Be convinced that we are loved

The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved
 - loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.
- Victor Hugo

God loves us the way we are
but He loves us too much to leave us that way.
- Leighton Ford

"Be persuaded, timid soul,
that He has loved you too much to cease loving you."
- Francois de la Fenelon

Trust the past to God's mercy,
the present to God's love
and the future to God's providence.
- St. Augustine of Hippo

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
John 3:16

I thank You God because You created the world with all its beauty
and because You have given people a second chance
and that You also wanted this to do for me. I thank You that You wanted to accept Your son Jesus Christ as atonement.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Wees overtuigd dat wij geliefd zijn

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2016 linkupdate

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• Letter to the Romans, chapter 3
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• 3 Reasons the Resurrection Matters

Doest thou well to be Angry?

"Human nature has not changed since the fall of Adam and Eve. No one likes to be wrong. When someone shows us we are wrong, the natural reaction is to become angry at our teacher. It has ever been thus. It happened even when God was directly involved.

When Cain's sacrifice was rejected by God we are told that "Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell." In this case the LORD held a conversation with Cain and asked him, "Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?" Of course God knew the answer, but He was giving Cain an opportunity to answer for himself. Either Cain refused to answer God or else his answer is not recorded. The LORD continued speaking kindly to Cain and said, "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door." God was giving Cain an opportunity to change. But we do not like to change. Cain did not want to change. We would think that if the LORD spoke to us that surely we would change, but Cain did not.

One of the characteristics of being wrong is being angry. Cain did not want to change. His defense was to be angry. Jonah was angry. God asked Jonah "Doest thou well to be angry? Jonah replied quite boldly to God, "I do well to be angry, even unto death." We might add that Jonah's anger was more deep seated than merely the loss of shade from the gourd. Paul was angry. He was "not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which Stephen spake." Rather than follow the wise teachings of Stephen, Paul was so angry that he cast his vote to kill Stephen, and by his own admission, later said concerning the Christians, that "he was exceedingly mad against them."

Human nature has not changed. These examples were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. When we find that we disagree with someone and we feel anger welling up within us, it should tell us to stop and examine ourselves. Do we do well to be angry? We usually can convince ourselves like Jonah did that "we do well to be angry" but we might be surprised to find that we are wrong to be so angry. If we are in the right, there is no need to be angry. Instead of being angry, we should feel pity and compassion for our opponent who is wrong. Since we are in the right and they are wrong, they need our help, not our anger. If it should turn out that we are in the wrong, how foolish to have been both angry and wrong!

Wouldn't it be wonderful if people really listened and changed? Wouldn't it be grand if all followed the request of the Lord when he said, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Here God is asking us to sit down and to be reasonable when we are wrong, and certainly we should be this way when we are correct. This is why Paul exhorts us saying, "The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient in meekness, instructing those that oppose themselves."

We need to remember this when we are trying to teach the truth to those who have held wrong doctrine all their lives. People do not change easily or quickly. Some never change. Whether they change or not, we must be gentle, patient and meek. When we are trying to teach someone that their soul is mortal, we need to be patient for they have always believed otherwise and do not unlearn wrong things quickly or easily. We need to keep on trying to teach them even though they oppose themselves We keep hoping "Peradventure God will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth."

If we adopt this principle with those who are outside the household of faith, then certainly we should be this way with those that are inside. We need to be extra loving, extra patient with those for whom Christ died. There is no room for anger here. If they are wrong we pray that God will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. If they refuse to change then we pray that God will be merciful to them and forgive them. It is certain that we also are going to need the mercy of God or we are lost. Who is to say that their wrong is worse than some sin we have committed. We are not without sin.

Have we ever thought that there is a limit to God's mercy? We sometimes talk about how unlimited His mercy is. We often quote the Psalm "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us." While this is true, nevertheless the mercy of God is definitely limited. What is the limit of God's mercy? Jesus tells us. He says, "Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven." This means we are going to receive mercy only if we have been merciful; we are going to be forgiven only if we have forgiven, so each one of us is placing a limit on the mercy God is going to give us by the mercy we give to others."

"Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful."

