I am grateful for Your provision from the garden! The baked, red-skinned potatoes made a wonderful dinner!
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. Titus 2:1-2
Me: Jesus, all these come to those who are Yours and led by the Spirit! Jesus: Paul was telling Titus to speak My word. The trait of being circumspect does not come quickly to the young. Those with some experience ought to model it. Here is my aim:
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Titus 2:11-12
Me: I see the next verse goes on to say, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” Jesus: You should take from that the need to walk in My calling ever more diligently as the day of My return approaches.
Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:14-16
Me: Are you speaking of “him who sleeps” as the unsaved one who is merely drifting through life, carried along by the currents of time? (No one I know disputes that the days are evil.) Jesus: Yes. I Am the life. Yet this one has not even considered his “deadness”. Give a wake-up call where you can! You surely know how transforming to a sober life requires a circumspect outlook, understanding the whole truth about the consequences of drifting mindlessly along vs being awake and alert to the Life. Look to Me for help! I Am with you! Me: Thank You Jesus! I love You! Jesus: You are welcome! I love you!
It seems in my life; I am often the beneficiary of the love and grace of others. Does it go without saying that I have unfathomably received of the love and grace of God? How can I let such a gift pass without a thank you?
6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Romans 5
Thank you, Jesus!
The picture at the head of this post is of some garlic that I was gifted by my friend Cheryl last fall to plant in our garden. I harvested the results the middle of August. I needed a way to hang it to dry, as I understand one is supposed to do that.
That brings me to another gift that I was given. Another friend had an unsuccessful political campaign years back and had a lot of heavy wire sign frames, of the type that typically are used by stretching what is essentially a printed plastic bag over the frame, which is then poked in the ground. This friend figured since I was politically active, that I could make use of them. Frankly, political signs are always provided with new wires frames of one type or another. Still, I seem to have found a near endless array of things I could make from the heavy steel wire. Which brings me to this picture:
It occurred to me that if I had a really big heavy needle, I could use it to run a string though the stalks of the harvested garlic. So, with a bolt cutter I cut off a length of steel sign wire. I clamped it in a vise for my drill press and used a Dremel tool cut-off wheel and a steady hand to grind a slot through the wire, halfway on each side. I sharpened one end on my bench grinder and polished the rust off with a wire wheel. Viola! A needle!
And the result, hanging in the pole barn.
By the way, some pieces of that same sign wire became S-hooks to connect the string between some shelving units, via a simple loop tied on each end of the string.
The very presence of mature garlic from little cloves planted in the ground prior to winter is still one more example of my status as beneficiary.
26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. 30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? Mark 4
God made all these mysterious things to work according to His design to sustain and keep us. I am thankful to Him! Praise His holy name!
P.S. I have been pretty occupied with things this summer and posting here has certainly suffered. But all is well.
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies (heart of compassion), kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Colossians 3:9-13
Whoso offers praise glorifies Me: and to him that orders his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God. Psalm 50:23
Do the things that Colossians 3:9-13 lists that we are to “put on” seem difficult? Does the prospect of attaining prevailing gratitude, love and peace seem a distant hope?
First, Paul was speaking to those who have accepted Christ as savior. Outside of His indwelling Spirit, these things are not just difficult, they are impossible.
Second, these traits do not come after getting our sin in submission by our own efforts, any more than we can evict all the darkness out of a room so it will be light in there. If the light is turned on, the darkness is driven out by the presence of light. [Let me observe here that light does not fill a room in a static manner, as water fills a container. It flows from its source in a continual manner. The speed at which it travels is considered the “universal constant”, the fastest physical thing in the cosmos.] Rather, it is the instantaneous saving transformation of our sprits at salvation, and the purposeful transformation of our minds by the Word that enables banishment of the things that we are to “put off” and the adoption to the characteristics that we are to “put on”.
“Put” is a verb. This passage is not saying the process of transformation is automatic. We do have to resist the flesh and the devil. I am not backpedaling on what I have said in the previous paragraph; I am saying that the power to resist comes from the Spirit of God and that must come first to drive out the darkness.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my Strength, and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Further, we must stay deliberately engaged in the Word. Engagement in this sense is not mere reading. It implies willingness to be conformed to the revelations of the Holy Spirit.
