"Our true guilt, that brazen heaven which stands between us and God, can be removed only upon the basis of the finished work of Christ plus nothing on our part. The Bible’s whole emphasis is that there must be no humanistic note added at any point in the accepting of the gospel. It is the infinite value of the finished work of Christ, the second person of the Trinity, upon the cross plus nothing that is the sole basis for the removal of our guilt. When we thus come, believing God, the Bible says we are declared justified by God, the guilt is gone, and we are returned to fellowship with God—the very thing for which we were created in the first place. Just as the only basis for the removal of our guilt is the finished work of Christ upon the cross in history, plus nothing, so the only instrument for accepting that finished work of Christ upon the cross is faith. This is not faith in the twentieth-century or Kierkegaardian concept of faith as a jump in the dark—not a solution on the basis of faith in faith. It is believing the specific promises of God; no longer turning our backs on them, no longer calling God a liar, but raising the empty hands of faith and accepting that finished work of Christ as it was fulfilled in history upon the cross."



Schaeffer, Francis A. (2001-09-01). True Spirituality (pp. 3-4). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Blogs to Return Tuesday

Col 3:1-4  "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." 

Having been raised to newness of heart and having a new direction in life, set out on the quest-the journey of knowing the majesty, authority, beauty, grandeur and absolute love of God given to to you in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ has taken over and He is your life. His presence verified by the things that occupy your mind and heart is the guarantee and promise that He is coming back again for you. 

Yes He is coming back, He will know if your life is really changed. Have you repented from your rebellion against God. Those who are alive to God have put to death immorality, they no longer live driven by fulfilling there bodies passion, desiring to do evil things- being covetous of others. This is worshiping idols. Is there anything that has replace the place of having God as the passion driving your life goals and actions? 
It is these things that is building up wrath and God's love is pure, right and full; delivering justice. 
You used to be like that yourself, so don't point the finger of superiority, there is no room for arrogance or pride. Love is filled with humility. 
In all humility put away anger, wrath and malicious activities. Don't slander others and drive away obscenity. Stop lying to yourself and telling others lies. 
Your focus upon Jesus Christ will renew you and form you in the image of God. This is what you were created for and it is the only way that you will be fulfilled.

Col 3:5-10  "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.  Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."

This image of God, this acceptance in Jesus Christ has nothing to do with ethnic or national origins. It is not about religious ceremony, rules or ritual. It is not about social status or personal economic position. It is only about coming to Christ. He is everything and the only thing this acceptance before God is about. 

Col 3:11  "Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all."

So in Him, through Him, put on the life of God given by His Spirit. He has chosen you to pour into you His character. This only comes from Him, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. This is the description of Him who is separate from all things. You are loved because He is Absolute Love. So act like you don't deserve the things you have been given from God. He has been bearing with you in your rebellion so bear with others around you. Forgive others, just as Christ has given you a forgiveness that is undeserved.    You must have a Spirit of forgiveness.


Mat 6:14, 15  "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"


Col 3:12, 13  "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." 

He is Absolute Love, this establishes all things connected to Him harmoniously. This is the characteristic of those who follow Him. 

Col 3:14  "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." 

If you follow His peace will rule over your heart and guide you in all circumstance. He has called those who follow to be united and be filled with gratefulness. 

Col 3:15  "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." 

Here is the practical things that will allow Christ heart to be built into your heart. Let His Word take up living space in you. This is the base for anything that is taught, any admonishment. This is the wisdom of God, sing about it, from the psalms, make hymns and spiritual songs that come directly from His Word. Find ways to keep the thankfulness you have towards God built up in your hearts. 
The whole idea is to do anything and everything in a way that it holds up the character of God, it should be focused on glorifying Christ, and reflects thanks to God through praise to His Son. 

Col 3:16, 17  "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." 

Col 2:6, 7  "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." 

Have you received Christ, accepted Him by grace through faith. Don't play around with what this means. Receiving Him means making your walk and your talk match. Has He become the very root-foundation of what who you are? Is your faith growing and being firmed up daily and does that lead to more and more gratefulness and joy in your heart?

Don't let some new and different philosophy take hold of your desires. There are a lot of con men out there promising everything but delivering nothing. They talk about traditions of people that supposedly found the secrets to prosperity and happiness. Or they have some spiritual power that promises fortune and healing. These are in opposition to Jesus Christ. 

Col 2:8  "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." 

For it is in Jesus Christ, the man, alone that all the fullness of God takes full expression. You have been filled up in Him with His Spirit by receiving Him. His authority and command are final, He has all authority and reigns over all things.

Col 2:9, 10  "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority." 

It was in Him that you were set apart, by a change of your heart and mind and direction of life. You put off and put to death your old ways of life. You were raised up by the power that raised Him from the dead, the all powerful strength of God. This was powerfully demonstrated by your response of obedience in baptism.

Col 2:11, 12  "In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,  having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead."

Do you understand all that God did in Christ? He took you from the grave, cut away all the covering of sin and darkness of your heart. Pouring out mercy and forgiveness, He provided His gracious love to take on the punishment you deserved for trampling upon His commands. His just sentiment was canceled by the death of Christ on the Cross as He took our punishment. All those things that would stand between us and God's presence were nailed to the cross, no longer do they remain on us.

