Ronald Trujillo's Blog

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.  Ephesians 4:17-24

This instructional text we read today we find Paul giving very practical words of instruction and exhortation in how the believers newly converted perhaps, should be walking in the Lord. The Bible is first of all very practical. It won’t ever ask you to do anything beyond the help of God, and will give you very simple and basic instructions in how we ought to do things. So we are told, first of all, walk in a way that is fitting for a child of God. “Walk” expresses daily conduct and refers back to what Paul has said about the believer’s high calling in Christ Jesus (v.1). Meaning to walk worthy of this calling by God in your life, the believer must take his instruction from no where else but from God Himself. And because now you are placed in the body of Christ with other believers, it is important that we don’t revert back to our former ways of living after the flesh, but rather, rely on the indwelling Holy Spirit to help us to walk in the new life in Christ. Were told also not to walk as the Gentiles. That word is used for “heathen,” all the ungodly, unregenerate pagans who walk after the vanity of their mind or who are “empty headed,” because they have their understanding darkened, and are alienated from a life with God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart (v.v. 17-18). The unbeliever is spiritually separated from God, thus ignorant of God’s truth that is available to all mankind.

Being past feeling—Unbelievers are morally insensitive as they continue to live in their lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. Thus the outcome of their lives depicts their sexually impure acts that are results of their insensitivity of what God’s Word says about it, and their wanton lusts for more. Greed— Today the real problems of the world you can trace back to greed. The greed of man, all of the social ills come back to the greed of man. The exploitation of people come from the greed of wanting for myself.

But that is not what you have learned from Christ—As the truth is in Jesus, What did He teach? That we should love one another, even as I have loved you. He taught that love should be the motivating factor behind our lives and behind our actions. And that it should be others centered, not self centered. Too many Christians want to put self first, we talked about it in my last post, “Lord, let me first go and do such and such!”There is no individual kingdoms in the body of Christ, except God’s kingdom from which we yield, and submit to the edifying and building up of others in it, as we do it unto the Lord. Think about it. There are two motivating factors in this world today that move men. You are either motivated by love, or you are motivated by greed. The man apart from Christ is motivated by greed. He cannot ever seek to please God, when he has placed himself in the position to be like a god, with his life’s agenda is to have the most of ____ you fill in the blank. The world has suffered greatly by these kind of actions from powerful men in this life. But the man who is in Christ and is motivated by love for Him, you can see the results within the church, wherever they are who are following the truth that is in Jesus. It is definitely a glorious thing to see the body of Christ, a melting pot of all walks of life knitted together as one. One body in Christ, working together for the glory of God the Father, and for His Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and soon coming King. The truth about Jesus is the truth about salvation that leads to the fullness of truth about God, and man, about creation, and the history of life with it’s original meaning and right relationship standing with God. It also teaches about heaven, and hell, and eternal life, and eternal judgment. And anything else that is truly important for us to know as a Christian believer, and follower of Christ. All that God wants from us, is that we would become more and more dependent upon Him, and His Holy Spirit given unto us, to allow His working in our lives that will help us be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ.

Be renewed in the spirit of your mind—This is the way I am to walk now. After the new man, the new nature that is now in me, is that of Jesus Christ, in righteousness and holiness. The renewal of the mind in salvation brings not simply a renovation of character, but transformation of the old self to the new self. Which was created according to God. In Christ, the old self can now no longer exist as it had in the past, we don’t have to be bound by its former lusts, we can now walk in the newness of life that is patterned after Jesus Christ. And this is the will of God for us, that we no longer be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).

Beloved friend—The Bible says: But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things that are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, that no flesh should glory in His presence (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).God so disdains human wisdom, pride and arrogance, by not ever allowing it as becoming a means of knowing Him, but also by choosing to save the lowly, the humble and contrite man who realizes I have no rights to insist that God save me. But come to God broken, humbled in spirit, realizing I have not kept His commandments, and indeed am a condemned sinner. He does not call many whom the world would call wise, mighty, and noble. God’s wisdom is revealed to the foolish, weak, and common man, those considered as nothing to the elite, who trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. So that God would clearly receive all the glory for His transformation of human lives, and so that we can used by Him to witness to others. This all starts after your conversion on a daily basis when you start your day. Get into His Word, pray in the power of His Spirit, and walk in the sweet fellowship with your Lord. Will you be used by the Lord today? It’s up to you.

May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!

 

“Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went to a far country. Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?” They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render the fruits in their seasons.” Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’? “Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them. But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.  Matthew 21:33-46

Okay everyone reading this, take a deep breath in and exhale. Thank you for reading this rather longer than usual text, but it all flows with what the Lord wants to share with us. You see, God does choose whomever He desires to serve Him and glorify Him in this life. But if we are not willing, if we refuse to believe in the prophecies concerning Him, hanging on to traditions and religious rituals will be no substitute when it comes to serving Christ. Let’s take a look. Jesus was clearly referring to an Old Testament passage by the prophet Isaiah, chapter 5, which would have been familiar to the Jewish leaders. The “vineyard” is a common symbol for the nation of Israel. The minute He announces this vineyard, which was hedged and the winepress and all, this was exactly how Isaiah described the nation of Israel. How God planted the vineyard, and He came to gather the fruit, and all there was, was wild grapes. The owner made every conceivable provision for the vine’s productivity and protection, illustrating the Lord’s purely gracious choice of Israel. And justifiably, He expected a good yield of fruit from His investment. And so He just let the vineyard go into captivity. And they knew that this vineyard was representative of the nation Israel.

