A Crucified Life - - Dying Daily

 

2 Corinthians 4:10

Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3500

Dying: a putting to death, a state of death

From the Greek word 'nekrósis' (pronounced nek'-ro-sis): dead or lifeless condition.

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS

Luke 9:23

Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

    We who choose Christ as our Savior are baptized into His death, which includes His sufferings, His humiliations, His (at times) silence. In this born again life we now live, having chosen to follow Christ faithfully, we, too, will suffer, for so He has called us to do. Those who pick up their cross (make a decision to follow Him even after considering the consequences) will also know the same sufferings. 

    Our families will be divided. Mine were against me being a woman preacher. Since I wouldn't change my mine some in my family refused to speak to me, while a handful supported my decision. But I did not back down and remained faithful in my calling. This faithfulness has caused some who turned against me to turn to Christ. 

    Our friends will forsake us, seeing us changed after receiving Christ as our Lord and Savior, and not wanting that change as yet for themselves, they will leave us. But that's alright. While we remain adamant in our decision, we do so with the Love of God living in us. 

    The decisions we made when we lived a life without Christ are not the same decisions we make in Christ. No more mind-altering drugs, no more uninhibited drinking, no more nightclubs and parties as such. No more listening to and believing liars, who twist the Word to their own convenience. Even my favorite genres of music and books has changed. No longer do I walk in darkness, for I have found the Light, and I'm following Him now.

    I have picked up my cross and I am following Jesus. Though my body, mind and spirit know the pain of walking this journey with Christ, I also know the joy of walking WITH CHRIST: the born again Christians are never really alone, for He helps us carry our cross through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

THIS CROSS I CARRY

    It is no light thing to 'take up' our cross. That cross Christ carried across His shoulders was heavy, so heavy that His bruised and bloody body could not even bear the weight of it as He slowly made His way up the hillside path. He needed help. 

    We, too, would not be able to make it through to the end if we did not have each other to help us carry our crosses. And we carry them on a daily basis, not just once and we're done. For while we are making our way through this world, wherever Christ leads us, we are doing so one day at a time. 

    This cross I carry, I carry without complaint, for so my Savior did also. Though groans may have escaped His lips, whining and complaining did not. Though tears may have flowed down His cheeks, He did not retaliate against those who were mocking Him. In His humiliation He neither threatened anyone, nor attacked His accusers in any form. He forgave.     

    And while He was dying, after having been nailed to the cross, at least one more believed and was admitted into Paradise with Jesus. Immediately after His last breath, the centurion who stood near said, "Truly this was the Son of God." (Mark 15:39). He would be the first of many to believe that  Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God.  

DYING DAILY TO REVEAL LIFE IN CHRIST

    To die daily is to put bring my body and my mind into submission to the Word of God. It is to put God first in my life every day. When I awaken, I greet Him. "Good Morning, Lord" and "Welcome, Holy Spirit." I make myself clean and presentable on the outside while He makes me clean and acceptable on the inside. 

    The Word tells us to pray without ceasing, so I do. I am in constant communication with my Lord. Kneeling is not always necessary, which is good because I am not yet physically back to the point where I can do so without pain and requiring assistance to get back up again. The Lord is with me and that's enough. 

    To die daily is to surrender what I want to do with my day and receive what He wants to do in me in the day. The night is for sleep and for rest; the day is for work. And the days are short and getting shorter. 

    Time is running out, the sand in the hourglass moves faster than it used to. Not only is this a proven scientific fact now, the Word has revealed it to us. Mark 13:20 tells us that God will shorten the days of tribulation for the sake of His people.

     And while that Day is not yet arrived, no one knows the hour of their death or the manner thereof; therefore, we must always be ready. And we can't be ready if we're not saved by the water and the blood which flowed from Jesus' side. We can't be ready if the Spirit of God is not in us, transforming our old self into our new self. We must get ready and live as if Jesus were returning today.

    Dear God,

    Be my God. Be my Savior. Forgive me of all my sins and my trespasses. For I have been a wicked sinner and I have trespassed against You. Forgive me of unclean thoughts and fill my mind with Your Word. Forgive me of unloving words which I have spoken and fill my heart with Your Word. Forgive me for the wrong I have done to others in my ignorance of what is right and fill me with Your Word, that Your Love would guide my actions. 

