Behold My Beloved

Did you know satan has more than one name? He is also referred to as “the accuser of our brethren” (Revelation 12:10). He watches and interferes in our lives. He keeps a record of our every mistake, every bad word, every rebellious action. He then goes to God with his record and tattles (as if God does not already know). 

As seen in Job, he even goes to God and asks to wreak havoc in the lives of the righteous. God sometimes allows this to strengthen our faith but also because He knows how deep our faith is and wants to encourage others with it. No human being on earth went through the tragedy that Job did. He lost his livestock, his home, his children and even his health. His wife mocked his integrity and told him to curse God. Yet he still did not denounce God. What he did was implore God to give him understanding for the cause of his afflictions and for mercy. Job does not turn to his own reasoning or the reasoning of his 3 friends. Rather he rebukes them for their fleshly advice. Job does not know why he is enduring this grief, but prostrates himself before God. He tells God how much he loves Him.

Long story short, God tells Job’s friends they must make a sacrifice because of the way they behaved when Job was being tested and that Job must pray for them. Only with Job’s intercession would God’s wrath be withheld from them.

After Job prayed for them God restored all Job had lost in double including his children. Job lived to be 140 years old.

By relating this story I would like you to understand that adversity is not always a punishment for some action or lack of action. Rather it could be a testing God allows because He sees your heart and knows He will be glorified through it. Sometimes adversity is actually a time for God to say “this is my beloved. Go ahead and test him/her. I know he/she will not turn from me but our relationship will only be strengthened.” Wow. What a honor!

Jesus warns us that adversity will come but to take heart because by the blood He shed, this world has been overcome. Even should we die in the physical we will live forever in Heaven if we do not love this life more than we love Him.

Riding the whirlwind of God’s grace, love and mercy

L

John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

John 16:32-34
Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” 

Humility and Pride

In 1 Peter 4, we are told that as Christians we can expect to suffer. We are also told to make sure that suffering is because we stand for Christ and not because of bad behavior. We are to be an example, as believers, of how lives can be changed when submitted to Jesus Christ.

God calls us to have humble hearts. Why is that? Pride is the antithesis of humility and causes our hearts to be hardened. Pride makes us think we already know what we don’t and makes us unteachable. If we cling to our human pride God cannot reach us. If we cannot hear what He has to say to us, we cannot be used by Him and therefore He will turn His face from us (Prov 3:34).

If we keep ourselves humble, learn God’s word and live in its Truth, we not only will be used by God to further His kingdom, but we will be able to resist any temptation that might draw us away Him. It is at this time that God will lift us up. He will move us into positions HE has trained us for not necessarily ones that are of our choosing.

God offers us each different gifts that correspond with the personality He put in us. No one gift is greater than the other. The bible describes this as being a body. The hand is not greater than the fingers, however it is necessary to the body. If all members of a body were fingers there would be no body… just a bunch of fingers laying around.

If we don’t pay attention to God, or want to only see what we like in the bible, we can expect to be devoured by the devil. However, if we seek the truth of God’s word no matter what changes that might bring in our lives, accepting the convictions as well as the confirmations of our actions and thoughts, we will have no fear of what satan or this world tries to do to us. 1 Peter 5: 8 says

⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

This is the distinction to make, satan is NOT a lion, he simply would like to fool you in to thinking he is so he can rob you of what God has put in your life. If we stay clear-headed and alert, satan cannot sneak up on us. God will warn us of things to come and will lead us away from or through them if we keep focused on Him. When we endure suffering for His name’s sake, He rewards us with a crown of glory and life.

I pray we all strive to receive these crowns that we may lay them at the feet of Jesus when we go to live eternally in Heaven.

Riding the whirlwind of God’s grace, mercy and love

L

Hu∙mil∙i∙ty - noun \hyü-ˈmi-lə-tē, yü-\  -

The quality or state of being humble

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humility

hum·ble  (hŭm∙bǝl) adj. hum·bler, hum·blest

1. Marked by meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful.

2. Showing deferential or submissive respect: a humble apology.

3. Low in rank, quality, or station; unpretentious or lowly: a humble cottage.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/humble

Proverbs 3:34 - New King James Version (NKJV)

³⁴ Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble.

1 Peter 5 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁵ The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: ² Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; ³ nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; ⁴ and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

⁵ Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.” Proverbs 3:34

⁶ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, ⁷ casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. ⁹ Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. ¹⁰ But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. ¹¹ To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Christian Living

What causes us to unjustly judge one another? What causes us to want to harm each other either emotionally or physically? James 4:1-3 says:

¹ Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? ² You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. ³ You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss that you may spend it on your pleasures

Psalm 66:18 says:

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear

So, what is iniquity? The dictionary definition is:

1. lack of justice or righteousness; wickedness; injustice

2. a wicked act; sin

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/iniquity

This unfortunately has become a way of life in America. We reverence money, sex outside of marriage, laziness etc and disdain morality and honesty. Our society turns to carnal or worldly wisdom to make decisions for our lives rather than turning to God. We are ashamed or afraid to put ourselves out there as Christians. Whether our thinking is that we will become unpopular and lose friends or that we may lose our lives is beside the point. It is not the why, it is the very fact that we water down God’s word with politically correct rhetoric and/or choose only to point out the warm, fuzzy parts of the Gospel.

