Assured that God Works for My Good

I am Secure and Assured that God Works for My Good

I am secure...In Christ, I am totally secure; I renounce the lie that I am guilty, unprotected, alone or abandoned.

Rom 8:28]  We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. AMP

 I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances.

When we read Romans 8:28-30, it becomes clear that God’s purpose for us is to become like Jesus. What may not always be clear as we travel life’s journey is that even when we cannot see His hand in our situation He is working on our behalf.

The book of Hebrews states that God is a rewarder of those who seek Him diligently seek Him.   

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]. AMP

Our part in all this is to trust in and seek God knowing that He is at work for our good no matter what our circumstances.

Artwork: Buyan and an Angel descend the mountain.

I am Secure and Free from Condemnation

I am secure...In Christ, I am totally secure; I renounce the lie that I am guilty, unprotected, alone or abandoned. I am free from all condemnation.

Rom 8:1-2 So you see, [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.  [John 3:18.] 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. AMP

Security is a high priority in life. Life is much more enjoyable when we believe we are secure. It might be financial, emotional, relational, physical or spiritual but our sense of wholeness is damaged when we do not perceive that we have it.

There is no more important security than in our life with God. Our spiritual health impacts all other areas in a far greater measure than we see in everyday life. Thank God that He has made us to be secure and our spirit to prosper and this opens the door for our (soul) mind and will and emotions to prosper which gives life to our physical being.

Artwork by james Braddock

I am Accepted In Christ

I am completely accepted; I renounce the lie that I am rejected, unloved, dirty or shameful. God says to me…

·         John 1:12 I am God's child.

·         John 15:15 As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ.

·         Romans 5:1 I have been justified.

·         1 Corinthians 6:17 I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit.

·         1 Corinthians 6:19-20 I have been bought with a price and I belong to God.

·         1 Corinthians 12:27 I am a member of Christ's body.

·         Ephesians 1:3-8 I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.

·         Colossians 1:13-14 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.

·         Colossians 2:9-10 I am complete in Christ.

·         Hebrews 4:14-16 I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ.

These materials can be found at Neil T Andersons Web site. http://www.ficm.org/

A Radiant Church

Eph 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansingb her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. NIV

       The bride stood at the front of the church, holding tightly to her father's arm. She smiled shyly at the groom and looked expectantly toward the pastor. "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" the pastor asked. The nervous father's reply was barely audible. He said in a trembling voice, "Her mother and I." Then he placed his daughter's hand gently in the groom's, kissed her, and wiped away a tear as he turned toward the pew where his wife was waiting.

This scene has been replayed countless times in weddings from generation to generation. Traditionally, it is the parents who have presented the bride to the bridegroom. This was also true in New Testament times. In Jesus' day, a betrothal gift was given by the parents, and the bride was led to the groom's home in a procession (Matt 25:1-13). The scene will be slightly different, however, when the bride of Christ is joined to her Lord. At that time, according to Eph 5:27, the bride of Christ will be presented "as a radiant church" by Jesus Himself.

In the original text, the term radiant literally means "glorious." Glory is one of the attributes of God. He is called the "King of glory" in Ps 24:7 and the "God of glory" in Ps 29:3. God shows His glory through what He has done. God's glory is evident in creation (Ps 19:1). According to Ps 96:3, He declares His glory among the nations through His "marvelous deeds." However, God's' glory is most clearly revealed in Jesus Christ (John 1:14).

This glory was a reflection of the Father's glory, possessed by Jesus before the world began and fully restored to Him after His resurrection (John 17:5). Jesus is: ". . . the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation" (Col 1:15).

Like Jesus, our ancestor Adam once reflected the Father's glory. Prior to the fall, he was created in "the image of God" (Gen 1:26-27). One of the consequences of Adam's sin was that it caused him and all who came after him to "fall short" of God's glory (Rom 3:23). As a result of sin's blinding effect, humanity exchanged the glory of God and recast it in the image of the things that God Himself had created (Rom 1:25). Those who come to know Christ by faith regain the knowledge of this glory (2 Cor 4:6)

God is protective of His glory (Ex 34:14). This is not because He is "jealous" in a human sense but because He is aware of His own uniqueness. In Isa 42:8, we are warned: "I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols" (cf. Isa 48:11). Yet despite this, the Scriptures promise that when Christ presents us to Himself, we will share in His glory to such an extent that we will be glorious.