    O Lord, I am a sinner and desire to be saved by Your grace, for only You can save a wretch like me! Only You can fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Only You can quench this thirst and sustain this hunger that I have to know You better. Only You can show me mercy and, Lord, only You can forgive me. 

    Bring me into Yourself and be welcomed in me. You knocked on the door of my heart and I am letting You in. Stay with me as long You like. Remain in me and I will remain in You. 

    In Jesus' Name, we pray, Amen

DRAW ME NEARER - Hymn

AT THE CROSS - Chris Tomlin

ALL TO JESUS I SURRENDER - Robin Mark

OCEANS - Hillsong United

BREATHE - Michael W. Smith

I SURRENDER - Hillsong

I OFFER MY LIFE - Don Moen

     

    

Thanks Be To God - - For His Testimony

 

Psalm 19:7

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the Testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 5715

Testimony: ordinances, warnings, witness

From the Hebrew word 'eduth' (pronounced ay-dooth')

Used 59 times in the Old Testament. 

Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3141

Testimony: witness, reputation, evidence

From the Greek word 'marturia', (pronounced mar-too-ree'-ah)

Used 37 times in the New Testament.

Deuteronomy 4:1-6 reminds the people of God that obeying the laws which God had set up would lead them to (v1.) Live; gain entrance into the land He promised them and take possession of it. (v2) All laws must be followed, not just some of them. (v3) Reminded to remember the judgment God had against the people who did not obey His Law. (v4) They who had clung tightly to the LORD were they whom God let live. (v5) God's people had been taught the statutes and ordinances that they would follow them when they entered and possessed the land. (v6) [our primary verse here] Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the peoples, who will hear of all these statutes and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”

Job 28:28

And He said to man, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding."

1 John 5:9-11

9. Even if we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony that God has given about His Son.

10. Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son.

11. And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

12. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

John 3:36

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.

John 3:14-18

14. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,

15. that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.

16. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

The Testimony of The LORD God is The Law Written On Stone Tablets, AND The Testimony of The LORD God is His only begotten Son Jesus Christ: The Living Word which is written on the hearts of we who believe that Jesus Christ Is LORD. 

Psalm 111:10

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments: His praise endures for ever.

Wisdom is to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son, to believe in one's heart that God sent Him to die a horrible death on the cross, thereby taking the punishment for our sins upon Himself. Wisdom is to fear the LORD, to be in awe of His majesty and His glory. And to be amazed and awestruck by His lovingkindness towards us who know we deserve no such grace, but are nonetheless very thankful that God's grace has been extended to us through His Son Jesus. 

Understanding is to repent and turn away from the evil we have done by not following God's commandments, by not believe that His Word is Faithful And True.

Understanding is to turn our backs on the sin-filled lifestyles we once lived before we accepted Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives; it is to follow the path of holiness which the Lord has laid out for us to walk in. We must simply read the Scriptures and pray about we are reading, that God would reveal to us Himself and what He wants us to know. The Book of John is a good place to start, if you are not sure where to start.

Whoever has Jesus has Life Eternal and will enter into the promised land which God has prepared for them. Whoever does not have Jesus has eternal death and will be disinherited.  

Dear God,

I am so very thankful that I answered Your call on my life. I am thankful that You tugged at my heart-strings and gently led me from a dark place into Your glorious Light. Father, forgive me of any and all unrighteous acts or words I may have misspoken this night and day. 

Lead me through Your Word to become the servant You want me to be that I may glorify Your Name in all that I say and do. May words of peace, words of hope, words of compassion and mercy, words of love flow through me into the ears and hearts of they who need to hear You. 

In Jesus' Name, I pray,
Amen

Arming The Spiritual Warrior -- Rejoice Always

 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Rejoice evermore.

*Strong's No 5463

REJOICE: to delight in God's grace; to experience God's grace (favor); to be consciously glad of God's grace

One cannot unconsciously rejoice, nor can a person subconsciously rejoice in God's grace. We must be cognate, aware, of God's grace. For we cannot obtain what we cannot even be aware of. 

It is why so many die in their sins. If they are not aware they are sinners, then they cannot be saved; especially after death. We must realize in this life we are given that not only God Is, but that God Is Savior. That He is Savior through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, through the blood which Christ shed on the cross, which takes away the sins of the world: John 1:29 "The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and says, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world."