Now God did not act without warning. We see from the parable Jesus tells, that the landowner sent servants to the field. These represent all of the prophets God raised up to tell of their coming Messiah, and that Israel as a whole ought to have heeded these men God sent them because these were His messengers, to warn them that they ought to repent. So here we read, after their response to Jesus’ question; when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers? These chief priests and synagogue rulers again trap themselves in their challenging of Jesus’ authority. The son in the parable represents the Lord Jesus Christ, whom they killed by condemning Him to the cross. They pronounced their own judgment upon themselves. The kingdom of Christ, and all of their spiritual advantages would be taken away from them and given to those who would be willing and humble enough to accept them by faith and believe in the redemption offering of Jesus Christ for their sins. The “other vinedressers” symbolizes the church, which consists primarily of Gentiles, Paul wrote in Romans: “salvation has come to the Gentiles” something that the Old Testament had long prophesied when God told Abram: “And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” which was explained that this was all in the sovereign plan of God.

The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone—Jesus took them back to the Messianic Hallel psalms sung at the time of Passover in which also in the New Testament, Peter wrote: “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame,”Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense”(1 Peter 2:6-8). The metaphor “Stone”  Peter used to show that Christ’s position is that of Chief Cornerstone of the New Testament church, foreordained  by God Himself. To every human being, Jesus Christ is either the means of salvation if they believe in Him, or the means of judgment if they reject Him in the message of the gospel. There is no other name by which we must be saved by, and no other foundation upon which we can build upon then of that which the Word of God says is Jesus Christ.

Beloved friend, “Whomever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”  To become a Christian is to fall upon the mercy of God, and be broken of our sin-laden life. We have no hope beyond this life whatsoever without Jesus Christ, He is our Rock of salvation. The spiritual blessings forfeited by Israel as a nation by refusing to believe in Jesus Christ as their promised Messiah are many; one of them being able to bless your families with the wisdom and knowledge of God the Father, through worshiping and obeying His Son, Jesus Christ. Our families are given a great legacy to follow after Christ by faithful godly parents. Children need their Christian role models to be in their home life as they are being raised. Mom’s and dad’s shape their spiritual destiny by introducing them at an early age to their God. Let us never forsake this given privilege given to us by God.

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit (John 15:1-2). The picture of the vinedresser God the Father, getting rid of dead branches so that the living ones, fruit bearing branches may be sharply distinguished. This is a picture of the apostate Christians who never genuinely believed and will be taken away in judgment. Jesus also said earlier in His ministry, “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”(Matthew 7:16-20) Living falsely will have its consequences. Don’t get caught up in any new age beliefs that are currently popular among mankind, these false seeking messages and methods of finding peace, through channeling and becoming one with mother earth will not fare well in the end. God is seeking those who will bear witness to the truth of His Word. And through the believing in His Word can you find the only hope, the only life filled with His peace, and the assurance of your salvation.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are what I need in the Person of Jesus Christ. I want to follow You and receive Your offer of forgiveness of my sins, and live a life that bears the good fruit described in Your written Word. Lord, fill me with the Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control, that are all characteristics of Jesus Christ, Your Son. Thank You Father, that you hear and answer this prayer, In Jesus name, amen.

May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!

 

 

 

 

 

Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him,”Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid my family farewell who are in my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”  Luke 9:57-62

Everything in the Christian life centers on the Lord Jesus Christ. We are not saved to further develop our own plans for our life, but to follow His example and yet that is not what saves us. It was the finished work of the cross for us, and by placing our trust in Him, that He becomes our great pattern of life. In our text today, we see some examples of people who for a better lack of term, needed more knowledge of their commitment and what it means to follow after Christ. Let’s have a closer look. In Luke’s account Jesus and His disciples went into a village of the Samaritans, before Jesus came He sent a few of them ahead to make accommodations for their arrival. Jesus, by now had large parties of people traveling with Him. And so they went into the village of the Samaritans to make preparations and the people there did not receive Him, because it was obvious to them that He was heading towards Jerusalem. For the time of the feast of Passover was approaching. The Samaritans felt that the Passover should be celebrated there on Mount Gerizim, in Samaria since it was the place where Abraham built an altar to sacrifice his son Isaac. And so the Samaritans felt this was the place to worship God. So when Jesus arrived into their village, there was just no hospitality given to Him. And so when the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” And now we know why Jesus called them the sons of thunder. Here is our first example that we are not serving our own rendition of God’s kingdom, but rather, the kingdom of God that already exists, and to follow after the examples of Jesus Christ when we are doing it. But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.”(Luke 9:54-56)

Here is Jesus announcing His purpose for coming to this earth. And so during all of this, there were many eyewitnesses who saw for themselves the model of power and genuine humility from which He taught His disciples. And there response was, hey, where do I sign up! I want to be one of Your followers too! And so to the first fellow, Jesus says to him, “count the cost.” There are a lot people today, who are touched with emotion by the message of the cross. Great evangelical outreaches reach many with the gospel message about having faith in Jesus Christ, and receiving Him into your life as your personal Lord and Savior. Are you though, willing to pay the price? That is what Jesus is telling this first man, “Oh, Lord, I will do anything for You.” Jesus said, I don’t even own the bed I sleep in, are you sure, have you considered at what cost it will be to you? Are you willing to give up everything for Me?