This new status springs from two actions of Christ. It is rooted first in the fact that Jesus loved us with a love that was reflected in His actions when He "gave himself up" for us. This is the language of sacrifice and refers to His work on the cross (Eph 5:2). Secondly, Christ cleansed us "by the washing with water through the word" (Eph 5:26). Together, these provide the basis for our sanctification. Christ's death was a single and unrepeatable event that reversed the effect of sin and provided a righteous standing for those who had fallen short of God's standard. The washing of the word is an ongoing process that God uses to transform our minds and guide our actions, as we rely upon the power of the Holy Spirit to obey its directives. As a result of both, we will stand before Christ on the day of judgment genuinely holy and without blame, an unblemished bride who has no stain or wrinkle.

It is important to note that what Paul has to say in this verse is more than abstract theology. These words provide the foundation for a very practical command: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church . . . ." The husband who would love his wife as God intended must have a clear understanding of the work of Christ. If he thinks of love in a purely worldly sense, he may look at this command and say, "I have loving feelings for my wife; I must be doing all right." Or the opposite may be true, and he may say, "I don't have any feelings for my wife, so I can't obey this command." In reality, though, biblical love is demonstrated in action.

The husband who loves his wife as Christ loved the church will be available for her and sensitive to her needs. Availability means that his wife will have regular access to him. Unfortunately, his physical presence is not always a guarantee of this. A husband who is truly available has also learned how to listen and communicate. A sensitive husband understands the needs of his wife. He has learned how to live with his wife "in an understanding way" (1 Peter 3:7 NASB).

Because the marriage bond reflects the relationship between Christ and the church, there is more at stake in our obedience to Paul's command than mere happiness (Eph 5:32). Ultimately, Christian marriage is a form of witness and a method of instruction. It provides a world that has been blinded by sin with a living analogy of the love of Christ.

The bride is not the only one who is given away at the marriage ceremony. By promising to love his wife as Christ loves the Church, the groom gives himself to the bride. A cynic has called marriage an institution where "a man gives up privileges he never realized he had." In reality, the husband gives up much more. He gives up his very life. When Jesus loved, He gave up Himself. The husband who follows Christ's example can do no less.

Lord Jesus, thank You for giving up Your life for me. Show me the opportunities You have placed before me today to follow in Your steps. I will give myself to You as I give myself to others. Amen.

   Thanks to John Koessler for allowing us to publish his material.www.johnkosessler.com

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John Koessler serves as chair and professor of pastoral studies at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. He is married to Jane and has two sons, Drew and Jarred. John is the author of ten books and numerous articles. He also serves as a contributing editor for the Moody Bible Institute publication Today in the Word, where you can read his monthly “Theology Matters” column. You can contact John via email at John.Koessler@moody.edu or by phone at (312) 329-4077

I Am Accepted I Have Direct Access to the Throne of Grace

 In Christ I am completely Accepted. I do not agree with the lie that I am rejected, unloved dirty or shameful. God says, As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ.

I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ.

    

Heb 4:14-16  Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him]. 15 For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmitiesand liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.16 Let us then fearlessly and confidently andboldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. AMP

We are truly favored by God because of Jesus Christ!

I Am Accepted Chosen and Adopted

In Christ I am completely Accepted. I do not agree with the lie that I am rejected, unloved dirty or shameful. God says, As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ.

I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.

Eph 1:3-8 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. NLT

Wow, talk about complete acceptance, being chosen and adopted by God is more amazing than any words I have.

I Am Accepted as a Member of Christ Body

In Christ I am completely Accepted. I do not agree with the lie that I am rejected, unloved dirty or shameful. God says, As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ.

I am a member of Christ's body

1 Cor 12:27 Now you [collectively] are Christ's body and [individually] you are members of it, each part severally and distinct [each with his own place and function]. AMP

We are integrated into Christ as a part of His body we are integral to the accomplishment of His will and plans in the world in which we live. To me that is awesome beyond words!