Col 2:13, 14  And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross." 

In this single death blow Jesus left the ones who claimed rule and authority without any ammunition to claim their right to rule and to place themselves in authority. It is to the shame of all who claim the authority of God that Christ has triumphed and demonstrated His superiority and power.

Col 2:15  "He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." 

So if someone calls on mere regulations or rules regarding what you can eat and drink. If they want to control things you can do to celebrate and when you celebrate. These rules and regulations are not the essence, or the substance of what it means to be Godly. It is only Christ, who He is and what he has done that holds substance in relation to being Godly. All of these other things were only a shadow pointing to His coming.

Col 2:16, 17  "Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ." 

So don't let these traditions, rules, regulations or practices of religion disqualify you from putting all of your hope in God through faith in Christ Jesus. It isn't from giving up everything, disclaiming all possessions, worshiping angelic beings, or paying homage and paying attention to strange visions that bring you to God. You need to hold onto Jesus Christ as the starting place, it is He alone that can fit you for heaven and bring you into a place of developing into who God wants you to become. 
If you really died to all the worldly foolishness and have been placed under the reign of Jesus Christ, don't keep submitting to mans made up regulations. These regulations that say you can't handle, or taste or even be in the vicinity of certain things; these are inconsequential to your standing before God. They ones insisting on these rules and codes seem wise, but they are only there to build up pride in what the person does. Attempts to please God, instead they make God turn away in disgust. They are a religious exercise of foolishness because there is nothing we can do to impress God or win His favor. In addition they have no value in changing the heat to love God's commands and gladly follow after Jesus. They are only outward play acting and have no way of changing our fleshly desires that fight against the Spirit.

Col 2:18-23  "Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations-- "Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch"  (referring to things that all perish as they are used)--according to human precepts and teachings?  These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh." 

Do you want to know the way to have your heart changed? Do you want to know what is acceptable to God? It is only by looking fully upon the risen Christ as your hope with full faith in Him bringing you into favor with God. He will cause you to set your mind and heart in a new direction. Your focus will change from what you can do, to who Christ is and what He has done. His acceptance before God, seated right next to Him, ruling and reigning, will be your acceptance before God. 


Col 3:1, 2  "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Col 1:24-26  "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,  of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints." 

There is a certain type of joy that comes from suffering in the midst of accomplishing good in other peoples lives. This is magnified when the joy comes from both the activity and from an inner sense of being at one with the purposes of God. In what I am doing I am completing, on behalf of the Christ who died for me, what He wants to fulfill in the lives of others. It is not that anything was lacking in what He accomplished in the sufferings He endured in His fleshly body. It is that there is a Spiritual Body of all those He is calling to Himself that goes on now and is fully completed when He returns in the flesh. 
I am given the ministry as a steward to suffer on your behalf in the power and grace of God given me by the risen Christ. My mission is to give the message of the Word of God in all fullness in every place He leads me to go. He is Absolute Love, He is the eternal Word, He is Yahweh. This is the mystery of God's grace and glory, hidden and misunderstood but now revealed to all who would place themselves in His hand by faith. 
To all of them, the choice of God was to make known how great, glorious and manifestly rich He is in Love , Mercy and Grace. This mystery is that we share in that glory and have hope to attain it through Jesus Christ Himself taking up residence in us.

Col 1:27  "To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. "

His presence indwelling us by the Spirit is what causes us to proclaim Him. Compelling and warning everyone of His gracious offer of forgiveness and the folly of being unrepentant. The wisest persons in the end are those who give up all to follow Him. This giving up is giving up all things that hinder us from being obedient to God, becoming mature in becoming like Jesus Christ in obedience. 

Col 1:28  "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ."

So this work of bringing the good news of who Jesus Christ is and what His accomplishment means for those   who follow is worth the hard work. I struggle with every ounce of energy to keep at the task, because all this energy is His power giving me the fortitude and strength to keep on task. 
The result of this struggle is to encourage and unite the hearts of all of you, being full of certainty and assurance in the knowledge of what God has revealed. It is all about Jesus Christ. All culminates in knowing Him and through Him receiving the wisdom of God. Knowing what a treasure it is to belong to and be in full fellowship with God. 

Col 1:29-2:3  "For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face,  that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ,  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." 


I tell you all of this so you don't get off track from following God. You need to fill yourself up with he knowledge of Christ and the wisdom of fellow-shipping with God, so you don't fall by some clever argument that gives you the delusion that there is a different way to go. You won't fall by some desire to seek life in any other promise. It is a lie. 

Col 2:4  I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 

Even though I am not with you, I am always thinking of you and am with you in spirit. My joy is found in what God does in your life and the evidence of your standing in the strength of Jesus Christ. So just as you received Him joyfully, walk in His grace and power. Don't wander away, but stay planted and grow in Christ. He will establish you in your faith. Keep to the teachings of the Word and what you have been taught of Jesus Christ, always He will provide an overflow of being thankful.  

Col 2:5-7  "For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.  Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." 

Col 1:13, 14  "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." 

Can you believe how much love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and power God has poured into you. He pulled you out of utter despair and darkness. You were mired in a mess of wandering away from God. He reached down pulled you out and placed into the the presence and power of the reign of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. It is in this Jesus of Nazareth, God incarnate that we find redemption from the sentence of eternal dying and forgiveness. He has wiped clean all of our rebellion and failings in walking away from God.

