I have Secondary Progressive MS and have lived with the disease for twenty seven years. I have been under the care of a physician and neurologist for the past thirteen years. To this day, the only treatment that I have received is medication to relieve pain. Every two weeks, $300 is spent at the Pharmacist. I take high levels of…
Romans 8:26-29Romans 8:26-29
English: World English Bible - WEB
26 In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered.
27 He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.
28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”
WP-Bible plugin
One of the most common Bible verses that gets quoted is, “all things work together for good for those who love God” (Romans 8:28Romans 8:28
English: World English Bible - WEB
28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
WP-Bible plugin). At least that’s the one people give me. Unfortunately the theology of this verse has been lost in the whole mentality of self; a poor theology.
Let’s start with this question: Who, or what is the subject of these verses? There are two choices, me or God. It has long been interpreted a “me” being the subject. After all, isn’t the Bible all about me? (cynicism intended) .
God is the subject, He’s the main person. In the previous verses (Romans 8:26-27Romans 8:26-27
English: World English Bible - WEB
26 In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered.
27 He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.
WP-Bible plugin) it is talking about how the Spirit, the one that has breathed a new life into us, giving us a new nature, and placed that life into the family of God, he is the one that has taken up residence in my life and yours. In fact, he’s so close that in times when we come to God with a heart ache or need and land up not even knowing what to say, the Spirit steps in and tells God what it is that I really need. He speaks words on our behalf (Romans 8:27Romans 8:27
English: World English Bible - WEB
27 He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.
WP-Bible plugin).
Don’t lose track of who the main person is here? Paul has just said that the Spirit was the main person in verse 27 by telling us how in tune and closely tied the Spirit is connected to our new self.
What’s happening here? I mean what is the one big point? It is simply this: God’s desire for us, more than anything else is for us to have a close relationship with Him. And the Spirit is there helping us make that happen. In fact what He’s telling the Father (verse 27) is what you and I absolutely need to improve that relationship.
And then Romans 8:28Romans 8:28
English: World English Bible - WEB
28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
WP-Bible plugin, the Spirit, Father, Son and you, the greatest synergy team ever, take every thing in our life and constantly mould it into what is the ultimate good. The good, in the Father’s opinion, is our relationship with him. And it’s true, the Triune God can take our hurts and use it in combination with everything in our life and make a contribution to God’s plan for our life.
Here’s my point: If it’s true that God always has our best interest in mind, then it also makes sense to walk as closely with the Spirit as possible and take time each day to get to know Christ and speak with your Father. Don’t go a day without spending time with the family.
(reprinted by permission)
Christians that live a life of servanthood get the best out of life.
Years ago our family decided to become a foster home. God soon sent a teenager, Joanne, to us. This was her first foster home from a background of tragedy and pain. We stepped into Joanne’s gap of a healthy home and sought to do our best to provide safety, love, and care.
It was a new situation for all of us and soon ended in what I thought was failure. A new home for her was provided within a few months. Fifteen years passed. Then I received a Facebook message from Joanne. Her words blew me away! We had not failed and our investment had paid great dividends:
“I just wanted to send you a little note to let you know that I appreciate every day you spent with me….
[read more on the Insight For Living Canada Website] Comments on their website are appreciated.
Romans 1:14Romans 1:14
English: World English Bible - WEB
14 I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish.
WP-Bible plugin
Paul starts this letter with a disclaimer that he’s in debt to all the citizens of Rome. That’s no small confession. In that day there was possibly a million people living in the city of Rome. You would think that Paul would at least try to subdue his claim of guilt.
Let me describe two different kinds of debt.
First, there is the debt such as the one that involves your bank. You borrow a sum of money from the bank. In return you are obligated to fulfill the requirements of that contract.
Paul’s debt is the one in which someone gives you a sum of money to give to someone else. You are obligated to both the giver and the intended recipient.
The top headline-grabbing financial scandal in 2009 was Bernard Madoff’s breathtaking $65 billion Ponzi scheme. He was entrusted with money to invest for others. Rather, he enjoyed the financial blessings for himself alone.
