Joshua 22 - The Unity of God's People Under True Worship

Joshua 22 

Far be it from us that we should rebel against the Lord and turn away from following the Lord this day, by building an altar for burnt offering, for grain offering or for sacrifice, besides the altar of the Lord our God which is before His tabernacle. (verse 29)

Message: The Unity of God's People Under True Worship

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: This chapter begins with Joshua summoning the Reubenites and the Gadites and half-tribe of Manasseh saying "You have not forsaken your brothers....and now the Lord your God has given you rest." And then now they are to "be very careful to observe the commandments which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God and walk in all His ways and keep the commandments and hold fast to Him and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul."

I appreciate these words. This encouragement that has been provided to God's people everywhere and for all times. God has given us rest and yet we need to be careful to remain obedient to Him, to love Him, to walk in His ways and keep His commandments, holding fast to Him, and serve Him. The reality is God provides us so much. Not as a reward always, like when he gave Israel this land of Canaan. And yet the life of a Christian is one of obedience, but this obedience doesn't earn our way to God, but is needed in life to make us better people and to honor God. We honor God through our good works. 

Then in verse 10, these same individuals build an altar (verse 10), an imposing altar, but then the congregation of the Lord state in verse 16 that this is rebellion against the Lord. The altar is mentioned in verse 19 as being for themselves and in fact it was in the wrong location. Achan is mentioned as a poor example of going his own way, being unfaithful (v 20). Altars need to commemorate our service to the Lord (v. 27). This chapter concludes with the mention that this altar was in fact a proper altar as  "between us that the Lord is God. (verse 30)" 

I like the words of John Gill (1697-1771) on this:

...it was not for sacrifice, but to be a testimony of their being one with their brethren on the other side Jordan, in worship, faith, and fellowship:  

for it shall be a witness between us that the Lord is God; is the one God, the God of them both, of all Israel, whether on the one or the other side of Jordan; to be worshipped by them in one and the same manner, and their sacrifices to be offered to him on his altar before the tabernacle. 

Summary: Arriving home, the 2 1/2 tribes build an altar, first misunderstood its purpose, then understood as a witness between them and the Lord, on the other side of the Jordan. 

Promise: We should be concerned always for the pure worship of God, according to scripture. 

Prayer: O Holy God, you are faithful and rich in Mercy and compassion. You want me and us to be a people of unity and to worship You in Spirit and Truth. Make us a people holy to You God and I pray our worship upholds and praises You at all times. Work on my heart so that I am obedient to You always, for the right reasons, in the right ways. Thank you for being with me.  

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 17:20-21 - Jesus Prays for Our Unity

John 17:20-21

20 I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, [art] in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me. 

Message: Jesus Prays for Our Unity

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: Continuing with the High Priestly Prayer that is described as Jesus Praying now in Chapter 17, Jesus now prays for all believers from verses 20-26. Verse 20 Jesus is praying to the Father not only for "these alone" but "for those also." The these alone of the previous section (v. 6-19) was specifically for the disciples, but now Jesus turns to those that will be impacted by the disciples ministry, all the believers, thus anyone coming to faith after the disciples. This could include me. 

And His first prayer for us, "that they may all be one." And Jesus describes the meaning of the oneness in drawing a parallel of the one-ness of the Father and Jesus (and the Holy Spirit). This oneness also has a result, that people will believe that the Father did send Jesus. I really believe strongly in this idea of oneness and I am still trying to figure out what it means entirely. I think we must all be sanctified in the truth of as is mentioned in John 17:17-19. Thy word is Truth. And then we carry this truth to the World. The problem remains though in how divided still as a people. But we have from Jesus the clear words of the importance of being one. 

The Tabletalk devotional for today mentions a couple of interesting thoughts here that I think are worth mentioning. This prayer of chapter 17 distinguishes the prayer by Jesus for the disciples and also the other believers. Thus it highlights a difference between the two. Jesus passes His message from Him to them to us. The Apostles are the ambassadors of the message. They are the ones with the testimony of faith and their testimony brings us to faith through their words. Every Christian leader after them, including us, only now share that message with others. And this also stresses the importance of the infallible Word of God and its witness to our lives. 

This is why the words of the Gospel writers remain important to us. Their words and their testimony, I believe, are relevant to us today because I believe Jesus makes mention of this today in this passage. Others will say that these writings in the Gospels are only for the Jew and not the Gentile, but I don't believe this. I believe we can take authority from all of these words. And all of these words includes the words of Paul, who was not one of the original Apostles, but had a personal encounter with Jesus. 

One reason I think this is important to highlight is this authority is what the LDS faith claims is the basis for their faith. That others can have this same type of testimony of having had a vision from Jesus and being proclaimed as an apostle or representative and then can pass that onto others as the Mormons do with each of their presidents. This passing of authority is also a hallmark of the Catholic Church in relation to the Pope. 

The other interesting item that Tabletalk mentions is that Jesus' prayer implies that there will be success with the gospel being preached. 

Summary: Jesus prays that the all those hearing the testimony of the disciples will be One in truth for the benefit of the world believing. 

Promise: Jesus is praying for unity in truth, love, and mission just as He and His Father are united in truth, love, and mission. 

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for the truth of Your words and the Truth of You and help me to be of the crowd that is united and one in truth, love and mission. Let me be a person that is anchored in Truth and clearly set on speaking truth to others. Help me to have that renewed ambition and commitment to the Gospel. Help me be a voice to those I am in contact with. I want to champion You God. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 10:30 - The Perfect unity of the Father and the Son

John 10:30

"I and the Father are one.”

Message: The Perfect unity of the Father and the Son

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: As I have been studying and as I have been reading Jesus' words that He is speaking to those he interacts with, namely those who are questioning Him, He puts forth ideas but while He does speak those ideas He does it from the foundation that the Father has called Him. 

John 5:19 - Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.

John 5:21 - For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.

John 5:26 - 26 For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself;

John 5:30 - I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 

John 5:36 - the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.

John 6:29 - "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." 

John 6:32, 35 - Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. 35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, 

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

John 6:40 - For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him, may have eternal life;

John 6:44 - No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him

John 6:46 - Not that any man has seen the Father, except the One who is from God, He has seen the Father.

John 6:51 - I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever

John 6:57 - As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father

John 6:65 - no one can come to Me, unless it has been granted him from the Father.

John 7:28-29 - He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. I know Him; because I am from Him, and He sent Me.

John 7:33-34 - Jesus therefore said, "For a little while longer I am with you, then I go to Him who sent Me. You shall seek Me, and shall not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come."

John 8:19 - Jesus answered, "You know neither Me, nor my Father, if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.

John 8:23 - And He was saying to them, "You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world.