Let me tell who this Jesus is: He is the very reflection in every detail of God the Father. He is the one who began all of the created world. Prior to all things created, the only begotten Son of God!

Col 1:15  "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation." 

It is from Him, and through Him and to Him that everything has come into being. I am talking about heavenly creation and the creation of all things on earth. It is His universe, His galaxies and the vast reaches of space. There is no where where He has not put His finger print upon and nowhere that He is not now there. He is eternally present with the Father and the Spirit of God proceeds from Him and the Father, the three in one ever united and ever present. There is no power that derives its authority except it is granted by Him. He uses all things the the glorious praise of His power and wisdom.

Col 1:16  "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him." 

Along with being the very God of very God taking on human flesh, Jesus Christ is preeminent in all things nothing takes a place before Him, no one can be the replacement of Him. He holds all things together by His Word, for He is the very Word that created everything and by His command, all things that remain and exist, are held together

Col 1:17  "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." 

He is the authority over those who are enabled to turn to Him, for He has called them out from their wandering and darkness and by His Word He has commanded them to believe by grace as gift given to cause them to believe and have faith. He is the alpha and omega, the beginning and end of all things, and He y the power of God, existing in Him was raised from death to life in a glorified human form that He might be the first to lead us and many others to newness of life. 
So you can see that He is preeminent in all things. Can you imagine being loved and served by such a man, such a God!

Col 1:18  "And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent." 

For it was in Christ Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth that all the fullness of who God is existed and dwelt in this man. Through His perfect life, perfectly obeying the Father and serving us through dying  and receiving the eternal punishment of God, that God now reconciled all things to His will. To His purpose of perfectly melding love and justice, law and grace, faithfulness and obedience that was not coerced or forced, but freely and gladly given. The shed blood of Jesus Christ made peace with all aspects of God's purpose and will. 

Col 1:19, 20  "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." 

Now back to you, or may I say; back to what the result of all that Jesus Christ is and does, means to you. You were at odds with God, fighting against Him, You wanted to act in evil ways forsaking and rebelling against the laws of God. 
Now Christ has taken you and by His death has reconciled you to God. He is now able to allow you to be presented to God as separated to God, blameless, with no reproach that is laid upon you. Do you feel the power? Do you feel the Love? He is Absolute Love and has laid grace upon grace on you. 
Here is the test, continuing in faith to hold tightly to His gift, being stable and steady in focusing you hope upon Him. Laying all of your trust in the good news of what Christ has done and taking it as your own means of acceptance before God. 

Col 1:21-23  "And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,  he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,  if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister." 

Col 1:1-8  "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,  since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,  because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel  which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing--as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. 

I, Paul am a chosen messenger under direct commands from Christ Jesus and from the eternal purpose of God. All of us are calling on God that His grace and peace be poured out into your hearts. We are so thankful to God for you. We keep hearing about your faith in Jesus Christ demonstrated by your love. He is Absolute Love. Your love come from faith and is driven by the hope you have in God's love toward you. You have heard of the good news of God's grace in loving us, sending His Son to die in our place and now living to pour the Spirit of God into your hearts producing love for one another. 
So from the first time we heard of your love driven by grace through faith, we have been so thankful. We have continually brought you up in our fellowship with God asking that you would be filled up with knowing Christ deeper. We ask that your wisdom be increased so that you honor and please God by all the things you do and say. 

Col 1:9, 10  "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." 

I ask that you be given the very strength of God's immense storehouse of power. It is a glorious experience to be filled with patience and joy in enduring suffering on behalf of our loving savior. I want you to feel the gratitude towards God the Father, for in giving His Son He has made you qualified to share in His wonderful light. This is only found by being able to enter into His presence through repentance and forgiveness.

Col 1:11, 12  "May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." 

In amazing grace, He has mercifully forgiven us in substituting His only begotten Son. In His power He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and separation, to the kingdom of Jesus Christ. He is Lord of lords and King of Kings. He is Yahweh. He is Absolute Love. 

Col 1:13, 14  "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,  in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." 

"OK, grace sounds good, but what is it exactly? Grace is like mercy, right? No. Grace and mercy flow from the same stream of God’s character, but they have distinct differences. Perhaps you’ve heard the common explanations: Grace is getting what I don’t deserve— that is, heaven and every blessing on this side of glory. Mercy is not getting what I do deserve— that is, hell and eternal separation from God. Those definitions are workable, but I’d like to offer my own definition of grace that I’ll expand on later. Grace is a godly characteristic that determines God’s posture toward his children whereby he generously and freely loves, forgives, favors, and exalts undeserving sinners into sonship."

Kraus, Harry (2012-08-14). Breathing Grace: What You Need More Than Your Next Breath (Kindle Locations 180-187).  . Kindle Edition.


"Just as every cell (one hundred trillion in one human body!) requires a constant supply of oxygen, so every spiritual, emotional, and social aspect of our lives need a constant saturation with the gospel of grace."

Kraus, Harry (2012-08-14). Breathing Grace: What You Need More Than Your Next Breath (Kindle Locations 270-273).  . Kindle Edition.