Now the second man, Jesus just said to him, “Follow me.” The first one volunteered, and Jesus warned of the cost, but to this other, He said, “Follow Me.” We know that God does call men still today into the ministry. And the second man said, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” And Jesus response: “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” Does that sound insensitive? Doesn’t Jesus care that we be allowed to bury our loved ones and give them their proper respect? But in this case, the term would be referring to a procrastination. It didn’t mean that your father is dead, it is a phrase that is still used today, he meant rather, I want to stick around my home for a while, and wait until at least my father has lived out his life, then I will come and follow You. Burials at that time were done the very next day. So in sense he is telling Jesus, maybe one day, I will answer Your calling.

Not good. We cannot ever justify procrastinating our entering a life of faith, and become born again. The Bible makes it clear, “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2) Paul wrote to the Corinthians a quote from Isaiah 49:8, he was passionately concerned that they adhere to the truth of sound doctrine because it was God’s time to save them and that he and others with him were just the messengers for helping spread that message.

So then there is this third man, who wants to go back to his house and bid his family farewell. Sounds reasonable doesn’t it? Jesus said to him, “No man having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” It takes commitment, a total commitment to Jesus Christ, and Him only. It may cost you your family relationships. You can never go forward looking backwards.

Beloved friend, If you are a Christian today, I don’t have to remind you of the importance of counting the costs to follow after Christ. The Bible says, we are to deny ourselves take up our cross, and follow Him. While the cost may seem extreme, it is essential, of utmost importance to trust that God has already worked out why it is essential. For one thing, If you’re like me, then you’ve been praying for loved ones in your home or in your families to come to Christ. It is important to realize that they are watching you in your behavior, in your commitment of trust in the Lord. How we handle adversity  and times of trials and testing. Yet, it is through these tough times that we are becoming stronger in Christ. This world has nothing to offer us that could ever match the priceless grace and peace that has already been given to us in Christ Jesus. Let His love and life be seen in you, as we follow after His patterns for living. And God will bring others to Himself from our witness and faithfulness. Praise God!

May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!

 

 

 

The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ The King of Israel!” Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: “Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey’s colt.” His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him. (John 12:12-16)

This section of text marks Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It is one of the few actions in the life of Jesus that is recorded in all four of the gospels. By this action Jesus presented Himself officially to the nation of Israel as their promised coming Messiah and Son of God. The Sanhedrin and the other Jewish leaders wanted Him dead, but not during the time of Passover due to the large crowds gathered from all over Israel for the feasts. In whom among them Jesus was very much favored and wanted by them. Jesus entered the city on His own appointed time and forced the issue that it might happen exactly on the Passover day when the lambs were being sacrificed. Paul, in writing to the church at Corinth, detailing instructions for the church for its sanctification and purging away of the “little leaven which leavens the whole lump” reminded them that sin tolerated will eventually permeate and corrupt the whole church. Then he said, “For indeed, Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” (1 Corinthians 5:6-7)

Passover Feasts—Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance. (Exodus 12:13-14) The details how the Passover Day was to be memorialized in future years were laid down by God through Moses, then repeated in the instructions to the elders. This unblemished firstborn male lamb, was what Jesus was to mankind. We needed a Savior, who met all the requirements of God the Father, in that it would have to be without sin. Jesus was the only person who could qualify because He lived a sinless life amongst the people of His day. At the fullness of God’s time, He came into the world as prophesied in the Scriptures and was our Passover Lamb.

And so knowing that Jesus was going to be coming from Bethany, having to come down from Mount of Olives, they went over to the path that comes from Bethany, down to the Mount of Olives into the Kidron valley to Jerusalem. And as Jesus was coming by the prophesied mode of transportation, “Lowly, riding on a foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9), they greeted Him, waving and laying down palm branches before Him. And so, we have Palm Sunday as the day we commemorate Jesus’ Messianic entry into Jerusalem, the Sunday before the crucifixion. And they were crying the 118th Psalm, “Hosanna!” “Save Now!” is what the word means in Hebrew. “Blessed is the King of Israel that comes in the name of the Lord!” The evidence of date palms was plentiful, in that they still grow in Jerusalem today. For the last two centuries, the waving of the palm branches had become a national, if not nationalistic symbol, which signaled the fervent hope that a messianic liberator was arriving on scene. Hosanna!—A transliteration of a Hebrew word that means “give salvation now.” It was a term of acclamation or praise sung in the familiar Jewish Hallel psalms 113-118, sung each morning by the temple choir during the Feast of Tabernacles, and associated with the Feast of Dedication especially the Passover.

