Temptations Can Be Overruled For Good By the Children of God - by Thomas Watson

Temptations

 

 

Satan observes the temperament and the constitution: He lays suitable baits of temptation. Like the farmer, he knows what grain is best for the soil.  Satan will not tempt contrary to the natural disposition and temperament.  This is his policy, he makes the wind and tide go together, that way the natural tide of the heart runs the way the wind of temptation blows.  The devil cannot know men's thoughts, yet he knows their temperament, and accordingly lays his bait.

 

Satan observes the fittest time to tempt in as a cunning angler casts in his angle when the fish will bite best.  Satan's time of testing is usually after an ordinance: and the reason is, he thinks he shall find us most secure. Just as a soldier, who after a battle leaves off his armor, not once dreaming of an enemy, Satan watches his time, and when we least expect, then he throws in a temptation.

 

Satan can tempt by proxy. Thus he handed over a temptation to Job by his wife (Job 2:19).

 

Satan tempts to evil by them that are good, thus he gives poison in a golden cup. He tempted Christ by Peter--- Peter dissuaded Christ from suffering.

 

Satan tempts to sin under pretense of religion. He is most to be feared when he transforms himself into an angel of light.  He came to Christ with Scripture in his mouth. "It is written." If you compare Matthew 6:6 and Psalm 91:11, you will notice Satan omitted part of the Scripture. When in Matthew he quoted, "For he will command his angels concerning you" but omitted ... to guard you in all your ways.  (Satan adds to, takes away, and twists Scripture).

 

Satan can instill blasphemous and evil thoughts into one's mind, as well as use subtle arguments to dispute us into sin. He will also use a weakness to incline us toward temptation.

 

Temptations can be overruled for good by the children of God. A tree that is shaken by the wind is more settled and rooted; so the blowing of a temptation does but settle a Christian more in grace.

 

Temptations are overruled for good in the following ways.

 

Temptation sends the soul to prayer. When Satan shoots his fiery darts at the soul, it then runs faster to the throne of grace.

 

The more a child of God is tempted, the more he fights against that temptation. The more Satan tempts to blasphemy, the more a saint trembles at such thoughts and says, "Get thee hence, Satan!"  That temptation that the devil uses as a spur to sin, God makes a bridle to keep back Christians from it.

 

Temptation works for good as it abates the swelling of pride. Paul said "Lest I should be exalted above measure, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan to buffet me (2 Corinthians 12:7).

 

Temptation works for good, as it is a touchstone to try what is in the heart. The devil tempts that he may deceive; but God suffers us to be tempted, to try us.  Temptation is a trial of our sincerity, it argues that our heart is chaste and loyal to Christ when we can look at a temptation in the face and turn away from it. Also it is a trial of our courage when rather than yielding to the temptation, the Christian brandishes the Sword of the Spirit against Satan.

 

Temptations work for good when God makes those who are tempted fit to comfort others in the same distress. A Christian must himself be under the buffetings of Satan, before he can speak a word in good season to him that is weary.

 

Temptations work for good as they engage the strength of Christ. Christ is our Friend, and when we are tempted, He sets all His power working for us. In that He himself has suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted (Hebrews 2:18). "And through Him we are more than conquerors" (Romans 8:37).

 

 

Question:  But sometimes Satan foils a child of God. How does this work for good?

 

Answer:  Through the suspension of divine grace, and the fury of the temptation, a saint may be overcome; yet this foiling by a temptation shall be overruled for good. By this foil God makes way for augmentation of grace. Peter was tempted to self-confidence. He presumed upon his own strength; and when he would needs to stand alone, Christ let him fall. But this wrought for his good. It cost him many a tear."He went out and wept bitterly"  (Matthew 26:75). And now he grows more modest. He durst not say he loved Christ more than the other apostles. "Do you love Me more than these"? (John 21:15). He durst not say so. His fall broke the neck of his pride.  The foiling by a temptation causes more circumspection and watchfulness in a child of God.  Though Satan did before decoy him into sin, yet for the future he will be more cautious. He is more shy and fearful of occasions of sin. He never goes out without his spiritual armor, and he girds on his armor by prayer.  He knows he walks on slippery ground, therefore he looks wisely to his steps.