Paul was the recipient of the gospel of Jesus Christ and God’s grace that transformed his life. For that alone, Paul says that he is forever indebted to Christ. But it did not end there. This message of the gospel was not for Paul’s enjoyment alone. When God extended grace to Paul the intention was to invest it in others; deliver this message of the gospel to all in Rome.
Paul was compelled by an obligation to both God and those in Rome. That obligation was the driving force in his life.
Too many Christians today have a spiritual Madoff syndrome. Enjoy the blessings of God as if it were ours to enjoy and nothing more. No obligations attached.
Here’s my point: The gospel is not for our to enjoy, lift our hands in praise on the weekend and nothing more. We have a heavenly debt to tell the ones we know about the gospel. We are stewards of the gospel and all its blessings.
Here’s the challenge: Try saying these words today: “I have a debt from heaven to tell ____________ (insert a friend’s name) about the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Praising God for what we have received from him; that is only half of the bargain.
It happened most every time our church had a guest speaker. At least that’s how it seemed to an eight-year-old boy. The preacher would always find a way to guilt parents into having family devotions. I still remember the shaking finger that seemed to reach way out into the audience.
And I knew what would happen after our next dinner meal. Mom would give Dad a nudge to which he responded by getting his Bible. “Everyone stay at the table,” was Dad’s humble, and almost apologetic, request. He read and then we knelt at our chairs to pray—all seven of us.
Read more of my story at the Insight For Living Online Magazine: http://www.insightforliving.ca/insights/familiy-devotions/everyone-stay-table.html
Revelation 2:12-17Revelation 2:12-17
English: World English Bible - WEB
12 “To the angel of the assembly in Pergamum write:
“He who has the sharp two-edged sword says these things:
13 “I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. You hold firmly to my name, and didn’t deny my faith in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
15 So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans likewise TR reads “which I hate” instead of “likewise”.
16 Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, Manna is supernatural food, named after the Hebrew for “What is it?”. See . and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows but he who receives it.
WP-Bible plugin
What is normal Christian living?
I have heard it often. An individual that i am witnessing to will We may look a particular person and see them as a fine Christian Often when I look, think, “If that’s Christianity, I’d rather not be one.” Our back-patting each other has lowered our idea of normal Christian living.
How distant are you from that? Somehow lost power? Somehow stopped spiritual growth? How did it happen? Answer found in this Church.
Read Rev.2:12-17
Capital City of Asia. Noted for worship of many Greek gods, including Athena & Zeus. Home of a great university & library (200,000 books). Books became gift from Mark Anthony to Cleopatra, who carried them off to Egypt.
“where Satan has his throne.” Religion was big business there, most of them directed by Satan. His headquarters were there. Headquarters have moved. He’s not in hell, he’s “prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:81 Peter 5:8
English: World English Bible - WEB
8 Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
WP-Bible plugin). But the atmosphere in Pergamum was charged with the presence of Satan.
“words of him who has the sharp, double edged sword.”
To this city that is overrun by the occult, Jesus introduces himself as one with a sword. Jesus presents Himself as conqueror, victor.
While Satan may have liberties right now, his time is coming, he knows it & so doing all he can now. Jesus is inviting you to stay on the victory side.
1. “I know where you live” Tough place for Christians. Occult & Paganism.
They were a small Church with limited resources. Jesus knew it & commended them. Pergamum needed the gospel. Needed truth.
2. “Yet you remain true to my name.” They could not be criticized for their doctrine. They believed & defended the Deity of Jesus Christ.
3. “You did not renounce your faith in me.” There were those that were faithful to death. Antipas is mentioned, 1st Pergamum martyr. Many others followed that fearlessly stood for the gospel.
“Nevertheless, I have a few things against you” The problem wasn’t that they rejected or denied Christ, more so, it was that they did not reject other teachings. They were embracing the occult, they were permitting lifestyles of the world. It came to the point that they lived no differently than the world.Except Church on Sunday=hypocrite.
They had compromised with the world! They looked at the appeal the world has to offer, and decided to incorporate it with their faith. In fact, they had to tell Christ to step aside.
1. Teaching of Balaam (14)
“You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam,”
(cf.Num.22) In brief, the Israelites had settled in the plains of Moab. This unsettled Balak, King of Moab, & so he summoned Balaam, somewhat of a prophet, & offered to pay Balaam to curse the nation of Israel. After prompting, Balaam agreed. Every time his mouth opened to curse, out came a blessing.
