Bible In One Year-Day6 (January 6, 2014)

Yesterday was the 5th day of this wonderful adventure of reading the Bible in one year in which we read Genesis1-3. Chapters 1 & 2 revealed how life began, dominion power was received and the flow of spiritual communication in man (spirit-soul-body). This means that a man was living in the fullness of a spiritual life and with the fullness of the knowledge of God. The spiritual life is a state, in which man walks in the spirit, i.e. listens to the dictates of the Spirit and not the flesh, did everything as the Spirit leads; the Spirit (God is Spirit) communicates with the man’s spirit, which in turn communicates with the soul and the communication flows to the flesh. So a wonderful relationship with God was in place. The judgment of man (as a spiritual man) was perfect;

1 Corinthians 2:15 “But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.”

In this state, man was in total obedience to God; hence, all creatures submitted and respected him because of man’s righteousness. Adam and Eve were naked but were not conscious of it as they were clothed with God’s glory. Unfortunately, when they disobeyed, they fell short of God’s glory;

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

As soon as man fell short of God’s glory, animals disrespected man and could even violate and be aggressive towards man; insects could bite man and release poisons into the body system. This was something that was not before the fall of man; before the glory departed.

In these 2 chapters we saw that man had freedom of choice. There were 2 trees to choose from. One tree was to feed the spiritual life while the other was to feed the soul. That which feeds the spiritual life was for eternal life. The other which feeds the soul, only uplifts the soul (mind, will and emotion) at the detriment of the spiritual life. He had the choice to eat from the tree of life and live. Unfortunately, he made his choice of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil based on satanic counsel; man chose death rather than life. A lesson learnt is that the longer you interact with the enemy, the more you think God is hiding something from you and, of course, doubt Him. Satan’s argument was to make man doubt the integrity of Jehovah God;

Genesis 3:4-5 “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”

The irony of it was that, as soon as they tasted it, they were stripped of the glory of God and they realized their nakedness. Shame came in, the order of communication or law was changed (flesh-soul-spirit) and a good relationship was broken. This is the law mentioned in Romans 7:23.

Romans 7:23 “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.”

This is the law that makes man fall into diverse sins; man became carnal or natural man and so discerning the things of God or pleasing Him became impossible;

1 Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

When a man becomes born again, the law is restored to the original; spirit-soul-body. To be born again, Jesus says it has to be of the water and of the Spirit, John3:3-8.

Chapter3 is a pathetic one. Man became miserable (Romans 7-8 is necessary for us to have a better understanding of the predicament of man). Man was looking for ways of covering the sin. He never taught of repentance or asked for forgiveness. Man did not start the plan of salvation but God did. God initiated it. Sin is horrible. It stripped man of the garment of light and the knowledge of God just as it stripped Jesus of the connection with God on the cross and He shouted “…My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” Sin breaks holy relationship with God and makes demon to violate our lives. Beloved, there was only one sin in the Garden of Eden, but it led to all other sins outside of the garden. The only one SIN in the garden is the permeation of the serpent (satanic nature) into the soul of man which leads to many outward SINS as evident in our conducts doings and actions. The sin (singular form) is the root of other sins (plural form). Wherever you see SIN mentioned in the scripture, carnality or the evil law in the member is referred to. Where we have SINS (plural – deeds of the body), the bible refers to fruit of the SIN, i.e. what the singular sin (evil law in the member) produces; hatred, murder, envy, jealousy, etc. Deliverance is needed for SIN while forgiveness is needed for SINS. Deliverance is to be released from that law of sin and death into the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus;

Romans 8:1-8 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”

We can’t please God in any other state but the spiritual state. Jesus came with the ministry of reconciliation and redemption. However, He is not going to make another choice for you. If Adam made that wrong and regretful choice that ushered in death, you have the opportunity to make another choice; life or death. Opting for Jesus is choosing life, ignoring Him is choosing death. Satan will not force anyone to hell and Jesus will not force anyone to heaven, IT IS A MATTER OF CHOICE; Adam and Eve will be relieved of any blame on the Day of Judgment.

The next 3 chapters are the result of what happened in chapter 3; murder, hatred, envy, jealousy, etc. The reading for today is Gen4-6. Keep the fire burning and alive on the platform of love

Bible In One Year-Day 5 (January 5, 2014)

So far we have covered the book of Hebrews, from which we could see answers to Jesus as God, the promise of the Father, His blood and as the High priest (Heb5:5-6, 9-10). We read how He became the better covenant (7:22, 8:6-13). Chapter 10 is deep. The law placed some ordinances of sacrifices on ground to bring about perfection. If those things really worked, there wouldn’t have been any need for yearly sacrifices. Instead of bringing about total purging and removal of sin, it became reminder of sins on yearly basis (Heb10:1-3). By this, God takes not desire or pleasure in sacrifices or offerings for sin but in absolute yielding to His will. God prepared Jesus for the purpose of the sacrifice;