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Brother Robert Lloyd
Minute Meditations

A Living Faith #6 Sacrifice

A LIVING FAITH IN ACTION

Sacrifice

 Prev. >A Living Faith #5 Perseverance

When we contemplate the great love and mercy of Yahweh, our utter reliance upon Him and our own inability to overcome sin despite our best efforts, then faith will conclude that the only reasonable course of action is one of humble submission.  Effort and perseverance is required, yet still something is lacking if we are to develop a truly living faith. Now Paul writes:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1

Paul exhorts his readers to respond whole heartedly to the mercies of Yahweh by presenting themselves as living sacrifices. This becoming a living sacrifice involves a willing giving over of oneself, being set apart to His service, in order that we might be well pleasing to Him. Moreover Paul says that this attitude of heart and mind is a reasonable or logical outcome of appreciating the unmerited love and mercy that has been extended towards us.

Considering that whatever we possess, be it health, possessions, skills, abilities, knowledge, yes and even life itself, it has been given to us. We were born with nothing and will die leaving everything that we have behind. We have nothing whatsoever that we can call our own. What then can we offer to Yahweh who gave us all things in the first place? What can we offer to Yahweh in return for His goodness and love apart from the willing offering of ourselves back to Him?  A willing giving of ourselves involved obedience to His Word and His commandments as exemplified in the ‘Commandments of Christ’. It requires the sacrifice of self and obedient service even when it hurts!

The Law of Moses required sacrifice, but the offering of animals in themselves was insufficient. It was the attitude of the heart and mind of the person making the sacrifice that was all important. David wrote:

English: Yahweh sends fire from heaven to consume Elijah's sacrifice. (1 Kings 18) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows to the LORD Now in the presence of all His people, In the courts of the LORD’S house, In the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!” Psalm 116:17-19

Praise the Lord indeed! But praise Him in deed as well as by word says David. Fulfil your vows, the covenant entered into at baptism, and render thanksgiving to Him for all that He has done for you. We praise and honour Him by conforming to His will and putting aside humanistic thought. Paul continues in that quote from Romans 12:

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  Rom 12:1-2

This then is the outworking of a living faith put into action, the presenting of oneself as a living sacrifice by a life dedicated to Yahweh. Living sacrifice involves:

Ø A life dedicated to His honour, to knowing and obeying His will as revealed in His Word.

Ø A life that strives to no longer be conformed to human nature and selfish desires, but rather longs to be renewed and purified from all evil.

Ø A life that willingly separates from whatever may lead to sin and will not fellowship with whoever is astray.

When we think of the great hope set before the children of God, a hope that not one of them deserve and then consider that we have been invited to join that Divine family, then joyous praise should spring forth from our lips. Paul writes:

“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Heb 13:15-16

Not one of us is perfect, yet how often we judge others by their shortcomings in matters that deep down inside we know that we also fail at. Sadly we live in a world that asserts what it perceives as human rights and this attitude  of having ‘rights’ infiltrates the ecclesia’s of Christ. The body of him who died that we might have life. Willing self sacrifice has the opposite attitude for:

Ø  A living faith in humility enacts the royal law to love one another and show that we are truly the disciples of Christ (John 13:35).

Ø  A living faith in action strives to avoid giving offence or put stumbling blocks in the way of any brother or sister.

Ø  A living faith is not self orientated, but strives to carry another’s burdens, considering others better than themselves. (Phil 2:3)

Jesus speaks of this underpinning principle of self sacrifice saying:

"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:1:44-45

If our Creator and Father makes His sun to shine and rain to fall upon both the just and the unjust, then we are His children only if we show in some measure that same spirit of compassion. The more so of course to our fellow brethren and sisters for whom Christ died.  Therefore if our true desire is to be children of God, we must strive to do good, offering the willing sacrifice of a life dedicated to Him, desiring the attainment of godliness:

“For "He who would love life and see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil." 1Peter 3:10-12

A living faith tries to put His Word into action day by day, no matter what the cost. A living faith put into action seeks and desires peace above all. Not a peaceful life, not peace of mind, nor peace with others, but the greatest treasure that transcends all we could ever desire, peace with Yahweh. To be reconciled to Him is the true and only goal of a living faith.