Balaam then counseled Balak to seduce the children of Israel into accepting Moabite ways of life & religion.
2. Teaching of the Nicolaitans (15)
“you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans”
Different group, same problem. Nicolaitans believed you could live an adulterous life, and there would be no negative effect in your relationship to Christ.
The only time the Christian has the unlimited power of the Holy Spirit at his disposal is when he is obedient to the will of God.
When he disobeys God and makes alliances with the world, he is entering into a powerless state that will ruin him.
Those that study Church history see an excellent example of this.
We talked last week of the great persecution that came over the Church by way of the Roman Emperors. When Constantine became emperor in 312 AD, that changed. In fact, Christianity became state religion, and Constantine became the head of the Church.
It was then Constantine’s ambition that every person be Christian. Much money was given for operation for Churches. At same time, toleration was given to other religions, their ideas so that they would cooperate with the Roman State Religion. Many of the practices of the Pagans were embraced by Constantine & made law. The first thing he established was the question, “Who is a Christian?” He came up with the idea, “Baptism”. After making it law, Constantine was gripped with a personal question, “If I am saved from my sins by baptism, what is to become of my sins which I may commit after I am baptized? Can baptism wash away yet uncommitted sins? His fear prompted him to wait until weeks before death for baptism. (Call upon the name of the Lord, saved. Jn.3:16)
Throughout this, the Church stood opposed to implementation of pagan practices to their faith. Most of the died defending their faith. The state Church became a mighty machine but without power.
To this I say, “Stay true to the Word!” Let us not tolerate sin and the lifestyle of the sinful to become the norm in our Church. Let us declare war on our personal sin. Let us not become satisfied with living below the norm. Let us not become back-patters of others that have taken upon themselves the lifestyle of sinners.
Let us spur one another on to godliness. (Heb.10:24) Let us encourage one another to press on to maturity in Christ.
Draw picture of Christian Growth. Is there an obstacle that is hindering you? Declare war on it. Be obedient. Invite people to pray that you will have strength. Just do it. Without obedience there is no growth. To live with that obstacle there is no growth. To commend someone at an impasse is embracing that sin.
A word to our leaders. 100% of our leaders must be involved in Bible Study and Prayer group. Without it, not spiritually suited to lead.
E. Christ’s Counsel (16)
1. “Repent.” Have a change of mind that results in change of action.
- “I will soon come to fight against them…” Trib. Church full.
2. “I will give hidden manna.” - Spiritual nourishment.
3. “I will give him a white stone” Stand trial, jurors would publish their vote on the case by laying down a white stone, signifying that they acquitted him of the crime. Jesus will give you a white stone. Put your trust in him, forgiven.
Is there a road block to your spiritual growth? What is it that the Lord would have you do? Is there an area of compromise that you’ve let become a part of your life?
#1 of 8 “Portraits of a Dynamic Christian”
Sometimes it can be hard to identify with Dynamic Christianity. I want to give snapshots / portraits of that life experience.
The word, Pilgrim, is one that is almost archaic in today’s world. JOHN WAYNE had this saying on a many of his films, “How you doin’, Pilgrim?”
Many of you will know the classic book entitled PILGRIM’S PROGRESS by John Bunyan, wherein he speaks of the believers journey in this life.
This past week I was speaking on Vancouver Island – Qwanoes Family Camp (1995). We needed to leave the Main Land to the Island by way of a Ferry. Imagine me telling the Captain, “I want to go to the Island, I’m interested in your Ferry ride, but I don’t want to leave the Main Land.” That would be impossible. “Then, I would like to bring all my belongings, family, and friends along with me.” That too is impossible. Only your necessities of life may accompany you. “Can I keep one foot on the dock and one on the ship?” Yes, but it will hurt and you won’t be pleased with the final result.
If, in our analogy, the Main land is our old life, prior becoming a Christian and the Island our destination, Heaven, then the Ferry is our new life. We are on a pilgrimage to heaven. We don’t waste time looking back. We are careful not to waste time looking around. We keep focused on where we’re going. We put our trust in the Captain of our ship.