Beloved friend, Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem is so significant that no believer should ever take lightly. It was His revealing of Himself as Israel’s promised coming Messiah. It was Jesus proclaiming Himself as the Son of God, and rightful King of the Jews. It was believed among the most common and lowliest people of Israel at that time who witnessed Jesus’ miracles like the calling of Lazarus from his tomb and raised him from the dead. They were looking for Him in their return to Jerusalem during the Passover feast. Yet, it was the high priest’s, the rulers of the synagogue’s that hated Him, that wanted Him dead. They were afraid that the crowds were turning away from their authority, and turning to Jesus, and His claim to be their Messiah. It was during this time that Jesus declares, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” (John 12:23-28) As a sown kernel of wheat dies to bring forth a rich harvest, so also the death of the Son of God will result in the salvation of many. Not only is the principle of death applicable to Jesus, but also it is applicable to His followers. They too may have to lose their life in service and witness of Him (Hebrews 11:30-39). Jesus Christ came to this earth to die for the sins of mankind. So that we may be saved from the judgment of hell. His righteous soul became even troubled as He was fully human, yet without sin, as He contemplated taking on the wrath of God the Father’s judgment of sin upon Himself. Nevertheless, He can be quoted as saying, “Not My will Father, But Thy will be done!” We are truly blessed as believers today to have so much love be given to such an underserving people, yet, that is why there is so much hope in the gospels. It is declaring God’s love for us, by the coming of Jesus Christ. We should see that His passion week as a remarkable event that has changed our destinies forever. Be blessed by “Good Friday,” His death for us on the cross. Remorse over your sins that you have been forgiven from. Then rejoice over the empty tomb, and the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! It is the glorious account of victory over death, and hell, and Satan in this world. Sing unto Him Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Our King of kings, and Lord of lords! Hallelujah!

May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!

 

 

Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?” Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?”  John 7:14-19

By this time Jesus reputation has grown. Much of the leadership of Israel had publicly declared, that if anyone should acknowledge that Jesus was the Messiah they would be put out of the synagogue. And there was a division amongst themselves because a lot of people had already been touched and healed by Jesus. And so they are saying, “He is a good Man.” And yet, still others are saying, “Oh no, He is a deceiver. And He is deceiving the people.” And this was what the atmosphere was like during the feast. Now the Bible doesn’t say why Jesus didn’t arrive sooner, but rather during the middle of the feast. The last of the sacred festivals under the Old covenant before the exile, the Feast of Tabernacles began five days after the Day of Atonement and lasted a full seven days. It marked the completion of the harvest and historically commemorated the Israelite’s wanderings in the wilderness from the book of Exodus. During this festival, the people lived in booths and tents in Jerusalem to remind themselves of how their forefathers camped in the desert. The sacrifices of this feast were more numerous than at any other time, and the event was popular and joyous in nature.

It was against this backdrop that Jesus revealed the source of His teaching in our text today. Standing in the temple court, in the midst of the aroma and smoke of the sacrifices punctuating the air, God the Son boldly declared that His words came from God the Father—a claim filled with truth, but foreign and unacceptable to most of His listeners. And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?” This is like me going into a college professor’s lecture on astrophysics, and lecturing him on his own life’s study. It would be absurd for me to try that! But not for Jesus. The increasing hostility towards Him did not prevent His teaching ministry. Instead, Jesus relentlessly set forth His claims regarding His identity and mission and taught with authority from the Scriptures. During the Feast of Tabernacles, is when Jews from all over Israel would gather to Jerusalem,  Jesus having His audience in place, took advantage of His time there. If it was at the beginning of the Feast, maybe everyone who was suppose to be there to hear Jesus was not in place yet?

My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me—“You want to know how I learned? The doctrine I teach isn’t Mine, but it is from Him who sent Me.” Jesus is now declaring in accordance with the prophesy of the Scriptures, that I have been sent to you. Now if any man do His will, he shall know this to be true. And this is true of us even today. If any man would pursue after the knowledge of God, by reading the Scriptures, he would come away with Biblical truth that would be transforming, because the Word of God is living and powerful, and is sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). The Word of God is a comfort and is nourishing to those who believe, but it will bring also the execution of judgment to any of those who do not believe in it, nor believe their need of forgiveness for their sins, and accept Jesus Christ offer of His life for the atonement of their sins. It can’t be merely intellectually, or else the same attitude of pride would result likened to the synagogue teachers in Jesus day, who believed their salvation was in keeping of the Law of Moses. No, Conviction of the heart, is the result of the reading and studying of the Bible. But the Good News is that I can be saved from my sinful state. And I can now have a relationship to God the Father, through His Son, Jesus Christ, and walk in fellowship with Him.

Those who are fundamentally committed to doing God’s will, will also be guided by Him through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. This is how we will be guided into all truth. By believing in Jesus and His Word, and then allowing for the Holy Spirit to be at work in us for the transforming of our lives. God’s truth is self-authenticating through the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit. When He, the Spirit of the truth has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come (John 16:13). This inspired New Testament writing is pointing to the supernatural revelation whereby all truth has come from God who has reveled Himself in Christ, who was the theme of the Old Testament as their coming Messiah. A truth verified whenever the New Testament is read. It’s not so different today; our role as a child of God is to become so literate in your knowledge of the Word of God that you can teach His truth, and manifest His love to whoever will listen, sharing your testimony of how God’s Word penetrated your heart, and delivered you from the snares of this world’s system. Be joyous in your witness, celebrate Jesus in your daily activities and enjoy your freedoms of living under the security and power of the Holy Spirit, as He reveals all truth to you.

