Category Archives: I Know Whom I Have Beleived

If I Be Lifted Up??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #460

17 Wednesday Jun 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, If I be lifted up---, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all

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If I Be Lifted Up??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #460

Today I want us to consider a simple statement of Jesus, that I think we often misunderstand and perhaps even misuse.  It is part of one of the most important passages that John recorded for us in his gospel.  I pray that this will be a       help and an encouragement to each of us.

“There was a man of the Pharisees,

named Nicodemus,

a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night,

and said unto him,

Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher

come from God:

for no man can do these miracles

that thou doest,

except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.

 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth,

and thou hearest the sound thereof,

but canst not tell whence it cometh,

and whither it goeth:

so is every one

that is born of the Spirit.”  John 3:1-8

Jesus had a visitor from the Pharisees; note that they were the main ones persecuting and rejecting Jesus, and yet this leader of the Jews came to question Jesus and yet couldn’t comprehend what Jesus was trying to tell him.  While Nicodemus called Jesus, Rabbi, and then he acknowledged that Jesus was a “teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him”; yet with all of this he didn’t understand what Jesus was trying to teach him.

Let’s work our way through it and see if we can understand?  In verse 3 Jesus tells him that being “born again” is a prerequisite to even seeing the Kingdom of God, much less entering it.  But Nicodemus was thinking in the natural realm, not the supernatural, he wanted to know how a man could enter into the womb and be born naturally again.  Jesus explained that spiritual things were what He was talking about—how like us so often, we want physical answers to spiritual questions, and Jesus is so often trying to tell us deeper spiritual things; are we being as obtuse as Nicodemus or are we willing to hear the message.  Jesus wants us to see that what is “born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit”. Jesus wanted Nicodemus and us to understand that the new birth was that which only God could give, and that only through the coming sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary.  It’s what John was referring to in chapter 1 of his gospel.

“He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:11-13

The new birth is a work of God in those who respond to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus refers to another important point in John 6:

“No man can come to me,

except the Father

which hath sent me draw him:

and I will raise him up at the last day.”  John 6:44

What I want us to understand is that Jesus was telling Nicodemus He was, is and ever shall be, “the way, the truth, and the life”!  And the verses that precedes our flagship of the gospel, John 3:16-19, is the one I want us to focus on, along with the parallel verse from John 12.

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent

in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.”  John 3:14-15

This is what Jesus wanted both Nicodemus and us to understand that HE was come to pay for sin for all who will look unto Him in repentance and faith in His coming (at that point) sacrifice at Calvary.  So when Jesus was talking about being “lifted up”, He wasn’t referring to us lifting up His name before the world, but HIS own lifting up on the cross.  Let’s see how this fits with what He says in chapter 12.

“Now is the judgment of this world:

now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

32 And I,

if I be lifted up from the earth,

will draw all men unto me.

33 This he said,

signifying what death he should die.”   John 12:31-33

So when Jesus says “if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me”, He isn’t calling us to lift Him up (although we are called to share the gospel of His “lifting up” as we have opportunity) but to share the truth that HIS lifting up was going to be the payment for sin, and the giving of eternal life to all who believe!

So, will we hear the word of the Lord, and let it speak truth to our hearts, or be like Nicodemus and miss the message He is trying to speak to our hearts (although Nicodemus did come to Jesus eventually…See John 19:38-40)?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

Amen and Amen!!!

Christmas Fortnight Day 8 A Word from THE WORD! #420

19 Friday Dec 2025

Posted by in Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Ponderings, Humility, Hungry for The Word, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, Take Up YOUR Cross, Teach The Children, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, The greatest gift!!!, The Word

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Christmas Fortnight Day 8   A Word from THE WORD!  #420

We’ve looked at ornaments and lights and even the manger.  Let’s look today at ‘trees’.  Not Christmas trees particularly, just trees—let’s stack some “wood”.

Galatians 3:13 says,

“Christ hath redeemed us

from the curse of the law,

being made a curse

for us:

for it is written,

Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree”.

