2 Chronicles 6:18
18 “But will God really dwell on earth with men? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!
God is ‘big’ and glorious. Even the highest heaven cannot contain Him. But David and Solomon wanted to build a place for God to dwell on earth. God has to ‘bend down’ in order to dwell in Solomon’s Temple. I can see that God was responsive to David and Solomon’s wish. In fact, if God is not love, He will not allow them to build Him a temple as even the greatest temple cannot contain Him. The way I see it is that God is love. He is eager to have a relationship with man. So, in order to suit the ‘thinking’ of man, He allowed David and Solomon to build Him a temple to dwell in, just to provide a ‘humanly’ way for man to approach Him.
Closely related to this, our hearts are also a temple of God. Do we pay the same respect of David and Solomon to ‘decorate’ our hearts for God? Do we treasure the Holy Spirit who dwells in our hearts?
Frederick
====== Jane:
Proverbs 19:25b means what? I thought you would elaborated on that!
There is no condemnation in those who are in Jesus Christ. Seems we condrmn Ourselves!! We carry around slot if guilt trying to live up to expectation the world and God and the bible has for us. It’s a difficult thing being a Christian! Not easy, because we will never measure up. God loves us unconditionally!
Greetings
1 Chronicles 7:11+12
11 When Solomon had finished the temple of the Lord and the royal palace, and had succeeded in carrying out all he had in mind to do in the temple of the Lord and in his own palace, 12 the Lord appeared to him at night and said:
“I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices
The very fact that, God himself, shows up AT NIGHT to Solomon. In a very personal way and tells him He’s heard his prayer. It makes me think about how Solomon had the visual example in his dad David. First hand on how to have a tangible relationship with God. David knew God intimately. It shows in Solomon…
Peace
Imja
====== Dee:
Reading the comme tary up there and seeing the author’s and Neopolitan’s artwork..do you think those pinks and Browns and cream is where they got the ice cream flavor from 😆 🤣 just a thought. I love seeing Solomon building the temple and all the different Jon’s and helpers that went into it. It’s neat.
Romans..th thing I want to do I don’t and what I don’t want to do I do..carnal sin and trying to avoid temptation and being played is the hardest thing and surprisingly two little letters N-O is just as hard to say to people..that is something I have to get better at
David sang this out to God protecting me from my enemies..death stared at me but didn’t defeat me. God saved and protected Mr.
It’s sad to be so slothful to not even feed yourself because of laziness. I have been so tired sleep called me over food but yes it’s important to take care of this vessel the lord gave amen
Dee
====== John
Romans 7
If there is a choice, I would rather you read Bob Deffingbaugh’s commentary on this section than anything I write. If you do not have much time – at least read the Conclusions. It is a powerful commentary.
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=2304
Paul has talked about Christians not going back to obey the Law – “shackles” to a saved soul. And that the Law is good, it is sin that is evil and our “flesh” that is weak.
Romans 7:14-25
Struggling With Sin (The War within a Saved Soul)
Boy, this chapter has been tough. It has been hard to focus, and did not want to write – because of this section.
Earlier Paul talked about Salvation, and how when saved we are no longer at war with God. But one war seems to have been exchanged for another. Now within the Christian is a war with sin.
The “I DO” Verses
So tough to read. I can understand each sentence individually, but when read in toto (vs. 14-20), I find it hard to maintain the thread of thought. (Plan on re-reading it each day for awhile, until it flows.) Paul (and we as Christians) want to do good, but keep(s) on sinning. Huh? I thought we had the “new man”. What is Paul talking about?
Nestled in the middle of the paragraph, are the two truths that devastate me. I knew of one, then just realized the second tonight.
Vs. 18
“I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” NIV
1) There is no good in my old nature (“flesh”).
2) There is no power in my new nature.
I knew the first, sin has a “base of operations” in my “flesh” (old nature), and it is working overtime. Satan would like nothing better than to discredit a Christian. He may have lost that soul, but by discrediting the Christian, he believes he can stop the geometric spread of Christianity. Sin is Satan’s WMD.
Andrew B.- the second reminded me of your question awhile back. We have the new nature – the “new mind”, but why isn’t Paul experiancing the “abundant blessings of the Holy Spirit? Why all this failure? At this point, it seems it is because of the “I”‘s.
“..but I cannot carry it out”
I (you) cannot do it. The “new man” is like a bomb, it has to be “armed” before it can be utilized. The “believer” is not qualified to do this, it must be “armed” by another. We can sit there all day long atop an “inert bomb” and we will be trampled by sin. We are not only not qualified to “arm” it, we are not qualified to “utilize” the bomb. We must depend on another.
“Who will rescue me from this body of death?” (sin and the old nature).
[“When Paul describes this body of death, some commentators see a reference to ancient kings who tormented their prisoners by shackling them to decomposing corpses. Paul longs to be cut free from the wretched body of death clinging to him.” – David Guzik]
The answer: “Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
and on to the next chapter….. 🙂
John
====== John:
Romans 8:1-8
The Power of the Holy Spirit
“‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of Hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).
