March 2017 "Dearly Beloved" Articles
Dearly Beloved 3/31/17 "Who Has the Answers?"
Who Has the Answers?
Dearly beloved saint, “Who directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor has taught Him. With whom took He counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of judgment, and taught Him knowledge, and showed to Him the way of Understanding?” It certainly wasn’t man.
“Behold, the nations are as a drop hanging from a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, He takes up the isles as a very little thing.” “All nations before Him are as nothing; and they are counted to Him less than nothing, and vanity.” The book of Isaiah contains these and so many other truths.
God created man; He is not a figment of man’s imagination. Man is not capable of judging his Creator, nor is he capable of rendering His power and knowledge as inferior to his: fool!
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/31/17 "Who Has the Answers?"
Who Has the Answers?
Dearly beloved saint, “Who directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor has taught Him. With whom took He counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of judgment, and taught Him knowledge, and showed to Him the way of Understanding?” It certainly wasn’t man.
“Behold, the nations are as a drop hanging from a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, He takes up the isles as a very little thing.” “All nations before Him are as nothing; and they are counted to Him less than nothing, and vanity.” The book of Isaiah contains these and so many other truths.
God created man; He is not a figment of man’s imagination. Man is not capable of judging his Creator, nor is he capable of rendering His power and knowledge as inferior to his: fool!
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/29/17 "The Spirit of Him that Raised Jesus from the Dead"
The Spirit of Him that Raised Jesus from the Dead
Dearly beloved, since everyone that is born-again of God’s spirit has the same spirit; the spirit of Him that raised Jesus from the dead, why do we not all manifest what we received?
In the first place, we all received the same spirit. God gave us His spirit as a gift. It is the seed which makes us His children, and it is spiritual ability. It is like the power in a car battery that supplies the energy to do several functions, such as turn on the motor, honk the horn, turn on the radio, etc. As drivers, we can operate these functions because of the power in the car battery.
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/27/17 "Dear Theophilus"
Dear Theophilus
Theophilus means “Beloved of God”.
Beloved, we have numerous primary witness accounts that Jesus Christ is risen out from among the rest of the dead. If we were in a court of law, a firsthand account carries much more weight than here say. Circumstantial evidence is also taken in to account in order to reach a verdict. We have both concerning Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead.
Mary Magdalene was an actual firsthand witness, as was Peter, Mary the mother of Jesus, Joanna, and the other women that visited the empty tomb, the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus, the apostles and disciples that were present the two times he appeared behind closed doors and he ate with them, Thomas at the second supper, the seven disciples the morning they went fishing and he fixed them breakfast, and above 500 other brethren, as well as James, and later on the Apostle Paul. This is a substantial list of firsthand witnesses.
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/26/17 "Remember"
Remember
Dearly beloved, the Lord Jesus Christ did what no other could or would do. He was the embodiment of the love of God. Love was not just talk to him; he gave his life, life like you and I enjoy. He willing gave his life for ours and he sacrificed it for people who had no idea what he was doing.
He submitted to a kangaroo court, character assassination, betrayal, humiliation, mocking, desertion, and every form of mental abuse possible; he was physically tortured, and suffered every form of beating a human being can dish out.
The religious leaders, without even two witnesses against him who agreed, agreed that he should die. They even covered his head with a sack and members of the esteemed seventy, beat him unmercifully.
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/24/17 "Love Yourself"
Love Yourself
Dearly loved ones, it is indeed wonderful to have a body that has so many different functions, isn’t it? We have a brain, a heart, hands and feet, vital organs, and so much more. Every part of it works together so we can function in so many different ways.
The body of Christ is like this. We have many different functions in one body, yet they all work to produce different profits.
As we care for our human body, feeding it, bathing it, exercising it, resting it, educating it, etc., we can care for the various members of our spiritual body.
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/23/17 "All Things"
All Things
Dearly beloved, it blows my mind that by our Heavenly Father’s divine power He gave us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him that called us to glory and superior excellence. He left nothing off limits. He gave us all things that pertain to life and a living, vital, spiritual relationship with Him.