Not just anyone can get on the ship. You need a ticket. It’s possible not to prepare for the journey and be left behind. Best intentions are insufficient. At just the right time, those that have requested a ticket for the journey are called, an invitation to join. I’m sure that the captain would love for all to take the journey, but only those with the ticket come.
Romans 1:6Romans 1:6
English: World English Bible - WEB
6 among whom you are also called to belong to Jesus Christ;
WP-Bible plugin identifies all believers as CALLED ONES. “And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.”
It came to me while watching TV. Don’t tell me you can’t watch TV and think at the same time.
A teenager was being featured on the Today 
Show. Her bit was about redefining the American Dream; the big house, loving family, climbing the corporate ladder or anything that you can add to the list. This teen had become morally sick about the state of poverty in the world and so found it necessary to “redefine, with her family, the American Dream in such a way that they could do something significant to address their soul ache.
It got me thinking about the Christian Life Dream. First, how would you define this dream? To start, here are a few criteria in defining your list:
Well, that’s a good start for now. Actually, many Christians will say, “this is where I get off”.
“Hope for everyday life” is in living your Christian-Life Dream. Think on it. I plan to continue on this thought in the near future.
It came to me while watching TV. Don’t tell me you can’t watch TV and think at the same time.
A teenager was being featured on the Today Show. Her bit was about redefining the American Dream; the big house, loving family, climbing the corporate ladder or anything that you can add to the list. This teen had become morally sick about the state of poverty in the world and so found it necessary to “redefine, with her family, the American Dream in such a way that they could do something significant to address their soul ache.
It got me thinking about the Christian Life Dream. First, how would you define this dream? To start, here are a few criteria in defining your list:
Well, that’s a good start for now. Actually, many Christians will say, “this is where I get off”.
“Hope for everyday life” is in living your Christian-Life Dream. Think on it. I plan to continue on this thought in the near future.
1 Samuel 17
I don’t know if you’ve ever found yourself in a battle where you knew you were outnumbered and outclassed. You knew you were headed for a whipping. About 15 years back, about a dozen guys from our Church thought we would challenge inmates and the Matsqui penitentiary at a friendly game of floor hockey. A noble gesture! We prayed for blessing. All looked splendid. Inmates were friendly and accommodating. I was enthused until I saw the score board. Torture inflicting inmates vs. skinny anaemic Christians. At the moment the puck was dropped until the final whistle, we endured full contact floor hockey. It didn’t seem to matter to these men whether you had a break away or even if you had the puck or not. I got tackled once while on the bench.
I discovered a whole new echelon of fear. Peters did not want to play let alone have the puck passed to me. Because of that experience, I fully understand the fear that the Israelites allowed to overtake them during Goliath’s challenge.
1 John 3:11 John 3:1
English: World English Bible - WEB
3
1 Behold, how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him.
WP-Bible plugin
Here are the TOP 10 INVENTIONS our world has seen (according to a list I found a few years back)
The reason I’ve done this is to help us imagine the thrill of inventing something. The experience of a discovery that you know will impact people. That’s the Apostle John’s experience. He’s bursting to let you know this.
1 John 3 1How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
LOOK WHAT I SEE!
“KJV – Behold” “wow”
John is ready to describe a most incredible experience. After about 80 years on this earth, this finds its way to the apex of John’s thoughts, rising above all the rest. A discovery that overshadows all the rest. The thought he wants to hang on to, motivating all he is.
IT’S OUT OF THIS WORLD!
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us.” “KJV – what manner” This is not your ordinary discovery. It boggles his mind just to think about it. When he discovered it, he just wanted to linger. Ever been there?
The only discovery I can think of relates to my dad. Aron was born in the village of Orenberg, Russia, on August 10, 1918st 10, 1918
English: World English Bible - WEB
Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!
WP-Bible plugin, the youngest of 13 children. This was just about the time that Communism was forcing its way into Russia (the Bolshevik Revolution). The Christians were being severely persecuted by the Communists. To avoid persecution, my dad, as a 4 year old immigrated to Canada. As a teen he discovered that his Canadian father was actually his cousin (Bernard Peters) and that his father was Isaak Klassen. Thus began the search for his family. Anyone. After about 40 years, a few pieces of the puzzle began to trickle in. His father, my real grandfather was starved to death by the communists and a few other siblings had found their way out of Russia but their names and whereabouts were unknown. Only after communism fell, did family start to come out and puzzle completed. After 70 years, of searching, my Dad met his brother. What a discovery.