Graphic depicting some aspects related to the mind, heart, and spirit.
The LORD executes righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. Psalm 103:6
From a purely physical perspective, it doesn’t always look like that to us, does it? My last post was from a conversational journal passage about the unrighteous judge. God, on the other hand, is a righteous Judge for all that are oppressed. That invites the question, are we oppressed? I believe that is a perspective that we often have because there has been some truth to it for all and that may be the actively downward-spiraling situation for others.
When Peter was sent to by the Spirit to minister the Gospel to Cornelius and his household, his discourse included this:
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. Acts 10:38
Well, what manner of oppression might this be?
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10
(This verse in John 10 is in the middle of a parable where Jesus is describing Himself as the Good Shepherd.)
Is something stealing your peace? Have you been involuntarily divested of property? Is health being destroyed in some fashion? Has death darkened the door of your house yet? If not, certainly the door of friends and loved ones. The methods of such oppression are varied and far reaching.
That is what makes the message of 1 John 3:8 so encouraging.
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8
It is by sin that the devil gained access to trouble mankind with all manner of things leading ultimately to death. All of us have sinned and continue to do so. So what of Jesus’ statement that He came to give us abundant life? That is the good news, for sure.
I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. John 10:9
(Remember in John 10, Jesus was likening Himself to a good shepherd.)
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 2:21
The remainder of Psalm 103 gives quite a list of benefits we can expect from the Righteous Judge. It is certainly worth frequent reading to be reminded of God’s mercy, redemption, compassion, and more.
I will leave you with a cautionary reminder for all of us.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
On the positive side, this is great news given to believers in Jesus! But even for believers, the corollary is that the devil will not flee without resistance. Continuing to engage in intentional sin is not resistance, and in fact gives him further access.
Though His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23), choose you this day whom you will serve. (Joshua 24:15)
I am grateful that God’s judgments are right and true!
Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Romans13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Romans 3:10-12 There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, There is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; There is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Also Luke 18:19)
Me: Good afternoon, Jesus!
Jesus: Good afternoon, Jon!
Me: I think most of the U.S. has been watching the prosecution of President Trump in New York this week. Though some have been reported as “dancing” at the verdict, probably more have been aghast at the improper legal procedures allowed, and even carried out directly, by the judge. It made me think of this passage in Luke 18 referencing an “unjust judge”. That caused me to also remember the injunction in Romans 13 to be subject to those in authority because their powers (offices, stations) are ordained by God. You clearly recognized when giving the parable in Luke 18 that a judge could be unjust. And, though I say that “I remembered” those passages, I understand it is the work of the Holy Spirit to bring those things to mind and there was no special memory effort at work on my part. Thank You for that gift through the Holy Spirit! (John 14:26)
Jesus: I have a calling for everyone. That does not mean that each one will live perfectly aligned to My desire for them. Some take only an occasional detour. Some refuse to acknowledge Me at all and serve only “themselves”. I put my reference to their own desires in quotes because there is a dark power at work in the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 2). You have noted, of course, that disobedience is rampant. And as you lament, the “Justice System” is full of injustice, according to the way the law informs that it should work. Still, I have drawn your attention to Romans 3, that no man, except through Me, has right standing before God. Like the Pharisees, your legislators have created so many laws and regulations (many of them conflicting and open to diverse interpretation), that no American citizen is innocent according to the law. It will get worse as time draws nearer the end. Did you foresee that there would be laws against engaging in silent prayer in front of an abortion clinic? The devil knows that prayer is a powerful weapon. Of course, those who do his bidding would write and pass such “laws”.
Therefore, you should pay attention to the intent of My parable in Luke 18. You ought to pray that you may be strengthened and not faint in fear at the danger of such attacks. I am speedily coming to uphold you.
1 John 2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
Me: Jesus, thank You! We could not ask for a better advocate! I love You! I pray you will protect us all despite the evil of this day and help us turn away from our own evil ways and do what You have called us to. Unswervingly!
Jesus: You are welcome! I am your protector. I Am helping you. Remember this:
Romans 8:31 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. 35 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.
You should also be persuaded that nothing can separate you from My love!
I am grateful, Father, that You have enabled me to be in Jesus and to be raised with Him!