Realization of this as fact must come through an awareness of wrongdoing, which is followed by repentance (a confession of and turning away from sins). Then our hearts are filled with God's grace and we begin to live a disciplined, godly lifestyle.   

Philippians 4:4

 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 94:19

In the multitude of my thoughts within me (anxieties, cares) Your comforts delight my soul.

Psalm 104:34

My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.

Always. Evermore. At all times. Regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves, we are to rejoice in the Lord. Our joy must begin in God and be fulfilled by God. Without a relationship with God there can be no joy, no reason to rejoice. But in God, in His name, in His character, in His power we can have joy. It helps us to think on God's Word, thereby getting into our thoughts. It helps us to read God's Word, getting it into our hearts. We must believe God's Word is Faithful & True, that the Holy Spirit may be able to bring it to our lips to speak God's Word God's Power with God's Love. 

2 Corinthians 6:10

As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Matthew 5:12

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

We will know sorrow, pain and grief in this life. We will suffer for our faith. Some of us will die for what we believe. Yet, we are rejoicing. Joy is not an opposite of sorrow, it complements it. When we know what we know what we know, we can truly Rejoice! in the Lord for we are confident that He will keep His promises. For God cannot lie. 

As Job has said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him: but I will maintain (prove) mine own ways before Him." (Job 13:15) 

We are confident that our testimony, our faith in our Redeemer, Who has purchased us with His own blood, will stand as our witness when we are judged by God. 

If you have not this confidence, there is still time. Even now, your heart tells you that what I speak of God's Word is True. Even now, the Holy Spirit convicts your hearts and you feel a pinch in your spirit. May you surrender your hearts and your lives to Jesus Christ as the Word flows over you, may it also enter you. 

Intelligent Worship Series -- Intro

 Intelligent Worship brings us into the presence of God. There are 12 parts to this series, plus this introduction. 

What do we see when we enter the presence of God? John, in the Spirit, saw an emerald rainbow around the throne of God. Emeralds come in just about every color known, so while many envision a green bow around the throne, I see so much more. 

 

--John heard a voice like a trumpet speak to him. 

Revelation 4:1

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 

--John saw a throne and someone sitting on it.

Revelation 4:2

And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

--John saw the radiance and could only describe what he saw in colors he knew.

Revelation 4:3

And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 

Ezekiel saw so much when he entered the eternal presence of God that I can only list a couple of them here.

--Ezekiel was always in the presence of God, for the Word came to him. 

Ezekiel 1:3

The Word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.

--Ezekiel saw a sapphire throne.

Ezekiel 10:1

Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.

--Isaiah saw the Lord on His throne.

Isaiah 6:1

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 

Isaiah saw and heard the worshiping seraphim and instantly repented.

Isaiah 6:2-6

--Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord.

Isaiah 6:8

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

--Daniel saw the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man together.

Daniel 7:9-14

Many are the wondrous things to see in the presence of God, not the least of which is the Lord God Himself! Intelligent worship brings us into the presence of God, but it won't keep us there. For there is much work to be done before our day arrives to be there permanently with Him. 

Until then we will read and re-read all the gloriousness of being in God's presence. 

Adam had it, then he lost it. That can happen to us, too, if we're not careful. Let us watch and pray, therefore, that our testimony may be perfect when we see God. 

How To Pray For Our Leaders

 

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.

This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time.

1 Timothy 2:1-6

These verses tell us how we should be praying for the authority and leadership of our nations, our states, our cities, our towns, our communities, our churches, our homes.

1. Petitions:

Pray for a specific need - a heart-felt deep personal need

2. Prayers:

Directed God-ward - both on an individual and congregational level: in a quiet place and in a meeting together place

3. Intercessions

Intervention led by God, marking intersection between heaven and earth as it reflects the Lord's specific will.

4. Thanksgivings

Thankfulness, gratitude for God's grace

With the end result being that we 'lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.' (verse 2)

Verses 3-4 denote why we should pray in such a manner, while verses 5-6 emphasize the omnipotence and sovereignty of God and His Mediator Jesus Christ.

Mediator: an arbitrator ("mediator"), guaranteeing the performance of all the terms stipulated in a covenant (agreement). A reconciler.

Romans 5:9-11 & Colossians 1:21-23

Reconciled by Christ Jesus through His death and His life

How can we love one another like Christ loves us, if we do allow the love of God through Christ Jesus to change us? We can't. Nor can we have faithful to God's Word leaders if we do not pray for them in this manner.