John 8:26 - He who sent Me is true; and the things which I heard from Him; these I speak to the world."

John 8:29 - He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.

John 8:42 - If God were your Father, you would love Me; for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on my own initiative, but He sent Me. 

John 8:54 - If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, 'He is our God'

John 8:55 - I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I shall be a liar like you, but I do know Him, and keep His word

John 8:58 - Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.”

John 10:14-15 - I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father

John 10:18 - This commandment I received from My Father.

John 10:25 - I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. 

All of these words that Jesus has been speaking are not so different from him now saying, I and the Father are one. Everything he does is from the Father and the Father and He act in a similar way. There is unity in purpose. 

The question posed to Jesus in the previous words is who Jesus is exactly. And specifically they are talking of His power because that is what Jesus has been talking about. His power to lay down His own life and raise it up again, to do the works. Jesus is claiming omnipotence, to be of the same power. 

And then following this is the reaction of the Jews - to stone Him. The Father and the Son have the same power. 

It is no surprise that Muslims do not accept the teaching of this book at all and do not believe it is authoritative. Actually, they can't and still have their religion. They must take a position of excluding it. 

Summary: Jesus has responded previously that only the Sheep here his voice but in further response to them asking who He is, He states He and the Father are One, of the same essence. 

Promise: The full unity in mission and essence of the Father and the Son guarantees the salvation of God’s people.

Prayer: God, your words are rich. Thank you for revealing yourself Jesus/God the way You have in these words and providing the clear understanding of who You are and the mission that You have been on. You are Savior. You are Lord. You are Light. You are I Am. There is salvation only in You Jesus. Keep my words consistent with who You are. Thank you for these truths and the joy of studying them. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

Romans 8:11 - The Resurrection of Our Bodies

Romans 8:11

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Message: The Resurrection of Our Bodies

Time: Paul wrote Romans from Corinth as he prepared to leave for Palestine. Phoebe (16:1,2) was given the great responsibility of delivering the letter to the Romans believers. At this time, Rome had a population of 1 million, many of whom were slaves. The Romans church was doctrinally sound, but it still needed rich doctrine and practical application. Rome had massive buildings but also slums.

What the Lord is Saying: Death is inevitable for each of us because of sin - Romans 5:12 - "death spread to all men, because all sinned." But it will be destroyed one day - I Corinthians 15:26 - "The last enemy that will be abolished is death." And yet, Christ Jesus, our God-man, defeated death. The good news is we can be aligned with Jesus through faith, through trusting in Him, believing what He has done for us. And that alignment means that at death we will be sealed with God forever. Without this sealing we are cursed to eternal punishment or separation from God. That's the sobering message- not all will be saved. Romans 5:17 -- "For if by the transgression (or offense) of the one, death reigned (set up shop with people for all time) through the one, much more those who receive (trust and make it apart of themselves) the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign (this life, but more importantly, eternal) in life through the One, Jesus Christ."

Today's verse shows us this - (my paraphrase) -- "The Holy Spirit of God raised Jesus from the dead and that Holy Spirit that did that work dwells now in His called ones, those that are sealed, those that have believed. And so God who raised Jesus from the dead will give us life to our mortal bodies. As flesh, as people, death is our end, but God will give us life and move us from mortal to immortal, from flesh to divine. And again, why? Because of the Holy Spirit that dwells in us." The Holy Spirit makes us free. God makes us free. 

We are raised from the dead with Jesus. Once he was raised from the dead, our trusting and believing in Him, placed us with Christ to receive the benefits and rewards of being in Christ. 

Romans 15:20-23 - 20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming.

We are one in the same with Christ. Romans 6:4-5 -- "we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection." 

United. Unity. I keep getting reminded how important this unity is. Our future is based upon being united with Christ and so our future with people should be based upon the same thing and yet we are world in disunity or disharmony. There is no greater joy I think than being with people of the same accord. I love it at a football game at my college university because we all stand together united and cheering for our time. We have a similar mission. It is good to support your team on the road, but it is also odd because we are fish out of the water and in that moment we are immediately aligned with anyone that is also a visitor. But when we are at home, cheering, it is a great feeling to be united. And we enjoy this fellowship at church as well, being with like-minded people. We are a united front for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as believers in Christ. 

Going back to the resurrection we also see that Jesus changed in his appearance from walking on the earth to being resurrected. And so we would expect our resurrection as well to be similar. Mary Magdalene eventually recognized Jesus, but at first she did not. John 20:14 -- "she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus."

I Corinthians 15:42-57 mentions this change. It says, "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body." The change will occur - from perishable to imperishable. Everything in this life right now perishes, food, our car, houses, nothing lasts. But one day we will not perish. And we will all change: "we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." Changed. What a glorious picture of our future state and yet in Christ, the change has already happened. We just don't see it yet, but God already sees it in us. 

Summary: At Christ was raised from the dead, so we in Christ are linked to Him by the Spirit living in us after receiving and trusting in Him - and so we will be resurrected to a new imperishable life with Christ for eternity. 

Promise: Sinners are looking to escape death, but the only way to do so is through resurrection unto eternal life, which is available only in Christ.

Prayer: O, my Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. I am linked and you have linked me to the rewards and benefits of being in Christ. Holy Spirit, I praise You for the truth that You are living in me. You dwell in me and because of that I reap all of the benefits that the Father has lavished on His Son, Jesus. Thank you for these truths and showing them to me. You are to be praised and glorified always. It is all for your glory, not mine. You deserve it. I will reap the benefits. I will always be changed. Thank you for the unity that pervades our lives and makes us of one accord. Keep helping us to be united more and to put off those differences. May our unity make us stand out. 

John 17:22 - The Church as the Glory of God

John 17:22 - The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;

Message: The Church as the Glory of God

Time: Throughout church history, Christians have consistently attributed this gospel to Jesus' disciple John, the brother of James, the son of Zebedee. John was one of the inner circle of Jesus' most trusted companions. It's most likely that John wrote his gospel while he was in Ephesus, and that he wrote it for an audience that lived outside Palestine, perhaps in Asia Minor. John appears to have had in mind members of a Jewish community who had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, but who had continued to worship in the synagogue. John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing he was to confirm the belief that Jesus was both the Christ and the Son of God.

What the Lord is Saying: As I continue to look at the Human Angle of God's Glory or rather How God's glory is visible outside of Himself, but in relation to Him, I have studied His Glory as Creator, in salvation, in judgment, through Christ, and today also through the Church. 