Jesus took our curse— “For the wages of sin is death”!!  (Ro 6:23a)

Deuteronomy 21:23b,

“(for he that is hanged is accursed of God;)

that thy land be not defiled,

which the Lord thy God giveth thee

for an inheritance.”

Jesus became our curse, by hanging on a tree.

Born to die on a tree, for you and for me.

“…He humbled himself

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.”  Philippians 2:8b.

Romans 15:12,

“…There shall be a root of Jesse,

and he that shall rise

to reign over the Gentiles;

in him shall the Gentiles trust.”

Isaiah 11:1

“And there shall come forth a rod

out of the stem of Jesse,

and a Branch

shall grow out of his roots:”

He came to die for me.

What a gift.

Remember from day 5, that Jesus not only gives light, but that He IS light.  Similarly,

He is the ‘root of Jesse’,

also ‘a rod out of the stem of Jesse’,

and yet He is also a ‘Branch” growing out of the root.

An oxymoron of sorts, Jesus—

creator of trees—

is our tree, He became our curse.

Yet He gives us life when we trust in what HE did on that tree called Calvary.

 He purchased my salvation there.

My ‘Christ’mas tree?

So?  Jesus calls— ‘take up your cross’ and follow ME!!!

The manger is humbling but the cross saves.

Yes, worship the ‘newborn king’,

but don’t stay in the barn—

take up your cross and FOLLOW HIM.

YOUR cross???

YOUR calling???

Will YOU follow HIM?

It’s YOUR choice!!

Be sure and choose wisely, there is a test!!!

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”  Revelation. 22:12.

Amen and Amen!!!

Weariness Is Real??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #362

08 Tuesday Jul 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, I Can Do All Things?, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, I will lift up mine eyes, I Will Never Leave You, IN HIS TIME!, In The Beginning, Renewing or Reviewing, Resting In Jesus, Resting Or Wrestling?, Restoration, Revive us O God!, Salvation, Sanctuary

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Weariness Is Real???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #362

“And the apostles gathered themselves together

unto Jesus,

and told him all things,

both what they had done,

and what they had taught.

31 And he said unto them,

Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place,

and rest a while:

for there were many coming and going,

and they had no leisure

so much as to eat.

32 And they departed into a desert place

by ship privately.”  Mark 6:31 

Here we have Mark recounting the death of John the Baptizer, and his (John’s) disciples took care of his body, and the Apostles also came to Jesus to share what had been done (for if you remember, many of Jesus’ Apostles had been followers of John before they followed Him).  Jesus understood the weariness of not only ministry but of grief, disappointment and stress, so He called them to come and “rest a while”!  Their spiritual tanks were empty, and the demands of ministry had been so constant that Mark tells us that “they had no leisure so much as to eat”!  Ever been there?  I think we all have in one way or another, and as Jesus was God “in the flesh”, He knew the limits of human strength, endurance and the need for rest.

If you remember Matthew also gives us an account of Jesus resting when His disciples became frantic and were apparently distressed that their Master was asleep when they were about to die!  Ever been there?

“Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him,

he gave commandment to depart

unto the other side.

19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him,

Master, I will follow thee

whithersoever thou goest.

20 And Jesus saith unto him,

The foxes have holes,

and the birds of the air have nests;

but the Son of man hath not where

to lay his head.

21 And another of his disciples said unto him,

Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

22 But Jesus said unto him,

Follow me;

and let the dead bury their dead.

23 And when he was entered into a ship,

his disciples followed him.

24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest

in the sea,

insomuch that the ship was covered

with the waves:

but he was asleep.

25 And his disciples came to him,

and awoke him, saying,

Lord, save us:

we perish.

26 And he saith unto them,

Why are ye fearful,

O ye of little faith?

Then he arose,

and rebuked the winds and the sea;

and there was a great calm.