 

This is all the harm a devil ever does when he foils a saint by temptation. He cures him of his careless neglect; he makes him watch and pray more.



From All Things For Good by Thomas Watson

 

 

 

 

~Annie~



What Are the Lord's Requirements

Deuteronomy 10:12-22

 

The secret of rest and victory lies in ceasing to struggle against

the requirements of God.

 

Here is a question which should come with searching power to the heart of every child of God; what does the Lord require of me?  Surely such a question ought to constrain us honestly to make this inquiry: Lord, what will You have me to do?

(Handfuls on Purpose - James Smith)

 

 

He is our Creator and every good thing comes from Him. For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb (Psalm 139:13). What do we have that we have not received from Him?  Therefore we should be joyful always; pray continually; and give thanks "in all circumstances," for this is God's will for us in Christ Jesus (1Thessalonians 5:16-18).

 

He is our Redeemer.  Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law.  We were bought at a price, therefore we are to glorify God in our body and our spirit, which are His. We belong to Him.  He only, shall we serve (Matthew 4:10). For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:13-14).  In Christ we are new creations. God has reconciled us to Himself through Christ Jesus and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. God made Him who was sinless, to be sin for us, so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God.  ( 2 Corinthians 5:17-20).

 

 

What are some of these requirements...

 

A Reverent Fear of Our Holy God.  Fear the Lord your God, not as a slave who fears his master because of the lash, but as a loving son or daughter fears to grieve or dishonor their father.  God is our Father, but He is also Judge and we each, as His children, will give account for everything whether good or bad (Hebrews 12:13) This has not to do with our salvation but rather what rewards will be given or with-held according to our heart and our ability with the gifts He has given us.

 

An Obedient Walk.  "To walk in all His ways" (Deuteronomy 10:12). What does this mean? Colossians 1:10 tells us we are to ask God to fill us with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Why? in order that we might live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way. How? By bearing fruit in every good work, and growing in our knowledge of God. By doing this we will be strengthened with all power according to His glorious might. Why? So that we can have great endurance and patience in every test and trial, and joyfully give thanks to the Father for giving us His Son and His Spirit. Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God (2 Corinthians 7:1).

 

An Affectionate Heart. He who looks upon the heart requires truth in the inward parts             (Psalm 51:6).

Jesus said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself (A neighbor is anyone you have contact with). On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 22:38-40).   Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34).

 

A Forgiving Heart.  In Matthew 6:5-14 after teaching His disciples how to pray Jesus ends with this...(v.14) "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but... if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Check back at the top under fear of God re- we must give account of everything whether good or bad. We often need God's help in order to forgive and to keep forgiving.  He is waiting to hear our cry so He can help us.

 

A Whole-Hearted Service.  We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men (Ephesians 6:7). Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly... and whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (Colossians 3:12-17). Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men... it is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:23-24).

 

A Submissive Will.  A submissive will is a will surrendered to God. It is a desire to do His will rather than our own. When Jesus separates the sheep from the goats it will be those who do the will of God who Jesus will recognize as His own (Matthew 7:21).  What does it mean to do the will of God?  It means to have compassion on others and do for them what you would have someone do for you or your loved ones if they were in desperate need (Matthew25:31-46).   It means to obey Christ's teachings.  Everything in the New Testament (Covenant) comes from the teachings of Christ Jesus.  Before Jesus ascended back to heaven He told His disciples He would send the Holy Spirit who would bring to their minds all that Jesus had previously taught them. Jesus also taught the apostle Paul. Therefore everything in the New Testament comes from the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament teaches about Jesus Christ in types and shadows and prophecies. Jesus, Himself gave evidence to this when He said,  "Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and the enter His glory?"  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself (Luke 24:26-27).

 

A submissive will desires to do God's will by obeying His Word and trusting Him to work things out for our benefit and His glory. God wills that we grow in grace and knowledge of His Word and to put it into practice in our daily lives with the help of the Holy Spirit. In John 17:17 in Jesus' high priestly prayer Jesus prays that all God's children would be sanctified by the truth. His Word is truth. We need both the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to enable us to live godly lives in Christ Jesus. We need to be in God's Word and reliant on the Holy Spirit daily in order to walk in the will of God. We need also to be in a spirit of prayer for opportunities God may bring across our path. And we need to be prepared to give an answer to any who ask us, what is the reason for our hope, and to do this in gentleness and respect ...                                                                 (1 Peter 3:15).