Furthermore, through this knowledge of Himself and of our Lord Jesus Christ He gave us exceeding great and precious promises in order that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature! WOW!!
Our Father called us to obtain the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ and by His exceeding great grace we shall. The Father calls us joint-heirs with Christ, and when he returns we will glorified with him! It is Christ in you, the hope of glory!
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/22/17 "Who Did What?"
Who Did What?
Dearly beloved, who is the only begotten Son of God? Who gave his life for the Church? Who did God raise from the dead to validate his work of salvation and that he is His Son? After God raised him from the dead, who did He seat at His right hand far above all principality, power, might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come? God put all things under whose feet? Who did He make both Lord and Christ?
Who did God make the head of the Church; not a trustee, not a legal officer, not one of its directors; the head over all things to the Church? Whose body are we members of? Who delivered us from the power of darkness? Who redeemed us? In whom are we complete? With whom are born-again ones identified and as he is?
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/21/17 "God Makes a Way"
God Makes a Way
I have a needlework that sits over my desk that says, “God makes a way.” I might add, He makes a way where there is no way.
There are times that situations, decisions, solutions, and resources of the flesh simply fail us. They may seem overwhelming.
If we are to prevail in these times, we must go the throne of grace and give them to the Father. He gave us His spirit when we were born again.
He also gave us access and encourages us to use it with boldness and confidence. He equipped us to pray with the spirit of sonship, which is to speak in tongues.
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/20/17 "A Full Sharing"
A Full Sharing
Dearly beloved, “God is faithful, by Whom you were called unto the fellowship (full sharing, partnership, a partaking kind of companionship) of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” I Corinthians 1:9.
The word here for fellowship is much more significant and meaningful than we may notice at first glance. The root gives us the significance of partnership, a full sharing, a full partaking.
The context from verse 4 to here in verse 9 more fully explains its usage.
“I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which is given you in Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in him [Christ Jesus] in everything, in all word and in all knowledge, even as the witness of Christ was established in you, so that you do not lack in even one aspect of the gift while you are waiting for the revelation [appearing] of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will establish you until the end and hence unimpeachable in the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by who you were called into the fellowship [the participation, communion, sharing, denoting a sharing relationship] of His Son Jesus Christ.” the Working Translation by Rev. Cummins in A Journey Through the Acts and the Epistles.
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/20/17 "You Are As He Is"
You Are as He Is
Dearly beloved, I wish I knew how to better communicate the greatness of what it means to be in Christ to the end it lives in you. We fully share with Christ in everything Christ achieved and God freely gives us all things with Christ. We are filled to the full in Christ Jesus; filled with every spiritual blessing. We are complete in him!
He became as we were so that we could be as he is, and we are.
When the adversary deals with us, it is as if he is dealing with Christ. In Christ, we stand on resurrected, ascended, and seated in the heavenly realm ground. We are in union with Christ. As members of his body we are one with him and filled with all in all of us.
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/19/17 "All for Naught?"
All for Naught?
Dearly beloved, did the Lord Jesus offer up himself for naught? Did he submit to the beatings and torture, humiliation, and shame that he endured without victory? Far from it; this was the purpose for which he was reserved! He fulfilled God’s plan of redemption as our Passover Lamb, and redeemed us so that we could be God’s beloved. He achieved God’s justice by his believing.
Consider some of what he accomplished.
God justified us freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God set Jesus Christ before Himself to be the mercy seat, the place of reconciliation, expiation and conciliation by his blood through believing. Because of this sacrifice, God passed over our previously committed sins in His forbearance.
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/18/17 "Fools No Longer"
Fools No Longer
Dearly beloved, the Word of God is true whether people believe it or not. God gave us His Word so that we are not fools. Remember, it is the fool that says in his heart there is no God. God gave us His Word to reveal His goodness to us, to make His heart, and His ways known to us. Without His Word man does not have a clue concerning spiritual matters.