27 But the men marvelled, saying,

What manner of man is this,

that even the winds and the sea

obey him!”  Matthew 8:18-27

I don’t know if you can relate to this, but I feel that I can; I come from hurricane country, and while you have notice, you never know how severe it will be.  I now live in tornado country and they seemingly, can just drop down out of the sky! This can cause great fear and consternation to we who live in uncertain weather locations.  And just this week we have seen the disaster that can come from the flood waters; we can’t understand the massive tragedy that Texas has suffered this week; and like us Jesus’ disciples were afraid that they were about to meet their end.  Yet, Jesus was asleep in the boat!  Oh, to learn to trust to the care of my Heavenly Father this much!  Jesus simply arose when they awakened Him, questioning their lack of faith in the safety that they had with HIM!  How about us?  Satan uses fear like a stick and beats us up with it, and we, like the disciples forget that we are with the Master of all creation.  And in case you didn’t know that Jesus was/is/and ever shall be the creator, let me share a few scriptures to enlighten you on this subject.  (Jesus IS the WORD! —the living WORD and the breath of the written Word!)

“In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning

with God.

3 All things were made by him;

and without him was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him was life;

and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness;

and the darkness comprehended it not.”   John 1:1-5

Paul also wrote of this creative nature of our Lord!

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet to be partakers

of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:

15 Who is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him were all things created,

that are in heaven,

and that are in earth,

visible and invisible,

whether they be

thrones,

or dominions,

or principalities,

or powers:

all things were created by him,

and for him:

17 And he is before all things,

and by him all things consist.

18 And he is the head of the body,

the church:

who is the beginning,

the firstborn from the dead;

that in all things

he might have the preeminence.”                 Colossians 1:12-18

And if you are one of those who say that Jesus never claimed to be God, let me share Jesus’ own words with you today.

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

So where do we go when we are weary to the bone (and I get that way frequently, as you probably do as well!)?  And just by way of a comment, if the people of Jesus’ day rejected Him, don’t be alarmed, discouraged or distracted when people around you and I reject Him.  Our faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ, master of all and redeemer of those who will come to Him in repentance of our sin, and belief/faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice on Calvary, not on those around us—whether they be genuine believers, nay-sayers, or antagonists!  Keep your eyes on the prize—JESUS!

“At that time Jesus answered and said,

I thank thee, O Father,

Lord of heaven and earth,

because thou hast hid these things

from the wise and prudent,

and hast revealed them

unto babes. 26 Even so, Father:

for so it seemed good in thy sight.

27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father:

and no man knoweth the Son,

but the Father;

neither knoweth any man the Father,

save the Son,

and he to whomsoever

the Son will reveal him.

28 Come unto me,

all ye that labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest

unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:25-30

Oh, my friends, if I only had time to share with you all the many times that Jesus in His mercy, grace and love had been my total strength, rest and restoration to service, health and peace; that very peace that Paul told us about.  Are you resting in Jesus or trying to carry the whole load alone?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, the Master is holding out His arms to lift you up.  Don’t run away or deny The One who loves you and died that you might have life, “more abundantly”!

“Rejoice in the Lord alway:

and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men.

The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:4-7

Let Jesus have those burdens and weariness—He is more than able!

Amen and Amen!!! (and don’t forget to read verses 8-9!) 

Carrying? Or Being Carried??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #358

20 Friday Jun 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Bow Before our God, Building up or Tearing down?, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, I will lift up mine eyes, Idolatry, If not now? When?, IN HIS TIME!, Iron Sharpening Iron, It's All About The Cross, It's Your Choice, Jesus Built A Bridge

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Carrying?  Or Being Carried??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #358

Sometimes we are quick to criticize those who would bow down to a statue or an idol, yet we erect our own “idols and figures” that are no ‘gods’; for believe it or not there is only one God, The Lord God Almighty, Jehovah, Creator and sustainer of all things, Jesus the Son and The Holy Spirit, who is imparted to all who come to Jesus in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin.  Yet the thing I want us to consider is how foolish we can be when we rely on our own wisdom, knowledge and ideas in our choices for life, success and so-called ‘happiness’!  There is only one God—three-in-one, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost/Spirit, and until we assess all things by His Word, His Will and His wisdom, we are subject to find our own substitutions.  Daniel gives us one of the most precise descriptions of who and what our God is!  I pray that you will take his words to your heart and pray with the Psalmist each day.