Blogs to return Monday

"In truth, our frustration, anxiety, and lack of fulfillment and victory over sin have more to do with our reaction to circumstances than with the circumstances themselves, and in turn our reactions are governed by our understanding of God’s grace. God never promised a pain-free life, but he did promise that his grace is all we need in our search for peace and fulfillment. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” —2 Corinthians 12: 9 For many, grace is just a word we sing, a recitation of mindless words on a Sunday morning. We carry on with life, unmoved and unmotivated by the magnitude of God’s character. Others have given up completely, having heard the word but failing to understand its depth. Grace. An athletic quality, right? Grace. Aren’t we supposed to call royalty, “Your Grace?” Sure I know about grace. I say grace before meals, at least when I’m not in a restaurant. [1] God’s grace? His kindness, right? For too many grace is an out-there word, too abstract to curl into your arms and embrace. The enormity of its importance has been lost in contemporary language. It seems a bit like the quality of niceness exuded by Mr. Rogers on his beloved TV show. Our concept is anemic, weakened by a society content with substitutes, false gospels of self-worship, and materialism. But God’s grace is amazing. I almost hesitate to use that adjective, for fear you will skip over its meaning. Amazing. Astonishing. Astounding. My Microsoft dictionary defines amazing this way: “So extraordinary or wonderful as to be barely believable or cause extreme surprise.” So yes, amazing is a perfectly good description of the gospel of grace."

Kraus, Harry (2012-08-14). Breathing Grace: What You Need More Than Your Next Breath (Kindle Locations 139-161).  . Kindle Edition.

Blogs to return Monday

Php 4:9-12  "What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.  Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." 

I have taught you what it is to walk with Christ. You heard the things I have said. You received me and embraced my teachings. You watched me demonstrate what I was talking about. If you follow my lead in walking with Christ, God's peace will be with you. I am  filled with joy that you saw my need, heard of my predicament and followed through by sharing with me from what God has given you. I am not saying the gift of money is what I am so happy about, I am happy because it shows your trust in God and His heart of Love. 
I was content in my situation, I have learned to find my contentment in Christ, His love and presence with me is my joy in any circumstance. I can go through anything, because I rely on His power and strength to give me the strength to endure.

Php 4:13  "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." 

All your gifts are appreciated and I thank you. I am well supplied now.

Php 4:14-18 "Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.  Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. "

Everything that you need I know God will also supply to you. He has wealth beyond measure. His Son is gloriously rich in mercy, grace and love. He owns and controls all things. He is Yahweh. 

Php 4:19  "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." 

In the end, now and forever, God will be given the glory. Greet each other warmly, Everyone here sends their warmest greeting. Especially those who are a part of Caesars family. May your spirit be filled with the grace that flows from the heart of Jesus Christ. He is Absolute Love.  

Php 4:20-23  "To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.  Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.  All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit." 

Php 4:8  "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." 

Php 4:8  "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, 


Rev 19:11-16  "Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.  He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. "

whatever is honorable, 


Rev 5:11-13  "Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,  saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" 

whatever is just, 


Rev 15:1-4  "Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished. And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire--and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!  Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed." 

whatever is pure, 


Rev 19:6 -9 "Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;  it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"-- for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These are the true words of God." 

whatever is lovely, 


Psa 84:1,2 "How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. 

whatever is commendable,


Jer 9:23, 24  "Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD." 

 if there is any excellence, 

Isa 28:29  "This also comes from the LORD of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom."

if there is anything worthy of praise, 


Psa 148: "Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights!  Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!  Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars!  Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!  Let them praise the name of the LORD! For he commanded and they were created. And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps,  fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word!  Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds!  Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and maidens together, old men and children!  Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the LORD! 


think about these things."


Php 4:8  "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." 

Php 4:1  "Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved." 

As a family I long for your fulfillment. Nothing would bring me more joy. I want you to know that fulfillment is only found in being in Jesus Christ. He is Absolute Love. Don't move even one inch from the path of following Jesus.
I know you have differences of opinion, agree by coming to understand the will of the Lord. Don't hold onto differences but help those who disagree with one another to ind common ground. The good news of God's grace is the place to start and our common standing as people God has poured out His grace upon. 

Php 4:2, 3  "I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life." 

If you find any place to start it is in happiness and joy in the LORD. He is absolutely overflowing with happiness because of the great love that the three in one share, Father, Son and Spirit. They are infinitely full of love and joy in what they share and that overflows in mercy and grace to us.

Php 4:4  "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice." 

So be able to reason things out, work out those conflicts and come to agreement. Don't let it fester or slide, God is right here to help you come to full fellowship with one another.

Php 4:5  "Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;" 

So don't let anxiety about these things eat you up and divide you. Bring all these things that divide and irritate to God, He will show you the way. Always be thankful, for He will open the door for you to find a solution. 

Php 4:6  "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." 

In seeking Him peace will flow into your midst. Your hearts will be softened, guarded against hardness and being closed off to grace. Your minds will be opened to see beyond the obstacles to agreement for you will have the mind of Christ. 

Php 4:7  "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 

Php 3:8-11  "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith--  that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."