 

A Tenacious Faith.  By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible (Hebrews 11:24-27).

 

For Christ's love compels us... He died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again (2 Corinthians 5:14:15).

 

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). We fix our eyes on Christ Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith...(Hebrews 12:1-3).

 

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:20-21).

 

 

~Annie~

 

 





The Almighty Shepherd

 

 

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1)

This is a fountain of Living Water, an unfailing star in the night of sorrow and suffering.  Look at it as the language of---

1.    Real Confession.  The Lord is my Shepherd, because I have taken my place at His feet as a sheep---

·         Acknowledging my ignorance--- Mind blinded.

·         Acknowledging my waywardness--- Gone astray.

·         Acknowledging my helplessness---Undone.

·         Acknowledging my dependence--- I will trust.

 

2.    Peaceful Assurance.  The Lord is my Shepherd. He is mine---

·         Because He has purchased me with His blood.

·         Because He has led me by His Spirit.

·         Because He has fed me by His Word.

·         Because He has kept me by His power.

 

3.    Unwavering Confidence.   I shall not want.---  Because whatever He thinks, will  be for my highest good and for His glory---

·         Because His riches are unsearchable.

·         Because His power is almighty.

·         Because His faithfulness is unfailing.

·         Because His love is unchanging.

 

Taken from ”Handfuls On Purpose” by James Smith.  First published in 1947 – Re-printed in July 1984 by William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company

~Annie~

I AM the Door (Gate)

Jesus said, I AM the Door (Gate). If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture (John 10:9).

 

There is a Gate.  Jesus Christ is that Gate.  What a dark world this would have been had there been no way of entrance into the knowledge of and into fellowship with God!  “Behold, I set before you an open door” (Revelation 3:8).  But note that there was but one gate. The Gate said, “I AM the Way” (John 14:6). There is no other name under heaven given by whereby you may be saved (Acts 4:12).

This was a wide Gate. What it lacked in height it had in width. Height means more or greater spiritual experience; breadth means great liberty of access. Whosoever will may come!  The Gate of atonement is as wide as the world (1John 2:2). The way of substitution is as straight as the new birth.  If few find it, it is because few there be that seek it (Matthew 7:7).  You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart, then I will be found by you, declares the LORD (Jeremiah 29:13).

This was a strongly-supported Gate. It hung on four pillars. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is supported by four infallible pillars.  Each holds up a different aspect of Him who is, “The Way, the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6). Their names are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

This Gate was the way into life. Immediately, in front of the Gate stood the altar of sacrifice. It was impossible to pass in without coming in sight of God’s provision for the sinner.  Passing through the Gate meant the acceptance of God’s Way of salvation.  What do we learn from this?  (Even though there are two steps before this, such as recognizing we are sinners in need of a Savior, and the humble, sincere willingness to turn from known sin and live for Christ). Salvation is but one step. When the sinner trusts the Lord Jesus Christ as the Way to the Father, at that moment he comes into personal contact with the atoning blood of the Lamb. Christ is both the Gate and the Altar. We decide at the Gate and are justified at the Altar.

The word “altar” simply means “high place” or that which lifts up. The altar with its sacrifice is profoundly significant of Christ on the Cross (John 14:6). At the Cross the sinner comes into contact with the goodness and the sincerity of God --- condemnation of the sin, but mercy for the sinner. This Altar of burnt offering ”lifted up” all that was laid upon it. The “burnt offering” represented Christ as the wholly devoted One.

The brazen altar standing at the Gate of entrance represented the claims of God.  As a holy and righteous God He had claims that must be satisfied before He could, in mercy, meet with man and bless him. The altar was filled, and all the demands of a holy God fully met when Christ cried on the Cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30).  Here the “sin- offering”  was  slain, then carried without the camp, but its blood was poured out at the “bottom of the altar.” The value of the sin-offering lay in the blood.  “The blood is the life,” or, “the life is in the blood.”  This was left at the foot of the altar.  Here we see Christ as the sinner’s  substitute, pouring out His soul unto death. “They overcame by ‘the blood of the Lamb’ and the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” (Revelation 12:11).

