God's Church

GOD’S CHURCH

Eleventh of twelve parts in Breathtaking Promise series

1 Corinthians 3:9:  “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”

            Every time a devotional series winds down I get a shiver up my spine.  There is only one devotion to go before Breathtaking Promise ends.  Has EVERY POINT been covered?

            We’ll see.

            Now that we’re yielded to God’s Spirit to transform us into Christ’s likeness through Sanctification, we’re living life by faith.  Pretty cool, huh?  But let’s return to being God’s building, from the opening Scripture. 

            God is building His family.  Every Believer-in-Christ is His building, His workmanship.  And God is building His Church, not man.  Jesus said, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”  (Matthew 16:18).  Then, Jesus gave His apostles authority to use the keys of the kingdom of heaven! 

            True Believers—those who are serious about “working out their salvation with fear and trembling”—are products of His workmanship.  What is our foundation?  Apostle Paul teaches us in 1 Corinthians 3:11, “For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

            May our lives (living by faith) also be built on that same stable, solid foundation of Jesus Christ at work in us!  Every Believer is God’s building, His Church that only God can build with people—as the Bride of Christ!

            Oh my. 

            Revelation 19:6-7 proclaims, “Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and the loud peals of thunder shouting: ‘Hallelujah!  For our Lord God Almighty reigns.  Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory!  For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and the bride has made herself ready.’”

            Do you realize that Believer’s “fine white linen” is being stitched as righteous works of God are accimplished through His saints?  “Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Revelation 19:8). 

            Is that chill running up your spine now?

Take Home Nugget

            What’s truly fascinating is that God is only working with a small fraction of people today.  He’s not scrambling to gather the masses to Himself—YET.  The world is graciously being given time to figure out that man’s way won’t work.

            Human religions, governments, philosophies, cultures, values, educational systems don’t, and will NEVER work.  The world is slowly learning the painful lesson that when we keep God’s holy Law, it keeps us; but when we break His Law, it breaks us!

 Holy Father, I’d rather get living correctly now than learning Your way the hard way.  Please keep me in Your family, safe and secure in Your way, Your Law.  Amen.

Adapted from “Your Awesome Potential! (Part 2)” by David C. Pack.  The Real Truth Magazine.  March, 2016.  Pp. 1-2, 28-30.  Ohio.  www.RealTruth.org

J.D. Griffith

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Christ in Us

CHRIST IN US

Tenth of twelve parts in Breathtaking Promise series

Galatians 2:20:  “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

            Realizing that saints are in spirit-form after death awaiting reunion with the body may shock people who never understood God’s plan. 

            Everything we’ve ever learned or done shapes our minds for our future spirit “body”.  Memory, character, and life experiences comprise the spirit.  It recalls specific people and events at will.  Yet, the spirit cannot operate independently from the brain. 

            Human spirits must be connected to a physical brain—or a spirit mind at the Resurrection. 

            We understand computers.  The monitor, keyboard, mouse, and software operate together only when connected to the central processing unit. 

            That human spirits access the brain to produce our marvelous human minds is   pretty awesome! 

              

            Likewise, Christians must understand that we can only bear fruit when connected to Christ.  The Believer cannot sanctify himself, nor perform righteous acts apart from Christ. 

            Christ in us—the Holy Spirit does the work. 

            Jesus teaches the role for people in John 15:

            John 15:1:  “I am the true vine, and the Father is the gardener.”

            Jesus explains in John 15:5:  “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.” (Emphasis mine).

            Jesus continues in John 15:2, “He cuts of every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”  And warns in John 15:6: “If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”

            When Believers remain in connected to Christ, His Spirit prunes, shapes, and sanctifies us.  Only Christians who have Christ living within can produce righteous acts (See lesson linked below).

Take Home Nugget 

                                                         

            People’s own character building and righteous acts count as nothing to God!  Those who try to establish their own righteousness through their own work have never submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

            Check out Luke 18:9-17 about a Pharisee who exalted himself before God in prayer, bragging about his righteous tithing and fasting.  His righteous acts were not from God, but his own.  God was not impressed; the Pharisee wasn’t justified.

            Romans 10:3 says, “Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.”

           

Believer’s role is submitting to God.

Adapted from “Your Awesome Potential! (Part 2)” by David C. Pack.  The Real Truth Magazine.  March, 2016.  Pages 1-2, 28-30.  Ohio.  www.RealTruth.org

J.D. Griffith

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                   Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com  

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Converted Person

CONVERTED PERSON

Ninth of twelve parts in Breathtaking Promise series

1 Thessalonians 5:23:  “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

            Did you catch “blameless”?