There is nothing worth getting in the way of knowing Jesus Christ more deeply. His worth far surpasses anything else that could catch my eyes delight and my hearts affection. In fact everything else that I might count as something of worth is really garbage compared to Jesus Christ. Any worth or righteousness that I could gain in this world from doing things that impress others is a waste. All depends on Jesus Christ, my faith is from Him and in Him. The only thing worth knowing is the power of God in my life that is the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. I want to share all of what He suffered and die to myself so that I live only for Him. 

I haven't gotten there yet. I still fail miserably. I am far from perfect. Thank God that He doesn't approve of me because of any merit in me, He has made me His own simply by mercy, grace and love. He is Absolute Love. So I am pressing towards that love as He is holding love out to me and drawing me in by His love. I press on to know more and more grace, more and more love. By whatever means possible I keep moving up toward what He is calling me to be, His child, in the image of Christ Jesus. 

Php 3:12-14 "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,  I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

This is the thinking of someone who has been together with Jesus, walking closely with Him. If you have a different idea of what maturity in Christ looks like, God will reveal His will to you. Let us hold true to the level of love towards God that we have attained. 

Php 3:15, 16  "Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.  Only let us hold true to what we have attained."

You can imitate my walk and follow the example of other mature followers of Christ.

Php 3:17  "Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us."

There are many who walk in a way that is against love and against dying to self. They have an earthly bent and they glorify themselves to their shame, they worship their own appetites which drive them and they will end up destroyed by the very thing they passionately pursue.

Php 3:18, 19  "For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things."

Our place of hope and passion though is eternity. We are people who see our home is where Jesus Christ is at and coming from. When He comes for us He will change us to be like Him, and we will worship Him in loving adoration as all things will be subjected to His mighty power. 

Php 3:20-21  "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

So because you know all of this, stand firm in the powerful love that is from walking with the LORD Jesus Christ. I love as my family and long that you would be the crowing triumph of joy in your perseverance in following Jesus. 

Php 4:1 " Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved."

Php 3:1  "Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you." 

As I think about the most important message I can leave you with it is to rejoice in The LORD. He is Absolute Love, the giver of life, He sustains and strengthens. To focus on Jesus Christ is to find meaning and joy in all things. He is Yahweh. I know I keep telling you this but your safe arrival in the Kingdom depends upon finding your joy in the Lord. 

Now watch out for those who put their trust in rules and ritual, for those who are truly in the family; the children of God are those who have no reliance on what they can do to earn God's favor. The family member is the one who is full of awe and love for giving glory only to Jesus Christ. The Spirit of the living God has invaded their hearts and and it is Him that they have faith in and serve. Watch out also for those who deny God and those who are enemies of God rebelling against His laws. 

Php 3:2, 3  "Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh-- "

You know I did everything I could in the eyes of religion to have confidence that God would acknowledge that I merited His favor. Anyone that thinks they are better at religion keeping they are far behind me. I followed all the rituals to the minute detail, I had the pedigree and the place. I followed all the rules and went beyond all the requirements. I had the passion to go after what I thought would get God to accept me. 

Php 3:4-6  "though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless." 

All of that desire and effort was worthless in God's eyes. It didn't gain me anything with God, it only impressed other religious people. I forsook all of that for the sake of Jesus Christ. Isa Al Masih, Yeshua Messiah. He is Yahweh. 

Php 3:7  "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ." 

In fact I count everything in this world that people pursue as desirable, because there is nothing more desirable than knowing Christ Jesus. He is the LORD and King of the Universe. For His sake I gave up everything and count it all as worthless, it only kept me from the pouring all my heart out to coming to Christ. I knew that after all I did to so my worth to God it was all worthless. You cannot find God in doing things to earn His favor, you only find God through grace by faith in the righteous of God's only begotten Son Jesus Christ, this faith is evidence that His righteousness has been placed upon you and you are now adopted into the family of God. 

Php 3:8, 9  "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith--" 

I want to become more and more a part of God's family, I want to know more of Jesus Christ, so I can become more like Him and have a complete sense of His power that was imparted to me through His being raised from the dead. I want to know more about suffering in my flesh to the point of dying to myself. I want to be found in Him so that I also am raised from the dead to life. 
I know that I have a long way to go. I am in no way perfect and my journey is not complete. I keep going for this one reason, because Christ Jesus has made me a part of His family, He is continuing to give me the power to become like Him. 

Php 3:10-12  "that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,  that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own."