The altar was positioned right in front of the Gate. This reminds us that atonement is the first necessity in our approach to God. The first blessing our God desires to give us is the forgiveness of our sins, but “without the shedding of blood there is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). See also, Hebrews 9:12-14;  10:19-23).

Those who refuse “Christ Jesus and Him crucified” as their sin-atoning Substitute have no liberty of access to God. To approach God disregarding the altar meant death. Cain tried it; he ignored the blood, and brought the curse of God upon himself.  Cain knew it had to be a blood sacrifice, and God reminded him if he does it the right way he will be accepted. (Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews9:22). Cain was angry and did not repent. Therefore God warned Cain that if he doesn’t offer a blood offering, sin would be waiting at his door to have him, and that he must rule over it. Cain let his anger rule him and went out and killed his brother (Genesis 4:1-16).  “A sin-offering lies at the door” (Genesis 4:7). God has laid it there; it is there for us. It has a voice, “Look unto Me and be saved…for I am God” (Isaiah 45:22). Do not trample on it.
 

 This was taken from - Handfuls On Purpose - by James Smith

 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door (of your heart) I will come into him, and eat with him and he with Me (Revelation 3:20).
 

~Annie~

 

Your Word Is A Lamp For My Feet and A Light for My Path

Thy Word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path

 Psalm 119:105

 

A lamp for my feet:  My feet carry me to the crossroads and there I must choose which direction I will take.

A light for my path: The Word of God is the light for our path and we will gain wisdom and direction from it.

The lamp reveals what is ahead on each step I take so that I am aware of where I am.  Therefore when I have reached a crossroad the light of God’s Word will give me wisdom in which way to go.

 

This lamp for my feet and light for my path also reveals to me the dangers "masquerading as" delightful enjoyments lurking in darkness. 

Some of us were involved in some of these kinds of things before we came to Christ but we have been given the power to overcome through the blood of Christ Jesus and to be able resist these temptations. He has also given us a Helper, the Holy Spirit who will take the Word of God, which is living and active and powerful,(Hebrews 4:12) to give us the victory through our faith in Jesus Christ and His shed blood. Even though we are now Christians, we can still be tempted, but we will be given the power to resist as we turn to God and turn away from that “thing” that wishes to have us. We belong to Christ Jesus as we were purchased by His blood. We must focus on the cross and our Savior, and keep an eternal perspective, if we wish to conquer temptation and defeat the enemy.

These things that "masquerade as" delightful, exciting, daring, and sometimes forbidden, also have an attraction that has addictive powers that will eventually destroy the person and hurt those closest to him. They are really snares to trap you, and dark pits for you to fall into. Some examples of these would be drugs, alcohol, compulsive gambling, witchcraft, Satanism, pornography, rape,  torture, occult world, cults, unnatural sexual relations, pedophilia, incest, appetite for violent, sadistic movies or games, and murder. Out of these things will come lies, deceit, cover-ups, foul language, pride/arrogance, uncontrolled hatred, anger and abusive behavior.  People are no longer seen as made in the image of God, but as vessels to be used, abused and trashed. 

Any of the above can start innocently enough by being influenced to just try it once.  Some people get hooked easier than others and use any one of these things as a crutch to get through life. Once hooked, they will progressively get in deeper. It may begin insidiously, but will incrementally increase until they can no longer stop the addiction by their own  power. They have been caught in the evil one’s snare and are trying to claw their way out of a deep, dark pit. They feel alone, rejected, chained to this addictive habit or behaviors with no way out. They want to be released, but find their grip is still glued to the thing that has taken over them and is destroying them. These people are someone’s sons, daughters, or brothers, sisters, or parents. They are lost and don’t always know it until they are so without hope they want to end it--- one way or another.

Like the Prodigal son in Matthew 15, it is all about them and what their desires are, and about their wanting it now!  It may begin with peer pressure, or feelings of rejection, or abandonment. It may begin with having too many electronic things but not enough “expressed” love from a family that is time challenged with busy work schedules and other necessities that need to be done. Some parents may expect their children will be happily occupied with their electronic devices and games. The parents may be so busy with work, and bringing home more work to be prepared for a business trip. They may be just wiped out after finishing their job, running errands, cooking, and cleaning that they just want to sit in front of the television instead of getting involved in a sport activity or listening to their son or daughter’s day. It could be that their parents are so addicted and fighting their own demons that their ability to be a responsible parent is defective.