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139:23-24

May we pray for God’s help and directions, for we so often fail to see how wicked our own hearts are.

“Blessed is the man

that trusteth in the LORD,

and whose hope the LORD is.

8 For he shall be

as a tree planted by the waters,

and that spreadeth out her roots by the river,

and shall not see when heat cometh,

but her leaf shall be green;

and shall not be careful in the year of drought,

neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

9  The heart is deceitful

above all things,

and desperately wicked:

who can know it?

10 I the LORD

search the heart,

I try

the reins,

even to give every man

according to his ways,

and according to the fruit of his doings.”                Jeremiah 17:7-10                                                              (And for another most beautiful contrast, see Psalm 1)

Yet Daniel, a young man who had set his heart on being undefiled by the circumstances around him, found God’s faithfulness to be more than sufficient; and here is one of his prayers of thanks for answered prayer!

“Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel

in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever:

for wisdom and might

are his:

21 And he changeth the times

and the seasons:

he removeth kings,

and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom

unto the wise,

and knowledge

to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth

the deep and secret things:

he knoweth

what is in the darkness,

and the light

dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee,

and praise thee,

O thou God of my fathers,

who hast given me wisdom and might,

and hast made known unto me now

what we desired of thee:

for thou hast now made known unto us

the king’s matter.”  Daniel 2:19-23

 Will we choose to be a Daniel or walk in our own ways?  Isaiah gives us an amazing picture which we ought to take to heart and use to measure our lives by God’s plumbline.  I pray that this will touch your heart, and lead us all to depend on The God, who IS God, not the works of our hands, whatever that might be!

“The carpenter stretcheth out his rule;

he marketh it out with a line;

he fitteth it with planes,

and he marketh it out with the compass,       

and maketh it after the figure of a man,

according to the beauty of a man;

that it may remain in the house.

14 He heweth him down cedars,

and taketh the cypress and the oak,

which he strengtheneth for himself

among the trees of the forest:

he planteth an ash,

and the rain doth nourish it.

15 Then shall it be for a man to burn:

for he will take thereof,

and warm himself;

yea, he kindleth it,

and baketh bread;

yea,

he maketh a god,

and worshippeth it;

he maketh it a graven image,

and falleth down thereto.

16 He burneth part thereof in the fire;

with part thereof he eateth flesh;

he roasteth roast,

and is satisfied:

yea, he warmeth himself, and saith,

Aha, I am warm,

I have seen the fire:

17 And the residue thereof he maketh a god,

even his graven image:

he falleth down unto it,

and worshippeth it,

and prayeth unto it,

and saith,

Deliver me;

for thou art my god.

18 They have not known

nor understood:

for he hath shut their eyes,

that they cannot see;

and their hearts,

that they cannot understand.

19 And none considereth

in his heart,

neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say,

I have burned part of it

in the fire;

yea, also I have baked bread

upon the coals thereof;

I have roasted flesh,

and eaten it:

and shall I make the residue thereof

an abomination?

shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?” Isaiah 44:13-19

What are you depending on?  Who are you bowing down to?  What have you created for yourself?  Let’s be found faithful before our Lord!  Let’s keep our eyes on the prize—Jesus!!!

And just a comment on this passage; the reference of being “compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses” is not a reference to a stadium where we are being cheered on, but rather a reference to the preceding chapter of faith, the testimony of those gone before us who finished their race with honor by faith, not sight or popularity before the world.  May we not seek the applause of men but rather pursue the pleasure of The Lord Jesus in all things!

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside

every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down

at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider him

that endured such contradiction of sinners

against himself,   

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds.”  Hebrews 12:1-3

And remember, you only need to run your race, with your eyes on Jesus, not anyone else’s race!  We must learn to listen to the voice of our master, not the crowd.  I pray that this will be a word of help and encouragement to you.  Blessings on you today.