I Am Accepted and I belong to God

In Christ I am completely Accepted. I do not agree with the lie that I am rejected, unloved dirty or shameful. God says, As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ. 

I have been bought with a price and I belong to God

1 Cor 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, 20 You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body. AMP

Aerwork: From Darkness to Light

Children of Light

Eph 5:8 For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light]. AMP

The dynamic of grace shapes our personal relationships as much as it does our behavior. Since no immoral, greedy, or impure person has any inheritance in the kingdom of God, Christ's followers should not be "partners" with such people (Eph 5:7). This is the same word Paul used to describe believers in Eph 3:6, where it refers to believers as "sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus." Those who are "sharers together" in Christ should not share in the actions of those who are alienated from Him

The reason for this is twofold. First, we should not be partners in this kind of behavior because it is displeasing to God (Eph 5:6). On a more fundamental level, however, we are to behave differently because we are different.

Paul uses the contrast of light and darkness in Eph 5:8 to illustrate the difference between those who belong to Christ and those who do not. Throughout the New Testament, the present world is described as being in a state of darkness. For example, John 1:5 says that when the "light" of Jesus' life shone in the realm of darkness, it was not understood. Also, the world condemned itself by loving darkness more than light (John 3:19). And Jesus' enemies handed Him over to be crucified because they operated under the domain of darkness (Luke 22:53).

Christ, however, has removed us from the control of this realm and transferred us into the kingdom of light: "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Col 1:13-14).

This darkness was more than an environment in which we lived prior to the entrance of Christ into our lives. According to Paul, before we trusted in Christ, we were darkness. The deepest core of our being was controlled by the power of sin. We may have been very religious; it is even possible that we lived a life of exemplary morality. The Bible says that Paul's own life before his encounter with the resurrected Jesus on the Damascus road was unparalleled (Phil 3:4-7). Unfortunately, all his moral achievements—even his own sincere desire to do right—could not change the fact that there was another influence in Paul's heart constantly working against his best intentions. He characterized this influence as "the law of sin" and wrote: "For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members" (Rom 7:22-23).

The Cross has changed this. The light of Christ now shines in our hearts (2 Cor 4:6). We no longer belong to the darkness but are "sons of the light" (1 Thess 5:5). Since God is Himself light, our status as children of God obligates us to walk as children of light (1 John 1:6-7). According to Eph 5:8-9, this is a matter of producing the fruit of goodness, righteousness, and truth. The language of fruit bearing points to God's role in this process. We can walk as children of light because the Holy Spirit is at work reproducing God's own character in us.

While the ability to walk in the light requires dependency upon God, we still must make a deliberate decision to do so. There is even an element of exploration as we "find out what pleases the Lord," a command that implies that such knowledge is not automatic (Eph 5:10). Paul literally says that we are to "test" the things that are pleasing to God. Fortunately, we have something more reliable than trial and error at our disposal for this. In order to bring to light the things that please God, we must have our minds renewed (Rom 12:2). The two primary instruments God uses to do this are the anointing of His Spirit and the teaching of His Word.

The Holy Spirit functions as an internal instructor (1 John 2:20,27). The Scriptures provide us with a written record of what "pleases" God (1 John 3:22), and the internal testimony of the Spirit never contradicts God's written testimony. Both work in concert with one another in the believer's life. God has also gifted the church with individuals who have the ability to teach and whose ministry equips believers for obedience (Eph 4:11-12).

Although we ourselves are no longer a part of the domain of darkness, we continue to have a responsibility to those who are. One of the chief characteristics of light is its ability to illuminate what is hidden in darkness. As children of light, we "expose" the fruitless deeds of darkness (Eph 5:11). This is what John the Baptist did when he reproved Herod for marrying his brother's wife (Matt 14:3-4). He uncovered Herod's behavior and revealed its true nature. Like John's preaching, a life fully committed to Jesus Christ can serve as a "wake-up call" to those who are still in the grip of darkness (Eph 5:14).