Hebrews 10:5 “Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:”

Jesus came to carry out the perfect will of God, 10:8-10. This sanctifies us once and for all. Whoever is in Christ is justified (Matt12:48-50). By grace are we saved. The book of Hebrew is all about Jesus. Many wonder why we had to start this project of bible in one year from the book of Hebrews. The Bible is into two (though one); Old and New Testaments (or covenants). The book of Hebrews gave a summary of both testaments, explained the begining of the old testament or covenant, its termination and the begining of the new. When you read this book with indebt understanding, you will understand the book of Genesis very well. The purpose of this project is to lead us through the understanding of the law, to the knowledge what grace is. For a law to be repealed, another law must be promulgated (Heb7:18-19). The first law, Gen2:15-17, has a reward for its violation which is death (Rom3:23/6:23). The act of violation is SIN. Since this was said by God, it will be unfaithful on His path to say it is no more death. Unfortunately, the fall of man put us under this law of death. Here we needed a Mediator to redeem us. Since all are sinners by inheritance, there was no man qualified to be a mediator. No wonder it was written in the book of Hebrews that the priests are men of weaknesses (7:27-28) who needed to make sacrifices for their own sins first. The animal blood stands for sacrifice sake; it does not take away the sin. The qualifications for the correct Mediator are as stated in Heb7:26;

Hebrews 7:26 “For such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;”

Jesus Christ is the only one that fits in. Remember that it was God who prepared that body for Him to fulfill God’s will, Heb10:5. His death (a righteous one) repealed that law and His resurrection established a better covenant of eternal life. Mind you, the law is still there, He has only come to fulfill the demands of the law for us to be set free (Matt5:17, John8:36, Rom8:1-2). As a matter of fact, the law is good; 1 Timothy 1:8 “But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;” It is the sinful nature in us that makes what is good to become unrighteous. The Holy spiirt is there to help us in this wise. If we, therefore, walk in the spirit, we are no longer under the law. His residence in us changes the law within us and brings God’s holiness in us; hence, we act, think and feel according to the will of God. That is to say, we are no longer condemned because a new law of the Spirit of life (in the soul) has set us free from the law of sin and death;

Romans 8:1-4 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

This is the state of a born again Christian; having the utmost desire to do the WILL of God and not to satisfy the desires of the flesh.

In this book, you could see the identity of Jesus Christ, His redemption, Faith and love. All these are having their shadows in the Old Testament, Heb13:8. Beloved, the cross of the gospel for us to bear is in Hebrews13 (read with understanding); go outside of the camp, i.e. Christian fold, and bear the reproach of Christ (v13) and always remember to do good as it is one of the basics of Christian sacrifices, especially to those in dear need (v16). Let’s move to the next book to read; Genesis 1-3, which tells about the first Adam. Keep the fire burning and alive.

Bible In One Year- Day3 (January 3, 2014)

We could see that the major enemies that prevent Christians from experiencing God in His promises are DISOBEDIENCE and UNBELIEF. They steal God’s rest from us.

Hebrews 4:1 “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.”

Satan has his weapons which he uses to make us come short of God’s rest through disobedience and unbelief; fear, discouragement, dissatisfaction, impatience, covetousness, rivalry, etc. The natural heart (carnal mind) has all these entrenched in it. These are what cause enmity with God and breaks relationship with Him;

Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

1 Corinthians 3:3-4 “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?”

However, a renewed mind has these flushed out by the power of the Holy Spirit through the word. Without accomplishing this cleansing, there can’t be a genuine and holy relationship with God and consequently, no power as a Christian. An un-renewed mind can never be in the perfect will of God.

Romans 12:2 “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.”

God wants us to be in His will. But this could only be achieved by a renewed heart. He, therefore promised us a new heart and new spirit for a holy relationship with Himself;

Ezekiel 36:26-27 “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”

This passage reveals how God could re-brand a life to the amazement of men and women. Saul received oil on his head by Samuel, God gave him a new heart and the Spirit of God rested upon him; he became ANOTHER man, i.e. a RE-BRANDED person (1Samuel 10). As soon as this came to pass, he began to shine. This is the year of your fresh oil and distinctive shining. All started with the word of God he received by the mouth of a prophet (Heb1:1). There is power in the word of God; it changes from inside;

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

The more space the word of God takes in our hearts the less we sin (process of sanctification), i.e. the word wrapped up in human flesh;

John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

The WORD is Jesus. If the Word finds his place in your heart, a deep relationship will be developed with Jesus and your soul becomes coal of fire too hot for the enemy to handle. Jesus is God, let Him have the whole of your heart and your life becomes the life of God; emotion, will and mind become instruments of holy ministry. Prayer: Lord Jesus, reveal Yourself more to me, this year. Our next reading is Hebrew7-9. Keep the fire burning and alive.

