The Anointing Oil and the Holy Spirit by An Anonymous Christian : $4.75 : TheBookPatch.com

The Anointing Oil and the Holy Spirit by An Anonymous Christian : $ 4.75. : TheBookPatch.com

The Transformation - Ephesians 4

Paul describes our position in Christ as a child of God in the previous chapters. As we move on to the second half of this series, Paul is giving us instructions of how we need to be transformed to fit into the place God has prepared for us. Imagine for instance, you have been provided with a high profile job with heavy incentives, or invited for a night's dinner on a formal occasion. Don`t we need to dress and conduct yourself accordingly? The last three chapters of Ephesians are instructions for us, how to conduct our self to be worthy of the vocation we have been called for (4:1).As we meditate on the word of God, let us pray that God will open our eyes of understanding to comprehend and transform yourself, according to these words.

So let`s roll our sleeves, as we metamorphose becoming citizens of the heavenly kingdom each new day!

Our Highest Calling:

• There is one God and Father, who is above all, through all and in all of us. (4:6)
• There is one Lord, one faith and one baptism. (4:5)
• we are all called to be of one body, one spirit and one hope (4:4)
• Hence we need to be lowly, meek, long suffering and bear one another in love. (4:2)
• Aim to keep the unity of spirit with bonds of peace. (4:3)

The gift of grace:

• Jesus descended first into the lower parts of the Earth. (4:9)
• He led the captivity captive. (AMP Translation: He led a train of vanquished foes –i.e., defeating enemies, such as sin and death), ascended up to heaven and gave various gifts for men.(4:8)
• Jesus descended to the lower parts of the Earth and then ascended far above all the heavens so that he can fill all things. (4:10)
• According to this measure of gifts in Christ Jesus, he gives grace to every one of us(4:7)

Edification of the Church:

• God has made some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and some teachers. (4:11)
• This he does, for the work of the ministry, that we may be made perfect and for the body of Christ comprising of all of us, to be edified. (4:12)
• And also, that we may not be tossed to and fro, by every doctrine thrown at us by the sleight of men, that are waiting to deceive us. (4:14)
• God will keep apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers among us, till we are all united in faith, till we as one body, grow up into a perfect man in the knowledge of Christ and unto the stature that fits the fullness of Christ. (4:13)
• We need to speak the truth in love and grow up in Christ in all things. (4:15)
• Christ is the head of the body of the church. In him the whole body is fitly framed together and every joint is supplied. In him there is effectual working of each part and there is increase in the body edifying itself in love. (4:16)

The transformation:

• Hence, Paul testifies in the Lord, that we henceforth should not live a life, as people who do not know Christ, according to the vanity of our minds. (4:17)
• People who do not know Christ, their understanding are darkened. They are ignorant and hence are alienated to the life in Christ and their hearts are blind to the truth. ( 4:18)
• They have given themselves to lasciviousness and to work greedily all things that are morally impure. (4:19)
• But we have not learned to be like them from Christ (4:20)
• Hence we ought to conduct ourselves, the way we are taught by Christ and we have heard from him. The truth is in Jesus. (4:21)
• Paul urges us, to put off the old man that is corrupt and is filled with lust. ( 4:22)
• He urges us to be renewed in the spirit of our mind. He commends us to wear the new man that God has created, that which is holy and righteous. (4:23,24)

Putting on the new man:

• As we are of the same body, we should speak truth with each other and put away lying. (4:25)
• Do not sin when you are angry and give up your wrath before the sun come down. (4: 26)
• Do not give any place to the devil. (4:27)
• If we have stolen before, let us not steal. Paul urges us to labor with our hands that we can give to people in need. (4:28)
• Let no foul language proceed from our mouth, but speak words that are edifying and good, that may minister grace to the hearer. (4:29)
• The holy spirit of God is the seal of our redemption. Hence we should not grieve him. (4:30)
• Be away from all bitterness, anger, clamor, evil speaking and all malice. (4:31)
• Be kind to one another, tender-hearted and forgive others the way Christ for God`s sake forgave us. (4:32)

Dear Lord Jesus,

We come into your presence, believing that we are the redeemed saints inheriting the kingdom of heaven. Help us Lord, to put on the new man and leave behind all the activities of the old man. Dear Lord Jesus, help us to be transformed to become more like you as we move from glory to glory. Thank you Lord for cleansing us and making us whole. In jesus mighty name we pray…..Amen.

