Daily Bread| Daily Bread MAY/18/13 |
| Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen |
| Sunday, 19 May 2013 13:35 |
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1 Thessalonians 2:12 - And pleading with you to behave worthy of God, who has called you to his own kingdom and glory. The kind of behavior that we should have is that which proves that we are being led by the Spirit of Holiness. The behavior that is worthy of God is the life and conduct of the Lord Jesus Christ; whose example we are to follow, and whose life we are to live (1 Peter 2:21-22; John 13:15; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15). We are to bear the good fruits of a life that has a dependent kind of relationship; a total dependency upon the Lord Jesus (John 15:1-5; John 15:16; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:1,7; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; Romans 13:13; Revelation 22:11). God has put forth a general call to all mankind, giving us all the blessed opportunity to walk in His kingdom and glory; but then there is the response of obedience that each individual must have to such a glorious privilege. The proper response and conduct that the saints should have is outlined in great detail throughout the New Testament (ex: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12; 2 Peter 1:3-11;Ephesians 4:1-6; Ephesians 4:17; Ephesians 5:3-5; 1 Timothy 6:11; 1 Timothy 6:13-14; Titus 2:12; Romans 6:19; Galatians 5:16; 3 John 1:11; Philippians 3:20; 1 Peter 2:12). Any inconsistencies in our lives reflect shamefully on the Lord Jesus Christ, and cause the name of God to be blasphemed among the nations. (Romans 2:24; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Timothy 5:14; 1 Timothy 6:1,5; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-7; 2 Thessalonians 3:14; 1 Corinthians 5:4-5, 1 Corinthians 5:11-13; Matthew 18:7,17;Romans 16:17; 2 Timothy 3:5; Hebrews 10:29; Hebrews 12:15; Titus 2:5). If we know that the judgment of God is coming upon all who do iniquity - then we should live godly and holy lives (Ephesians 5:6; Romans 1:18; Romans 2:5; Colossians 3:6; 2 Peter 3:11). |
| Daily Bread MAY/17/13 |
| Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen |
| Friday, 17 May 2013 08:01 |
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1 Corinthians 12:11 - And these are all activated by one and the same Spirit, who distributes to each one individually, according to his will. Every one of the charismata are activated by the Holy Spirit. These manifestations of the Spirit do not take place according to our will, but rather according to the will of God. It is God who activates all of these in everyone (1 Corinthians 12:6). He is the one who breathes in the inspiration and the ability to function in these demonstrations of power; so that Jesus might be revealed, the gospel preached, and the kingdom of God advanced (John 16:14; Acts 1:8; Acts 4:33). The Holy Spirit, who came to empower us so that Jesus might be revealed through our lives, is the One who decides what should happen, and when it should happen. This dynamic of dependency was demonstrated to us by Jesus, who did nothing of Himself, but only what he heard and saw the Father do (John 5:19,30; John 8:28; John 12:28). When the Holy Spirit came upon those gathered in the upper room, they all began to speak with other tongues; as He gave them the ability to speak (Acts 2:4). Paul reminded the Galatians that the one who worked miracles by the Spirit did so by the faith that was heard (Galatians 3:5). If we want to learn to function in the purity and glory of these acts which testify of the risen Savior, then we must learn how to be led by the Spirit - and how to yield to Him in complete and total dependency to His will and to His way. |
| Daily Bread MAY/16/13 |
| Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen |
| Thursday, 16 May 2013 15:14 |
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Galatians 3:11 - Now it is evident that no one is made righteous in the sight of God by the law; for the righteous live by faith! It is not possible to fully comprehend the breadth of what Paul is describing unless we address Habakkuk 2:4, which is the Old Testament scriptural reference for "the righteous live by faith." We must also consider the example of Abraham, who is the father of faith, if we are to truly grasp the meaning of faith. Now, Habakkuk 2:4 addresses those who are self-reliant and are puffed up with their own ability, but ends with the description of those who trust in God "Behold the one with a puffed up soul is not upright in him, but the righteous will live by his faithfulness" (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17). The Hebrew word used in this verse of scripture means "faithfulness" (emuna). One may wonder whose faithfulness is being referred to - is it the faithfulness of God, or the faithfulness of man? The answer would be both. God expects us to rely upon His faithfulness; and then in turn to trust Him, and do what He tells us to do (Psalm 36:5; Psalm 37:3; Psalm 40:10; Psalm 89:8; Psalm 119:86; Jeremiah 17:7). The foundation of relying on God's faithfulness is that He is trustworthy (Deuteronomy 7:9; Isaiah 26:3-4; Psalm 84:12). Trusting in God is the underpinning of the entire relationship of God with man, and the foundation of the meaning of faith. God also expects us to be faithful (Psalm 5:9; Psalm 12:1; Psalm 31:23; Jeremiah 9:3). In the Old Testament there is no greater example of a person who trusted in God's faithfulness - and was also faithful to God - than Abraham. Abraham was referred to as the father of faith, and as the example of what it means to be righteous before God (Romans 4:11,16). Abraham believed (Hebrew: 'aman') God, and it was accredited to Him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3). The life of Abraham gives us a glowing example of one who did not stagger at the promises of God, but counted God faithful who had promised. He was the one who was willing to trust God, and leave his family and home, and follow after the ways of the Almighty; so that He might receive a divine inheritance (Hebrews 11:8,17). The Hebrew word used to describe Abraham's faith is related to the word used in Habakkuk 2:4 (aman). Jesus also used this word many times in His sayings to express absolute certainty; translated