuch that we can say that we no longer live, but Christ lives. Through sharing this life of union with Christ Jesus, we are shown to be righteous (justified) (John 14:20, 17:21-22, 6:56; Colossians 1:27; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:10). The life of Christ becomes our life because Christ Jesus in born into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Colossians 1:27). This life of God imparted to us brings forth a brand new inner person (soul, spirit, heart, mind, and conscience) that is ruled and governed by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:24; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Ezekiel 36:26; Ephesians 6:6; 1 Peter 1:9; John 3:6; Acts 15:9; Hebrews 8:10; 1 Peter 4:2; Hebrews 9:14, 10:22; Philippians 4:7). Spontaneous song from this past Sunday's meetings: Living in realms of Heaven, And not going out! Living in the realms of Glory, And overwhelmed!

 

Daily Bread - August 7, 2017

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Monday, 07 August 2017 11:21

Romans 6:22 - But now having been set free from sin, and being servants to God, you now have your fruit unto holiness, and the end eternal life. Fruits are the expressions of one's conduct and manner of life. When we were the servants of sin, our fruits were the shameful behaviors of iniquity. Now that we are the servants of God, our behavior glorifies God. The fruit of holiness is, in fact, the same as the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, enduring patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (Galatians 5:22-23). These are the evidence that our members are yielded to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, Who is leading and guiding us into all truth produces those things, which pertain unto holiness as we voluntarily yield ourselves to His influence (John 16:13; Romans 6:13; 2 Peter 1:3-11). He is our Teacher Who has come to show us how to function in the nature of God (1 John 3:24; Philippians 2:13; Colossians 1:29; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 3:17). If we will yield ourselves to Him, then we are baptized in His influence (Ephesians 5:18; Romans 6:16, 19; Galatians 5:25). We are not able to bear these fruits of holiness unless we are willing to dwell in Jesus. This life of the Spirit demands that we dwell in Jesus as a branch dwells in a vine, for without Jesus we can do nothing (John 15:5; Romans 7:4; Philippians 1:11). The fruits that were in our lives before we were made a new creation were the fruits of death and of sin (Romans 7:5, 6:20-21; Ephesians 2:1-3). But now, we have the fruit of the Spirit of life -which is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth (Ephesians 5:9). It is essential to recognize that these fruits of holiness are in our lives as an act of submission and obedience to God. When we recognize that we are coming under the influence of unholy emotions, we must submit ourselves to God and bring it to an end. For example, the contrast between the fruit of sorrow and the fruit of joy is easy to discern. When we find our members taken over by the cares and concerns of the world, and sorrow begins to dominate us, we must recognize that we are not yielding ourselves to the Spirit of God. At the very moment we recognize this, we must choose to dwell in Jesus by turning to Him as our Savior and Lord. As we look unto the One Who has come to provide for us, Who is the Author and Finisher of our faith, He comes and rescues us. As we yield our members to God, the joy of the Lord begins to spring up and flow out of us as rivers of living water (John 4:13-14, 7:37-39)! Holiness is defined by that which is consistent with God's nature and character. God Himself is the personification of holiness, and thus is the standard of it. The people of God were placed under a strict command to maintain the honor, reputation, and glory of the holiness that was conferred upon them by God (Leviticus 10:3, 11:44, 45, 19:2, 20:26, 22:32; Numbers 15:40-41, 20:12-13, 27:14; Deuteronomy 7:6, 14:2, 32:51; Isaiah 63:10, 11; Psalms 51:11). In the Old Testament, the holiness of God was emulated in the peoples lives by obeying His commands. In the New Testament, the holiness of God has come into our lives by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Who brings the manifest holiness of God's own Person into our lives as we yield to Him and walk according to His leadership (Galatians 5:16; Romans 8:4, 14).

 

Daily Bread - August 5, 2017

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Friday, 04 August 2017 23:05