What is the answer to all this? Most often, I think many people have to get to the place where the prodigal son ended up before they regain their sanity and realize it was because of their wrong choices. If they were a child when introduced to the evil that has damaged their life, as an adult they have the choice to do something about it. No one gets through life without being scathed, so we have to take what was done, acknowledge it has messed us up, then seek to get healing so we can make a better life that will benefit both us and others. It won’t be easy but nothing worthwhile is. The first step is acknowledging we are trapped in chains, in a dark dungeon, with no way out, and need a Savior to rescue us. 

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned - everyone - to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6).

Cry out to Jesus, the Christ, acknowledging you are a sinner who needs saving. Thank Him for dying in your place, for taking your sins upon Himself and taking the punishment for you. Why?  So that you could have a new life lived in Him, for Him, and to Him, with a Helper. The Holy Spirit and the Word of God will teach you and lead you through in His path, encouraging and directing you all the way. Ask Him to heal and change you so you can leave the sins you are in… and live for Him from now on. Ask Him to give the Holy Spirit to help you live for Him, and trust that He can, and He will.  Prayerfully thank Him. Get a Bible and begin reading at the gospel of John and find a Bible teaching, Christ honoring, graceful church to hook up with. 

Just as the father of the prodigal son in Matthew 15 was watching for his wayward son to come home, your heavenly Father has been watching and waiting for you to come home. He will be over-joyed and all heaven will celebrate your new birth in the family of God as an adopted child with family inheritance rights.

Praise Him, for He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and delivered us into the kingdom of light, the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:13-14).

There is no sin so great that it cannot be forgiven if the person is sincerely contrite, and humbly cries out to Jesus Christ in repentance (a willingness to leave known sin behind), and put their faith in the saving work of Christ Jesus on the cross of Calvary, believing that He was raised from the dead on the third day and ascended back to heaven about forty days later with the promise to return.

If you are already a Christian and find yourself in an addictive behavior or habit you must admit this to your pastor, repent of it and ask God to break this addiction through the power of Jesus name and His shed blood. Remember, He has given us everything necessary to know Him and live a life honoring to Him (2 Peter 1:3-10) (even though it will not be perfected until He returns).  Ask Him to take away the desire for this thing and cause you to hate the thing that has taken you captive. Thank Him, and ask Him to enable you to live a victorious life for Him, and to help others on the way. Talk to your pastor about if there are others with similar addictions in your church, if there could be an arranged time to meet regularly for Bible, prayer, accountability, support and encouragement.  Do Not Hide It! You are not alone. You are not the only Christian who has slid into something that has taken him captive. Christ came to set the captives free.  He is your Hope as well as your Savior. Your pastor will (should) understand this. Talk to him after you talk to Christ Jesus.

~Annie~

 

 

 

 

 

I AM the Light of the World

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I AM the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12).

(John 8:58 and Exodus 3:14)

Previously, in the first eleven verses of John chapter 8, the teachers of the law and the Pharisees had brought a woman caught in adultery to the temple court where Jesus was teaching. They said, ”Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women.  Now what do You say?” They were using this question as a trap in order to have a basis for accusing Him. 

Jesus bent down and wrote something in the ground with His finger. When they kept on questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them, “If anyone of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”  The teachers of the law and the Pharisees began leaving one by one.  Jesus then asked the women where her accusers where.  He asks her if anyone has condemned her. Then Jesus tells her neither does He condemn her.  He says to her, “Go now, and leave your life of sin.” (See John 8:1-11).

Then Jesus spoke again to the people, saying, “I AM the light of the world.  Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12).

In this same chapter Jesus tells the Pharisees that He is from above but that they are of this world.  If they do not believe that He is the One He claims to be, they will die in their sins. He later tells them the reason they are ready to kill Him is that they have no room for His Word.  The Old Testament prophets told about the coming Messiah, even where He would be born, how He would be betrayed and suffer, gave a description of the crucifixion, and even that the grave could not keep Him. These religious leaders should have known and recognized Christ Jesus, but they didn’t.  They were so in the dark, that they were not aware that it was God they were trying to trap and have killed.  He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. 