"God and the spiritual world are real. We can reckon upon them with as much assurance as we reckon upon the familiar world around us. Spiritual things are there (or rather we should say here) inviting our attention and challenging our trust. Our trouble is that we have established bad thought habits. We habitually think of the visible world as real and doubt the reality of any other. We do not deny the existence of the spiritual world but we doubt that it is real in the accepted meaning of the word. The world of sense intrudes upon our attention day and night for the whole of our lifetime. It is clamorous, insistent and self-demonstrating. It does not appeal to our faith; it is here, assaulting our five senses, demanding to be accepted as real and final. But sin has so clouded the lenses of our hearts that we cannot see that other reality, the City of God, shining around us. The world of sense triumphs. The visible becomes the enemy of the invisible; the temporal, of the eternal. That is the curse inherited by every member of Adam's tragic race. At the root of the Christian life lies belief in the invisible. The object of the Christian's faith is unseen reality. Our uncorrected thinking, influenced by the blindness of our natural hearts and the intrusive ubiquity of visible things, tends to draw a contrast between the spiritual and the real; but actually no such contrast exists. The antithesis lies elsewhere: between the real and the imaginary, between the spiritual and the material, between the temporal and the eternal; but between the spiritual and the real, never. The spiritual is real. If we would rise into that region of light and power plainly beckoning us through the Scriptures of truth we must break the evil habit of ignoring the spiritual. We must shift our interest from the seen to the unseen. For the great unseen Reality is God. "He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." This is basic in the life of faith. From there we can rise to unlimited heights. "Ye believe in God," said our Lord Jesus Christ, "believe also in me." Without the first there can be no second. If we truly want to follow God we must seek to be other-worldly. This I say knowing well that that word has been used with scorn by the sons of this world and applied to the Christian as a badge of reproach. So be it. Every man must choose his world. If we who follow Christ, with all the facts before us and knowing what we are about, deliberately choose the Kingdom of God as our sphere of interest I see no reason why anyone should object. If we lose by it, the loss is our own; if we gain, we rob no one by so doing. The "other world," which is the object of this world's disdain and the subject of the drunkard's mocking song, is our carefully chosen goal and the object of our holiest longing."


Tozer, A.W.; Tozer, Aidan; Tozer, Aidan Wilson (2011-01-31). The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer (Special Kindle Enabled Edition with Interactive Table of Contents and Built in Text to Speech Features) (Illustrated) ... | The Writings of Aiden Wilson Tozer of) (Kindle Locations 601-625). Christian Miracle Foundation Press. Kindle Edition.

Blogs to return Monday

"So in every case, the decisive impulse for our holiness and our sin-killing is the death of Christ. Which means that the decisive power for our conquering sin is Christ’s canceling sin. That is, the only sin that we can defeat is a forgiven sin. If we try to defeat an unforgiven sin — that is, if we try to conquer our sin before it is canceled — we become our own saviors; we nullify the justification of the ungodly (Romans 4: 4– 5), and we head straight for despair and suicide. The Link: Our Empowered Will But don’t miss this: In each of these three cases (in the death of Christ we died, we were bought, and we were forgiven), the link between the cross and our conquered sin is our empowered will. Our will, engaged to fight sin with blood-bought power. I say that because in each of these three cases the statement of our death, our purchase, and our forgiveness was made the cause of a command addressed to our will. “Let not sin reign in your body.” “Glorify God in your body.” And “Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another.” Those commands are addressed to us. They engage our will. And the power that engages and enlivens and carries our will, so that it will be clear that our willing is a cross-exalting willing, is the power of the Holy Spirit, which is given to us precisely because of the death of Christ for us. The Holy Spirit is a blood-bought, new covenant gift of God (Romans 8: 3­5; 7: 4; Galatians 2: 20). Which means that the link between the cross and our conquered sin is a Holy-Spirit empowered will. Listen to these texts that describe this reality: Romans 7: 6 — “We died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.” I serve in the newness of the Spirit. Romans 8: 13— “By the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body.” I put sin to death, by the Spirit. Galatians 2: 20— “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” The life I now live . . . Christ lives in me.” 1 Peter 4: 11— “Whoever serves, let him do it as one who serves by the strength that God supplies — in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” I serve, but in the strength that God supplies. And it is a blood-bought supply. 1 Corinthians 15: 10— “By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” I worked. But it was the grace of God that was working in my working. In every single case, this is the way it works: I am working. I am willing. I am serving. I am putting sin to death. My will is engaged. But in every case, our will is empowered by another will: the will of the Spirit, the will of Christ, the will of God, the will of grace."


John Piper. Sanctification in the Everyday: Three Sermons by John Piper (Kindle Locations 70-92). Desiring God Foundation.

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Php 2:14- 16  "Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain." 

When you are asked to do something and God is leading you through a difficult path, show your true colors as a child of God. Walk through the difficulties without grumbling or whining. Everyone around you is walking aimlessly and all confused about who God is and what a difference a relationship with God would look like. Shine the light of love in their eyes, hold out to them the Word of God that gives life and hope. There is a time when Christ returns that you will be so happy knowing that bearing up in times of distress will be shown to have been a great return of love for your patient endurance.

As for myself and my difficult circumstance, even if I pour all that I have and am spent and in the grace of God's immeasurable power I exhaust myself, I will be so happy and filled with joy that I could make this sacrifice of faith. I want you to be happy also that I was able to completely and obediently follow Jesus Christ into giving my all for you.

Php 2:17, 18  "Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.  Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me." 

Don't forget I am not alone, faithful Timothy is here, I want to send him to you so that I can get back word of your love and faith. 

Php 2:19 - 24  "I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.  For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.  I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also." 

I know you were praying for us especially for Epaphroditus who was very sick. God in His mercy healed him and God saw fit to heal me also. I will send Him to you also that you might have a great time of fellowship together and that my anxiousness to hear of you will be settled. 

Php 2:25-28  "I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.  Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious." 

Php 2:8  "And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." 