Mystery untold - Ephesians 3

Dear friends….wish you all a blessed day! We are going to meditate on the 3rd chapter of Ephesians in this series, today. This Chapter gives us a glimpse of the mystery of how Gentiles can become partakers of the promise in Christ, the grace given to Paul to make this mystery known to all men and a wonderful prayer that Paul makes for us that inspire every Christian to pray each day.

The Mystery of Gentiles being fellow- heirs:

Paul talks about the mystery of the Gentiles being fellow heirs, in this 3rd Chapter (Verses 1-6). He talks about this mystery more in Chapter 2 and I would urge you to refer to the meditation on Chapter 2 (http://christlovelovelin.blogspot.ae/2015/01/the-prize-of-salvation.html ) to know more.

• THE GREATEST MYSTERY: Gentiles can be fellow-heirs and of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ – by the Gospel of truth. (3:6)
• This mystery was not made known before days, but is revealed now to the holy apostles and prophets through the Holy Spirit. (3:5)
• Paul describes himself a prisoner of Christ, for this cause. (3:1)
• Paul has been given the grace to understand this mystery, and he describes it more in Chapter 2, so that we may read understand his knowledge about it.(3:2-4)

The Grace given to Paul:

• According to the gift of grace given to Paul, by the effectual working of God`s power, he was made a minister. (3:7)
• Though he considers himself, the least of all saints, this grace was given to him so that he can preach about this great mystery of the unsearchable riches of Christ to the gentiles. (3:8)
• This great mystery of Gentiles coming to Christ Jesus has been hidden in God since the beginning of the world. Paul`s goal is to make all men know about this mystery (3:9)
• So that the manifold wisdom of God will be made known even in the heavenly places, among the powers and principalities, through the church (3:10)

(This describes the authority we have over the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, through Christ Jesus).

• Hence we have boldness to access God with confidence through Christ Jesus, according to the eternal purpose God purposed in Christ. (3:11,12)

Prayer of Paul for us:

Paul bows his knees before the Father God, in whom the heaven and earth are named and made this prayer below. (3:14, 15)

He prays this prayer so that we will not faint looking at the tribulation he undergoes for us. (3:13)

If you are a believer and undergoing trials and tribulations for Christ sake, make this prayer of Paul, yours too.

• Paul prays that we will be strengthened in the inner man, by the might of God`s spirit. (3:16)
• That Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith (3:17)
• That we may be rooted and grounded in the Love of God (3:17)
• That we will be able to comprehend the length, breadth, depth and the height of  the knowledge of Christ which passes all knowledge (3:18,19)
• That we will be filled with all the fullness of God. (3:20)
• God is able to do exceeding abundantly more than what we can ask or think of, according to his power that works in us. (3:20)
• To God is the glory in the church by Christ Jesus. – Amen.

Follow the link to read Ephesians 3 in the Bible:  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%203

Jesus, the God and Man

Jesus, the God and Man

Greetings to all in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Learn more about how the word became flesh as Jesus and manifested unto us, in this study on 1^st John Chapter 1.

Through this chapter John is proclaiming about how Jesus who is God came as a Man in flesh and how we can live a sinless life through our fellowship with him.

Scroll down to know more…...