Note: Please read Hebrew 10-13 for Day 5

Bible-in OneYear- Day 2 (January 2)

The Epistles explains more of Jesus. To understand the epistle, however, we need to seek the help of the Holy Spirit (the inspiration) to reveal His thoughts in the epistles. Chapters 1-3 of the book of Hebrew reveal the Superiority of the Lord Jesus Christ to all things (“… Heir of all things …” Heb1:2). Through Him, the worlds are made; it is amazing to see in the scripture that there are many WORLDS (Heb1:2). Man has three attributes to his soul (sometimes referred to as the heart) – mind, will and emotion. In the Old Testament days (i.e. before the walk of Christ on earth), the word of God comes to man through the prophets and in diverse manners (Heb1:1). In such times, the three attributes of man were suspended and only the physical features of man (vocal cavity, tongue, frame etc) were in use. It was always an overwhelming phenomenon which couldn’t be resisted, though without the mind, emotion and will of man at that instance. Therefore, when the word comes upon a man then, his will, emotion and mind were not in use but suspended for the word to be expressed through the physical features. That is why you will ever see the phrase “thus saith the Lord” in the Old Testament and most of the prophecies are poetic in nature. God did not need the three attributes of man to relate with man, because man was still in the absolute corrupt state; the mind corrupted, emotion and will corrupted. I guess this was what put the man who wanted to help the Ark from falling in trouble; he was emotional (2 Sam6:6-7). Peter was emotional when Jesus was arrested by cutting off the servant’s ear; he was not worked on then by the Holy Spirit. We can’t do ministry work in this state; such work will be unholy. The sinful and corrupted inner being of man could not inhabit together with the incorruptible Word because of the brightness and glory of the Word;

Hebrews 1:3 “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”

In essence, the Word does the purging in man as it comes upon man. There is Light in the WORD, there is life and there is glory in the Word. When the Word comes in, the image of the Person of God comes in; i.e. the Word has the same glory and brightness of God and has the power of God to do all things. Therefore, the entrance of that WORD brings the light and life into the heart of man and God is expressed incorruptible.

Psalms 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

In the gospel, that WORD came and used the body of man to wrap or cover Himself up; that is JESUS CHRIST. At this juncture, emotion, will and mind of man are involved in expressing God. Since He is the Word of God, His mind, emotion and will becomes those of God; remember the Word is God. This is evident in instances where Jesus had to perform some miracles, the phrase, mostly, is “moved with compassion”; emotion is involved. In the Old Testament, only God was the phrase “full of compassion” attributed to, because it is His nature. This was evident in the Son also in the gospel. Only God could be gracious and compassionate, it is not in the nature of man in the corrupted state. Pharaoh’s daughter had that, and it is because the her emotion was need to preserve the agenda of God in Moses. Jesus knitted the three elements of man (mind, emotion and will) with the Word. At His ascension, He prayed the Father to send the Holy Spirit to let this be; i.e. the use of the emotion, will and mind of man in God’s work. The word is not changed but the Holy Spirit patterns man to conform to the Word so that man can be in the image of God’s dear Son. This is the work of the Holy Spirit; to reveal Jesus to us through the Word. As this is done, that brightness in the Word affects our lives and through understanding, our lives conform to the Word; this is growing in grace. As your life conforms to God’s word, the “will” becomes the “will” of God, emotion becomes that of God and mind thinks the thought of God. The more your life live the word by the working of the Holy Spirit, the greater the grace upon you. Jesus told the disciples that they have been washed by the word;

John 15:3 “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken to you.”

Part of the understanding of the washing of the feet of the disciples is that they should continue to walk in the cleanliness and uprightness of the word. Because the Apostles lived the word of God by the help of the Holy Spirit, great grace was upon them;

Acts 4:33 “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.”

To memorize the word of God is not good enough but to live it is what makes the word to become holy and powerful in our lives. The Word is what kindles the soul of a minister to become fire by reason of its brightness;

Psalms 104:4 “Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:”

Jesus is God; He carries the same image as God and God called Him God;

Hebrews 1:8 “But to the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.”

His humility is so great that He called men His brethren and He put on the likeness of man to bring man to glory and honor;

Hebrews 2:9-10 “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”

Jesus is God because angels worship Him. He took the nature of man so as to destroy him who had the power of death (Heb2:14), brought deliverance to the captive (v15) and to reconcile man to God (v17).

He is thus superior to angels, Moses and all things put together as God has committed all things into His hands.

Hebrews 3:7 “Wherefore (as the Holy Spirit saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)”

Once a man goes wrong with word of God in the heart, all his ways go wrong; emotion, mind and will. The consequence is that, man loses God’s rest.

Hebrews 3:17-18 “But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?”

But when the heart is right, through the emotion our works for God becomes holy, the mind makes our word holy and the will makes our prayers holy (the Holy Spirit helps us to prayer according to the will of God). Whoever wants to live a shining and re-branded life must pray the Holy Spirit to touch and control these three attributes of man; mind, emotion and will.

The next reading is Hebrew7-9. Keep the fire burning and alive