2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine yourself to see if you are in the faith. Test yourself; do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you? If not, then you are counterfeit! A living faith has a living Jesus in it. A living faith is a faith that sees and knows with certainty. A living faith interacts in a very personal way with the living Savior, Christ Jesus. Do you realize that Jesus Christ is in you? The faith, which is in Christ Jesus made it possible for Christ Jesus to be in us. When the Spirit of God came upon us, we received more than just a change of heart and spirit; we were given a new heart and a new spirit. Thus, we boldly proclaim that we have been born of God Who formed His son Christ Jesus in us (Galatians 4:19; 1 John 3:24). We, therefore, have both experienced and acknowledge that Christ Jesus lives in us! The miracle power of faith has brought forth the very life of Christ Jesus into our beings (Colossians 1:27; John 17:23; Romans 8:11, 10:8, 13:14; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 10:7, 13:3; 1 Corinthians 6:15; Galatians 2:20, 3:27; Ephesians 3:17, 4:13; Philippians 1:21; Colossians 3:4, 16; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 1:21, 2:17; Galatians 4:19). The faith of God brought forth the life, nature, and acts of Jesus into our lives. It would have been difficult for Paul to use a more harsh word for those who failed the test. To say that one is counterfeit, or reprobate, means that they are both undiscerning and unfit. This word is used of those who have either rejected God, or have been rejected by God (Titus 1:16; Romans 1:28; 2 Timothy 3:8; 1 Corinthians 9:27). Such a one has failed to realize, much less confess, that Christ Jesus is in them. Certainly, Paul did not believe that they would fail the test; but they, indeed, needed to be sobered up because they were drifting upon a sea of jeopardy. If we are going to receive the benefits of faith, then we must believe the Word of God! It is essential that we acknowledge the truth and of the glorious mystery of God that Christ is indeed living in us; for this is the living faith of the living Savior, Who has made us alive together with Him, and in whose life we dwell (Colossians 2:2; 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 5:10; John 15:1-5)! In chapter 11 of the same book, Paul had warned that there were those who were preaching another Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:4). The Jesus that Paul preached was One Who had both risen from the dead and was dwelling in the life of those who had received the miracle of salvation. There is no faith without Jesus, for He is the Author and Finisher of it (Hebrews 12:2)!

 

Daily Bread - August 4, 2017

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Friday, 04 August 2017 12:03

James 4:6 - But He gives more grace. For this reason He said, God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. This is a very serious warning against all of those who choose to continue in pride and rebellion. Although such behavior should only be observed by those who are in the world, many of God's people allow themselves to be influenced by the world. The saints of God are given the divine nature, which has the spirit of humility; yet there is an evil one who goes about seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:11). The spirit of disobedience that is at work in the world attacks the saints with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life (Ephesians 2:1-2; 1 John 2:15-17). The pride of life is the most subtle of all Satan's attacks. The pride of life seeks the interest of self, and always has with it a perfectly justified reason for its arrogant behavior. The most important thing to pay attention to is that pride is the opposite of humility; so, therefore, is easy to spot. The rebellion and arrogance of pride usually manifest themselves at the point of correction. Therefore, many who have come under this demonic influence have a story to tell about how they were hurt or mistreated by someone -and especially those who were over the household of faith, like a pastor. Those who walk under the influence of the pride of life refuse to be governed by the Spirit of God and His ministers. Humility must be in our life if we are going to receive correction and respond in obedience. Otherwise, one of the many things that will result from a prideful heart is a root of bitterness that will spring up and defile many. Just as Satan began to slander God because of the prideful heart that was conceived in him, even so, those who are influenced by him begin to defile many with their slanders. It is easy to walk with the Lord and follow the Holy Spirit: all we have to be willing to do is to walk humbly (Matthew 11:29; Psalm 34:18; Psalm 51:17; Psalm 138:6; Micah 6:8). If we will walk humbly with our God, there will be nothing but grace and mercy. Those who have been born of the Spirit must be willing to continually keep themselves clothed with humility, lest they fall into the snare of the devil (1 Peter 5:5-6; 1 Timothy 3:7; 2 Timothy 2:22-26). We must be careful that we do not wander off in self-will, and begin to despise the authorities that God has placed in our lives to teach us to walk in the ways of God (Ephesians 4:7-16). God's gift of sustaining grace can only be received by those who are willing to recognize their need, and humble themselves under the might correcting hand of God. Most of the time our need is revealed in humbling situations; therefore, it will take humility to respond properly. Those who respond in humility to correction lay a foundation for greater humility, and the grace and honor that it brings (Proverbs 15:33; Proverbs 18:12; Proverbs 22:4). Those who respond arrogantly only create for themselves a hard and impudent heart that leads to more trouble and rebellion (Psalm 18:27; Romans 2:4-6; Hebrews 3-4). If you oppose the government of God, you are opposing God (1 Samuel 8:6-8; Jeremiah 8:8-10; Hosea 4:1-7; Romans 13; Ephesians 4; Hebrews 10:28-39)! Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God!