As I looked at yesterday, Jesus Himself is the radiance of God's glory and today, I find out that the glory Jesus receives the Father, He gives also to us. Jesus is speaking to us about unity. He has a unity with God and He desires us to have this same unity with God the Father and Jesus. It is clear that unity is very important and this unity happens through receiving the glory of God. And yet the glory that is shared is not divine glory because that is a glory that no man can be in the presence of and live (currently as sinners before God). And so the glory that has been passed onto us must be a different type of glory. It is a glory that is marred, and yet over time seems to be a glory that will grow. 2 Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. - So the glory of God can be seen in us and yet over time we are being transformed into the same image (Genesis 1:26). 

This glory is a derived glory. It comes to us and so is not a part of us until Jesus gives it to us. The church can then be referred to as the Glory of God and as we are seen to those in the world, it could be that the Light which Jesus describes as us, is this Light from the Glory of God. 

Matthew 5:14-16
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

I have never thought about this light being a manifestation of the bright light of the glory of God and so a light that the World can see. Scripture also speaks of the church as a lampstand (Revelation 1).  Our light glorifies the Father. 

Summary: We receive a derived glory from Jesus and we the Church are to be a light to our world, all in unity. 

Promise: As we love one another and enjoy God’s presence in our midst, our light shines before others, and they are directed to the Lord in heaven.

Prayer: Lord, you have illuminated me in the reading of Your word as you daily do. Thank you for the glory that I have received from You. And for showing me that I am a light to our world because you are the light. Thank you for giving me Your Glory as a light and I pray that we, the church, would shine bright You and we would rightly glorify You. Show us how we need to be united for the purpose of giving Glory to God and testifying before mankind of Your love. The unity that we need to have is for the purpose of showing people the Gospel of Jesus and how You change lives. 

Ephesians 4:5 - One Baptism

Ephesians 4:5 - One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism

Message: One Baptism

Time: Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians sometime in AD 60–61, around the same time he wrote Colossians and Philemon. Ephesians deals with topics at the core of being a Christian - faith and practice, no matter the situation.

What the Lord is Saying: This lesson ends 8 lessons on the sacrament of baptism. I conclude so far that baptism is not salvific. It remains a sign of the covenant God made with His people to be separate and distinct from all of the people on the earth. The practice of it is required for every believer in Christ. I don't believe it is something that we can simply make an option, and it needs to be done soon after trusting in Christ as Savior and Lord or repenting of our sins. Because it is no salvific I think it can be done at any time in a person's life. Believing parents can have their children do this as a sign again of God's covenant and the father commissioning his family to serve the Lord. Peter did mention baptism for the remission of sins but I think this is a confirmation of that act that Jesus did on the cross and I do not think baptism saves a person from their sins. I think the act of baptism is very powerful and unites us with Christ and his death and resurrection. It provides the believer in Christ clear meaning of God regenerating His people for Himself and choosing them to be His. It is Spirit that purifies us but it is the act of baptism which also confirms this work of the Spirit. 

Today's verse remembers the oneness meaning that we have and the Unity which we possess. When Paul addresses unity to the Ephesians he remarks on:

One Body and One Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who over all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4:4-6). 

It is noteworthy that baptism is included here. The words expressed here speak of unity. But they also speak of singularity. We do not have multiple bodies, but one. There are not multiple Spirits, but one. Our calling is by God and does not occur multiple times in regards to our salvation. And so does baptism occur multiple times? 

Tabletalk tells a story example of this and gives the idea that it is a one time thing as multiple baptisms give the idea of regeneration or salvation occurring multiple times. This is confirmed in the Westminster Confession of Faith. The idea is baptism is about God and not for man necessarily and its validity is not after a profession of faith. 

I guess I don't mirror this stance. I think it can be once, but if the person feels like it is needed again, then this seems fine. Perhaps a pastor needs to share from the pulpit a message so as to not bring about confusion. Salvation is once. 

Summary: We are united with Christ in baptism. Baptism presents a picture of unity and I believe as a command it can be more than once if the person sees a value in this. 

Promise: Salvation is entirely by God's grace. Water baptism does not regenerate us. But it provides a powerful picture of this and it is something we do out of obedience. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for teaching me through Your Word and helping me understand you better. I continue to define my faith and beliefs. Thank you for that process to learn. I pray that baptism will always glorify You and help us understand further you setting us aside. Help people in my life, in my family better understand the importance of this practice. Specifically, I pray for Brandon that you would help him see the need to be baptized. 

Ephesians 2:19-22 - The Apostolic Church

Ephesians 2:19-22 - So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Message: The Apostolic Church

Time: Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians sometime in AD 60–61, around the same time he wrote Colossians and Philemon. Ephesians deals with topics at the core of being a Christian - faith and practice, no matter the situation.

What the Lord is Saying: 

The final part of the study of the Apostles Creed is in regards to ensuring that what is being taught and in practice with the church is the same as what the Apostles taught. This was the goal of the early church and remains our goal today. 

Previously, I have looked at church unity in many various lessons. The church is one by decree and not one completely. By decree, we are a visible church or the church that we can see with our eyes, and we are also invisible which we can't see, but God sees because He is omniscient. Only He knows who is really part of the church because only He sees into our hearts. We have been declared Holy by God and yet we continue to grow into Holiness. And we are a universal church. Granted, we are often identified by our differences, calling ourselves Baptists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Catholics, Methodists, Church of Christ, non-denominational, Bible churches, and so many others and yet within those identifications we are still one universal church throughout the world, throughout countries, nations, states, and even cities. We have common and shared beliefs resting in the biblical gospel and yet there is diversity in what we hold to and what we emphasize as we belong together. 

In being Apostolic, our hope is that we demonstrate adherence to what the Apostles first wrote and taught. 

Jude 3 - Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. This faith delivered is God's word. In Charles John Ellicott's (1819-1905) commentary he writes the faith - "that which is believed by Christians: not the expression of the doctrine, nor the holding of it, but the substance of it." I love this. It is not the way it is expressed which matters and the way we are expressing it in all of the different forms of identification I mentioned above, but rather what is key is the substance of it and making sure we hold to this. 

Jude is writing with a sense of urgency. He is appealing that the apostles writings is what we focus on and not those of false teachers which have crept into the churches. The Apostles is who the Lord Jesus delivered His Gospel to and those are the ones who wrote it down for ages to come. Thus, what we are to hold to and contend for strenuously is these words. We are to preserve people from error. 

Today's passage from Ephesians cements this idea to us in that we are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone. As believers now and then we are (1) fellow citizens with all people from all tribes and tongues throughout history, (2) united by being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets teaching, thus apostolic, (3) with Christ Jesus being our cornerstone. Our allegiance is not simply to people, but it is to Christ. It is to God. We are united in Christ, in Him. 

We must continue through the ages to stand even closer to God's word and continue every day to be even more committed to it. I think there is a danger to align ourselves more with the world in our churches, thinking that we must in order for the gospel to be heard. And yet, in that process, people are being led astray and our separate-ness and distinctive-ness is giving way. Instead, we must continue to stay close to the Word and error on that side of things, not conformity. There must me no doubt what we are about. 