The word of God became Flesh:

1.      It was prophesied about the birth of Jesus in the beginning (i.e.) from the time God created heaven and earth, John knew it was true because he had seen, heard and touched Jesus. The Word of God became flesh as Jesus. (1 John 1:1)

2.      The life appeared as Jesus. He clothed himself in the form of flesh for each of us and died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. Thus giving us eternal life. This eternal life was with the Father, but now manifested to us, through Jesus. (1John 1:2)

        

Fellowship with Jesus

3.      John is sharing this, so that we would also enter into a relationship with Jesus like himself…...and does have fellowship with the father and his son Jesus Christ. ( 1 John 1:3)

4.      As Christ resides in our hearts our Joy is full (1 John 1:4)

5.      John declares what he experienced in Jesus, as Jesus being the purest form and is full of light. In him there in no trifle of sin. (1 John 1:5)

6.      But if we walk in the light, having Jesus as our guide, God is faithful to transform us into a Christ like image i.e to live in peace with one another and love others just the way Christ loves us. The blood of Jesus Christ washes away all our sins. (1 John 1:7)

7.      John also explains us that, if we claim to have fellowship with Jesus and yet continue living in sin, we are lying as we are not abiding in his word and still walking In darkness (1 John 1:6)

8.      There is none in the world who has not sinned and if anybody claims to be sinless, we are deceiving ourselves and we are not living in the truth. (1 John 1:8,10)

9.      But we have a Father who is faithful to forgive our sins and make us righteousness if we confess it to him. ( 1 John 1:9)

A Final Word:

               The word of God became flesh as Jesus Christ. If you have not entered into a fellowship with this God who came in flesh and still living a life of SIN AND DARKNESS, then invite him into your heart and this is your day of salvation. Jesus came to give you LIFE AND LIFE IN ABUNDANCE.

 If you are struggling with strain relationships, invite Jesus into your heart and ask him to help you to love others the way he loved us and help you to abide in his word.

Lastly, if you feel you have no sin, CHECK OUT; you may be on the danger grounds of self righteousness as in (   (1 John 1:8,10) ; Confess your sins and God is faithful enough to make you whole….. Let the love of Christ abide in you. Amen.     

 

The Prize Of Salvation

Ephesians – Chapter 2

The Prize of Salvation

Dear all, Good day! Know more about the incredible gift of salvation as we meditate on the Chapter 2 of Ephesians. Get to know more on how we were, as sinners and what Jesus did for us on the cross to get us saved. This meditation also gives us an insight of what it means to be saved from the grips of sin and how to walk a life of holiness and freedom.

Life before Salvation:

• Ø  We were dead in trespasses and sin (2:1)
• Ø  We walked according to the course of the world. (2:2)
• Ø  Our life was dictated by the devil (the prince of the power of the air). This same spirit also works in the children of disobedience. (2:2)
• Ø  We walked according to lusts of flesh(2:3)
• Ø  We fulfilled the desires of the flesh and mind (2:3)
• Ø  By nature, we were children of wrath (2:3)
• Ø  We were uncircumcised and as gentiles in flesh (2:11)
• Ø  We were without Christ (2:12)
• Ø  We were aliens to the commonwealth of Israel**(2:12)
• Ø  We were strangers to the covenant of promise (2:12)
• Ø  We had no hope (2:12)
• Ø  We lived without God in this World (2:12)
• Ø  We were afar off (2:13) 

     Salvation Through Christ Jesus:

• Ø  God is rich in Mercy and he loved us with a great love.(2:4)
• Ø  He quickened us when we were dead in sins (2:5)
• Ø  To show us the riches of his grace in his kindness towards us, he made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (2:6,7)
• Ø  We are God`s workmanship. (2:10)
• Ø  We are created in Jesus, unto good works. (2:10)
• Ø  God has ordained us before, that we should walk in good works (2:10)
• Ø  Through Jesus we have access to the father, by one spirit. (2:18)
• Ø  Hence we are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with saints. (2:19)
• Ø  We are of the house- hold of God. (2:19)
• Ø  We are being built together for an habitation of God through the holy spirit (2:22)
• Ø  Apostles and prophets are the foundation of this building and Jesus is the corner stone. (2:20)
• Ø  The building fitly framed together, grow to be a holy temple in Christ Jesus. (2:21)

What Christ did for us on the Cross :

• Ø  In Christ Jesus we who were far off are made nigh, by his blood (2:13)
• Ø  He is our Peace. (2:14)
• Ø  He made us one with the common wealth of Israel**, by breaking down the middle wall of partition between us (2:14)
• Ø  He abolished the enmity in his flesh (2:15)
• Ø  He abolished the law of commandments contained in ordinances. (2:15)
• Ø  He reconciled unto God in one body by the cross, thus slaying the enmity. (2:16)
• Ø  Jesus came to preach peace to us afar off and to the common wealth of Israel** who were nigh. (2:16)
• Ø  Thus by grace we are saved through faith. (2:8)
• Ø  It is a gift from God and not of works that any man should boast. (2:9)

A final Word….