in many bibles as "verily" (occurring about 78 times in the gospels ex: Matthew 5:18,26; Matthew 6:2,5,16; Matthew 8:10; etc.). There is only absolute certainty in the faith that God supplies to us. There is not a shadow of doubt about God and His promises in the faith that springs up from trusting in God and relying upon His faithfulness (Matthew 14:31; Matthew 21:21; Mark 11:23). There is no place for wavering or uncertainty when we come to know God and His devoted love for us (James 1:6-8; Romans 4:20-21). As we walk with God, we will discover that we do not have to rely upon ourselves - but we can rely upon the Amen God - who will be faithful to all of His promises, for all of His promises are "Yes" and "Amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20; Revelation 3:14). Therefore, all of those who are righteous are those who rely upon God's faithfulness to keep His promises, and who in turn faithfully obey those things that God has commanded. |
| Daily Bread MAY/14/13 |
| Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen |
| Wednesday, 15 May 2013 06:15 |
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Revelation 3:12- I will make the overcomer a pillar in the temple of my God and he will never go out anymore. And I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem which shall come down from heaven from my God, and My new name. The Lord will give us a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name (Isaiah 62:2). The Lord, who has devoted Himself to bringing forth our righteousness and our glory, will not rest until these things are established. He will establish these things and in doing so He will call His servants by another name (Isaiah 65:15). He will give to us an everlasting name that will not be cut off (Isaiah 56:5). Through the power of the name of Jesus our names have now been written in heaven (Luke 10:20; Hebrews 12:23). If we remain faithful to this holy and heavenly call, if we live the life of the overcomers, then Christ Jesus has promised that the name of His God and the name of the city of His God and His new name shall be written on us (Revelation 3:12). After God made Adam, He brought forth the life of Eve from his body. Similarly, God has brought forth our life through the body of Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son. God the Father has both created us in Christ Jesus and joined us unto Him so that we might become one flesh—bone of His bone, and flesh of His flesh (Genesis 2:23; Ephesians 5:30). This is the miracle that takes place through salvation by which we are joined unto the Lord and placed in the church as a member of the body of Christ (Ephesians 5:31-32; 1 Corinthians 12:13; John 17:21-23). The church is far more than an organization with doctrines and creeds; it is that glorious assembly that Jesus purchased with His own blood and baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire (Acts 20:28; Acts 2:4). As husbands to our brides, we will not abide the idea of our wives going by their former names. Even though the names that they were born with are good and honorable names, they have been given a new name. This new name represents a new life, a new covenant, a new generation, a new beginning, and a new identity. To recall the former name is strange and foreign to the new life begun between a man and his wife. The new name is the expression of the vows, commitment and covenant that a man and his wife entered into pledging to live one life with each other in a holy union of marriage. So it is in Christ, the former things have past away and everything has been made new. The separation that once existed when we belong to another household is forever gone. All that was before has been removed and the entirety of our existence is redefined in Him. We are not of this world, not of the flesh, not of ourselves, but being joined unto the Lord, we are made one flesh with Him. Everything that He has is now ours and all that we are is His. |
| Daily Bread MAY/15/13 |
| Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen |
| Wednesday, 15 May 2013 06:15 |
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1 Timothy 1:17 - Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible; the only wise God: honor and glory for ever and ever. It is time that we as God's people recognize that Christ Jesus is even now King; and that He rules with sovereign authority in this world, as well as the world to come (1 Timothy 6:15; Ephesians 1:21; Matthew 12:28; Luke 11:20; Romans 14:17; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16; John 1:49; Matthew 2:2). Even in the time of Daniel, God proved that He was the One who ruled in the kingdom of men (Daniel 4:17,25; Daniel 4:32; Daniel 5:21). Today, Jesus who is the Messiah, is the anointed King of Kings; who reigns with an authority greater than all others (Philippians 2:9; Ephesians 1:21). We are His priests and kings, His noblemen and ambassadors (1 Peter 2:9; 2 Corinthians 5:20; Romans 5:17; Revelation 5:10). We must allow the Spirit of the Lord to open our eyes to the reality that we are to be living every day in the service to our Sovereign. As His servants, we are to devote ourselves to the accomplishment of His will and purposes. It is our prayer that His kingdom come and His will be done today - even as it is in heaven. We may be certain then that if we will be obedient to the faith, things on earth will be as they are in heaven. We are not only looking for the great event of His visible kingdom coming in the future, but we are those who abide in the present reality of the authority of His kingdom right now (Matthew 12:28-29; Mark 3:15; Mark 16:15-18; Ephesians 1:23; Romans 14:17). The authority of the kingdom is upon us to execute righteousness and judgment in the earth: to vanquish demon spirits, to heal sickness and disease, and to set every prisoner of darkness free from their captivity. Let's begin to live in a greater dimension of awareness of the rulership of Christ Jesus our King, and be those who give to our Sovereign the honor and the glory that is due His name. If we will arise in awareness and recognition of the reality of the Kingship of Jesus the Messiah, then surely we will do great exploits and live nobly for the honor of His Majesty (Daniel 11:32; John 14:12). |
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