Summary: Fellow citizens built on the foundation of the apostle and prophets, teaching the biblical gospel of Jesus our cornerstone. 

Promise: To stand with Apostolic teaching, we must know it. That can be accomplished only through the regular study of Scriptures. 

Prayer: O God, I continue to love the reading and study of Your Words. And I want our world of believers in you to be United in Faith and I pray that we continue to be about this and work toward this. We get deceived rather to focus on our differences, but let us focus on the gospel of Jesus Christ and it alone. Thank you for the apostles which you called and spoke to and equipped to write these words that I study and learn from and abide by. Thank you for the message that continues to penetrate me. Let there be no doubt to anyone about what I am holding onto. Be glorified in Me and through us as members of your visible church that is hopefully also invisible or your true called out ones. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am now working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of August is about the Body of the Lord - the Church recovered in the Reformation; July was the right use of God's Law; June was justification by faith alone; May about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation, Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January, the doctrine of God. 

Christ's Body

The Body of Christ - The Church is the Body of Christ and Christ loves the church. We are to imitate Christ and see that the Church is how Christ carries out His purposes in the world. The Head of the Church - Christ is Head of the church and he only has final authority and gives life to the church. Life is found only in Jesus Christ our Lord. - The Church We Can See - Belonging to a church is not optional, for anyone. We are meant to live in a community with other believers, to hear the Word of God preached, and to grow. The Church We Cannot See - What we see is the Visible church, the invisible church only God knows because He is omniscient and that is the Church we cannot see. 

Truths about the Church from the Apostles Creed

Church Unity - The church is bigger than our local assembly; there are core beliefs among the invisible church. One People Throughout History - God has only one people; throughout the world there are people that share doctrines and truths despite their being differences in where we attend or belong. God's Holy People - By being in Christ, though we still have a fallen nature, God has set us apart as holy, as his saints. True Catholocity - God's people includes men and women from every tribe and every tongue that hold to the biblical gospel.

Revelation 7 - True Catholicity

Revelation 7 - After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!' (v. 9-10)

Message: True Catholicity 

Time: John mentions himself 4 times as author. It was written around the year 95 on John's exile to the island of Patmos after preaching the gospel to Asia. Revelation comes from the Greek word for apocalypse and refers to an unveiling. The book is about the tribulation period with symbolic language, giving us the end of the story -- Jesus will once and for all heal the wounds of sin, reign for a thousand years on earth, then re-create the world into a place that represents God's original design.

What the Lord is Saying:

Catholicity means universal. In referring to the catholic church, it means the universal church. As we continue to study 4 truths about the church of Christ from the Apostle's creed, we are looking at its unity, its holiness, its catholicity, and its Apostolicity. We have a unity or core beliefs that encompasses all believes throughout the world, those seen visible, but even more so those that belong via the invisible church, the believers that are only seen currently by our omniscient God. This church is holy or set apart for God's purpose in that the members are holy and continue to manifest holiness through there deeds and choices which are to glorify God. His church is universal. There is one church to redeem the world. That church is made up of "whoever believes in Him (John 3:16)." It is "one body and one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4:4-6)."  

The Romans Catholic church has asserted or claimed that the universal church consists only of those churches united to the bishop of Rome, the pope. I see other churches that often will do this as well. In conversations with very conservative members of the church of Christ there is the feeling that they are the only true church. The LDS church also makes this claim. But it seems that in this way these churches limit the work of God in our world, decreeing that certain tenets must be a part of church doctrine. Again, often we speak of common truths that we can agree upon and yet many churches hold to truths that many would view negotiable and yet they view as non-negotiable. 

The challenge I believe is to focus on the biblical gospel. I've looked at this before, but I believe the shift from man's condition to seated in the heavenly places is entirely God. Thus, holding to the gospel is holding to the power of God and what He has done in rescuing or redeeming his people. And this comes about by "whoever believes in Him (John 3:16" and "received Him (John 1:12)." 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!' (Revelation 7:9-10)

Summary: God's people includes men and women from every tribe and every tongue that hold to the biblical gospel. 

Promise: Our differences speak to all of our expressions of biblical church. 

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the church and its variation and its many different expressions. We too often focus on our differences with the expectation that we must all be the same. Lord, help us as a people to center ourselves on the gospel and what you have done God in saving us. I pray Lord that the church would be about this mission and we would see that we can still come alongside one another even when we have differences or different ways of expressing our faith in You. Bring us together God. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am now working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of August is about the Body of the Lord - the Church recovered in the Reformation; July was the right use of God's Law; June was justification by faith alone; May about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation, Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January, the doctrine of God. 

Christ's Body

The Body of Christ - The Church is the Body of Christ and Christ loves the church. We are to imitate Christ and see that the Church is how Christ carries out His purposes in the world. The Head of the Church - Christ is Head of the church and he only has final authority and gives life to the church. Life is found only in Jesus Christ our Lord. - The Church We Can See - Belonging to a church is not optional, for anyone. We are meant to live in a community with other believers, to hear the Word of God preached, and to grow. The Church We Cannot See - What we see is the Visible church, the invisible church only God knows because He is omniscient and that is the Church we cannot see. 

Truths about the Church from the Apostles Creed

Church Unity - The church is bigger than our local assembly; there are core beliefs among the invisible church. One People Throughout History - God has only one people; throughout the world there are people that share doctrines and truths despite their being differences in where we attend or belong. God's Holy People - By being in Christ, though we still have a fallen nature, God has set us apart as holy, as his saints.

Exodus 19:1-6 - One People Throughout History

Exodus 19:1-6 - On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, 3 while Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine, and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

Message: One People Throughout History

Time: Moses is the most likely author of this book. His education and early tradition make him the likely author and it says in Exodus 24:4 that he wrote what the Lord said. The title Exodus means departure of Israel from Egypt by the hand of God. The book covers 80 years, from 1526 to 1446 with the events at Mount Sinai. God fulfilling promises and his story of redemption are the central ideas. 

What the Lord is Saying: 

The Apostle's creed states a belief in the church, the true Christian true at all times and in all places and the communion of the saints. I'm reminded of the conversations I've been having the past several years now with pastors and lay people throughout Africa. For the most part I don't know if these churches have affiliations with denominations. Some may but as I converse with these folks, what is central is people's relationship with God. We share scripture and study it and I'm encouraged. And know that we are all part of the church. Thus, there is unity. 