John’s discovery goes far beyond ours. It’s a discovery about God.
There was the day that Jesus was in a boat with his disciples and a great storm arose. Jesus stood and rebuked the wind and the waves and it became completely calm. The men were amazed. Matthew 8:27Matthew 8:27
English: World English Bible - WEB
27 The men marveled, saying, “What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
WP-Bible plugin “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” “What manner of love….Wow. It’s out of this world!”
THINK OF JOHN’S SPIRITUAL HIGHLIGHTS:
THE LOVE OF GOD:
“Lavished” = extravagance, excessive, wasteful, openhanded.
Romans 8:38Romans 8:38
English: World English Bible - WEB
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
WP-Bible plugin “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, (39) neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” You cannot escape God’s love for you.Romans 5:8Romans 5:8
English: World English Bible - WEB
8 But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
WP-Bible plugin “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Chad was a shy, quiet boy. One day he came home from school and announced to his mother that he wanted to make a valentine card for every fellow classmate. His mother, being much more in tuned with the class setting, wished her son would not do this, knowing he was going to be let down in the end. She knew the children made fun of her son and would often ignore him. Chad labored for two weeks, carefully designing and creating 35 valentine cards. On Valentines Day, Chad was beside himself with excitement. Packaged his cards and bolted out the door.
During the day his mother made him some nice cookies to ease the pain a little. She watched for his return home. The bus stopped near their home and she watched the children getting off the bus, arms full of cards, and then her son came off, and as she expected his arms empty.
Chad came through the front door and Mom said, “Hey Chad, I made you your favorite cookies. He marched right on by, his face aglow, and all he could say was: “Not a one. Not a one.” Her heart sank. And then he added, “I didn’t forget a one, not a single one.”
While we were yet sinners, Christ loved you so much that He gave his life for you.
John 3:16John 3:16
English: World English Bible - WEB
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
WP-Bible plugin “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
This love, the Love of God:
Wait a minute, God doesn’t love me…there’s no evidence for it. Two blueberry farmers were talking at harvest time. One had a great crop while the other suffered. God doesn’t love me. Not true. God does not settle all His accounts in July.
We have diluted the love of God, replacing grace with a works related love relationship. You don’t have to attend Church, give money, be good etc. etc. for God to love you. This is a love you can not possibly earn. It is not by our righteousness that we earn God’s love. God loves you.
John 1:12John 1:12
English: World English Bible - WEB
12 But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name:
WP-Bible plugin “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
We had 300 kids here this week for our Summer Day Camp. We love them. Not one I was willing to hand the right to be my child. You see, I have a different love depth.
In a small town in Spain, a father had a bitter argument with his young son Paco. The next day the father discovered that Paco’s bed was empty – he had run away from home. Overcome with remorse, the father searched his should and realized that his son was more important to him than anything else. He went to the town center and posted a large sign that read, “Paco, come home. I love you. Meet me here tomorrow morning. The next morning the father went to the store, where he found no less than 7 young boys named Paco who had also run away from home. They were all answered the call for love, each hoping it was his dad inviting him home with open arms.
God’s posted a sign with your name on it. “I love you. Come home.”
John 15:5John 15:5
English: World English Bible - WEB
5 I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
WP-Bible plugin “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” A love relationship with God is more important than any other single factor in your life.
Do you want to accomplish something for God? Do you want to make a difference in His Kingdom? Do you want to make an impact in people’s lives? Do you want to live God’s purpose for you life? It starts by recognizing that God loves you. Embrace His love. Stop the activity, like this old apostle, and be mesmerized by God’s love. Allow that love to melt away the crust of self and pride and intellect and come back to that first and most motivating force. That Jesus loves me.
Rather than judging, love them like Jesus.
How Shall We Respond?
Embrace God’s love for you.
Radiate God’s love to others.
Worship Him.
![[Valid RSS]](valid-rss-rogers.png "Validate my RSS feed")
Like