Beloved friend, If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God (Deuteronomy 21:22-23). Being hung on a tree in the Old Testament was a sign of being cursed. Yet, Romans 5:12 tell us that the punishment of sin is death; that means we as sinners deserve that curse. Instead God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to this world. If Christ wasn’t cursed for us by being hung on a tree, meaning the cross, then we would still have a debt to pay and a curse to live under. In other words, we owed a debt we could not pay. But Jesus came to pay our debt He did not own. We are no longer slaves to sin, nor to this world (Egypt), where we have to live in bondage, now we can live in righteousness and holiness, and in true fellowship with God. This is our statement, this is our theme in life: That Jesus Christ came to rescue sinners from their sins, and to deliver us from Satan and hell’s damnation. Why would we not want to celebrate our Lord Jesus Christ! His name is to be our banner and victory! Hallelujah! Prayer: Father God, let us find strength and comfort and inspiration in knowing that You are with us. And that Your righteousness prevails in every situation which gives us hope and confidence in the future as we walk with You, In Jesus name, Amen.

May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!

 

 

 

 

 

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.” For the sake of my companions, I will now say, “Peace be within you.” Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek your good.  Psalm 122:6-9

The psalmist David, was not praying for his own peace and prosperity, but that of his brethren and friends. Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, who’s name by the way means “peace,” is appropriate because Jerusalem is Israel’s capitol and is the residency of the God of peace (Isaiah 9:6). The Bible has a lot to say about the peace and blessings for His people Israel, and for those who support her. Let’s have a closer look. In Genesis 12, God declares a promise that extends through out the whole Bible, we read in verse 1: Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12-1-3) Now God is establishing a covenant with Abram (soon God extends his name to Abraham), But first, he had to get out of his own country, out of his father’s house, and leave his old life of idolatry behind. God was now introducing Abram to Himself as His only source and provider the One true God, and go to a land He would provide for Him. And He would show Abram how to get there, and make him into a “great nation.” And all of these promises God fulfilled in Abraham: “I will bless you, I will make thy name great; and you shall be a blessing (Gen.12:2). So Abraham did become a great nation, God had also blessed His name and made him great, honored and respected.

And we find out it is an everlasting covenant. “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee: and in thee shall all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Gen.12:3) And from here is the promise of the coming Messiah who would come through Abraham’s offspring. Not just the Jews but all the families of the earth will be blessed by the arriving of Jesus Christ. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). It is an everlasting covenant which contains four elements: 1) Seed where it refers to Christ: “No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you. Also I give to and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God” (Genesis 17:5-8).  From what we read we get the 2nd) the establishing through Abraham the land. And 3rd) That it would become a nation we know as Israel. And finally 4th) A divine blessing would God give it with His protection. Now this covenant is unconditional in the sense of its ultimate fulfillment of a kingdom and salvation for Israel, but conditional in terms of immediate fulfillment.

Now in the New Testament, we read that Paul makes its spiritual importance based on what God did through Abraham’s response to all of this: And he (Abraham) believed in the Lord, and He (God) accounted it to him for righteousness. The apostle Paul quoted these words as an illustration of faith over and against works (Romans 4:3, Galatians 3:6), Abram was justified by faith! And so our we today. Our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, who is our salvation. When we are obedient to the Word of God, there comes with it a great blessing. Here is where we started today. Do you pray for the peace and prosperity of the people in your local “house of God, Your church family?” Do you pray for God’s people Israel? One day the True Prince of Peace will rule this earth again, and when He rules, there will be true peace in Jerusalem.

Beloved friend, David’s psalm is a model of intercessory prayer. God still honors when we intercede in prayer on behalf of others. I want the assurance that if I should be called by God home to be with Him, And I leave this earth, that My family, my wife and children, my son’s in law, and daughter’s in law, my grandchildren would all have their faith rooted and grounded in Christ for their salvation. I want to live without ever regretting that the time I spent on their behalf in prayer, God took very seriously, and honored my prayer requests for them. So that my life’s legacy would be a reminder to them that their faith will be strong enough to keep them steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). For the hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ makes all the efforts and sacrifices in the Lord’s work worthwhile. No work done in His name is ever wasted in light of eternal glory and coming reward. Prayer: Lord Jesus, like what we learned from Abraham, You grant us far more than what we could ever ask for. Thank You for the blessed assurance of Your love and peace You promised to give us who come to You in faith. For we know Your promises are as real and assured of as that of Your servant Abrahams. Let it be all for Your glory and honor, amen.

May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!

 

Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Luke 22:24-30

The lessons we learn in life could summarize all we would want to be like if we would only follow through with what we are shown, and humbly obey what the Lord is showing us. In this case, it is a reminder to us all how selfishly and often times egotistical of man to put himself in a place of honor, when truly what we are stepping into is the scene in which, Jesus is just finishing tell His disciples of His going to the cross. But how important it is for Him to want to eat this supper with His disciples before this suffering is to come to pass. There reasons could have come from being a part of Jesus washing their feet, and telling them of this example He has given to them, that they should do likewise (John 13:15). Jesus purpose of this example was to establish the model of loving humility. So here Jesus is telling them, “Look, I’ve really wanted to eat this Passover supper with you before I suffer. Now this bread is My body; it’s going to be broken for you. This cup is My blood; it’s going to be shed for the remission of sins. This is going to be the new covenant.” He is really now starting to focus on what is ahead of Him. The suffering of the cross. And all His disciples seem to be concerned about, which among themselves is going to be the greatest when He establishes His kingdom.