2 And you [He made alive when you] were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you once walked. You were following the ways of this world [influenced by this present age], in accordance with the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit who is now at work in the disobedient [the unbelieving, who fight against the purposes of God]. 3 Among these [unbelievers] we all once lived in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by the sinful self], indulging the desires of human nature [without the Holy Spirit] and [the impulses] of the [sinful] mind. We were, by nature, children [under the sentence] of [God’s] wrath, just like the rest [of mankind]. 4 But God, being [so very] rich in mercy, because of His great and wonderful love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of our sins, He made us [spiritually] alive together with Christ (for by His grace—His undeserved favor and mercy—you have been saved from God’s judgment). 6 And He raised us up together with Him [when we believed], and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, [because we are] in Christ Jesus, 7 [and He did this] so that in the ages to come He might [clearly] show the immeasurable and unsurpassed riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us in Christ Jesus [by providing for our redemption]. 8 For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; 9 not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]. 10 For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]. Ephesians 2:2-10 AMP
Me: Good morning, Father!
Abba: Good morning, Jon!
Me: Seems this revelation that we are dead unless regenerated, born again, in Jesus is mysterious to the still dead.
Abba: I told Adam, beforehand.
So the Lord God took the man [He had made] and settled him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may freely (unconditionally) eat [the fruit] from every tree of the garden; but [only] from the tree of the knowledge (recognition) of good and evil you shall not eat, otherwise on the day that you eat from it, you shall most certainly die [because of your disobedience].” Genesis 2:15-17
Eve was lied to, in Adam’s hearing, and the two of them bought what the deceiver was selling.
Now the serpent was more crafty (subtle, skilled in deceit) than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And the serpent (Satan) said to the woman, “Can it really be that God has said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden, except the fruit from the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God said, ‘You shall not eat from it nor touch it, otherwise you will die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You certainly will not die! For God knows that on the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened [that is, you will have greater awareness], and you will be like God, knowing [the difference between] good and evil.” And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise and insightful, she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of the two of them were opened [that is, their awareness increased], and they knew that they were naked; and they fastened fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. Genesis 3:3-7
The serpent countered My message to Adam, “On the day that you eat from it, you shall most certainly die” with “You certainly will not die!”
In disobedience, stepping away from the Author and Sustainer of life is death. Spiritually in the moment, physically in due time. The serpent told a perverted “truth”. Though man’s spiritual connection to Me perished with the sin, his lungs kept filling with air and his heart kept circulating corpuscles to be aerated. Eventual physical death is a mercy to the spiritually dead.
Consider the “sons of disobedience”, who fight against My purposes. Contrary to what the serpent said, My will for man is only for good. Still, the disobedient spiral down into twisted decay. They seek to fill their cadaverous emptiness with anything they think will bring them pleasure or benefit of any kind. They become wholly self-absorbed. They harm others (even children) because they have no idea what the truth is. They call that which is evil, good. They call that which is good, evil. (Isaiah 5:20) The Devil comes but to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10) and they are sold into bondage to him.
Me: The redemption You have provided in Jesus is such a stark contrast to the ever-deepening darkness that follows sin! Thank You for the grace You have lavished upon us! What You have done is beyond comprehension. Yet we can enjoy freedom in the new life and express thanksgiving where there was only taking before. Thank You! I love You!
Ephesians 1 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places [ἐπουρανίοις] in Christ: 4 According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; 8 Wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to his good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in One all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him: 11 In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, 20 Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised him from the dead, and set him at His own right hand in the heavenly places [ἐπουρανίοις], 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.
Note: 3-14 comprise a single, if complex, sentence.
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places [ἐπουρανίοις] in Christ Jesus: Ephesians 2:6
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places [ἐπουρανίοις] might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, Ephesians 3:10
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places [ἐπουρανίοις]. Ephesians 6:12
God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth. John 4:24
[Spirit God (is) and those worshiping Him in spirit and truth it is necessary to worship.] Pay no attention to that “a” added to satisfy English grammar.