Abraham staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in believing giving glory to God. When God fulfills His Word it brings glory to Him. Abraham was fully persuaded that, what He promised, He was able also to perform. That is why God accounted it to him for righteousness.
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/18/17 "Awareness"
Awareness
Dearly beloved, just how aware are you? Many people are aware of their needs, but not all are aware of the power of God available to them in their current circumstances. When we, as sons of God find ourselves in situations that may seem overwhelming, we ought to take God and His resources for us into account.
The five senses are only aware of information they receive from situations and circumstances. The spirit of God born within us is aware of God’s ability, His resources, and the greater spiritual reality. The Word of God educates us so that we are aware of God's ability and willingness to deliver us.
For example, while our circumstances may indicate that we are sick, the Word of God reveals that we were healed by his (Jesus Christ’s) stripes. These are two very different realities. God told His people, "I am that Lord who heals you."
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/17/17 "He Healed Us"
He Healed Us
Dearly beloved, Psalm 103 says that God forgives all our iniquities and He heals all our diseases. He is the Lord that heals us. We should not forget all His benefits.
The Lord Jesus Christ paid for our healing. I Peter 2:24 says, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed.”
He bare our sins and by his stripes we were healed. He wishes above all things that we prosper and that we are in good health; it’s His will.
Beloved, he made our body to heal itself. There are times we may have a healing crisis. Our Father provided us with a number of remedies when these occur. We can believe God’s Word and Will for us. He sent His Word to Israel and healed them.
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/17/17 "True or False"
True or False
The Lord Jesus, in the middle of a life or death situation, made a startling statement. He said that the Scripture, the Word of God, cannot be broken. True or False?
Why could he say this? He could say it because Almighty God is both able and willing to perform His Word. He fulfills it; He brings it to pass. He is the power behind it. He is the Guarantor. The Living God gives us words of life.
Our Lord was willing to lay down his life because His Father said that he gave him the power to take it again. He based his decision on the Word of God because God is the power behind it. We certainly would not attempt this on our own, would we?
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/16/17 "Whatsoever"
Whatsoever
Dearly beloved, what kind of thoughts should we hold in mind?
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” These are the kind of thoughts we should hold in mind.
We want to tear down the old strongholds the adversary previously used as his base of operation in our minds. As we lead every thought captive to the obedience of Christ it tears these strongholds down.
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/16/17 "Everything and Nothing"
Everything and Nothing
Dearly beloved, in Philippians 4, God instructs us to be anxious for nothing: but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto Him. “Be anxious for nothing”, and “in everything by prayer” are polar opposites.
In Matthew 6:25, our Lord taught, “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they?”
We are not to be over anxious, full of care, or mentally distracted by the cares of life; why, because our heavenly Father hears the prayer of the righteous and He supplies our needs.
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/15/17 "The Furthest Extent"
The Furthest Extent
Dearly beloved, at the end of the last meal the Lord Jesus ate with his disciples, he blew their minds by completely breaking with tradition. He did what only the lowest household servant would do; he washed his disciples’ feet and left them with his example of love.
According to Eastern hospitality when you entered someone’s home the lowest servant would wash your feet because of the dust accumulated by walking in sandals. Jesus took this position to demonstrate the extent of love we are to show one another. He demonstrated the attitude of heart his disciples should imitate; they should serve one another as bond slaves serve their masters. They should be willing to do even the lowest of tasks in order to care for one another’s needs.
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/15/17 "New Things Have Come"
New Things Have Come
New things have come dearly beloved! Since we confessed Jesus as Lord and believed that God raised him from the dead we are saved; made whole, body, soul, and spirit. New things have come. Since we are in Christ, we are new creations!
God gave us His spirit, the spirit of Him that raised Jesus out from among the dead; and now it dwells in us! He determined beforehand to call us, and those whom He called He also justified, and whom He justified He also glorified. What shall we say to these things, beloved?