Amen and Amen!!!

Seeing Clearly Or Darkly??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #182

05 Monday Feb 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Abiding In Jesus, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, I Will Never Leave You, Intercessors, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Life or Death?, Light In The Dark, Like Jesus NOT Each Other, Listening To God, Living in Christ, Living Right, Living TODAY!, Look up and Praise The Lord, Looking Unto Jesus, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?

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Seeing Clearly Or Darkly???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #182

One of my favorite parts of the book of Romans is chapter 8, and it is so full, but sometimes we work so hard to separate it into pieces that we forget it was written as a whole (in the whole book, as well as in the particular context of chapters), and Romans can be looked at in sections of chapters: 1-3; 4-5; 6-8; 9-11; and 12-15 and 16.  So as we consider this passage, I won’t take the time to post the entire chapter, although it would be of great benefit for you to read it all.  Let’s jump in and see what we can learn, but first of all a word from Paul’s message to the Corinthian beleivers about love, and seeing clearly, and knowing that God reveals things in His own time; also that we need to walk in love and maturity, not act like children.  There is a difference between “childlike” and “childish”, we need to examine our lives for we all have moments of “childishness” rather than being “childlike” in our faith and devotion to Jesus.

“When I was a child,

I spake as a child,

I understood as a child,

I thought as a child:

but when I became a man,

I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly;

but then face to face:

now I know in part;

but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth

faith,

hope,

charity,

these three;

but the greatest of these

is charity.”  1 Corinthians 13:11-13

There is a time coming when we will have that “face to face” understanding, yet I believe that Paul is reminding us that until that day comes, we are to walk in the “love of Jesus” as mature adults!  Children operate in a world of “me” and “mine”, and they often aren’t happy when anyone touches “their stuff”.  Many adults today, even many beleivers in Jesus, often behave the same way; but Paul calls us to walk in maturity, with love in sight at all times.  In fact he calls us to walk as mature adults, with “faith, hope, (and) love”!  And where do we get this love?  Another of Paul’s truths which he shared with the Roman believers answers that question.

“And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time Christ died

for the ungodly.”  Romans 5:5-6

When we are saved, The Holy Spirit makes sure that the “love of God is shed abroad in our hearts”, may we share it generously!  So, let’s jump into Romans chapter eight and consider what else Paul has to say to us about love, maturity, and God’s work of salvation!  Thank YOU, Jesus!

“There is therefore now no condemnation  

to them which are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1

This is one of my favorite verses of Romans, as it answers the question that ends chapter 7, and yet so many miss that this is the answer to “who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (the sinful flesh in which we still live after our salvation until our physical death).  The answer is “The Holy Spirit”; as we walk in HIS power, deliverance rather than our flesh, we can walk in victory!  Oh, the beauty of God’s provision for us, “no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus”! (See John 3:16-19).  The reason that we are not condemned is because of JESUS’ death, burial, and resurrection to pay for our sin—mine and yours, as Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians. In my paraphrase, “Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, went to Calvary in my place—He took my sin, and imparted to me HIS righteousness.  Exchanged my dirty rags for His spotless robe!”  If I may, I’ll write out this verse with my commentary:

“For he–God

hath made him—Jesus–

to be sin for us, –the sinless paying the sinners’ debt–

who knew no sin;–Jesus was the sinless Lamb of God–

that we might be made—transformed by Jesus’ payment–

the righteousness of God—God making the vile holy–

in him. -It’s all about Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection-” 2 Corinthians 5:21

(He gave His all that we could be made holy.)

In Jesus, we find the place of forgiveness, righteousness, and the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which brings us into the place of “no condemnation”.  Praise God for all that we have in Jesus, as well as what we have been released from!  So, let’s get back to chapter 8:

“2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus

hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do,

in that it was weak through the flesh,

God sending his own Son

in the likeness of sinful flesh,

and for sin,

condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law

might be fulfilled in us,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.