Benefactors—The kings of Gentiles exercise lordship over them: The word in the New Testament for “Gentiles,” is equivalent to “heathen.” And their lordship of the Israelites was called benefactors. No different today, when you’ve earned a bonus, or inherited a large sum of money, the government comes along and takes nearly half and says, I am your benefactor. In Jesus day, these people portrayed themselves as champions of their people, but it had a very condescending ring to it, especially since so many were really ruthless greedy tyrants, and tax collectors.

But not so among you—The followers of Christ were not to be likened to this type of people. Their greatness was not to come from a worldly standard. Just as today, we are not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2). Jesus is teaching that the true path to greatness is the path of serving, rather than being served. One who even if necessary endures suffering to bring glory to God. Too many ministers have the wrong concept of the ministry. They fail to see the servanthood of the ministry as vital not only among their congregations, but in their communities as well. They come to the place probably because of their wealth, where they expect preferential treatment wherever they go. Not so! In reality, as a minister, you serve the Lord Jesus Christ, and as His bondservant, you serve others willing, without expecting anything in return. You must become servant of all. Now Gentile leaders loved to rule over people. They loved dominion over other people’s lives. But Jesus said, “It shall not be that way among you. You need to learn to be servants of all.”

Continue with Me in My trials—Christ’s entire life and ministry were filled with temptations and trials of hardships, and of course sorrows. And because the life of a Christian is a life of perseverance there awaits at the end of it, a reward in the Father’s kingdom. In this case, we are witnessing the bestowing of the places of honor on the 12 chosen apostles, even though Judas Iscariot, would not be one of them as it was prophesied in the Scriptures. Jesus is saying to them, “You are those who have continued with Me and My temptations. And I appoint you a kingdom, just as My Father has appointed one to Me; that you may eat and drink at My table in the kingdom, and sit on the thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (vv.28-30). Jesus is confirming the disciples expectation of an earthly kingdom yet to come. It will not come in the timing or in the manner in which they would expect it to, but Jesus affirmed  the promise that such a kingdom would indeed one day be established. And they would have a principle role of judging their fellow Israelites when they are seated there. Truly a glorious statement to meditate on. The Christian life is one that endures hardships now, yet, the best is yet to come.

Beloved friend, We are heading into a new month, we will soon be celebrating Passover, remembering our Lord’s sacrifice on Good Friday, and celebrating with Christians around the world of the Lord’s resurrection! The tomb is empty. Praise God that He has included us in His heavenly kingdom, and has gone ahead of us to prepare a place for us there. That where He is there we will be also. It is glorious to know how secure our future is for all eternity in this uncertain and very lost world. People have no idea of the coming judgment on this world. If you and I would live with the kingdom viewpoint, perhaps we would make an impact on those who are outside the family of God. I read the story of Nicholas Herman (1611-1691) who was a Carmelite mystic born in France who became a Christian at the age of 18. He became a lay brother of an order of Carmelites in Paris where he worked in the kitchen as a “servant to the servants of God” until his death. He is best known though, for his little book of sayings, published under the name Brother Lawrence, called “The Practice of the Presence of God.” When he lay on his deathbed, Brother Lawrence said to those around him, “I am not dying. I am just doing what I have been doing for the past 40 years, and doing what I expect to be doing for all eternity.” When someone asked, “What is that?” Brother Lawrence replied, “I am worshipping the God I love! ” Friends, can we do the same? Love the Lord with all of our hearts for what He has done for us? Will we be praying earnestly that He be gracious and merciful to our unsaved families and friends as we gather together for these approaching holidays. Just the way He was merciful and gracious to us? Let us enter in our Father’s kingdom without any regrets of not doing our Father’s will. Let His standard of service to Him be ours as well. When He rewards us, it will be fair and just.

Prayer, Father God, Once again, thank You for Your salvation, Your resurrection and the cross. We see our sin debt as paid in full, and want You to help us live our earthly lives for Your kingdom and righteousness, and be a great blessing to others, In Jesus’ name, amen.

May the Lord bless your walk with Him today! 

 

 

 

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shinning, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid. And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.          Mark 9:2-8

There is at times just a great feeling of being loved by God whenever He reveals something to you in your heart. What I mean is, just like when someone close to you confides in you something of a personal nature usually its because you display the integral character of someone in whom they have trust in. Someone in whom they can confide in and know it will be received with understanding that what you are expressing is what is in your heart, and then using the best intention of responding with love and care for what that person’s need is. Well, need less to say, God does not need my help nor advice for anything. But that is what I am referring to; Yet, He still reveals great truths that come from His heart to us.