“God’s work is never accomplished by human effort but only by divine enablement. It has always been this way.” – Bob Deffingbaugh
======================================================
One of the Great Truths
vs. 1a
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,..” NIV
“Since the Father does not condemn Jesus, neither can He condemn those are in Him. They are not condemned, they will not be condemned, and they cannot be condemned.” – David Guzik
Jesus’s death on the cross meant that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met “in us”.
[Paul was very careful, not “by us” – as we can do nothing to become righteous on our own. But “in us” – requirements fulfilled through Christ.]
Through Jesus’ ressurection we receive new life (new man) and the Power of the Holy Spirit.
Vs.8
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” NIV
“Paul gives an easy way for us to determine if we walk in the Spirit or walk in the flesh – to simply see where our mind is set. The mind is the strategic battleground where the flesh and the Spirit fight.” – David Guzik
The mind controlled by the Spirit is “life and peace”. Sounds good! Much better than last chapter.
John
====== Vance:
This comment is in response to this question:
“ Will you pray to accept Jesus as your savior today and allow him to free you from you bondage to sin? ”
The part…”allow Him to free you from sin” is not a ONE-TIME event. We are certainly MADE FREE FROM SIN by what Jesus did on the Cross… yet, do we live in freedom from bondage of sin?
We have to ALWAYS CHOOSE to trust God.. not ourselves.
I know we have not come to Romans 8 yet – but I can’t wait !
Realize the provision of GLORY God / Jesus has placed within us! As I meditate on these verses to come in Romans 8, I think of what I read this morning in “Shemos – Jewish Torah name for Exodus” in reference to Exodus 16 where the glory of God appeared to Moses, Aaron, and the people. This is where Yahweh provided quail and manna for the people.
In “Shemos – Exodus”, this is how Exodus 16:9 reads in that translation:
“…the glory of HASHEM appeared in a cloud.”
HASHEM is the word the
Torah uses for “the God of
Mercy”—the quintessential
name for God.
The definition of glory in the cloud– in the “Shemos” is excellent:
“the dwelling place of the Presence”.
ROMANS 8
1
THEREFORE, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.(A)
2
For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death.
3
For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [[a]the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [[b]subdued, overcame, [c]deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice],(B)
==> Romans 8, Verse 2
The law of the Spirit of Life is the law of our new being – created by the Lord Himself through Jesus on the cross.
This makes me think of I John 3:9 (Amplified) which reads:
No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and [h]habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him
Yet, we have to CHOOSE to walk—to yield to—what God has placed within me. WOW!
==> Romans 8, Verse 3
God sent His own Son in the disguise of sinful man—yet as a TRUE MAN – who overcame
As the TRUEST MAN, Jesus was TRULY human. This means he also was dependent on the Father and the Spirit just as we are. AS SUCH,
He overcame the temptations which Adam and Eve failed when they were tempted by the devil. When they sinned and chose to yield to him, they gave their authority over earth to the evil one. Thus, the devil became “the god of this world.”
Jesus had to come as a man, and as a man He came to take back authority over earth—and give it back to redeemed men and women who trust in Jesus. Thus, we can live LIKE JESUS on this earth – and can obey the Lord to spread the Gospel over the earth. That is WHY we are here.
EPHESIANS 1 (Amplified)
22
And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church],(A)
23
Which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all [for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself].
==> Romans 8, Verse 3
Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] … [[b]subdued, overcame, [c]deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice],(B)
So..
In our weakness, is His strength. Yet, we must CONTINUALLY choose Him. Jesus’ IRON PILLARED DETERMINATION to trust God and the Father’s power are demonstrated in His victory over the world, flesh, and devil.
And His IRON-PILLARED WILL AND DETERMINATION are inside of US… who trust in Jesus!
Vance
====== Vance:
2 Chronicles 6 (NKJV)
14
and he said: “LORD God of Israel, there is no God in heaven or on earth like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.
15
You have kept what You promised Your servant David my father; You have both spoken with Your mouth and fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day.
18
“But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple [LITERALLY HOUSE] which I have built!
19
Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You:
20
THAT YOUR EYES MAY BE OPEN TOWARD THIS TEMPLE [Literally House] DAY AND NIGHT, TOWARD THE PLACE WHERE YOU SAID YOU WOULD PUT YOUR NAME, that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes toward this place.
30
THEN HEAR FROM HEAVEN YOUR DWELLING PLACE, and forgive, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of the sons of men),
NOTE:
How matchless is the only true and living God!
I echo the question that the Holy Spirit spoke through Solomon: “But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth?”
Will God—who is the Most High and above all—indeed dwell with men on earth?
Note that God’s dwelling place is in heaven, yet He has put His Name in the Temple (literally HOUSE) that Solomon built.
The Temple (literally HOUSE) of God was the first step in preparing you and I for the truth that the Holy Spirit later revealed through the Lord Jesus:
man’s spirit and being is designed to be the “house” of the Spirit of the Most High through GRACE.
First, Jesus came in John 1 (Amplified Bible)
14
And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and TABERNACLED (FIXED HIS TENT OF FLESH, LIVED AWHILE) AMONG US; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth.
Then, later through the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus—we can now become the houses of God.
Romans 8 (Amplified Bible)
10
But if Christ lives in you, [then although] your [natural] body is dead by reason of sin and guilt, the spirit is alive because of [the] righteousness [that He imputes to you].