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Colossians 1:13
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My kingdom not from hence. John 18:36
Reading the opening of Ephesians brings some remarkable statements to light. I wish to focus on the phrase in the third verse: “blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places”. But not so fast. Let us back up to the beginning, for this astounding assertion is preceded by a qualifier. It applies to those who are “in” Christ. The first verse says, “the faithful in Christ Jesus”. This does not mean that those who have, in and of themselves, manufactured some faithfulness to Jesus. No! Faith, and the trait of faithfulness that follows it, are a gift from the only One who is unswervingly faithful.
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9, and please see all of 1 Corinthians 13 and all of Galatians 5.
Regarding what it means to be “in Christ”, I find it useful to consider the discourse of Jesus, as he was relating to His listeners His unity with the Father;
“… the Father is in Me and I Am in the Father [that is, I am One with Him] (from John 10:38, Amplified).
So, the message of Ephesians one is to those who are in a saving relationship with Jesus, and thus, with the Father and with the Spirit. It should be obvious that there is nothing within us that can live up to this standard until we have invited Jesus in.
Please do not take the tongue-in-cheek “no matter” theme of this post to imply that our physical lives are unaffected by the spiritual. Saying so, would be as an obviously false assertion that God, who is Spirit, is incapable of effecting the incalculable material universe by His Word. The point here is not that the material world is, well, immaterial. Rather, the starting point is in the realm of His Spirit. In the Spirit realm (in the kingdom, in other words) is where power has been applied and the resultant shift in our reality has taken place. Several passages (enumerated above) include the high places reference, Greek ἐπουρανίοις (ep-oo-ran’-ee-os). It refers to the spiritual realm. Ephesians 6:12 highlights that the term is not limited to the kingdom of light. No blessings are issued from the darkness. Please allow me to make a further observation about the material realm that we engage daily with our physical senses. In the body, Jesus suffered on our behalf, in our place. Still, He held Himself to that self-sacrificial task from within the spiritual realm. Absent the motivation of limitless love toward us, the flesh would have quailed at the prospect of the cross. (Hebrews 12:2, Matthew 26:26-46)
Now, back to being blessed with all spiritual blessings! Blessed with blessings. Gifted with gifts. This passage tells us we are on the receiving end and God is the Giver.
Lest any suspect I am “cherry picking” the point that “all” means unfathomable all, consider this as well:
He who did not spare [even] His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32 AMP
It is impossible for the presence of Jesus in our hearts to be inconsequential. But we may fail to see those happy results manifest in our emotional state and in our physical circumstances because we are creatures of habit, and our expectation (faith) is generally that things will continue the same trajectory that we have been on. Countering that predisposition is one reason for the importance of paying attention to this promise of “all spiritual blessings”.
While scripture is replete with passages letting us know what is to be ours in Christ. Paul does dedicate some space to list a few of the spiritual blessings that come under the “all” heading. I won’t explicitly point them out, but please recognize that we are traversing a deep sea worth a few minutes of meditation. Suffice to say that the passage is positively breathtaking if one considers it carefully.
Postscript: Predestination (προορίσας) – from Ephesians 1:5 Pre-establish boundaries, i.e. before establishing the world, God established the boundaries that define our adoption into His family, namely the substitutionary sacrifice Jesus would make for us.
For the death that He died, He died to sin [ending its power and paying the sinner’s debt] once and for all; and the life that He lives, He lives to [glorify] God [in unbroken fellowship with Him]. Even so, consider yourselves to be dead to sin [and your relationship to it broken], but alive to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:10-11 AMP
Nevertheless, do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day. The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9 AMP
Hmmm. There is that “all” again. Please don’t remain outside the established boundary. It matters.
Postscript added to last post, instead of writing a new one. Seemed like it was better there than here. Praising Jesus for His guidance! He is the reason the truth is steadfast! – Jon
I am Grateful for your provision and faultless faithfulness!
In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:
Isaiah 26:1-4
Me: Good afternoon, Father!
Abba: Good afternoon, Jon!