It is easy to see how such a responsibility calls for discernment. When it comes to confronting others with their sin and their need for Christ, we have many strategies at our disposal. In some cases, direct confrontation is the best method. Others respond to mercy (Jude 23). We need to know how to make the most of each opportunity that comes along (Eph 5:15). The improper approach may cause us to squander an opportunity that will never come again.

This kind of discernment can only come as insight from the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is essential that we be "filled" with the Spirit (Eph 5:18). We have already received the Holy Spirit as part of our birthright as God's children, but we need to continually yield to His control (Rom 8:9). To help us understand how this works, Paul contrasts the influence of the Holy Spirit with that of wine. When someone becomes drunk on wine, there is a chemical reaction in the brain that results in a loss of control. The power to reason, the ability to react, and the capacity for self-control are all affected. The Holy Spirit affects these same areas, but in a different way. The Holy Spirit also operates on the mind, but the effect is rational and spiritual rather than chemical. The Holy Spirit affects the believer's ability to react and the capacity for reason and self-control. Instead of inhibiting these areas, as alcohol does, the Spirit stimulates them. It is the Holy Spirit who takes the knowledge we gain as we read the Bible and enables us to apply it to our circumstances. The Holy Spirit does not cause us to lose control but produces the fruit of self-control (Gal 5:22-23).

Those who live as children of light also have a mutual responsibility to one another. They are to "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs . . ." (Eph 5:19). These activities are congregational in nature. One implication of this command is that those who wish to be controlled by the Spirit also need to worship with God's people. This is a foundational principle in the Christian life. It is simply impossible to have a healthy Christian life while neglecting corporate worship. Even if we maintain our personal disciplines of prayer and Bible study, we still need to meet with God's people. Life in the Spirit will produce life in the body of Christ.

Paul's command also underscores our need to be directed by the Holy Spirit when we gather for worship. It is important to remember that we serve as God's mouthpiece when we interact with others. The Holy Spirit is also an important factor in the overall attitude of the church. A church full of grumbling and complaining is a hindrance to the gospel. It is unlikely that we will be able to attract unbelievers to Christ if we are constantly criticizing one another.

We are called to live as children of light, but we are not called to do it alone. This responsibility is placed upon the whole church. Living as children of light is a group effort.

Light of the World, shine through Your church in a way that will enable others to see our love. Help me to live as a child of the Light. Amen.

Thanks to John Koessler for allowing us to publish his material.www.johnkosessler.com

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John Koessler serves as chair and professor of pastoral studies at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. He is married to Jane and has two sons, Drew and Jarred. John is the author of ten books and numerous articles. He also serves as a contributing editor for the Moody Bible Institute publication Today in the Word, where you can read his monthly “Theology Matters” column. You can contact John via email at John.Koessler@moody.edu or by phone at (312) 329-4077

Aerwork: Heaven full of Angels

I Am Accepted I AM United With The Lord

In Christ I am completely Accepted. I do not agree with the lie that I am rejected, unloved dirty or shameful. God says, As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ.

1 Cor 6:17-18 But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. NRSV

I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit. When we are born again our spirit is united with Christ Spirit in us. Our spirit is no longer at war with God and this brings us into a place of unity and acceptance with Him.

This allows us to win the war between our flesh and spirit which in turn allows us to please God and live according to His ways

I Am Accepted for Christ has Justified Me

In Christ I am completely Accepted. I do not agree with the lie that I am rejected, unloved dirty or shameful. God says, As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ.

Rom 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been (justified) made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. NLT

I once heard it said that to be justified meant, ‘Just as if I never sinned,’ that is a pretty good translation. Jesus made it possible for us to be Accepted by God when he paid for our sins through His death and was raised to life by God the father. You are accepted by God and that is awesome!

I Am Accepted as a Friend of Christ

In this Devotional Anderson lays out the areas which communicate who we are in Christ. Each area has about 10 scriptures. As we go into the holidays we will shift out devotional to one scripture a day under these categories. In Christ we are Accepted, Secure, Significant and Free. In order for these to have an impact on us we must be In Christ.  Before we have these new realities we must have a personal saving relationship with Christ.