What makes us do this? I submit that it is because we live in the present rather than the future. When we live in the present we only see what is right before us. We don’t want to do or say anything that might take away our present comfort. When we live in the future we look forward to spending eternity in the presence of God. This, in turn, makes us not only want to do everything we can to make that happen, but we want to bring others with us so they can know REAL comfort and peace.

We don’t have to hit people over the head with the truth. We simply show it, as Jesus did, with our very lives. We, as humans, tend to confuse righteousness with haughtiness (definitions below). These two things are polar opposites.

As worldly humans, our tendency is to look down on others to prove our own superiority and to watch out for our own profit above all. What a travesty this makes of what Jesus did for us.

As Christians, we are called to be humble, loving, unselfish, caring for others more than for ourselves. We are also told not to be unequally yoked (This pertains to friendships as well as marriage (see 2 Corinthians 6:14-18)), which is probably what causes people of the world to think we are haughty or hypocritical. This could not be further from the truth. True Christians grieve for others who are not saved. Not because they think they are better, but because they understand what hell is and do not want anyone to spend eternity there.

So the final questions are:

Do we love God enough to risk being unpopular in this world?

Are we so grateful to Jesus for His sacrifice for us that we cannot sacrifice enough for Him?

Do we love others enough to show them the Truth?

I hope your answer to these questions is yes.

Riding the whirlwind of God’s grace, mercy and love

L

 

 

right·eous  adj.

1. Morally upright; without guilt or sin: a righteous parishioner.

2. In accordance with virtue or morality: a righteous judgment.

3. Morally justifiable: righteous anger. See Synonyms at moral.

right eous·ly adv.

right eous·ness n.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/righteousness

haugh·ty adj. haugh·ti·er, haugh·ti·est

Scornfully and condescendingly proud. See Synonyms at proud.

haugh ti·ly adv.

haugh ti·ness n.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/haughtiness

 

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁴ Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? ¹⁵ And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”

¹⁷ Therefore

“Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.”
¹⁸ “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.”

 

Life in Christ

Living an upright life in Christ is not easy but it has been said it is worth the trouble. I would say it is more than that. It is the most humbling, rewarding and fulfilling experience you will ever have and it will be the most difficult, nearly impossible, thing you will ever attempt unless you allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through you.

The example Jesus put forth is our model. God’s Son counted himself as a servant, washed his disciple’s feet and humbly accepted and accomplished His role in God’s plan. If anyone ever had the right to think of himself as above others it would be Jesus. And yet, He showed grace to the ungracious, love to the unlovely and mercy to sinners. All this was shown to everyone no matter their station or circumstances in life.

An old adage is that a leopard can’t change its spots. However, the blood of Christ says that when we accept Jesus into our hearts we are “born again without spot or blemish”. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says:

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

We are called to a higher standard when we become dedicated children of the most high God. Not only do we allow Him to change our lives, attitudes and thoughts, but we realize that if He can do that for us He can do it for others too. Therefore it behooves us to look at all believers through the eyes of Christ so we do not become a stumbling block to them or begin to think of ourselves as higher than others.

We, as humans, cannot know the hearts of others. However, their actions can give us a pretty good idea of where they are in their walk. If we ask, the Holy Spirit will tell us how to pray for them. If we listen and submit to the Holy Spirit, we will be able to treat people with mercy and grace and therefore will be able to minister to them. This is our calling as Christians, to be a light to those in darkness and to fan the flame of those who love Jesus.

In order for us to accomplish what He wants us to do we must love as He commanded. Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament law and left us with a new one, the law of grace. John 13:34, 35 says:

³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵ By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

When we love as commanded, not carnally or fleshly, we are unable to intentionally do harm to anyone. The challenge for us is to be willing to give of ourselves unselfishly even if it means our very lives. It is no more that Jesus did for us.

Riding the whirlwind of God’s grace, love and mercy

L

1 Peter 1:22-24 New King James Version (NKJV)

²² Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, ²³ having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, ²⁴ because

“All flesh is as grass,
And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.
The grass withers,
And its flower falls away,

 Galatians 5:19-26 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. ²⁴ And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians 6:1-10 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹ Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. ² Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. ⁵ For each one shall bear his own load. ⁶ Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. ⁷ Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. ⁸ For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. ⁹ And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

John 13:34, 35 New King James Version (NKJV)

³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵ By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 15:11-13 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹¹ “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. ¹² This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

John 15:17 New King James Version (NKJV)

These things I command you, that you love one another.