To be continued…… A Living faith #7 Prayer

Andy Peel

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In this series:

A Living Faith #1 Substance of things hoped for
A living faith #2 State of your faith
A Living Faith #3 Faith put into action
A Living Faith #4 Effort
A Living Faith #5 Perseverance
A Living Faith #6 Sacrifice
A Living faith #7 Prayer
A Living Faith #8 Change
A Living Faith #9 Our Manner of Life
A Living Faith #10: Our manner of Life #2
A Living Faith #11 My place in the body of Christ and my ecclesia
A Living Faith #12 The Love for Jesus

Of interest: > Faith Requires a Basis

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Related articles (updated 2016 January)

• A Living Sacrifice
• The Sacrificed Life
• The Bible isn't for you
• Serving The Lord by: FB Meyer
• You are not limited to who is in charge
• 3 Characteristics Of A Person Called To Bless
• Life's Healing Choices: Chapter 5 - The Transformation Choice
• What is Worship?
• Journey to see God: see His perfect will
• Psalm 115 (To Your Name O Lord Give Glory)

The high calling of God in Christ Jesus

Dutch version / Nederlands > De hoge roeping van God in Christus Jezus

“Accordingly, I am pursuing [the] goal of the prize of the upward calling of The God incorporate in Christ Jesus.” (Php 3:14 MHM)
“Do all of you not realize that those persons running in a stadium all run, but really only one [runner] receives the prize? Continue to run so that you might attain [the prize].” (1Co 9:24 MHM)
“Consequently, having left the basic teachings of the Christ, may we pass along to perfect maturity, not laying a foundation all over again of [“elementary principles”] –repentance from dead works, faith in God,” (Heb 6:1 MHM)
“For we are the [true] ‘Circumcision’ –those rendering holy worship by God’s Pneuma–boasting with regard to Christ Jesus, and not having a fleshly confidence.” (Php 3:3 MHM)
“But, we are aware that the synergy of The God is for the good of those loving The God, to those who have been invited according to His purpose. Because whomever He foreknew He also marked out in advance that they be conformed to the image of His Son that he might be the Firstborn of many brothers. Now whomever He marked out in advance He also invited. Those He invited these He also pronounced innocent; and those whom He pronounced innocent, these He also glorified.” (Ro 8:28-30 MHM
“So that He might make known His glorious riches upon vessels of mercy prepared in advance for glory– us, whom He called not only from among the Jews but also from the non-Jews.” (Ro 9:23-24 MHM) “Because, God will not change His mind regarding His charitable gifts and His invitation.” (Ro 11:29 MHM)
“He is the One who saved us and invited us with a holy calling–not according to our works, but rather according to His own purpose and unmerited charity. This He gave to us in union with Christ Jesus before times immemorial.” (2Ti 1:9 MHM)
“to continue walking in a worthy manner before The God who invited you into His own Kingdom and Glory.” (1Th 2:12 MHM)
“However, we feel obligated, brothers, beloved of YHWH, to continually thank The God in your behalf, because He selected all of you originally leading to salvation through being sanctified by the Pneuma and your belief in the Truth. He invited all of you to this by reason of the Good News, so that all of you may attain the glory of our Master Jesus Christ.” (2Th 2:13-14 MHM)
“In response to the above, holy “brothers” –partakers of a heavenly calling–thoughtfully consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.” (Heb 3:1 MHM)
“Blessed be The God and Father of our Master Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy, has [given us] a New Genesis unto a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto an incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading inheritance. [This hope] is reserved for you in the Celestialum” (1Pe 1:3-4 MHM)
“Because of this fortify the strength of your mental determination. Remain completely sober. Persist in your Hope of unmerited favor until [the] Revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1Pe 1:13 MHM)
“However, having suffered yourselves for a brief period, The God of every unmerited favor–the One who invited all of you to His endless Glory incorporate in Christ–He will train all of you, He will fix all of you firmly, He will make all of you strong.” (1Pe 5:10 MHM)
“for life and godliness has been freely granted us all things by the divine dynamics of the One who called us to His own glory and virtue by an elevated acquaintance,” (2Pe 1:3 MHM)

Try driving forward instead of backwards

Dutch translation / Nederlandse vertaling > Probeer vooruit te rijden in plaats van achteruit

"Serve the LORD with gladness:
come before His presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD He is God:
it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
and into His courts with praise:
be thankful unto Him, and bless His name."
Psalm 100:2-4

"How many times to we begin our prayers with thankfulness?

Someone once said, "There [are] so many times that we load up all of our
burdens and worries onto a big dump truck and we put that truck in reverse
and then we back that truck right up to the throne of God and flip the switch
and dump all of that trash at God's feet, all without ever seeing Him."

This is completely backwards from God's teachings.
We should enter God's presence with praises and thankfulness.
Then, after we have spent time thanking God for His mercies
and praising Him for his greatness,
we can turn the truck around and unload our worries and burdens.

Which direction are you driving your dump truck today?

Try driving forward instead of backwards into the presence of God."
(From The Daily Psalm)
 

English: Dump Truck 1b (Photo credit: Wikipedia)