            At the end of the converted person’s life, we learned from previous Spirit In Man devotion that God collects that person’s human spirit.  He preserves a detailed record of everything about that person within his or her human spirit. 

            People consist of spirit, soul, and body.  A person’s personality, emotions, acquired knowledge, experiences, and character is reflected by one’s human spirit.  We will be restored one day.

            May God sanctify [SANK-fi-fy] us through and through, so that each one is set apart from the world reflecting godly character.  Believers can be confident that “He who began work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus,” from Philippians 1:6.

            “The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it!” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

            But where, exactly, does God keep human spirits safe and blameless until “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ?”  Hebrews 12:22-23 says, “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God.  You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.

            “You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men [and women] made perfect.”

            Did you catch “perfect”?  Are you in awe with me over that incredible passage? 

            God’s kids are so important that our spirits are sanctified, made perfect, maintained blameless in heavenly Jerusalem.  The spirits of saints have been accumulating since the beginning at Creation—until the present day—waiting for Jesus to come to unify our human spirits with our bodies!

            “The one who called you is faithful, and He will do it!”

Take Home Nugget

            At the Resurrection—the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ—the spirit in man will merge with the Holy Spirit—God’s Spirit.  

            The spirit in man cannot resurrect.  The spirit in man cannot sanctify.  But God’s Spirit can do both, first transforming the mind.  Godly character follows, setting saints drastically apart from the rest of humankind.

            We will resume being the same people we were on earth after our resurrection. 

            Nah, that’s not true. 

            We will be different!  Our spirit in man will no longer compete for supremacy over God’s Spirit.  Our fleshly nature will disappear. 

            We simply won’t sin! 

            WOW!

             

Holy Father, Your keeping saints’ spirits sounds as breathtaking as Your promise for Believers’ resurrection at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!  Thank you!  Amen.

Adapted from “Your Awesome Potential! (Part 2)” by David C. Pack.  The Real Truth Magazine.  March, 2016.  Pages 1-2, 28-30.  Ohio.  www.RealTruth.org

J.D. Griffith

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Spirit in Man

SPIRIT IN MAN

Eighth of twelve parts in Breathtaking Promise series

Zechariah 12:1-2a:  “This is the word of the Lord concerning Israel.  The Lord, who stretches out His heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the spirit of man within him, declares: ‘I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. …’”

            Every human being God creates has the opportunity to house two entirely different spirits.  The opening Scripture shows the spirit people receive when “knitted together in their mother’s womb” before birth (Psalm 139:13).  Check out the lesson linked below for a fun enlightening comparison of people’s spirit to God’s. 

            The other Spirit is God Himself coming to live inside Believers.  He is received when a person decides to believe in and follow Jesus (Acts 2:38).  Repentance and baptism prepare people and must precede God’s Spirit’s arrival.

            People who never believe in Jesus as Lord and accept his saving grace are incomplete.  The problem is that those who are incomplete have no clue to the truth.

            Without God’s indwelling Spirit, people’s existence in limited to what is acquired on their own.  It’s true that human ability to learn and assimilate physical knowledge far outreaches that of animals.  However, the vast amount of spiritual knowledge remains beyond their reach.  Denying the need for God handicaps people from grasping marvelous truths.

            God’s Breathtaking Promise is only offered to His kids.

            “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18).  It is only in God’s kids where both spirits are present.  They work jointly together, as in Romans 8:16: “The Spirit [of God] Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” 

            This converted mind where both God’s Spirit and human spirit are present differs from animals in two specific ways: 1) Upon death, God returns the human spirit to Himself.  And 2), Human spirits are preserved until THE Resurrection.  This holding place is precisely where God wants them kept.  Everyone who has died has his or her spirit safely kept in God’s possession.  No worries.  Your loved one’s spirits will remain safe and sound—until we all are together again in the most awesome physical reunion EVER!

Take Home Nugget

            Proverbs 20:27 says, “The lamp of the Lord searches the spirit of a man; it searches his inmost being.”  God can work with a physical brain—teaching and inspiring it—through the non-physical component of this spirit. 

             

Holy, Holy Father, You’ve thought of everything!  I am awestruck by Your creative powers and Your sensitive comforting Spirit towards me.  Thank You for teaching me how I can strive toward Your Breathtaking Promise! Amen.

Adapted from “Your Awesome Potential! (Part 2)” by David C. Pack.  The Real Truth Magazine.  March, 2016.  Pages 1-2, 28-30.  Ohio.  www.RealTruth.org

J.D. Griffith

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Kingdom People

KINGDOM PEOPLE

Seventh of twelve parts in Breathtaking Promise series

2 Corinthians 5:17:  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

            People who are serious about “working out salvation” consider God’s kingdom every day.  Believers-in-Christ live with one goal of putting God first in our lives.  Deciding daily to put God first is a choice kingdom people pray before rising out of bed.

            www.BibleStudyForKids.com “kids” often show real situations where Scripture comes alive.  A twelve year old Believer, Cassie, was thinking, Seventh grade is so grown up from elementary school!  She watched a girl flirt with Jeremy, (her elementary school classmate).  Jeremy’s face wore a huge grin.  “He’s a great guy,” Cassie said to them as they passed in the hall heading towards their next class.

