Freedom from Self

Reflections Scripture tells us that Christ must be formed in us. This means God wants us to inwardly realize and know Christ. But it is vital to also grasp what it does NOT mean. To have Christ formed in me is not SELF-realization. The goal of God is not to bolster self-esteem, help me find the, “real me,” or to enhance my focus on MYSELF. Actually, the more Christ is formed in me, the more I will be set free from my obsession with myself. I will leave myself alone. Why? Because I will see HIM. He is just that …

Read more

Blessed Assurance

By Jim Allen From a worldly perspective, the word “blessed” means to be endowed with natural beauty, a gifted mind, athletic ability, artistic talent, financial wealth, family and friendship, and much more. To be blessed is always a good thing. In life, God’s blessings surround us. They come in many forms. A person doing a random act of kindness is a blessing. A friendly hello, a smile, and a word of encouragement are blessings too. A warm embrace from a loved-one is also a blessing, touching the soul like no other. While surfing the Internet I came across one quote …

Read more

Iran Demands ‘Compensation’ for U.S. Breach of Nuke Deal

Tehran pushing for more concessions in final days of Obama admin BY: Adam Kredo January 10, 2017 4:35 pm Iran is demanding further “compensation” from the United States following claims America violated the nuclear agreement by passing new sanctions on the Islamic Republic, according to comments by senior Iranian officials following meetings with the Obama administration in Vienna. The demand for further concessions by the Obama administration comes on the heels of reports that the United States has deflated the total amount of cash, gold, and other assets provided to the Islamic Republic during the past several years. The sum is …

Read more

“I have prayed for thee.” Luke 22:32

How encouraging is the thought of the Redeemer’s never- ceasing intercession for us. When we pray, he pleads for us; and when we are not praying, he is advocating our cause, and by his supplications shielding us from unseen dangers. Notice the word of comfort addressed to Peter–“Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat; but”–what? “But go and pray for yourself.” That would be good advice, but it is not so written. Neither does he say, “But I will keep you watchful, and so you shall be preserved.” That were a great …

Read more

“These have no root.” Luke 8:13

My soul, examine thyself this morning by the light of this text. Thou hast received the word with joy; thy feelings have been stirred and a lively impression has been made; but, remember, that to receive the word in the ear is one thing, and to receive Jesus into thy very soul is quite another; superficial feeling is often joined to inward hardness of heart, and a lively impression of the word is not always a lasting one. In the parable, the seed in one case fell upon ground having a rocky bottom, covered over with a thin layer of …

Read more

Forming of Christ Within

Reflections Paul said, “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.“ (Gal 4:19) The word translated, “formed,” means, “to inwardly realize or express.” In short, Paul desired for saints to inwardly realize and express the Christ who dwells in them. Paul TRAVAILED that Christ might be formed in the saints. This reflected God’s mind in His inspired Word. Thus, we might ask: Is this our travail? The travail of the churches? To the contrary, many saints today are completely blind to the reality of Christ in us. Paul also said, “For whom …

Read more

A LESSON IN PRUNING

To get a plentiful crop of spiritual fruit, the Lord sometimes acts as a pruning force in people’s lives. John 15:1-4 15 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can …

Read more

The Righteousness of God

Reflections From the Psalms For thou, Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield. (Ps. 5:12) The OT is a type and shadow of Jesus Christ. The NT is Christ Himself – “Christ in us, the hope of glory.” (Col. 1:27) The Psalms often give us a prophetic revelation – in type and shadow – of the Person of Jesus Christ. In this Psalm, there is reference to, “the righteous.” This is a reference only to Jesus Christ – for other than Christ, “none is righteous, no, not one.” By extension, it is …

Read more

Turn and Face the Wind Isaiah 40:31

Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” ____________________________________________________________ I can still remember the first time I saw an airplane takeoff. It was at a small airport in Orange County near the coast. That little airport had just one simple runway, no control tower, and no fence to keep people out, so I took full advantage of getting as close as I possibly could to the planes. I sat down in the grass and …

Read more

Revelation Message 54 The Ancient Jewish Wedding – Marriage Supper of the Lamb

In this video Dr Woodhead discusses the last two aspects of the 75 day interval. The last one is the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. This event inaugurates the Messianic Kingdom. The Ancient Jewish Wedding is described which opens the door to understanding the relationship that the Lord Jesus has to His Church. We are indeed The Bride of Christ.

“In my flesh shall I see God.” Job 19:26

Mark the subject of Job’s devout anticipation “I shall see God.” He does not say, “I shall see the saints”–though doubtless that will be untold felicity–but, “I shall see God.” It is not–“I shall see the pearly gates, I shall behold the walls of jasper, I shall gaze upon the crowns of gold,” but “I shall see God.” This is the sum and substance of heaven, this is the joyful hope of all believers. It is their delight to see him now in the ordinances by faith. They love to behold him in communion and in prayer; but there in …

Read more

Made Unto Us Sanctification

Reflections One of the greatest errors among Christian people is the notion that sanctification is the result of God acting upon us to make us, “look like Jesus” — or that sanctification is the result of US building in ourselves a Christ-likeness. No. Both are error. WE will never, “look like Jesus.” Rather, WE are to come under the work of the Cross so that the Christ who dwells in us might be made manifest through us. Note the distinction – this is not US looking like Jesus. It is Jesus manifested through us. Paul said, “I am crucified with …

Read more