To find out how go to http://equippersnetwork.blogspot.com

Today we will start the truth that In Christ I am completely Accepted. I do not agree with the lie that I am rejected, unloved dirty or shameful. God says, As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ.

 John 15:15, I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father. [I have revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him.]  AMP

I Am Accepted in Christ John 1:12-13

  In this Devotional Anderson lays out the areas which communicate who we are in Christ. Each area has about 10 scriptures. As we go into the holidays we will shift out devotional to one scripture a day under these categories. In Christ we are Accepted, Secure, Significant and Free. In order for these to have an impact on us we must be In Christ.  Before we have these new realities we must have a personal saving relationship with Christ. To find out how go to the next article at http://equippersnetwork.blogspot.com

Today we will start the truth that In Christ I am completely Accepted. I do not agree with the lie that I am rejected, unloved dirty or shameful. God says I am a Child of God.    

John 1:12-13 all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.  NIV

Who I Am in Christ

Who I Am in Christ Devotional by Neil T Anderson

In this Devotional Anderson lays out the areas which communicate who we are in Christ. Each area has about 10 scriptures. As we go into the holidays we will shift out devotional to one scripture a day under these categories. In Christ we are Accepted, Secure, Significant and Free. In order for these to have an impact on us we must be In Christ. Below is laid out the path we must take to be truly in Him. The following is from Anderson's site, the link for which is at the end of the article.

Your Invitation to Life

Jesus said, "...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10, NIV). Have you discovered the joy and peace of personally accepting Jesus' invitation to life? Perhaps you have believed in the existence of God and His Son and have tried to live a good life, but have never consciously invited Him to be your Savior and Lord. No matter who you are or what you have done, at this very moment, you too can make the decision of a lifetime. Right now Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart. He offers you the same wonderful life which millions through the centuries have received with life-changing results. He has already paid the penalty for your sin. He is asking you, in the quiet of your heart, to put your trust in Him. Here are four spiritual points that will help you discover how to know God personally and experience the full life He promises.

• 1. God loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with you.

God's Love: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16, NASV). "Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17:3). God wants you to know Him. Why is it that most people do not have a personal relationship with God? Because:

• 2. Our sin cuts us off from God so we cannot have a personal relationship with Him and experience His love.

We have all sinned. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23, NASV). We were all created to have a personal relationship with God, because we all choose to go our own independent way, our relationship with God was broken. The fact that we are selfish and self-centered is obvious because we either rebel against God or don't really care about Him. This is evidence of what the Bible calls "sin." We are cut off from God. "The wages of sin is death..." [spiritual separation from God] (Rom. 6:23). God is holy (pure and sinless) and we are sinful. A great gap cuts us off from God because He cannot tolerate sin. People often try to find a full and meaningful life through their own efforts. They try to live a good life or be religious. But the Bible clearly teaches that there is only one way to bridge this gap.

• 3. Jesus Christ is God's only cure for our sin. Through Him you can know God personally and experience His love.

Jesus died in our place. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8, NASV). Jesus rose from the dead. "...Christ died for our sins . . . He was buried . . . He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures . . . He appeared to Cephas [Peter], then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred . . ." (1 Cor. 15:3-6, NASV). Jesus is the only way to God. Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me" (John 14:6, NASV). God has done the work to bridge the gap which cuts us off from Him. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place to pay the penalty for our sin. But it is not enough just to know these truths. We must take the next step . . . and "cross the bridge."

• 4. We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know God personally and experience His love.

We must receive Christ. "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12, NASV). We receive Christ by personal invitation. Thus, receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive our sins so that we can begin our personal relationship with Him. Just to know in your mind that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins is not enough. We receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of the will. Would you like to accept Jesus' invitation to life? You can receive Jesus Christ right now by faith through prayer. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Millions of people all around the world have already found new life in Christ. Here is a suggested prayer which can help you express your trust in Jesus, too:

Dear Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins and for rising from the dead. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. I trust You now to forgive my sins and give me eternal life. Please make me the kind of person You want me to be.

http://www.freedominchrist.com/