~~~
May I—and may we—really ponder and meditate on the wonder of the Presence of God within us.
Once we really come to grasp and know clearly and with certainty the reality of God’s Presence in us as the Spirit teaches and convinces us—then our lives will never be the same.
We will bring glory to the One who honors us with His very Presence!
2 Chronicles 7 (NKJV)
3
When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the LORD, saying: “For He is good, for His mercy endures forever.” [Compare Psalm 106:1]
6
And the priests attended to their services; the Levites also with instruments of the music of the LORD, which King David had made to praise the LORD, saying, “For His mercy endures forever,” [Compare Psalm 106:1] whenever David offered praise by their ministry. The priests sounded trumpets opposite them, while all Israel stood.
NOTE:
It is obvious from the first three (3) verses in 2 Chronicles 7 how eager God is to demonstrate the Glory of His Presence and His Love to man.
It is also obvious that God’s Name is His Presence! His Presence is Glorious!
May these truths be lodged deep within you and I as we meditate on Colossians 1:27
“Christ in you—Who is the certain, guaranteed hope of Glory!”
May God’s manifest Glory be demonstrated more and more in our lives as we pray, meditate, surrender, and have deep and intimate fellowship with the Lord. Then, the will of the Lord Jesus will be fulfilled:
John 7 (NKJV)
38
He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, OUT OF HIS HEART WILL FLOW RIVERS OF LIVING WATER.”
John 14 (NKJV)
21
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. AND HE WHO LOVES ME WILL BE LOVED BY MY FATHER, AND I WILL LOVE HIM AND MANIFEST MYSELF TO HIM.”
~~~
Romans 7 (NKJV)
20
Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
21
I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.
22
For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.
23
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
NOTE:
I like these jewels of truth – my paraphrase:
a. Because I do what I do not want to do, I no longer sin—but SIN DWELLING IN ME
b. I do not mean I am not responsible for sin I commit
c. I see two (2) unchanging laws within me at the same time:
* Law of God’s Overcoming Righteousness:
I am righteous in my inner man and delight to do God’s will.
* Law of sin and death in my members
I am called to the process of surrender and doing God’s will, so my whole being and all my members are trained in righteousness through Holy Spirit
Yes… we have to practice righteousness, and yes we have to choose to participate in being set apart and sanctified. Yes, we always have to resist sin in the power of the Spirit.
Yet, may we never forget WHO WE ALREADY ARE in Christ. We are not “helpless victims” as we resist sin and the sin in our members.
We are already spiritual victors through Christ, and He—only by His matchless grace—has imparted to us His victory!
I thoroughly enjoy these rich verses in Romans 8 (Amplified).
1
THEREFORE, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.
2
For THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE [which is] in Christ Jesus
** [THE LAW OF OUR NEW BEING]
Has Freed Me From The Law Of Sin And Of Death.
3
For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. SENDING HIS OWN SON IN THE GUISE OF SINFUL FLESH AND AS AN OFFERING FOR SIN, [GOD] CONDEMNED SIN IN THE FLESH
** [Subdued, Overcame, Deprived It Of Its Power Over All Who Accept That Sacrifice],
4
So that the righteous and just requirement of the Law might be fully met in us who live and move not in the ways of the flesh BUT IN THE WAYS OF THE SPIRIT [OUR LIVES GOVERNED NOT BY THE STANDARDS AND ACCORDING TO THE DICTATES OF THE FLESH,
** But Controlled By The Holy Spirit].
~~~
May we really realize who we already ARE in Christ! Did you catch that the Law of the Spirit of Life IS THE LAW OF OUR NEW BEING!
We are alive in our spirits because of God’s righteousness! So before Satan deliberately focuses attacks on us through sin in our members, MAY WE DELIBERATELY SET OUR MINDS on Christ and His Overcoming Life.
Then, we will be prepared! Prepared not just to “survive”, but prepared to OVERCOME and to win many for the Lord Jesus!
So, may we put our highest priority on fellowship and intimacy with the Holy Spirit. His Life is in us!
We are in Christ and Christ is in us!
Then, may we take the next stept and fulfill the Holy Spirit’s joy of unity TOGETHER as expressions of the Body of Christ all over the world:
Philippians 2 (NKJV)
2
fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
THEN, as we do that, then the victory of Christ—we are in Christ and He is in us—will be MORE manifest so all people in the world WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MISS THE REALITY, PRESENCE, AND GLORY OF JESUS in us!
This is the will of Jesus:
John 17 (NKJV)
21
that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
22
And The Glory Which You Gave Me I Have Given Them, That They May Be One Just As We Are One:
23
I IN THEM, AND YOU IN ME; THAT THEY MAY BE MADE PERFECT IN ONE, AND THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW THAT YOU HAVE SENT ME, AND HAVE LOVED THEM AS YOU HAVE LOVED ME.
~~~
Proverbs 19 (NKJV)
24
A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl,
[Septuagint and Syriac read bosom; Targum and Vulgate read ARMPIT] and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25
Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.
NOTE:
Please notice the note in the New King James Version I have included after the phrase “A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl”. One possible alternate meaning of “bowl” is “armpit”.