When Jesus Christ out of Absolute Love that flowed down from the overflow of the love between the Father, Son and Spirit, humbled Himself to take on a human life and experience. He was displaying the obedience of a beloved Son. He showed obedience all the way to the end of being crucified. 
This act of obedience completely satisfied in every way the justification that allowed the eternal pure absloutely loving God to display love and satisfy justice. The triumph of the cross allowed Jesus to take the full punishment of sin against the eternal purity of God's love, mercy and grace and allowed Jesus to reign victorious over sin and death. God exalted Him to the highest position over all men as a man and over all spiritual forces.
His exalted position in victory resonates eternally as a means of glorifying the Father.

Php 2:9- 11 "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." 

So for us now there is no other path than obedience to God through faith in the triumph of Jesus Christ. Your own salvation is weighing in the balance based on your response of the obedience that comes from faith. Your faith works for the glory of God in obedience to God, because God is working faith in you and providing the strength to obey. What a fearful thought that eternity has placed this mercy and grace upon us and the glory of the eternal God rests upon our response of obedience. This is what loving children do, they want to respond lovingly to the will of their parents and they find pleasure in the pleasure of their loving parents love that is given to them. Abba Father, Loving God.



Php 2:12, 13  "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." 

Rom 8:13 "For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Php 2:1, 2  "So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind." 

So if you take you encouragement by faith in Christs sacrifice on your behalf, knowing His love, walking in the Spirit of God, being filled up with affection for God and having a heart that considers the needs of others around joy, then follow through and make me completely happy. In unity of mind and heart love and submit to one another.
So don't set up a competition so you can boast in yourself and your achievements. In putting yourself under Christ, He has accomplished everything in your lives. Put others in the forefront, make the people around you more significant, lift them up. Be sure to put your interests and their interests as one, you are a family.

Php 2:3, 4  "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." 

Here is what it looks like as an example of what living in the power of the Spirit of God looks like. Your mind is set on following Christ. He is Absolute Love. In His joy and love shared with the Father throughout eternity, His love overflowed to the point of Him leaving His exalted place next to the Father. He didn't need to hold on to His position because it was secured in the relationship of love. Father, Son and Spirit. Three in One. One Yet Three. 

Php 2:5, 6  "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped," 

So the only begotten Son of God made himself an embryo in an insignificant maidens womb. God the Son put Himself in the place of serving an earthly mother and father, He was born of a woman in the likeness of man. He is The Son of Man! He is Yahweh. He is The Christ, the Messiah.

Php 2:7  "but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." 

In the form of a human being, He humbled Himself to the point of being beaten, mocked and put to death, even the most gruesome form of execution, crucifixion. Will you follow Him?

Php 2:8  "And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." 

This was not a defeat, it was a tremendous victory. Jesus Christ took on the sins of the world, of all who believed in Him and repented from their arrogance against God! He defeated death, sin and Satan, taking away their power. Now He is exalted as the highest name above all names, King of kings and LORD of lords. Will you follow Him?

Php 2:9  "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name," 

Yes, you will now willingly, out of love and faith, or at some point in fear a dismay. Every knee will bow to Him. Angels, the living who remain when He comes or the resurrected at His coming. All will say that Jesus Christ is Lord, glorifying His Father who is Absolute Love. Will you follow Him?

Php 2:10, 11  "so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." 


Dan 7:13, 14  "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed." 

Mat 26:2  "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified."

Mat 26:64  Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven."

Rev 1:12-18  "Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.  The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.  In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.  When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last,  and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades." 

Php 1:14, 15  "And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will." 

On the most part there has been a new boldness in others to share the love of God and the sacrifice that Jesus has made for the salvation of all who would accept Him. Some are emboldened because they were envious of my influence in the churches and my call from God as a messenger. Most however are emboldened by the good that has come from my imprisonment. These people are family related in love by our mutual relationship to Jesus Christ. 

Php 1:16, 17  "The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment." 

It doesn't matter what the motivation for this increase in sharing the good news of salvation in God's Son, Jesus Christ, alone. It is only important that this good news is proclaimed, for the Spirit of love is the one that brings the increase and God alone will get the glory. I am so glad in it either way. 
Here is why it makes me laugh and sing, I know that in all the prayers being prayed to God and the presence of God's Spirit by he power of Christ Jesus I will be delivered. I will either be released from these prison bars or released from this mortal body to be raised to newness of life. So whether I live or die I will be free in Christ. 

Php 1:18-20  "What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death." 

This is the most important thing to me to become conformed to Jesus Christ in Love. So if by the Spirit He teaches me more and more about being humbly changed into His likeness or in death I fully gain my full makeover o His image one is fantastic and the other is even greater. 

Php 1:21  "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." 


1Jn 3:2, 3  "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.


I could not choose the better tomorrow for staying here means more fruit and dying is to be in Christs presence. For the sake of serving Christ by serving you that is what God has given to me as a service to complete. So I know Jesus will want me to remain here for your sake, to help you grow more and more in joy and faith. 

Php 1:22 - 26 "If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.  I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.  But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again." 

Only for you whether I come or not keep demonstrating the worth of God and the great priceless treasure of sharing the good news of the salvation Christ has purchased. I want to continue to hear of your faith and fearlessness. 
This will show those who oppose you that they are headed in the wrong direction, they will not succeed in their way of mocking God, but you will be winning your salvation, because it is all from God whom you trust in and serve. He has granted you this service and it is a gift that you are given to suffer for His sake. This is a conflict that you were set apart to conquer and be the victorious ones, as Christ was victorious in suffering and death. 