5 For they that are after the flesh

do mind the things of the flesh;

but they that are after the Spirit

the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded

is death;

but to be spiritually minded

is life and peace.”  Romans 8:1-6

Are we displaying the “things of the Spirit” and living as “spiritually minded”, or are we allowing the flesh to have sway over us?  Are we choosing “life” or “death”!  Choose wisely, there is a test; but Paul goes on to give us even more confidence in this work of salvation “in Jesus”!

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his…

…. 13 For if ye live after the flesh,

ye shall die:

but if ye through the Spirit do mortify

the deeds of the body,

ye shall live.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,

they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received

the spirit of bondage again to fear;

but ye have received

the Spirit of adoption,

whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit,

that we are the children of God:

17 And if children,

then heirs;

heirs of God,

and joint-heirs with Christ;

if so be that we suffer with him,

that we may be also glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time

are not worthy to be compared

with the glory which shall be revealed

in us.”  Portions of Romans 8:8-18

Oh, the glory of living for Jesus, by His Spirit, through His power and unto His glory!  A glory which we will see in Him when we see him in person, either when we leave this world, or when He calls us to Himself in the air!  But in this life, there are a couple of verses which we can often miss the import of, and I want to share them before we go into the last part of the joy, confidence, and assurance of the ending verses of this great and amazing chapter eight of Romans.  We have The Holy Spirit to not only help, lead, guide and direct our steps, but we also have one who intercedes for us when we don’t know how to pray!  I’m so grateful for HIS presence, HIS guiding hand, and HIS ever-present help in guiding our prayers be what they need to be –even speaking for me when I don’t know how or what to pray for–before our Father God, and our other intercessor, Jesus!  Thank you, Jesus, for this unspeakable gift of Your Holy Spirit to teach, lead and guide us in this dark place.

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:

for we know not what we should pray for

as we ought:

but the Spirit itself

maketh intercession for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

for the saints

according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27

Even John reiterated this principle.

“And this is the confidence that we have in him,

that, if we ask any thing

according to his will,

he heareth us:

15 And if we know that he hear us,

whatsoever we ask,

we know that we have the petitions

that we desired of him.”  1 John 5:14-15

How often do we forget that prayer is our open channel to our Father God, whose will we are to pursue, knowing that HE is working all things to make you and me more like Jesus, especially  in this world that is lost and dying, and in need of Jesus more than they can ever know unless we not only tell them, but live it out before them; being mirrors of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ The Lord!

So, my friends I want to share this last part of Romans 8, simply sharing it for your perusal, praying that we may hear God’s voice speaking to our hearts, leading us to be more like our KING JESUS!

“And we know that all things work together

for good to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son,

but delivered him up for us all,

how shall he not with him also

freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge

of God’s elect?

It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth?

It is Christ that died,

yea rather, that is risen again,

who is even at the right hand of God,

who also maketh intercession for us.”  Romans 8:28-34

Oh how this great and amazing intercessor, Jesus, gives us even more confidence in HIS provision for us—even as I know HE is here, right now for I was just called to pray about an immediate need!  Thank YOU, Jesus!  Our Redeemer saves, transforms, and keeps His own!  But it gets even better as we continue in these final verses of the chapter.  I pray that it will grip, bless, and transform your day—and every day knowing all the joy of His presence, His work, and His love for you and me!  We win!!!

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

shall tribulation,

or distress,

or persecution,

or famine,

or nakedness,

or peril,

or sword?

36 As it is written,

For thy sake we are killed all the day long;

we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things

we are more than conquerors

through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded,

that neither death,

nor life,

nor angels,

nor principalities,

nor powers,

nor things present,

nor things to come,

39 Nor height,

nor depth,

nor any other creature,

shall be able to separate us

from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”                    Romans 8:35-39

Oh, Praise God for His amazing grace, love, and care for us.  May you find God’s peace, presence, and power for your day.  Remember, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”; as I’ve said, we Win!!!

Amen and Amen!!!