Me: Father, you suggested the verse, “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You”, as I was asking what you wanted me to meditate upon today. I love the promise of “perfect peace” in Isaiah 24, if we keep focusing on You. No, more than focusing. It says trusting, too. And not just temporarily, either! When I looked at the context of that promise, I saw that it was to Judah and was a picture of salvation to come. It even mentions that salvation is appointed by You and that it stands as a bulwark, as protection against the enemy. Isaiah said, “Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter”. But that made me think of what Jesus said to the rich young ruler:
And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
Luke 18:18-19, Mark 10:17-18
Say again how is it that Judah, and those who are being saved become known as a “righteous nation” and as keepers of the truth? When Jesus walked physically in Judea, He declared, “I Am the Truth”. Yet the so-called spiritual leadership of the nation goaded the people to cry aloud, “Crucify him!” before the Roman Judgement Seat, where they accused Him of heresy and sedition. (John 18:28 – 19:16)
Abba: Jesus did not grant the religious order or the Roman government power over the message He came to deliver (John 19:11). As you see, the leaders were corrupt, serving their own interests, and the people were cowed into taking direction from them. The religious leaders had the power to put anyone out of the synagogue, which was the center of the community. The Romans exercised the power of capital punishment in such a way as to induce the most fear. Look at what this passage in Romans says of Abraham’s faith:
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Romans 4:3-5
This passage speaks of the belief My friend Abraham had in Me and of grace that Jesus has bestowed by His sacrifice of bearing your unrighteousness, again, to those who believe.
Exchange (by faith): His righteousness for your ungodliness.
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Galatians 2:16
Twice in the above verse, Paul speaks of the faith of Jesus and once of faith in Jesus. Faith is a gift (Ephesians 2:8, James 1:17), if you but agree to receive it.
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
James 1:5-8
James speaks of problem of being double minded, as it relates to faith for receiving wisdom if one asks. This issue of double mindedness, though, applies to faith for anything you are doing according to My direction. I just said that you have to agree to receive the gift of faith. That plays out in steadfast trust in what I Am saying to you. It is the enemy of your souls who will plant doubt about what I Am saying. Go back and look at his exchange with Eve (Genesis 3:1-6). What did he do? He got her to doubt that she had understood what I said, even that I had her best interests at heart and was being deceptive. Talk about narcissistic projection! Mind games are his specialty.
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18 (Romans 1:16)
Me: Thank You Father! I love You! Thank You for the awesome gifts You give! Thank You for linking all these scriptures together by Your Spirit. It seems the Gospel in a nutshell!
I am grateful that You have sent the Holy Spirit guide us into all truth! (John 16:13)
Psalms 119:15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
Psalms 119:99 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they [commandments] are ever with me.
Psalms 119:148 Mine eyes prevent [anticipate] the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
Psalms 143:5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
Selected Psalms and Proverbs
Me: Good morning, Jesus!
Jesus: Good morning, Jon!
Me: Jesus, lately some have been allowed to raise the issue of attempts, by various forces and agencies (such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Disinformation Governance Board), to control what is to be sanctioned as “truth”. I recognize the Disinformation Governance Board was officially disbanded in late August last year owing to the recognition that it was a huge political liability for the administration. Still, we have polling results that say more Americans were in favor of such controls in 2021 than they were in 2018. I don’t know it that would still hold today. It seems to me that truth is under Your purview for good reason.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:6
Jesus: That passage highlights that My words about coming to God are true, exclusive (the truth, but by Me), and reliable. If you back up to the beginning of the Gospel of John and the beginning of Genesis, I would like to make a further point about My word.
The entire creation with all its energy, intricacies, and connections came into being and is maintained in existence by the words of My mouth.
This desire in the heart of man to reserve judgment as to the truth has beguiled mankind from the beginning (Genesis 3), and its deception and consequence will persist unto the end (2 Peter 2). However, I uphold my word, and those who would know the truth may absolutely rely on My promises to help you set your heart on things above (Colossians 3:1).
As Jesus spoke these things, many believed in Him. So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
My graphic depicting some aspects related to the mind, heart, and spirit.
Postscript: Referring to the graphic above, the function of meditation on the word of God (what is true) is the channel by which the mind is renewed under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This work has decidedly positive effects on the whole of the soul, improved emotional state, mastery of the will, a clear conscience, strengthened faith, and banished unbelief. A corrupt self-awareness comes into line with the true identity of the believer in Jesus.
Godly meditation is really nothing more than allowing the word of God to form an image in your mind, allowing you to “see” what God is saying to you by His word. It is by this process that we can be truly transformed.
Missionary Sojourn 