            Jeremy blushed.  The girl giggled.

            God’s Spirit transformed Cassie’s first jealous thought into what she actually said. She loves Jeremy as her brother-in-Christ.  They’re on the same wavelength, as people who know whose they are and where they’re headed.    

   

            Kingdom people voluntarily replace their will with God’s will.  His Spirit constantly transforms kingdom people’s minds into seeing things from God’s perspective.  Jeremy’s original thought, What a hotie! transformed into his saying, “What a beautiful smile!”  

             Another classmate, Brad, saw a couple guys surround a little guy.  “Hand over a five spot!” one said, kicking the boy.  Brad’s face contorted into a scowl as he walked up to them.  God’s Spirit transformed his hateful thoughts into saying, “No bullying on my watch.”   Reaching down to lift up the little guy, he asked, “Are you okay?”  Brad looked into the bullies’ faces.  He challenged, “Does anyone have a problem?”

            Missy was Cassie’s friend—well—since forever, and Brad was “one of them.”  The four kids were stretching their newly-found 7^th-grade freedom, while trying to keep Jesus’ teachings in a secular school.  Placing a hand on Brad’s shoulder, she whispered, “I’m so proud of you!”  Looking at the bullies, Missy’s I hate you! thought transformed to her saying, “Why not treat others how you’d like to be treated?”

Take Home Nugget

            Kingdom people live deliberately with Godly purpose, cooperating with His Spirit in thought, word, and deed.  Jesus is our Master.  “For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one [the old and new creation], and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. … His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God on the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.”  (Ephesians 2:14-16). 

            Are you a kingdom person?

             

My old self is dead.  My new self is alive in Christ!

Adapted from “Your Awesome Potential! (Part 2)” by David C. Pack.  The Real Truth Magazine.  March, 2016.  Pages 1-2, 28-30.  Ohio.  www.RealTruth.org

J.D. Griffith

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Workmanship-in-Progress

WORKMANSHIP-IN-PROCESS

Sixth of twelve parts in Breathtaking Promise series

Isaiah 64:8:  “Yet, O Lord, You are our Father.  [Despite His hiding His face from sinful people].  We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.”

                                                                       

            From a bird’s-eye vantage point, humans have no idea how tiny is the number of people who’re indwelt with and obey God’s Spirit compared to His grand plan.  Those who call themselves Christian might be shocked to learn that they’ve got a long way to go before claiming salvation. 

            Salvation is granted to whomever accepts Jesus’ free gift of forgiveness of sins.  Yet, working out salvation is a life-long process.  Peter teaches in Acts 2:38: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name if Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

            He continues, “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Emphasis mine).   

            Sanctification [sank-tif-i-KA-shon], setting Believers apart from the rest of humanity, takes a lifetime.

            Believers-in-Christ are not born with God’s character that His Spirit is molding from within.  It is His character that takes a lifetime to develop.  Apostle Paul advises Believers to “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” in Philippians 2:12.

            Don’t you love being taught by Jesus’ apostles?  Peter warns, “Be on guard … that you may not be carried away … and fall away from your secure position.  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:17b-18).

            Apostles know that Believers must endure a lifetime of overcoming because we’re in training for a marathon of great purpose.  Those called are fully aware that whoever “stands firm to the end will be saved,” (Matthew 24:13). 

            Paul recognized that salvation—and even faith to receive it—are free gifts that can never be earned (Romans 6:23).  But this doesn’t negate that God isn’t actively working in people (requiring good works).  God reproduces Himself in Believers through good works.

            “For it is by grace you are saved through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s workmanship , created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  (Ephesians 2:8-10).

Take Home Nugget

            It’s clear that Believers are God’s workmanship.  Christian lives of doing “good works” is the process of “working out” salvation.  So, thinking we’re “done” after being saved obstructs God’s workmanship-in-progress—like a potter shaping clay.

  

Thank You for Your free gifts in Christ that sanctify me daily, Lord! 

Adapted from “Your Awesome Potential! (Part 2)” by David C. Pack.  The Real Truth Magazine.  March, 2016.  Pages 1-2, 28-30.  Ohio.  www.RealTruth.org

J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Workmanship-in-Progress

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                   Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com  

Here’s an eBook by J.D. Griffith:   

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