Then a comical picture came to mind: I chuckled to myself when I read this. I thought of a lazy man who had one hand in his armpit (I HOPE HE SHOWERED!!)—while he was sucking the thumb of his other hand!
~~~
Proverbs 19: 24 really speaks volumes. But, in one way, this verse appears to have nothing to do with American society, as Americans are moving at a faster and frenzied pace than ever.
Yet, in another way, verse 24 precisely speaks to our fast paced and frenzied American culture. For, though we are busy and very active, the business of “busy-ness” can be a huge distraction to keep us from doing what we are called to do.
So, we can be extremely busy at the wrong thing, and yet be lazy at doing the right thing.
Mike had written this as one of his comments on Proverbs
“So – thankfully – as we know from our recent Romans readings, we can be free from our lazy ways! Being in relationship with Jesus has literally cured me of my laziness.”
My question is this? Mike mentioned: “as we know from our recent Romans readings, we can be free from our lazy ways!”
Which recent Romans readings pertain to laziness? Maybe I was so lazy, I missed it! (Ha!)
I am extremely glad that being in relationship with the Lord Jesus has cured Mike of laziness. In Jesus’ Matchless Name—I receive some of that zeal with wisdom!
I pray for “zeal with wisdom” for I find myself going fast—but sometimes I feel like a laboratory rat continually running around in an enclosed maze in the laboratory. I do not just want to be “doing” things—I want to be wise and find out what the Lord’s will is—and do that.
As Jesus said, “I only do those things I see my Father doing.” May we emulate the best example in the world, that of the Lord Jesus—the Perfect Man Who always resisted sin and distraction—as He prayed and then followed His Father.
Vance
II Chronicles 24-25:28
I’m not sure if I’ve covered this in my writing before but I’ve been focused, obsessed whatever the word used, with Proverbs 25:28 for at least three to four years. I meditate on it, I ask God for a clearer understanding of what it means, and it reads like this in the Amplified translation,
He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls.
(Pro 25:28 AMP)
The notes in the Amplified cross-reference this verse with the sixteenth chapter and the thirty-second verse,
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, he who rules his [own] spirit than he who takes a city.
(Pro 16:32 AMP)
Self-control as opposed to external control seems to be key in walking with God. I do not believe we have it within ourselves to maintain control of ourselves outside of Jesus Christ. External controls do work in most instances; however, once those controls are removed, well…who we really are comes out. Joash operated under pressure of external control, Jehoiada the priest. His son, Amaziah, operated under the external pressure of fear; as long as he was under the threat of an invading army, he looked to the Lord. When God defeated that army, Amaziah became like most of us, he took the glory for himself. Pride led him to believe that he now was “All that and a bag of chips.” Wouldn’t it be a shame and silly for the donkey, that Jesus rode on when he entered Jerusalem to the cheers of the crowds, to think that the palms, the cheers the shouts of Hosanna, were for him? Yet we take credit every day for the things God has worked out for us. We think we are, “All that and a bag of chips with a Sneakers Bar thrown in.”
Internal controls will keep us, I believe, from operating with duel personalities, one way with folks and the other way when we think no one is looking. Who we really are is who we are when we are by ourselves. That is really, really scary and unsettling to admit.
It is amazing how these readings fit together, a theme from the Old Testament dovetails right into the New
Romans 12:1-21
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
(Rom 12:1-2 KJVR)
I just love the poetry of the King James in these two verses. The key, I believe to gaining self-control can be found in these wonderful two verses. We need to have our minds renewed, we need to change the way we think. We need to come out of thinking as the world thinks and begin to think as God thinks. This renewing of the mind really hit me the end of last year.
I have a two-bedroom apartment, which has three-sided exposure, north, east and south. In November 2004 I found out that the external and the inside walls between the kitchen and bathroom as well as one of the bedrooms were loaded with mold. And because the bricks had not been pointed for probably ten years, the inside external walls had mold also. I had a complete gut renovation in my apartment with my furniture inside and covered up (dust, no matter how well you cover everything will get in that is what dusts does). With no walls, no bathroom, no radiators and no kitchen sink I bunked at my neighbors and God showed me what it means to renew one’s mind, as well as the insidiousness of sin as represented by mold (leprosy in a house) in the Book of Leviticus (14:34-55).
On deep inspection, my apartment walls were of two minds they looked fine on the outside but on the inside, things were rotten and moldy. They could not spray it out or clean it with a mixture of bleach, the walls had to come down. The Greek word translated, “Renew” in the King James Version came to life for me and God continually brought Romans 12:1-2 to my mind for the three weeks I slept on my neighbor’s couch.
G342
ἀνακαίνωσις
anakainōsis
an-ak-ah’ee-no-sis
From G341; renovation: – renewing.
We have been so ingrained in the thinking of the ways of the world instead of the ways of God, we need gut renovations of the mind. There are walls that need to come down. This Site provides the opportunity for everyone who comes through these portals to begin that renovation so that the duality of thinking we have become so use to stops. I also saw in that process of renovation how uncomfortable I felt while the walls I had become so accustomed to came down and finally were no longer there. There were no radiators, no toilet, no bathtub and sink. I had to use someone else’s facilities (Could this have been an example of how Christian Brothers and Sisters “bear” up one and another when someone goes through this process of renovation?).