Dear Child of God…. Are you struggling to free yourself from the grip of sin? Are you feeling like a puppet in the hands of the devil, giving into the temptations of fulfilling your fleshly desires? Are you living a life of NO HOPE, NO GOD and dragging yourself into each day as if you are DEAD? Then this message is for you. Jesus died on the cross to set you free from the grip of sin and help you walk in freedom, inheriting every promise he has given to his beloved children. Say this prayer with me…as you accept Jesus as the Lord of your life.

Dear Lord Jesus,

I come into your presence as a poor sinner wanting to be free from the grips of sin. I have transgressed against you and walked according to the lusts of my flesh. I believe that you died on the cross to set me free and give me life and life in abundance. Wash me Lord…. Cleanse me by your blood and make me whole. I accept you as the Lord of my life. I believe every word in Ephesians 2 is for me and I receive it in Jesus name. Amen.

As you receive this new life in Jesus, attach yourself to a good bible believing church and be blessed. God bless you.
  ( ** You were foreigners and did not belong to God's chosen people. – Ephesians 2:12)

 GNT Translation)

Emmanuel – God is with us ( Matt 1: 18-23)

Christmas is in the air and the joy of Christmas is all around. It’s a wonderful time for family get together and enjoying the season with loved ones. But on the other side of the world, there are still people wondering if, it is just another Christmas of loneliness and pain.  There can be nothing in the whole world more heart wrecking than the pain of loneliness and rejection. Coping with these emotional distresses may mean a big price to pay and at times you may never want to invite a festive season in your life or to make things worse, you may even want to give up on life than taking these.

You may be trying to hide these feelings behind the shadows of anger, resentment or unhealthy habits and wreck yourself more. Rejection is painful. And so is loneliness and shame. Everyone wants to be accepted and loved. Nobody wants to be a left out, in a big world around. This is what King David describes in Psalms 69 as miry depths where there is no foot hold. He describes it as deep waters and flood engulfing him.

He explains his shame as below,

²⁰ Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.

                                                                                                           Psalms 69: 20

If you can identify yourself with David, then this message is for you. God wants to deliver you from the grip of loneliness, rejection, and shame. If you are haunted by these feelings and is held up in a maze trying to work your way out, remember you are not alone. We have a savior who has gone before us, in the same path.  He is Jesus Christ of Nazareth. What can be more painful than to hang alone on a cross (a cross by itself a symbol of shame) battered and buffeted? Jesus was born to die. He lovingly embraced his cross, so that he can identify himself with your loneliness and pain.

His name is Emmanuel – meaning God is with us. God came down to sympathize with us and love us in a personal, intimate way. He is not a distant God. He has taken victory over rejection, loneliness and shame and he can set you free. As you sit and cry, drenched in your tears, he is there waiting to take away your pain. Are you wondering, you don`t have a shoulder to cry upon? This Jesus Christ of Nazareth can identify himself with you. He loves you and cares for you. 

This is what the word of God says about him in Isaiah 9:6-7

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

·         So, run into his arms and cry out that you need him. He will speak to you and comfort you through his word.

·         He is Almighty God El – Shaddai. He can turn your mourning into dancing.

·         His name is Jehovah Shalom, the God of Peace. He will be the same to you.

·         Feeling lonely and rejected? Jesus can be your very best friend… as he is your maker and creator.

Cheer up my friend….. Let this Christmas mark a new beginning in your life with a lasting  companionship with Emmanuel. Have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New year 2015.