Php 1:27 -30  "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,  and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have." 

So in the midst of this struggle and strife if you find encouragement in what Christ suffered, you are comforted by the Spirit of Christ pouring out love in your heart, you fund fellowship with God through His Spirit. Your affections are moved to care for and identify with the lost, complete my happiness by coming together as one heart, in full agreement, walking together in harmony towards completion in Christ. 

Php 2:1,2  "So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,  complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind."

Php 1:1-2  "Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." 

If Jesus Christ has called you by His gracious gift of love demonstrated by the peace He has granted you in your heart, we are servants together. 
I thank God that we are partners and remember you always in prayer. It brings me immense joy to think of you and to bring that joy to God. We together rejoice in sharing and thinking of our partnership and God's grace. 

Joh 15:11  "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." 

Php 1:3-5 "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now." 

If there is anything that is a certainty it is God's faithfulness. He brought you to faith, produced His love in your heart. He will keep pouring forth His love, bringing you right into His presence and completing your transformation to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. He is Absolute Love. 

Php 1:6  "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." 


Rom 8:28-32  "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.  What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" 

Psa 136:23-26  "It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever; he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever."

It is only right to have this joy and pleasure in what God is doing in you. I pray that He keeps pouring out His grace into you more and more, filling you up, so that you will be presented to Him pure and blameless. In His love I want Him to build into you knowledge and discernment of what is of benefit to build you up in love. I pray that love will be pure, true and bring about right relationships. This will be the glorious way that God has planned to get His proper praise and be glorified in this world.


Php 1:7-11 "It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." 

So I want you to know that God is being glorified more and more by causing something that seemed to be a defeat into a great victory. In being put in prison for my faith, I have been able to share with many who are in authority even to the closest guardians of the Roman Empire, the love of Jesus Christ. More and more others are emboldened to share the grace and love of God without being afraid. 

Php 1:12-14  "I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." 

"The plain truth is that a right knowledge of sin lies at the root of all saving Christianity. Without it such doctrines as justification, conversion, sanctification, are "words and names" which convey no meaning to the mind. The first thing, therefore, that God does when He makes anyone a new creature in Christ, is to send light into his heart, and show him that he is a guilty sinner. The material creation in Genesis began with "light," and so also does the spiritual creation. God "shines into our hearts" by the work of the Holy Ghost, and then spiritual life begins. (2 Cor. iv. 6.)--Dim or indistinct views of sin are the origin of most of the errors, heresies, and false doctrines of the present day. If a man does not realize the dangerous nature of his soul's disease, you cannot wonder if he is content with false or imperfect remedies. I believe that one of the chief wants of the Church in the nineteenth century has been, and is, clearer, fuller teaching about sin."


Ryle, J. C. (2010-04-27). Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots (p. 15). Unknown. Kindle Edition.


"I say, then, that "sin," speaking generally, is, as the Ninth Article of our Church declares, "the fault and corruption of the nature of every man that is naturally engendered of the offspring of Adam; whereby man is very far gone (quam longissime is the Latin) from original righteousness,righteousness, and is of his own nature inclined to evil, so that the flesh lusteth alway against the spirit; and, therefore, in every person born into the world, it deserveth God's wrath and damnation." Sin, in short, is that vast moral disease which affects the whole human race, of every rank, and class, and name, and nation, and people, and tongue; a disease from which there never was but one born of woman that was free. Need I say that One was Christ Jesus the Lord? I say, furthermore, that "a sin," to speak more particularly, consists in doing, saying, thinking, or imagining, anything that is not in perfect conformity with the mind and law of God. "Sin," in short, as the Scripture saith, is "the transgression of the law." (1 John iii. 4.) The slightest outward or inward departure from absolute mathematical parallelism with God's revealed will and character constitutes a sin, and at once makes us guilty in God's sight. Of course I need not tell any one who reads his Bible with attention, that a man may break God's law in heart and thought, when there is no overt and visible act of wickedness. Our Lord has settled that point beyond dispute in the Sermon on the Mount. (Matt. v. 21-28.) Even a poet of our own has truly said, "A man may smile and smile, and be a villain." 

Ryle, J. C. (2010-04-27). Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots (pp. 15-16). Unknown. Kindle Edition.

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"we saw that we can deduce from the Scriptures that God is knowable but incomprehensible. We can know Him but that does not mean that we can understand God fully or exhaustively. And then we went on to consider something about the essential being and nature of God. We mentioned His infinity, His spirituality, His personality, and the essential unity of the Godhead. But fortunately for us, the Bible does not stop at that; it goes further. Having revealed that God, in His ultimate being and essence, is quite incomprehensible, for the very reason that He is characterised by those qualities which I have just enumerated, the Bible goes on to tell us more about Him, and obviously its object is that we may know God and worship Him more truly. And that is really our reason for considering this great doctrine of God, because unless we do understand what the Bible tells us about God, our worship can never be real." 



Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Great Doctrines of the Bible: God the Father, God the Son; God the Holy Spirit; The Church and the Last Things (Kindle Locations 895- 901). Kindle Edition.

Blogs to resume Monday