And yet as I've discussed there isn't unity. There are disagreements. And yet as I've grown up my mom was always listening to different pastors and teachers, like Chuck Swindoll regularly and Focus on the Family. Chuck was part of an EV Free church in Fullerton, California. Focus was in California and then later Colorado Springs. And even when I worked at Bibles Plus and saw all of these author's. There seemed to be a real unity among Christians in these books and teachings. That it didn't matter much what church you attended or led or maybe it wasn't talked about. What mattered was the doctrines and in this way it made the invisible church visible. And that seems to be what is being emphasized today. 

Ephesians 4:1-16 speaks of this unity. I looked at these verses yesterday and am reminded again of verse 2 and 3 - bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Again, this I believe is the church at large and goes beyond our local assemblies. I see this often as my mission with the online ministry I have been involved with -- GMO -- to bear with one another in love and maintain unity. And then in verses 11 and 12 realizing that different people have different gifts and all are there to help us grow and be equipped - And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. Again, we are a bigger team than only our local assembly. Even myself, and the friends I have, like Bobby who attends a non-denominational church and Fred, who attends a different one, and Scott in Oklahoma, and Lance in Oklahoma, and Craig who is at the Presbyterian church and Karl and my brother T and his wife Brooke and Tyson and Megan and Brandon at their church in Colorado and my mom when she was alive and attended a different Baptist church and Janice (and Walt when he was alive) in Grand Junction -- everyone is at different places and yet involved in equipping me and building up the body of Christ. 

Even the church of the Old Testament days and the church in the New Testament times, the church throughout the next 2000 years and the church today - we all make up this Church Body, striving to become visible while we know that God is the one that defines us all together as the invisible church. 

And this brings us to our reading today, how this old testament people or church is with us today and part of us today -- you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine, and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Yes, Jews and Gentiles are distinct but we are also one and there can be unity among us that share the same doctrines and truths. 

Summary: We can see how the invisible church can be made visible. People in all walks of life, different parts of the world, different churches and assemblies, from old testament times to today - we are all part of the Body of Christ and all united as one Body.  

Promise: God has only one people, the promises He makes under each covenant to the corporate body apply to all of His people.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the church. Thank you for reminding me of the scope and breadth of us all, from the people we read about to the people we read to the friends and family members I have that you have called - we are all one Body. We are all part of the Body of Christ that you have established. Thank you for this. Thank you for the excitement and joy of connecting with people and learning from them and being encouraged by them and sharing life with them. Thanks for making us bigger than one place and joining us all together. It is all because of You and You bring us together. Thank you for them and for including me. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am now working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of August is about the Body of the Lord - the Church recovered in the Reformation; July was the right use of God's Law; June was justification by faith alone; May about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation, Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January, the doctrine of God.  

Christ's Body

The Body of Christ - The Church is the Body of Christ and Christ loves the church. We are to imitate Christ and see that the Church is how Christ carries out His purposes in the world. The Head of the Church - Christ is Head of the church and he only has final authority and gives life to the church. Life is found only in Jesus Christ our Lord. - The Church We Can See - Belonging to a church is not optional, for anyone. We are meant to live in a community with other believers, to hear the Word of God preached, and to grow. The Church We Cannot See - What we see is the Visible church, the invisible church only God knows because He is omniscient and that is the Church we cannot see. 

Truths about the Church from the Apostles Creed

Church Unity - The church is bigger than our local assembly; there are core beliefs among the invisible church. 

Ephesians 4:4-6 - Church Unity

Ephesians 4:4-6 - There is one Body and one Spirit -- just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call--one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 

Message: Church Unity

Time: Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians sometime in AD 60–61, around the same time he wrote Colossians and Philemon. Ephesians deals with topics at the core of being a Christian - faith and practice, no matter the situation.

What the Lord is Saying:

Since this is a study in 2017 about the 500th celebration of the Reformer's the focus is on understanding these doctrines. The doctrine of the church or its ecclesiology is actually argued to be a return to scripture. One way in which many beliefs come together is through a creed. Churches will often have bylaws to emphasize things that they believe to be their mission. For example, the church I attend has a bylaw or ministry focus that is on evangelism and equipping the saints. They do not believe the church is there to cure societal evils, but to focus on the person first and their sin problem. But churches differ and can have different emphasis and different ways to carry out their mission. Meanwhile a creed hopefully aligns all of these differences into one to summarize foundational Christian beliefs. 

One such creed is the Apostles creed that came about at the midpoint of the 5th century. This creed originally was in Latin and has been translated to English. 

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places

In our study now is 4 truths about the church of Christ: its unity, its holiness, its catholicity, and its Apostolicity. 

Today is looking at church unity. Yes, there are different churches that are visible in our world - different denominations, but the true church is one Body. This oneness is mentioned in today's scripture. 

As we mentioned and studied there is a church we see and a church we cannot see - a visible church and an individual church. Even in Paul's day there were different churches but there is a core faith defined by the gospel that unites all Christians regardless of where they hold their church membership. Differences remain but the true church is one and the invisible church transcends our local assemblies.

I really like this idea of there being a church unity and yet as I converse with people I continue to wonder if others agree with this. I know my church does, and does see the basic tenets that others have that agree with them. And yet a place like 7th day Adventist take a harder stance on Sabbath while Church of Christ takes a harder stance on baptism and Catholics a harder stance on Mary -- so each of those I think tend to think no one is like them. But overall, I still see the common thread of the beliefs of the Apostles Creed, even though each has different flavors of what they emphasize. 

Summary: Church Unity means the church is bigger than our local assembly. And there are core beliefs among believers and this speaks to our unity. 

Promise: Doctrinal differences are secondary and we don't all agree on everything. We can therefore have church unity where we can. 

Prayer: Lord, I really believe this and am thankful for this truth that I see in your scripture. It is hard at times to reconcile all the differences and the personal feelings that go along with those differences. I am thankful for those people that hold to the idea that differences are okay, but there are central truths that speak to all of us. I hope that others would see this and not be so focused on conforming people to their brand. Thank you for making me the way I am and the peace I have with that. It helps me in talking to others and ministering to them. I know  you are using me Lord and I am grateful. Help me to stay true to You always and me in the process. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am now working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of August is about the Body of the Lord - the Church recovered in the Reformation; July was the right use of God's Law; June was justification by faith alone; May about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation, Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January, the doctrine of God.  

The Body of Christ - The Church is the Body of Christ and Christ loves the church. We are to imitate Christ and see that the Church is how Christ carries out His purposes in the world. The Head of the Church - Christ is Head of the church and he only has final authority and gives life to the church. Life is found only in Jesus Christ our Lord. - The Church We Can See - Belonging to a church is not optional, for anyone. We are meant to live in a community with other believers, to hear the Word of God preached, and to grow. The Church We Cannot See - What we see is the Visible church, the invisible church only God knows because He is omniscient and that is the Church we cannot see. 