But God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).

And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.  Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:19-21).

In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father through grace and truth (John 1:14).

For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has every seen God, but God the One and Only (John 1:17-18).

John the Baptist was a witness to the True Light who gives light to every man that puts their faith in Christ Jesus (see John 1:9).

When we are born again from above, the Holy Spirit quickens our spirit to desire after Jesus and His Word. The Holy Spirit illuminates our understanding of God's Word. All Scripture was breathed out by the Holy Spirit of God and is able to make one wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ. Because all Scripture has been God-breathed it is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  
(2 Timothy 3:15b-17; Romans10:17). 

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path (Psalm119:105).

For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the life consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them (Ephesians 5:8-10).

John the Baptist was with two of his disciples when he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. After that, Jesus began calling more disciples to "follow Him." (see John 1:35-37). Now Jesus wants us to follow after Him and to let our light shine for His glory.

One day we will not need the sun or moon or any artificial light. The Lamb will be our light!

And the city has no need of sun and moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of he earth will bring their glory into it (Revelation 21:23-24). Amen!

~Annie~

I AM the Bread of Life

I AM The Bread of Life

                                                             (The first of Seven I AM’s)                                               

 

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, ‘I AM’  (John8:58)                 Jesus was claiming to be Jehovah, Yahweh, who spoke to Moses from the burning bush (Exodus 3:14)

(In context, John 8:48-59)

Jesus said to them, “I AM the Bread of Life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will but the will of Him who sent Me (John 6:38).

For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day (John 6:40).

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life (John 6:63).

Jesus said, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).

Jesus not only provides bread that leads to eternal life; He is the Bread of Life!

We read in John chapter one that Jesus is the Word that became flesh and made His dwelling among us, He is the glorious and Only Son from the Father, and He is full of grace and truth (John 1:14).

In Hebrews we read a description of God’s Word.  It is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, it pierces to the division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of our heart (Hebrews 4:12).

Ephesians 6:17 tells us that the Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God.  In all our spiritual battles the Holy Spirit will take the Word of God and use it to defend us and to defeat the enemy. 

In Ephesians 5:25-26 we read Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing of water through the Word.

We have been taught, with regard to our former way of life, to put off our old self which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitudes of our minds, and to put on the new self created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24). 

We cannot just put off our old attitudes without replacing them with godly attitudes.  Whatever you put off will be replaced either by worldly affections or godly affections.  We need to be in God’s Word regularly, (daily according to Jesus in Matthew 4:4), in order to progressively put off the old self, and to put on and practice living out Christ-like attitudes.  The Holy Spirit is our Helper and Teacher in this, as He takes the Word of God and causes us to delight in it.  Our desire to know God deeper will grow the more we are in His Word.  The more deeply we go into His Word, the hungrier we get as we delight in discovering truths that we may have not noticed before.  .  

Peter tells us to prepare ourselves for action, to be self-controlled and to set our hope fully on the grace to be given us through Christ Jesus.  As His children we have been set free from enslavement to evil desires, and we are to purify our ways by obeying the truth so that we have a sincere and deep love for the brethren.  For we have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable through the living and enduring Word of God (taken from 1 Peter 13-23).

According to Peter, we are to crave God’s Word so that we may grow up in our salvation (1 Peter 2:2)

The Bereans,  in Acts 17:11, give us a good example of learning how to be “discerning of what is correct doctrine and what is false doctrine”.  If we do not examine what we are taught or what we watch online, we could be led astray from the truth of God’s Word.  Besides this reason, for people who are on their way to heaven, do we not want to know more about God now, and His Word?  Do we not want to be living our best in light of His Word so we will not be ashamed when we meet Him face to face?  No, we will not get our living out His Word here perfected until after He comes back, but we are to be progressively allowing His Word, ignited by His Spirit, to change our desires and attitudes to reflect Christ’s, to increase our love for each other, and to enable us to live by faith upon faith until He comes.  We must always rely on  the Holy Spirit to open God’s Word to us and enable us to apply it to our lives.  The Holy Spirit always works in accordance with God’s Word and never contrary to it. The Holy Spirit will always give glory to Christ Jesus.

~Annie~