Peter, James, and John—As the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples, these three were sometimes allowed to witness events that the other disciples were not. We know that God is not a respecter of persons, meaning He doesn’t show favoritism in His dealings with man. God is fair and just in His actions and judgment. As Jesus led the 3 men up the mountain, Mount Hermon, about 9,200 feet above sea level is the highest mountain in the area of Caesarea Philippi. Now I’m sure while they were walking up that mountain that would not have ever guessed what was about to take place. Has that ever happened to you? God doesn’t have to perform any type of miraculous event for us today, but Has He ever made Himself so real to you, that You’ve felt His presence in your situation? What I desire is that intimate walk with the Lord, so if He should choose to, He could reveal His heart over what concerns me, and my situation. I just think that the three disciples must have thought at first, “no way is this really happening!” Then, Perhaps afterwards, the reality of being so included in something as God the Father’s heart being revealed toward His Son, Jesus Christ. Wow! Think about it for a moment. In this New Testament passage, we get to comprehend the depth of a Father’s love for His Son. Who happens to be the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and every living thing. The One who knows the magnitude of the universe and its span, brought down to His simple declaration of His love for His Son, in whom He is well pleased.

Transfigured—From the Greek word meaning “to change in form,” In some inexplicable way, Jesus revealed His divine glory. Later in his life, Peter wrote in his second epistle, For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty (2 Peter 1:16). In one sense, all of the apostles were eyewitnesses to Christ’s majesty, especially His miracles, His resurrection body, and His ascension up to heaven. Peter, however, is referring to his privileged account of being in the presence of a transfigured Christ. The kingdom splendor of His majesty revealed at this event was intended as a preview of His majesty to be manifested at His second coming. It must be noted then, that Jesus earthly ministry of healing, teaching, and gathering souls into His kingdom was preview also, of the character of the earthly kingdom He will establish at His return. The divine glory of Jesus emanating from His body made even His clothes radiate a brilliant white light, no man made laundry detergent could ever make us this clean.

Elijah. . .with Moses—Symbolic of the Old Testament Prophets and the Law, these two great divisions of Old Testament order is subject to Jesus, who fulfilled the Law of Moses, and of the Prophets (Matthew 5:17).

Now the title “Rabbi,” is a title of esteem and honor given by the Jews to respected teachers. So when Peter feels compelled to say something, perhaps it was to want to honor Jesus, and His company of Old Testament saints, in suggesting he would make three tabernacles, so we could stay here permanently! He could have felt the future kingdom of God had arrived, and well, I should do something! It is all speculation of course. But I think when the Lord’s kingdom comes down from heaven, it will be perfect. It won’t need anything added to it by mankind. Jesus tells us, In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:2-3). Nowhere is Jesus saying, I will need your help in this. No, He will go before us, He will prepare a place for us, He will return for us, and take us to be with Him. Jesus does it all for us!

A cloud . . .overshadowed them—This glory of God appears in the Old Testament at Mount Sinai, when God was giving instruction to Moses. You remember His face glowed when he came down from the mountain. This was known as “Shekinah glory” that God’s presence was felt and its afterglow was the result. The Father’s voice in that cloud cut off Peter’s fumbling at saying the right words. This is My beloved Son—God the Father repeated the affirmation of His love for the Son given first in the New Testament at Jesus’ baptism: Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11) This voice allowed its audience at Jesus’ baptism of His Messianic prophesies, like for instance, (Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 42:1).

Beloved friend, I feel as though if were honest, the average Christian doesn’t give the Lord enough of his undivided heart to wait for, and be still before the Lord. To hear from the heart of God what His will is for us in the present moment. We know we have the “Great Commission” given to us by Jesus to tell the world about Him. But for many believers we still are just too busy to hear from God. To walk with Him in intimate fellowship is a constant and conscious effort of freely letting go of your life into the hands of God. But perhaps today we could do something about it. Hear Him!—This is the voice of God the Father’s instruction to us in His written revealed Word. Jesus, the One to whom the Law and the Prophets pointed to (Deuteronomy 18:15), is the One whom the disciples in our text, as well as us believers today, are to listen to and obey.

May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!

 

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.  1 John 3:14-15

Our history is filled with stories of persecution of the saints who follow after Christ by the world. This shouldn’t come as surprise to the believers today because we see the onslaught with which it takes on its identity, which is the way of Satan who is described as the “father of all lies,” (John 8:44). A son will manifest his father’s characteristics, Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, Be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma (5:1-2). A Christian has no greater calling or purpose than that of imitating his Lord. On the other hand, since the Jews exhibited the patterns of Satan in their hostility toward Jesus and their failure to believe in Him as their Messiah, their paternity behavior was the exact opposite of their claims, that they were justified at their obeying the Law of Moses. Satan was described by Jesus Himself as a “murderer from the beginning.” This is referring to the fall after Satan tempted Adam and Eve and successfully killed their spiritual life (Genesis 2:17; 3:17-24).

Everything Jesus was, everything He taught, and everything He did, was a manifestation of God’s love. This love of God enriches the lives of everyone who allows Him to pour it into their hearts through the working of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Becoming a Christian is a resurrection from death to life, and a turning from hate to love. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love (Galatians 5:6). What is done externally for God is worthless, unless it is accompanied by a genuine internal righteousness imparted by God to the believer. Saving faith in the life of a believer proves its genuine character by works of love for God and Christ.

A lack of love however, indicates that one is spiritually dead. Why, you may ask? That’s because love, unfeigned love is the sure test of whether someone has experienced the new birth and light of eternal life in Christ, or is still in darkness of spiritual death. Someone who is characterized by hatred has never experienced the love God has offered them through His Son.