Psalm 22:19-31
27
The whole earth will acknowledge the LORD and return to him.
People from every nation will bow down before him.
28
For the LORD is king!
He rules all the nations.
When things don’t seem to be going well, when people look like they are getting away with murder, figuratively and literally, these two verses let us know that God will rule and all of us who are rebellious will bow before the Lord and acknowledge that Jesus is Lord.
Proverbs 20:8-10
At first glance, the eighth verse appears to be kind of off,
8 When a king judges, he carefully weighs all the evidence, distinguishing the bad from the good.
If I think back in history and even looking at the kings in the Bible—-well, they didn’t judge fairly let alone distinguish right from wrong, good from evil. But then I looked again. One who is a “true” king and the one who is the True King will judge fairly and righteously. Having a crown on one’s head has as much to do with making one a king as a mouse falling into the cookie jar making it a cookie.
And to top it all off, verse nine and ten overarch everything in today’s readings that deal with hypocrisy, duality of one’s thinking and just straddling the fence when it comes to our Christian walk,
9 Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin”?
10 The LORD despises double standards of every kind.
I truly believe this; the above cannot be done until we walk in full submission to God. We can try on our own strength but we will fail. Unless we submit to God, presenting our bodies by placing ourselves on the Alter of God and allowing Him to set us on fire burning off everything that is not of Him, and leave those fire extinguishers home.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
====== Vance:
Perhaps my comments and meditations have been a bit too long for this format.
I am not trying to provide a long devotional for “show”. I actually only put what I have been meditating on in my own life.
For today, I can only add this one meditation from my own devotional… which fits well into NOT HAVING a double standard and PRESENTING our lives
Numbers 14 is the infamous chapter when the children of Israel finally rebelled against the Lord. After the twelve (12) spies had come back from viewing the people and the land God had promised them, the people literally “went berserk”. They wanted to stone the two (2) faithful spies. They planned to “hire” a new leader, and go back to slavery in Egypt (more comfortable ?!!?)
Numbers 14, verses 9 and 10 (Amplified) really hit me hard this morning. It fits right in with choosing to be a living sacrifice and choosing to not have double standards — which we can ONLY do with the help of God’s Spirit:
9
Only do not rebel against the Lord, neither fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their defense and the shadow [of protection] is removed from over them, but the Lord is with us. Fear them not.
10
But all the congregation said to stone [Joshua and Caleb] with stones. But the glory of the Lord appeared at the Tent of Meeting before all the Israelites….
This is very instructive for me in my life right now:
— Faith is NOT a feeling. Faith is a CHOICE.
What do I do IF all “hell” seems to be coming against me, and I feel as if absolutely cannot do what God tells me to do?
This passage instructs me that my soul (will, mind, emotions) and body can be trained — through my conscious choice and dependence on the Father — to do God’s will.
“Though it feels as if He slays me, Yet I will trust Him.” (my paraphrase of Job’s words)
Actually,
I am conviced God allows these “slaying of the flesh” times so we can walk in the death to the sinful nature that Jesus already paid for and purchased for us.
Vance
====== Eve:
I like your post. Honestly both Romans12:1-3 and Proverbs20:10 are seem significant to me. I have been accused of being two faced in years past, and I wish I had seen my body as a living sacrifice. I can only pray that I will be able to do so now. Thanks:)
Eve
====== Nathan:
The Romans passage really hit home for me today. I am a manager of a christian radio station & music Director of our church, yet I still struggle with God’s will for me. I don’t have a peace with where I’m at in my life & what I’m doing. I’ve always struggled with God’s perfect will for me as far as a vocation. The Romans passage today seemed to have the answer. I just didn’t see it before. The proverbs passage hit home today as well. I really enjoy making this web site part of my devotions. I look forward to the insights that are shared.
Nathan
====== Jan:
Mike, thank you for providing the link for the article “What is this Thing Called Love” – what a wonderfully truthful article & so apropos for me at this time in my walk. I have been ministering the love of God to people in such a way that they probably don’t see it like that & had to deal with an issue last night (before reading the article) that grieved me to do & did with fear & trembling. As always, God confirms with His love & wisdom the next day as He usually does because I am always doubting myself. I have forwarded the article to many that I do love & some that don’t love me & may be an enemy now – but I will not shrink back as the Word of God says in loving others with His love, whether it hurts them or me. Dying to ourselves daily & laying down our lives for others is usually not an easy job nor relished by many – but the fruit of our labor & reward in eternity is worth it all.
Jan
======= John:
Romans 12:1-21
Paul has concluded the lecture part of Christianity 101. Up to now, we have been exposed to the background information of Condemnation, Justification, Sanctification, History, and Prophecy.
Now it is time for the lab – the practical application. Here the rubber hits the road.
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Living Sacrifices
We know how to become a Christian – you mean there is more? Yes, Salvation is more than fire insurance.
We are to offer our bodies as “living sacrifices”…
The Greek verb tenses indicate you offer (completed action) the ongoing sacrifice of your body. It is to be year by year, month by month, day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute.