Romans 12:9-21 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; ¹³ distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.²⁰ Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 13:8,9 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁸ Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. ⁹ For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Galatians 5:13-14 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹³ For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ¹⁴ For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Ephesians 4:1-3 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹ I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, ² with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, ³ endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹² And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, ¹³ so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-12 New King James Version (NKJV)

³ For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; ⁴ that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, ⁵ not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; ⁶ that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. ⁷ For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. ⁸ Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.

⁹ But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; ¹⁰ and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; ¹¹ that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, ¹² that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.

The Whole Armor of God

The word of God tells us to pray for one another as believers and His redeemed children. Before we can effectively do this we must prepare ourselves.

How do we prepare? By reading the word of God and asking for divine revelation through the Holy Spirit. We do not know what approach will be taken by satan to oppress a believer but we do know he will make that attack at one time or another on us all. We must become so familiar with God’s word that we can speak to anything the devil throws at us just as Jesus did during His time in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11).

Ephesians 6:12 tells us “for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

So how do we win these battles? Ephesians 6:13 says we can accomplish this by taking up “the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

What is the “whole armor of God” and how do we stand? By using the weapons God has given us which are the:

Belt of Truth – In Roman times, the belt ^(a) held the scabbard which held the sword. A soldier would be without his most important defensive weapon if he did not have his belt.

Breastplate of Righteousness – A breastplate was armor used to cover a soldier’s chest and in particular, the heart. To be righteous is to adhere to God’s instructions and to act accordingly. Righteousness is achieved when we give our lives over to Jesus, commonly referred to as being saved. We must study God’s word to understand how to walk in His righteousness.

Shoes of the “preparation of the gospel of peace” – Jesus is the Prince of Peace. By covering our feet we are enabled to walk on the roughest terrain without fear of bruising or cutting our feet. This allows us to boldly walk where we are called delivering God’s message of peace.

Shield of Faith – In Roman times the shield was used to further protect the whole body of a soldier. The soldier would deflect arrows or clubs with it. Soldiers would also come together and build a wall of shields which was almost impenetrable. In Hebrews 11:1, faith is described as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” As we read the truth in the bible, many times we just can’t understand how it can be possible. It just doesn’t make sense in the natural. Faith is accepting it as truth even though it is not tangible. It is believing it is so just because the word says it is.

Helmet of Salvation – A helmet is a protective covering for one’s head. The significance of this is to keep the mind protected from worldly views, condemnations etc. A believer’s mind should be steeped in the truth available through the word of God with revelation given by the Holy Spirit. If the word is constantly put into the mind, there is no room for satan to put anything deceitful in there (c). Salvation (being delivered from the power of sin) is given to us by God through the grace of Jesus Christ.

Sword of the Spirit – In Hebrews (d) the word of God is likened to a double edged sword. Roman soldiers would sharpen each side of their swords in order to do the utmost damage to their enemies. Their sword also had a point on the end of it. This point was so sharp that it could penetrate their enemy’s armor allowing the edges of the sword accomplish their task. The spirit is the Word of God.

In Ephesians 6:18 Paul adds to the armor the instruction to pray in the Spirit for all the saints. The spirit is the Holy Spirit sent by Jesus to be the believer’s assistance (see John 14:16). Saints are those who have given their lives to Jesus.

We are called to provide intercession for the body of Christ. The importance of praying in the Spirit is that we cannot always know a certain battle that a brother or sister in Christ is going through, but the Holy Spirit can. The only way we can accomplish our calling in this area is to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and to allow Him to guide our prayers.

Putting on the armor of God daily is the most important thing we can do as believers and ministers of God’s word. Unless we cover ourselves we will be ineffective the first time adversity attacks. As the Bride of Christ, we are called to lift each other and to be intercessors for each other. We cannot accomplish this unless we envelop ourselves in the message God sent His Son to deliver.

Ephesians 6:10-19

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— ¹⁹ and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel

Riding the whirlwind of God’s grace, mercy and love,

L

(a) http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god-belt-of-truth.htm
The belt—known as the cingulum or balteus—played a crucial role in the effectiveness of a soldier's armor. It was the belt that held the scabbard, without which there would be no place to put a sword.

(b)   http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god-shield-of-faith.htm

The Roman shield—the scutum—was not the standard "medieval-esque" shield most picture in their minds upon hearing the word. It was instead a very large, slightly curved rectangular shield featuring at its center a large metal knob (called a boss). The scutum was an impressive line of defense. Because of its sheer size (some were three and a half feet tall and almost three feet wide), soldiers were afforded a great deal of protection from enemies. Because of its slight curve, it was able to deflect attacks without transferring the full force of the assault to the man holding the shield. Because of its boss, it was able to deflect even the more vicious blows and function in a limited offensive capacity as a means of knocking an opponent backwards.

(c)    Matthew 12:43-45 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴³ “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. ⁴⁴ Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. ⁴⁵ Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”

(d)   Hebrews 4:12 New King James Version (NKJV)|

¹² For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

(e)   http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god-sword-of-spirit-word.htm