Deuteronomy 5:18 - Adultery

Deuteronomy 5:18 - You shall not commit adultery. 

Message: Adultery

Time: This book chronicles farewell messages by Moses, the 120 year old leader of the Israelite, primarily intended for the lay person. It covers about one month, at the end of the forty-year period in the wilderness - 1405 BC. It is a renewal of the old covenant given at Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab.

What the Lord is Saying: 

The Commandments are often distinguished by those that deal with our relationship with God and then those that deal with our relationship with others. Just looking at quantity it is interesting that there are 4 toward God and then 6 toward other people. It seems fair to say that God cares greatly about how we engage in life with others. And yet it often seems like we approach God in the manner that we only need to be right with Him and then we can conduct ourselves however we want in regards to one another. And yet how we conduct our lives with one another seems to have a great significance on our way toward God.  

Thus far, there has already been a commandment about the child-parent relationship, but this one is more directly about the relationship between husband and wife. 

I find it very interesting that God is wanting it to be clear that the secret to a fulfilling marriage is being true to each other and not breaking the covenant that he has set up. Last weekend, my wife and I went to a concert in Las Vegas. If there is one thing that Las Vegas focuses on is sexuality and giving the idea that in the realm of entertainment it is perfectly fine to be entertained by nudity and sensuality. When I was a kid, Las Vegas was synonymous with marriage and a place to get married easily and quickly. And yet now there is no mention of marriage at all in Las Vegas. Instead there are many billboards about gentleman clubs where nudity is prevalent, there are billboards about going to shows that celebrate sensuality and walking around the city are flamingo dancers wearing very little. It is almost like everything is being told to us in these messages that pleasing our senses is permitted and okay. Basically, the adage of "If it feels good, do it." I stared down from our hotel room and saw shops in this strip mall - tattoo's, love boutique, and computers. Just seemed interesting and their was a bar at the end of that strip. 

Clearly God knew that there would be a great temptation among married couples to break that covenant of marriage. And in my lifetime I have seen this sin become easier and easier to commit. It has gone from actually committing the act through engaging in sexual activity with someone not your mate to being able to pull up images on a phone and engage in one-sided activity with someone not your mate. This is the hallmark of sin, that it becomes easier and easier to commit and in the process it becomes less and less offensive in our thinking. 

And as a guy, I feel the temptation all of the time. We are visual creatures and there is so much on that crazy phone of mine that can lure me away from being fully focused on my wife. 

Psalm 84:11 says -- For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Here God is making mention that walking in an upright manner or righteous manner actually yields good. In other words, if we simply trust God to live by His way we will be more fulfilled in our lives than seeking out our own unrighteous ways. 

God created marriage so that we would be vulnerable to only one person. Thankfully, I recognized in my teen and college years that if I gave in to sex in a relationship it changed the dynamic of the relationship. And instead I needed to focus on the non-sexual parts of the relationship and building those up first before letting the sexual part into the relationship. My wife and I both came to our relationship realizing this was most important. We even set a goal to not kiss the first time till our wedding day. We didn't live up to this, but we didn't kiss until weeks after we had gotten engaged. So the first 4 months of our courtship were just that and no kissing. And yet once we started kissing it became very difficult to only kiss. Once we opened up that possibility it was hard to turn it off. 

I Corinthians 7:2 says, "But because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband." We are meant to be exclusive creatures: one God, one wife or husband. It speaks to vulnerability. There is definitely pleasure in the sexual union but it also moves us beyond that to a closeness that transcends the relationship. It is also in this relationship that we are shown that we mirror Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:31-32 -- "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church." It is a mystery. It is like we don't even completely recognize the extent of what it means for two to be one. 

It is not rocket science. When I replace my wife with someone else or some other image or am lured away by someone else, our relationship becomes less fulfilling. Sin affects everything and my marriage is affected. Adultery is one of the few grounds given in Scripture for divorce (Matthew 19:9 - "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.") God is wanting to protect me. I must admit. I go back and forth with trusting Him on this. I think of James 4:4 which compares adultery to idolatry or being friends with the world or aligned with the world instead of with God. Again, unity is the issue. "You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." He calls people that are joined to the world as an adulteress. So don't be joined to another. 

Summary: Adultery is sin. It is breaking God's commands. It is replacing that which is holy with unholy. 

Promise: I must always be on the guard. The world is trying to pull me away from exclusivity and God's central commands. It is most fulfilling in life when I stay exclusive. We love God's faithfulness and He wants us to be faithful in our relationships as well, most notably with our mates. 

Prayer: O God, you are Holy and your ways are perfect and good for me. Thank you for continually bringing me back to your truth and your ways and showing me how I need you to guide my life. You have set this life up in such a way as to protect me. Thank you for this past weekend and helping me understand disappointment and how it wrecks my life. And you show me the importance of simply believing in You and only You. Lord, strengthen me and keep making me strong. Even at 54 right now, I need that strength and I still struggle with temptation. But there is completeness with my wife. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of July is about the right use of God's Law; June was justification by faith alone; May about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January, the doctrine of God. 

Bringing me to Christ

The Restraint of the Law - the law is given for lawless, unholy, disobedient people, to restrain us from acting on our sinful thoughts. Restraint and Guilt - the law is meant to restrain Christians and non-Christians alike; so that others may see Christ. The Law's Revelation of Sin - The Law reveals sin, at times making it more desirable, and show the sin which people commit and the complete standard it expects. The Law and Our Powerlessness - We are powerless over the Law and Sin revealed. It is in Christ that we receive forgiveness and the power to resist sin. The Law our Guardian - The law is not a tool of justifying me, but rather it is an instrument to bring me to Christ and show me my need for Him. 

Guiding our Lives

The Guidance of the Law - The Law is a guide in our lives for what pleases God and what it looks like to walk in holiness. The Antinomian Error - We were slaves to sin, but now we are slaves to obedience and righteousness. Judaizing Legalism - The error of Judaizing Legalism is the idea that obedience brings about God's acceptance of us for salvation. The Deadliest Form of Legalism - This legalism is that one would get too focused on external practices instead of focusing on the heart.

The Law is our Guide

The Centrality of Love - Love and the law go hand in hand. We do not belong to God unless we love our neighbor, and we cannot love our neighbor without knowing and doing God‘s law and loving him. Finding Guidance in the Law - God's Word, all if it, is a guide to my life and I am to meditate on it continually. 