Some say martyrdom is easier than the idea of continually trying to live as a Christian 24/7. Perhaps but that is not what Paul is saying – he is asking you to yield to God, to offer “all of you” (no holding back), submit to His Will, you do not run the “show” anymore.
…holy and pleasing to God…
Wait a minute, what about our worldly “flesh” that is not going to please God.
Yielding to God is pleasing to Him. The altar in the OT is sometimes called the “Lord’s table”. When we offer ourselves (yielding) on the Lord’s table, perhaps Ex 29:27 applies?
“Then the altar will be most holy, and whatever touches it will be holy.” NIV
-or-
“The holiness we bring to the altar is a decision for holiness, and yielding to the work of holiness in our life. As we present our bodies a living sacrifice, God makes our life holy by burning away impurities – David Guzik
…this is your rational/logical act of worship.
The sacrifice of dead animals in OT was one thing, but the greater mercies employed by God in your salvation – demand a much higher form of sacrifice – “All of You” – “A Living Sacrifice”.
[NOTE: Not one mention of church, building, or ritual here – worship is 24/7 by offering yourself to God.]
Sounds good in theory, but this 24/7 thing is going to be tough to do. I don’t think I can.
That is the point: YOU CAN’T.
Rom 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..” NIV
“Not conform” and “transformed” are in Greek tenses – ongoing commands to you done by an outside force. God will do it. Yield yourself to God, and let him do the work needed in you. Through the Power of the Holy Spirit and his grace. So that you will be the Living proof by your changed life to God’s good, pleasing and perfect Will.
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Things to remember while God is Working in you:
Be humble. In regard to Spiritual Gifts – Do not become prideful, reflect on how and why you received them. They are to be used for the “body of Christ”, not as a stump for you to proclaim yourself “special”. We are to use our gifts to glorify God – not be a “showboat”.
The next list is pretty straightforward, and moves in outward circles from individual to Christian brothers to the world – thoughts on a few:
1)”Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” – It may be easy to do one or the other – the Christian is to do both.
2)”Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” – not the idea of being a “Holy Roller”. The idea is to be internally (spiritual)boiling over in your desire to “serve” the Lord.
Rev 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Don’t be lukewarm. It is better to be “cold” and sit on the sidelines, than to be lukewarm and playacting like being a Christian.
3)”Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” – We are to share our resources with other Christians (saints)in “need”. Hospitality to the “world” – love and being generous.
4)”Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position” – While this is good advice on the world, I believe this is in section adressing Christian interaction.
In the last two years, I have seen on occasion a shunning of people in a church that did not look or conform to the standards of the members. We are not a “club” – we are a “body”.
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5)Do not repay anyone evil for evil. – AHA! I found my contradiction. OT says “eye for an eye” etc. Uh no,
“Those verses are talking about public law that deals with the nation of Israel. A nation is to have a system of justice that retaliates against evil.” – John MacArthur
Verse 17 is saying YOU do not repay evil for evil. Remember back to Cain, how God put a mark on him. I do not think that was so much acceding to Cain’s request for mercy – but God not allowing any indivuidual to exact revenge on Cain. There were no nations at that time to have a government in force to prosecute Cain.
6)”If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” – If it be possible indicates that it may not always be possible.” (Murray)
7)”…In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Interesting thought here by Keil and Delitzsch is that we are not to do good to make the person feel bad (shame him). We are to do good because we ought to do good, and the burning coals represent self-accusing repentance.
John
====== Lori:
John, Ramona, and Vance, I looks so forward everyday to reading how you all look at our scriptures for the day. So insightful, and so educational. Thank you. I can tell it’s hard work. Thank you.
Lori
====== John:
Romans 12:1-21
My first two years as a Christian, I used to read verses like Romans 9-21, and the exhortations of James and John, and get really discouraged. I want to live like that, but I can’t.
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Are you kidding me, and that is just the first few verses. I fail repeatedly. What is wrong with me, etc.
It was very discouraging, and it would affect my prayer life, my bible studies, and my Christian walk would not even feel like a crawl, but that I was stuck in some thicket.
Then as I prayed about it the first few verses of Romans 12 hit me like a thunderbolt.
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12:1-2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Paul has spent 11 chapters discussing God’s anger and judgment on non-believers, the righteousness of faith of believers, and the history and future status of Israel.
Now, He is instructing us on how we are to live for Christ. And in the first few verses is the key.
Your rightful service once saved with a renewed spirit and endwelled by the Holy Spirit, is to follow up on your commitment to Jesus as YUOR Lord and not just your Savior.
A servant of the king is loyal to the king body and soul (spirit). You have a new spirit, now offer up your body as a living perpetual sacrifice. This is a one-time (Aorist active indicative in the Greek) completed or in the process of being completed offering.
Lord do with it as you will – You are in charge. Let it be for your glory. When you perform this offering, then on a daily basis you can resist the pattern of this world. That is not a list of “DON’TS” it is not living in the mindset of pride, it is not doing what is best for you to advance in this world. It is not about you.