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (1 John 3:16)—With this phrase, John introduces the standard of love that is reflected in genuine Christianity. It becomes the measuring stick for every expression of love which is not just in words, but in deeds and in truth (1 John 3:18). When the love of God is a powerful force in your life and His love in you is reaching out to others, your own life is enriched in a way you never would have thought possible. That’s where the real blessings come from, not what I do for God. But what God does through me. It will never be enough in this all too short and brief life, if all I ever do is to pursue what pleasures me. Ask Solomon, who had everything in this life beyond what anyone could ever want. Yet, afterwards when his life was coming to an end, he was filled with a dissatisfaction that could only be described by him as “meaningless, and chasing after the wind.”

Beloved friend, This brief devotion is merely scratching the surface of all that God is wanting to do in the life of a believer. To devote yourself to wanting to know God, and know His great love for you through His Son, Jesus Christ. We only have to look to the cross, and there we find as we read and study His Word, the revealing of God’s unmerited love for you, and for those whom you love, will become more real than ever before. The simple transformation one has who has an encounter with God by faith, in the revealed Word of His truth, and His great care for His children, can only be a challenge to you to seek Him and find out for yourselves. There can be no other place to go to in this life, where not only is God revealing Himself to us, but also lets us see our own depravity and need of His offer of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.  Prayer: Father God, through the wonders of Your great love, and transforming power of Your Holy Spirit in my life, do what is impossible for me to do for myself. And enrich my life through Your redeeming love for me. For Your glory, and my good, amen.

May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!

 

 

 

We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: “in an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.  2 Corinthians 6:1-10

When you tell someone you are a Christian, how far do you go in revealing what Christ has done for you? How in depth do you elaborate the calling or kind of ministry the Lord has equipped you for? How urgent is your message at telling others their need of being saved? These are the subjects of what Paul refers to on the subject his ministry for Jesus Christ. The first point is his position, being joined with Christ. Workers together with Him—And then pleading with his readers “not to receive God’s grace in vain,” Most of the Corinthian believers were saved but hindered by legalistic teaching regarding sanctification. Some were not even truly saved but deceived by a gospel of works (Galatians 5:4), which was being taught by the false teachers in that day. In either case, Paul’s proclamation of the gospel of grace would not have been having its desired effect, and would have had cause for serious concern that his many months of ministry at Corinth would have been in vain. Now is the day of salvation—Paul applied Isaiah’s words to the present situation that there is a time in God’s economy when He listens to repentant sinners, who ask for His mercy and seek His forgiveness for their sins. And it was then, and still is now, that time that we are living in known as, the age of grace. Solomon wrote in Proverbs, Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. (Prov.1:23) In this call to wisdom, God promises the spirit or essence of true wisdom that is linked to divine revelation to those who repent from their sin laden life. So Paul’s emphasis of “Today,” as the day of salvation is because there will be an end to that time when anyone can freely come to God in true repentance and Godly sorrow.

We give no offense in anything—Jesus gave His disciples a very strict warning that not everyone will accept your gospel message. If fact, be prepared for those who will hate you because of Me. Like Paul, any believer who engages in a faithful ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20) should expect to be rejected and accepted, to be hated and loved, to encounter joy and hardship. The faithful ambassador for Christ does nothing to discredit his ministry, but everything he can to protect its integrity.

We commend ourselves—The word “commend” means “introduce” with the connotation of proving oneself. The most convincing proof is the patient endurance of character reflected in Paul’s hardships and nature of his ministry. These marks of ministry can be seen in three ways: First of all, In the physical sense. In much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings (vv.4-5); The preposition (in) talking about the physical sufferings and hardships that he endured as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Then changing the word to (by) he speaks now of  mental things that he endured: by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love. Then from there, Paul speaks of the third mark of his ministry, the spiritual things of importance and of the righteousness God had granted him through the Holy Spirit. These spiritual things: By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and the left, (vv.6-7). So the ministry, the proof of ministry, it’s marks it left in the life of Paul, these characteristics of ministry God gives to all of His faithful ministers even today who serve the Lord and their fellow man. These interesting contrasts that take place within the ministry; “Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, yet I possess everything.” All because I possess Christ. Or maybe it should be said, Because Christ possesses me. I have surrendered my life unto Jesus Christ, The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)

Beloved friend, The mark of ministry that has genuine character and is effective in this world is paradoxical and therefore must never be trying to conform itself to fit or be like the world’s standards, but rather, must take if necessary the hard stance in which God’s word will not ever be compromised even if it brings much persecution with it. We must prepare ourselves through prayer, and with the reading and studying of His Word. God’s Word must take deep lodging in our hearts, and become synonymous with our actions and responses in everyday life. We need to take the warning seriously on the subject of purity, the enemy of our souls will do all he can to get you to compromise your purity in lieu of popularity. The tactics of spiritual warfare are ever present today, as they were when they wrote them to warn the believers about it during the first century church. The marks of your ministry will be what is part of the cost at being called a disciple of Jesus Christ. Knowing whom you’ve received it from, should be enough evidence and proof that the Lord Jesus Christ has equipped you for this ministry, and will provide all of what is needed in His written Word to allow you to fulfill your ministry. Praise His name, go out and make it count for the kingdom and glory of God. Prayer: Lord Jesus, I don’t want to “act important,” but rather I want to be an important vessel You use in furthering the gospel to our world. In Jesus Name, amen.

May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!