Caring and Protecting Us

The One and Only God - I seek to trust and love God above all else today. Images and Idols - Pictures, statues, symbols, art, people are not bad; but be careful about placing too much emphasis on these things I see. Using God's Name Frivolously - Blasphemy or using God's name frivolously are examples of taking God's name in vain. Keeping the Lord's Day - It is vital that we are setting apart a day to gather for worship and fellowship, resting from our ordinary vocations. Honoring Father and Mother - Parents are to rear their children in faith, teaching them to respect authority and children are to follow. Murder, Self-Defense and Hatred - Murder is not unforgivable and yet like any other sin, even hatred, we need to avoid it. It has consequences in this life.

My Utmost for His Highest - May 29th - Undisturbed Relationship

At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. - John 16:26-27

    "At that day ye shall ask in My name," i.e., in My nature. Not--"you shall use My name as a magic word," but--"You will be so intimate with Me that you will be one with Me." "That day" is not a day hereafter, but a day meant for here and now. "The Father Himself loveth you"--the union is so complete and absolute. Our Lord does not mean that life will be free from eternal perplexities, but that just as he knew the Father's heart and mind, so by the baptism of the Holy Ghost He can lift us into the heavenly places where He can reveal the counsels of God to us. 

    "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name. . . . (John 16:23)" "That day" is a day of undisturbed relationship between God and the saint. Just as Jesus stood unsullied in the presence of His Father, so by the mighty efficacy of the baptism of the Holy Ghost, we can be lifted into that relationship--"that they may be one, even as We are One. (John 17:22)" 

    ". . . He will give it you. (John 16:23)" Jesus says that God will recognize our prayers. What a challenge! By the Resurrection and Ascension power of Jesus, by the sent-down Holy Ghost, we can be lifted into such a relationship with the Father that we are at one with the perfect sovereign will of God by our free choice even as Jesus was. In that wonderful position, placed there by Jesus Christ, we can pray to God in His name, in His nature, which is gifted to us by the Holy Ghost, and Jesus says--"Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you." The sovereign character of Jesus Christ is tested by His own statements. 

- From Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest" - Classic Edition

Highlights and Underlines are courtesy of Mom from her print edition.

My thoughts

Chambers continues these thoughts of prayer that have been talked about him now for the last 3 days. His focus on prayer is really more about the relationship Jesus had with the Father and it being oneness and how we need to have this in mind as we think of prayer. Jesus was one with the Father so his asking was one. He knew the Father's heart and mind and so receiving things were done, I think, because asking was based upon that relationship. I'm not sure if we ask always from the same thinking. Our requests are varied and a laundry list of our wants. I need to be focused on my relationship with Him first. As he starts out saying today - "In My Name" is not a magic word to use so you get what you want but really speaks of the union we have with Him. 

My Utmost for His Highest - April 28th - What Will You Get

But you, are you seeking great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I am going to bring disaster on all flesh,’ declares the Lord, ‘but I will give your life to you as booty in all the places where you may go.’ - Jeremiah 45:5

    This is the unshakeable secret of the Lord to those who trust Him--"I will give thee thy life." What more does a man want than his life? It is the essential thing. "Thy life for a prey" means that wherever you may go, even if it is into hell, you will come out with your life, nothing can harm it. So many of us are caught up in the shows of things, not in the way of property and possessions, but of blessings. All these have to go; but there is something grander that never can go--the life that is "hid with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3)"

    Are you prepared to let God take you into union with Himself, and pay no more attention to what you call the great things? Are you prepared to abandon entirely and let go? The test of abandonment is in refusing to say--"Well, what about this?" Beware of suppositions. Immediately you allow--What about this?--it means you have not abandoned, you do not really trust God. Immediately you do abandon, you think no more about what God is going to do. Abandon means to refuse yourself the luxury of asking any questions. If you abandon entirely to God, He says at once, "Thy life will I give thee for a prey." The reason people are tired of life is because God has not given them anything, they have not got their life as a prey. The way to get out of that state is to abandon to God. When you do get through to abandonment to God, you will be the most surprised and delighted creature on earth; God has got you absolutely and has given you your life. If you are not there, it is either because of disobedience or a refusal to be simple enough.

- From Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest" - Classic Edition

Highlights and Underlines are courtesy of Mom from her print edition.

My Thoughts

The classic edition mentions "prey", while the current edition says, "prize." The danger in life is to focus on what has been given to me rather than focus on the one who has given it and being in union with Him. To surrender or abandon my life is to do it completely, without expecting anything in return. It is not "surrender" and then I look to God for a prize. The prize I will receive in abandonment or surrender is God given life.  

John 17:20-26 - The Trinity and God's Love for His People

John 17:20-26
20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
22 The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
25 “O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; 26 and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

Message: The Trinity and God's Love for His People

Time: While John does not admit to have written this gospel, there is ample evidence from others that he did. It was most likely written in Ephesus around 85-95 AD and is the fourth gospel. John provides a Jesus more clearly as the Son of God. John cites Jesus' seven "I Am" statements, mentions many miracles of Jesus, signifying Him as God's Son. He is the Son of Man and atoned for our sins and the Son of God with eternal implications in rising from the dead.

What the Lord is Saying:

This study, on the doctrine of God, has been illuminating to me as I endeavor to better understand the God that loves me - chose me - wants me to be with Him forever. Today, I see that Jesus with the Father has always been. God's love for Jesus has been present before the foundation of the world.  Yesterday the message was often about unity and this message continues today.

For a moment, I pause to look at the words from Matthew Henry about this passage:

Our Lord especially prayed, that all believers might be as one body under one head, animated by one soul, by their union with Christ and the Father in him, through the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. The more they dispute about lesser things, the more they throw doubts upon Christianity. Let us endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, praying that all believers may be more and more united in one mind and one judgment. Thus shall we convince the world of the truth and excellence of our religion, and find more sweet communion with God and his saints. Christ, as one with the Father, claimed on behalf of all that had been given to him, and should in due time believe on him, that they should be brought to heaven; and that there the whole company of the redeemed might behold his glory as their beloved Friend and Brother, and therein find happiness. He had declared and would further declare the name or character of God, by his doctrine and his Spirit, that, being one with him, the love of the Father to him might abide with them also. Thus, being joined to Him by one Spirit, they might be filled with all the fulness of God, and enjoy a blessedness of which we can form no right idea in our present state.

There is oneness with the Trinity in these verses that is expected to be present in all believers. I'm noticing, even moreso today than ever, that the world expects complete uniformity in all areas and finds disputes about many things. The church needs to be about more than this and needs to not dispute about lesser things but instead endeavor to keep the unity. That unity is present in the Godhead and Jesus mentions in this passage the unity found in His relationship with the Father. They are one. This oneness is addressed not to all people, but to all believers. As believers, we do all have different flavors of believing but we need to be more of a people of oneness and realize we are all serving our God together and our chief mission together is to reach all with the Gospel. 