How does this happen? Because you daily (by submission and humility) are being transformed by the renewing of your mind. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. It will not happen overnight, but I can attest through myself and other Christians I know, that you will see progress from year to year. When you fail, you just get up and trust God will continue to work with you and teach your mind. It is like learning to walk – there will be stumbling.
Summary: Now that you are a believer, you are able to make a right spiritual decision to offer to serve the Lord with your Body. Humbly submit to God, and let Him do the work in you that He ordained before time began. Trust in, rely on, and depend on God as it is all for His Glory, and He is big enough to do the job.
VISIT WITH MY PASTOR
Three years ago, when I realized what Paul was saying I rushed to one of my pastors. I asked why this was not being taught, why were we told we must do all these things (not in a legalist way), but that we need to act like Christians. Why were we not taught to give ourselves over to God on a continual basis in a humble, submissive, reverant, and trusting (Characteristics of the heart of David) and let God work in us through the power of the Holy Spirit?
I wish I could say the conversation went well, but It was not all I had hoped for upon entering the office. This concept of relying on God had been confirmed to me over and over before my appointment. But no more so than what happened a month later.
Our head pastor returned from an overseas sabbatical, and gave his first sermon on – you guessed it – Romans 12:1-3. I thought that the associate pastor had said something to my pastor, but he denied it, and said he had been working on that sermon for awhile on his own and had not shared it with him until his return.
Look this will not be easy in the early stages. I know. Satan hates it when Christians figure this out, and wants us to keep trying to go back to “self”.
I have never been more sure about anything in the Bible, than we need to just let God be God. When we come to him, it should be in the spirit, and in the body as servants, and trust in Him to run our lives.
Does this mean we just sit back in a chair and say – go ahead God get on with it. Nope, it means we should have a daily attidude of submission and humility towards the Father, and then get up and walk about our day. Trusting in Him to renew our minds and provide us with opportunities to share.
Think I am wrong? Who is our perfect model? It is Jesus, and it is pretty clear from the Gospels that being humble and submissive to the Father while here on earth was what Jesus was all about. Jesus depended on God for every word, every step, and every action He took on earth. Are we any better as children of God????????? Jesus did it perfectly, we ought to at least be attempting to follow His model of submission to the Father so we can grow in Christain maturity.
John
====== John:
2 Chronicles 24-25:28
II CHRONICLES 24
VERSES 1-3
“1. Jehoiada, who was the high priest, was truly the power behind the throne. He brought a godly influence back into the land and was influencing young Joash in the things he should do. He was a good role model for this child king. And the people of Judah were blessed by the actions of this man. It is as Solomon said in Proverbs 29:2, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.”
VERSE 9
1. What collection did Moses impose on the children of Israel in the wilderness? In Exodus chapter 30 we see that a half-shekel was to be given by every male, 20 years old and up, each year. This money was then used for the upkeep of the tabernacle, and now it was to be used in the upkeep of the temple. Now they could give more for this project if they wanted to, but this was the least they could do.
VERSE 15
1. Jehoiada did not die because of some illness, but because he was full of days. He completed the work he was called to do and God was gracious in allowing him to live for 130 years, for he was a positive influence in the life of Joash and because of that the nation was blessed by God.
VERSE 16
1. Now his burial is in sharp contrast to that of Jehoram. When Jehoram died no one cared and they had such a lack of respect for this king, that they did not even bury him in the tombs of the kings, there was no great burning of incense for him. Because of his evil influence, the people were glad he was dead. But Jehoiada, the high priest and not a king, was buried with the kings because the people loved him for bringing spiritual reform to the nation, by putting God back on the throne. It was a sad day when this man died.
VERSES 17-18
1. Isn’t it amazing how quickly Joash changed after the death of Jehoiada. He loved the honor of men and was molded by their influence. In a sense Joash was like a spiritual chameleon, changing his behavior to fit those that were around him. This just tells me that Joash never really had a heart for the Lord, he was just influenced by those around him, and in the end his true colors came out, and as we will see, they are not pretty.”
http://www.ccmanitowoc.org/Library/Guglielmo-Joe/Studies/TH/14-2CH/TH1064.HTM
II CHRONICLES 25
VERSES 1-2
“1. This verse sheds some light on a works theology. You can do good things, help all kinds of people, and yet if your heart is not right before God, it is meaningless. You can even serve God but if your heart is far from Him, if you don’t have a relationship with Him, then all the work you do is meaningless. Amaziah did good things but his heart was far from the Lord. Yes it was far better for Amaziah to do good rather than evil, the people benefited from that. But he was still lost, his heart was far from the Lord. And that my friends is a sobering thought!
VERSE 9
1. Notice the concern of Amaziah, the money he is going to lose if he lets these men go. Amaziah wants God’s help but he also wants the money. Jesus spoke on this issue of serving two masters in Luke 16:13 when He said “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” God is telling Amaziah not to worry about the money, God is not broke.
VERSE 10
1. Now why in the world were they so angry. Yes they were dismissed from the battle but they should have rejoiced, they still got paid for doing nothing. The reason is this. If you were victorious in battle you would take home with you much spoil from the victory as you plundered the troops and the cities. Thus, they had lost lots of money by being dismissed and they were not happy about it, and they will try to get even with Amaziah as we shall see in a few verses here.