Self-love is not the way to a better life. A self-oriented lifestyle is not a God-oriented lifestyle. Submission to God is a wonderful way to live our lives. It is a life lived in joy. Even though trials and grief are a part of life, joy is still evident when we abide in Christ as He lives in us.

And so we pray for our leaders. We pray to God for His *good and acceptable will: *Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

* Romans 12:1

*Matthew 6:10

The Testimony of Israel

O give thanks unto The Lord, for His mercy endures forever ~
Psalm 122
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of The Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: Where the tribes go up, the tribes of The Lord, unto The Testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto The Name of The Lord. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of The Lord our God I will seek thy good.

O give thanks unto The Lord, for His mercy endures forever ~

The house of the Lord is Jerusalem, the city of God. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, that those who live within her walls would be safe in the arms of God. There are several gates, one of which remains closed even yet. It is called the Golden Gate, or Mercy Gate. It faces the Mount of Olives on the Eastern side of the Old City. Tradition says The Messiah will enter Jerusalem through this gate. So the muslims who lived under the rule of Suleiman closed it off to prevent His entrance.

O give thanks unto The Lord, for His mercy endures forever ~

The Testimony of Israel is the Manna. The Ark contained the Manna, to remember how God provided the Bread of Heaven to feed His people in the wilderness after He delivered them out of the hands of Egypt. The Manna is sweet and sustaining, tasting like coriander seed, which today is used in the making of sweet breads and desserts. It had to be crushed to be used.

That Manna, the Bread of Heaven, is Jesus Christ. John 6:47-51-Truly, truly I say to you, He that believes on Me has everlasting life. IAM that Bread of Life. Your fathers did eat Manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the Bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof and not die. IAM the Living Bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this Bread, he shall live for ever: and the Bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

O give thanks unto The Lord, for His mercy endures forever ~

The Testimony of Israel is Jesus Christ, The Messiah. He left heaven for us once and will do so again when God tells Him to go. Though Christ was present at the creation of the world, His birth in a stable in Bethlehem was the first time He came in fleshly form. He left His glory at home when He came to witness, to testify of God, of The New Covenant: Himself. The Testimony of Israel was honored in the Old Testament as divine grace. The Testimony of Israel in the New Testament was rejected by the Israelites. They did not believe Jesus was the Son of God and crucified Him.

But that's why He came. Jesus Christ ministered divine grace while He walked here. His first words, after He left the wilderness where Satan tempted Him, were Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand. For where Jesus is, God is. Where Jesus is, is where Jesus lives, therefore when a person repents of their sins, Jesus is able to live in that person by faith. Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand (nearby, close).

O give thanks unto The Lord, for His mercy endures forever ~

We are still living in New Testament times. Though our days are happening 2,000 years after Christ's death and resurrection, The Word of God still speaks to us today. And today may be all we have, for tomorrow is not promised us. That is why God tells us that Today is the Day of Salvation. Waiting until tomorrow is not a good idea, because we might now have tomorrow. As you and I know, anything can happen between now and tomorrow. For the times we live in are filled with war, disease, blatant immorality disguised as law, violent unbelievers who rule with fear and hate. Today is your Day of Salvation. Today is your day to believe on Jesus Christ as The Lord and Savior of your life. Regardless of how long your life is.




O give thanks unto The Lord, for His mercy endures forever ~

I am not a threat to you or your way of life. Oh wait, yes I am. Through the power of the Living Word of God, I am able to bring you the messages of God when He tells me to go. And He tells me everyday, as in the Book of Mark, "Go you into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that does not believe shall be damned." Belief in Jesus Christ is necessary for the salvation of your eternal soul. Belief determines destination.

Repentance of sins is to turn your back on your old way of life and surrender your will to God's will for your new life.

Baptizm is a public statement of belief. We are telling the world that we are buried with Christ and raised into a new life in Christ.

I pray for each of you. Your names are in my heart and in God's ears. But for you to accept Christ, you must pray also. Acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord. Turn your back on your sinfulness and give your life to God. Accept God's mercy and forgiveness of your sins. Praise The Lord. Give thanks with a grateful heart:

O give thanks unto The Lord, for His mercy endures forever ~

---If you know someone who would be encouraged by Today's Thought, please feel free to share with them. That would be awesome.----