I notice that our church often does a good job with this and it is always something that has interested me about our church and the community desire to work together toward the gospel with other churches. As believers we to love one another, bear one another's burdens, and edify one another. As churches, all too often our focus is each body trying to figure out their mission whether than doing it together. O Lord, what would it look like if we were united together? 

Promise: On our own, love is not easy. We tend to focus on our differences rather than our unity. But we can be a people of love toward one another. God's love for us never stops and our love toward one another is to never stop as well. Unite us Lord. 

Prayer: These verses that I read today from John 17 speak Lord of unity. Lord, we need to be a people united. Lord, I think of this and wonder how we could do this and make this work in our community. We are a people with differences obviously in our worship styles, our preaching, our makeup in the churches, but we should be more about the same purpose and working together for that purpose in our community. There needs to be more unity. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with January being about the doctrine of God.

Ephesians 2:18 - The Trinity and Christian Unity

Ephesians 2:18
for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

Message: The Trinity and Christian Unity

Time: Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians sometime in AD 60–61, around the same time he wrote Colossians and Philemon. Ephesians deals with topics at the core of being a Christian - faith and practice, no matter the situation.

What the Lord is Saying:

As I have studied previously, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work inseparably. Every act of God is from the Father through the Son and in the Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity has the same divine attributes, but each person acts in a manner fitting to His unique personal properties. Unbegottenness is the unique personal property of the Father, begottenness is the unique personal property of the Son, and procession is the unique personal property of the Holy Spirit.

They have worked inseparably in creation, making the universe out of nothing - in atoning for our sin - in redeeming the Israelites and man in general, and in sanctifying the saints.

Ephesians 2 is the life of a Christian, showing us being dead in our sins, made alive in Christ, and walking on to live our lives in good works. As this verse records it is through Him (Jesus Christ) that we are made alive (Eph 2:5) as we were dead in our transgressions. Whether people recognize it or no in their lives, it is clear they are dead in their sins. In Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Eph 2:12). One of Jesus' complaints to the Jewish leaders was they were excluding the Gentiles from access to God. At one point he got upset with them for turning the synagogue and worship area into a market. He spoke of the fig tree and how they were not bearing fruit. The tabernacle had a place that would give access to the Gentiles, but the leaders instead excluded them.

It is through Him we both have our access. What is the meaning of the word 'both?' Ephesians 1:1 says this writing is from Paul to the saints at Ephesus. He speaks and states that Gentiles were formerly excluded: you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God (Ephesians 2:14). God never intended his chosen people Israel to be his only people. In the temple there was an outer court and inner court. Jesus said in Mark 11:17 quoting from Isaiah 56:7 - My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations. The temple had a section for the Gentiles to come into and pray to Yahweh but they were not welcome there. Between Jews and Gentiles there was also a division, an inner court and outer court.

I think it is important here to see that God had always had a mission to the Jew and Gentile, to redeem mankind. He chose Israel and they did not allow the Gentile to be included. Jesus came and opened the access for all. It is through Him we both (Jew and Gentile) have our access.

All too often I think I have thought that the Old Testament was about the chosen people, the Jews as God was about only the Jews. Then Jesus came for the Gentiles. Instead, God has always been about saving and grafting in all people - Jew and Gentile. The Jews were really meant to assist the Gentiles towards God. And now in Christ, after we are all made alive - we are all commissioned to take this message to everyone - to all nations. The message is God wants to redeem or save all.

Promise: It is through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. Our access to the unbegotten Father God is in one Spirit. It is a three-fold union. It is three-fold unity. We come to Father, in the spirit, through Jesus. Both Jew and Gentile come to the Father in one Spirit. There is unity in coming to God.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for showing me the Unity and confirming the truth of your forever gospel message of saving all people - Jew and Gentile - all nations. You love all and you want all to be with you forever in heaven, in paradise.


Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with January being about the doctrine of God.

Genesis 1:1-2 - The Trinity and Creation

Genesis 1:1-2
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.

Message: The Trinity and Creation

Time: Genesis is the first book and Moses is credited as authoring. The book spans 2400 years of time. It was originally written in Hebrew.

What the Lord is Saying:

The story of the Gospel is one of being redeemed. I have just finished reading a book called, What is the Gospel? and it was a nice summary statement of the meaning of the Gospel and at its core it is a story of God redeeming people. But people also understand that they need to be redeemed and therefore, they desire to Glorify God following that redemption. Thus the gospel is lost, found, believe, change. It is unfortunate that a book like this needs to be written, but people and the church have somewhat muddied the waters as to what is salvation and so we need to be reminded again what it is that sits at the foundation of our faith.

The Gospel has a beginning - In the beginning God. For one, it is clear that God is beginning. God begins all. Thus, God is already on the scene at the beginning. It is not that God was created, but He already existed and for man the first act we know is God created. The Gospel and the World matter because God created, otherwise we might as well subscribe to the idea that the world just came on the scene for an unknown reason, by itself. God created the heavens and the earth. 

The Gospel writer John also shows that Jesus was with God in the beginning and as such was God eternal: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word or the Son or Jesus was on the scene at the same time of creation, thus Jesus pre-existed creation.

At the time of the creation the Spirit of God was also present. Verse 2 says the earth was formless and void and darkness was over the surface of the deep and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. The Spirit of God was over the waters, waiting and ready to minister to the creation. Yesterday in the reading of John 14:26 was the description of the Spirit of God's work He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. The Spirit of God is ready to be in our lives. God is active and present and ready for His creation.

Any act of God involves all three persons of the Godhead. That doesn't mean that we always read them being on the scene and at times, one may be emphasized over the other(s). Thus, there is a co-working of the three persons of the Godhead and this doctrine is known as inseparable operations. Thus, the three are not cooperating. The eternal operations of God proceed from Father, through the Son, in the Spirit.

There is a unity here in the description of even the work of God. These states of America have been often on a roller coaster of unity. I don't think one could say that right now we are a people united. Instead there is fear, anxiety, distrust, and division. And as such our nation is less and less about God.

Purpose: All three persons of the Trinity work in tandem for one common purpose. Thus, the people of God are to strive for unity.

Prayer: O Lord God, I come to you and thank you for being creator of all. You are perfect and over all. Thank you for showing us the true meaning of unity. How we are a people in need of unity. We are stubborn and divided. We all want peace but we are striving on our own rather than submitting to You first God. Return us to the joy of our salvation. Help me to be defined by unity and embrace the understanding of you God and how you proceeded from the Father, through the Son, in the Spirit. Help me to voice clarity of who you are. I do not want to be ashamed, but instead want to make you known at all times. Forgive me for fear in sharing, my own selfishness. Forgive me God for these things. I want to start anew, afresh with You as Lord and God.


Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with January being about the doctrine of God.