VERSE 14
1. I find this truly amazing. God has just given him the victory over the Edomites with 100,000 less troops, and in this victory Amaziah gathers the gods of the people he has just defeated, and brings them home with him. In doing this, he is now worshipping these gods. And you think “Why in the world would he do something as stupid as that?” It is really quite simple for we see it done all the time today. When your backs are up against the wall, and you have no other place to turn, you turn to the true and living God for help. But after the trouble is over you turn back to the gods of this world, the gods of the flesh. They appeal to you, even though you know they can’t help you, but they can satisfy your flesh. Amaziah does just that, he went to the gods of this world, the gods of the Edomites, for he no longer needed the true and living God. Well, he may have thought that way, but the reality is, he needed God more than ever in his life, and so do we!”
http://www.ccmanitowoc.org/Library/Guglielmo-Joe/Studies/TH/14-2CH/TH1064.HTM
John
====== Luch:
If there could only be one chapter bible I would vote for Romans 12
Luch
====== Bob:
Romans 12:2a: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Like Ramona, this verse has a story for me too. Four years ago I was researching a technique that uses neurofeedback to train the mind to think in a different way. This has been helpful for people suffering from post traumatic stress to concussions. One day I talked to a pastor that was at the clinic that offered this brain training and he tied this verse into what results from brain optimization. Not to diminish the true meaning of what Paul is getting at here but If you know anyone with abnormal behavior or disorder this technique may be of help. http://www.brainstatetech.com/about-us
Bob
====== Jane:
I believe as Christians on our spiritual journey , our life will always be a battle! Prov. 20:10. There’s so many things in our life that become double standards! Unless we are perfect. It isn’t gonna happen. Not until we meet Jesus and become like Him. We can offer our bodies as living sacrifices but the temptations will not go away! Everyday we are tempted n tried. The closer I get to God the stronger The spiritual battles are within me. Satan is all the more active. How many times did Jesus say Satan get behind me. Or to Peter. In mark 8:33 .
I pray every day for strength. I surround myself with his word, support from friends and family but ultimately we keep,our eyes fixed on Jesus and ask for his mercy.
Jane
====== Robert:
Romans 12
The first word, “Therefore” is really a hinge where Paul refers to everything he has written about in Chapters 1-11 about righteousness, grace, reconciliation and faith.
I did a recap of ROMANS Chapters 1-11
Paul has established Israel’s guilt in the early chapters of this Epistle. In chapters 1 and 2, he indicts mankind in general and the Jews in particular. Through creation, God revealed His divine nature to mankind. Men should have received this revelation and responded by worshipping Him. Instead, man exchanged the truth of God for a lie and chose to worship the creature rather than the Creator. Because of this, mankind is guilty before God and deserving of divine wrath. This is the essence of Romans 1:18-32.
In chapter 2, Paul indicts the Jews in particular for taking great pride in their possession of the law but failing to practice it. In chapters 3 and 4, he demonstrates that law-keeping cannot save anyone. The law reveals that all men are sinners, under divine condemnation. The law shows man’s need of righteousness, but it cannot provide that righteousness. Salvation must come, apart from men, apart from law-keeping. Salvation has been provided by God, through Christ.
In chapters 5-8 Paul presses on to explain God’s provision for righteousness in Jesus Christ and its implications. As Paul comes to the end of Romans 8, he encourages his readers by assuring them that their lives are secure in the hands of a God who is sovereign. God causes all things to work together to accomplish His purpose for those who love Him, and for those who are called in accordance with His purpose (8:28). In eternity past, He chose (foreknew) those whom He would save. He also mapped out (predestined) His plans for our lives in Christ. In time, God calls those whom He has chosen to Himself, justifying them through the blood of Jesus Christ. When Christ returns to establish God’s kingdom on earth, we shall be glorified.
As an example of God’s sovereign control of history, Paul turns in chapters 9-11 to God’s purpose for both the Jews and the Gentiles.
Now the ethical instructions begin. More reading is a link to “What is a Christian” by/to Diognetus. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistle_to_Diognetus
Robert
====== Dee:
2nd chronicle..it’s amazing that environment plays a big part of rulers. While young king was being groomed he did what was right. Soon as mentor died..he started doing wrong. Hmmm
Roman’s is an awesome book
Psalm 22:22 wow
Proverb I pray I won’t have a double standard. I also renew my mind daily. Amen
Dee
====== Dee:
Joash..so young and easily guided in the way in which to rule amd then when his godly counsel was gone, he abandoned ship. How sad. How very sad. And to kill Johoida’s child or grandchild. Sad.
I love this chapter! It steadily reminds me of the gifting God places on our life. The ability to teach..do it with greatness an as if you lead..lead with integrity..many bodies and parts are there in the body of Christ and we have to know which part and be led by the Lord as to how to use that ability given to us. Amen
In the end, God is God and all powerful in the earth. What a sacrifice our Lord gave that we may be saved. This is Amazing Grace!
Proverbs 20:8-10 double standards part. Why is it when we hear that..we think of others who have done wrong instead of ourselves?? Hmmm. It is that way as humans. We always want to point a finger when really in the end, we are just as guilty. Things to ponder on and self convicting…
Dee