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/14/17 "From Grace To Glory"
From Grace to Glory
Dearly beloved, the Lord Jesus suffered for us. The word “for” means in our stead. He substituted for us as the Lamb of God who was our sin offering, trespass offering, meal offering, peace offering, and burnt offering to achieve our redemption and salvation once for all times. He was the last offering for sin forever. He offered himself as our Passover Lamb. He sanctified us once and for all through the offering of his body.
Under the Old Covenant, priests were ministers on behalf of God’s people; from man up to God. The priests ministered daily and frequently offered the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. However, this priest, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at God’s right hand in the heavenlies. The Lord Jesus alone believed to fulfill God’s plan of redemption. Henceforth, he waits until his enemies are made a footstool for his feet.
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/11/17 "Oh, the Price He Paid"
Oh, the Price He Paid
(It's a weekend read; a page and a half instead of a page.)
Dearly beloved, very few of God’s people know what Jesus went through the last days of his life. He was arrested illegally, betrayed by a friend, falsely accused, illegally tried twice within the same day, condemned on false charges, and crucified by Roman authority. From his arrest on Monday night our time, to Wednesday about three PM when he died, he suffered beyond my comprehension.
The Word of God teaches us that he died for our sins and that we were healed by his stripes. He paid for them.
He submitted to ridicule, betrayal, denials, desertion, false accusations, mocking, humiliation, beatings, and torture without complaint knowing that he was accomplishing our redemption and salvation.
It is impossible in this short article to cover everything that he suffered and endured from his arrest to his death, but this should give you a sense of it.
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/10/17 "The God of All Hope"
The God of All Hope
Dearly beloved, Christ is coming! Only he can and will deliver us, the heavenly realm, and the earth from the bondage that exists today.
We have the first fruits of the spirit, the new birth spirit. Everyone who confesses Jesus as Lord and believes that God raised him from the dead is sealed for eternal life by this spirit of sonship. The spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in us. We are God’s habitations by the spirit.
When the Father gives Christ the command, he will return for us and he will give us glorious new bodies fashioned like his glorious body. Today our bodies are mortal, meaning they are subject to death because of the presence of sin. Our new bodies will not have the presence of sin in them; they will not be subject to death, nor will they will not be corruptible.
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/6/17 "Great Grace"
Great Grace
Dearly beloved, where would be without the grace of God and of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord? The flip side of that question is what are we because of their grace to us?
By His great grace and love for us He called us in Christ Jesus, justified us freely by His grace, gave us a standing in His grace, even encircled us in it. Now, in Christ, His grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/5/17 "The Truth and Love"
The Truth and Love
Dearly beloved, Christianity is the work of God accomplished by His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Our Father was the prime mover. He conceived, purposed, and planned every detail by the counsel of His own will. It was the good pleasure of His will to do so.
He determined there would be one body of believers, the body of Christ, which is the Church. He made one spirit available, the gift of the new birth spirit. He called us in one hope of our calling, to obtain the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. He made one Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ. He gave us one faith, one true and correct way to believe. He baptized every one of His children with the presence of Christ within by the spirit. God is the Father of all who are in Christ and He is above all, through all, and in us all by His spirit. In fact, we are built together for God’s dwelling place by the spirit.
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/3/17 "The Way"
The Way
God determined the way of salvation, dearly beloved; it did not come from any man’s determination. He determined that His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ would be the way.
He sent His Son to fulfill all that the law and the prophets speak concerning the Redeemer. With his last words, Jesus Christ declared, “It is finished.”
Read more ...Dearly Beloved 3/2/17 "The Privilege of Membership"
The Privilege of Membership
Dearly beloved, by the exceeding greatness of God’s power which He wrought in Christ when He raised him from the dead and seated him at His right hand in the heavenlies, He made us members of His body and filled each member with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ.
When we were dead in trespasses and sins, the Lord Jesus offered himself up as a sacrifice to cleanse us from them. He stood in as our substitute as the lamb did under the law of Moses. He took our sin on him even though he was without sin. He paid the penalty of which we were guilty.
Read more ...