Being transformed in the Image of Christ- Spritual Formation- Jeremiah 18:1-6

 The Bible speaks the goal of the Christian life. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says that “we are being transformed into [Christ’s] likeness” Romans 8:29  God “predestined [all believers] to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.” Bridges says, “Christlikeness is God’s goal for all who trust in Christ, and that should be our goal also.”

 

Both words, transformed and conformed, have a common root, form, meaning a pattern or a mold. “Being transformed” refers to the process; conformed refers to the finished product. Jesus is our pattern or mold. We are being transformed so that we will eventually be conformed to the likeness of Jesus. Sanctification or holiness then, is conformity to the likeness of Jesus Christ.(a topic for an other day),

 

How can we know whether we are being transformed more and more into the likeness of Christ?   Begin with studying the character of Jesus and you will come to full realization as to whether this is a reality for you.

We need to understand that “the cleansing of our consciences from the guilt of sin must precede our efforts to deal with the presence of sin in our daily lives. And so we need the gospel to continually remind us that our sins have been forgiven in Christ and that we relate to the Lord through grace rather than law.

 

Our specific responsibility in the pursuit of holiness as seen in 2 Corinthians 3:18, to behold the glory of the Lord as it is displayed in the gospel. The gospel is the ‘mirror’ through which we now behold His beauty.” And, therefore, until we see him face-to-face, we need to continually preach that gospel to ourselves every day.

 

Therefore, until we see him face-to-face, we need to continually preach that gospel to ourselves every day.

 

Finding Strength in Tough Times - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Hardships from health crises, financial problems, grief, and broken relationships befall on us while living in this FALLEN world - Christians and non-Christians alike.

 (How do we handle tough times when they come our way).

Even with all the hardships that come your way, as a Christian, you have access to the Holy Spirit, who will empower you to overcome each hardship you face when you ask God to help you.

• Mountaintop experience- We don’t stay on the mountain all the time, we must come down to meet with the world- Make reference to Matthew 17- The transfiguration

 Psalm 73:25-26 “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides you.  My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Here’s how you can find strength in tough times by turning to God for help:

“(Tough times don’t last forever)”

“This is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long, but they will produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the trouble we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

(Ask God to show you which way out of hardship)

1. Don’t avoid suffering, seek to learn and grow through it.

• Keep in mind that God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy, because holiness has eternal value. Instead of trying to avoid suffering, ask God to use it to accomplish good purposes in your life. Ask God to help you view your hardship from the perspective of how it advances God’s purposes for you.

1. If a prayer will not be answered, an equivalent will be given. 2 Corinthians 12
   
   
2. Follow  YOUR FAITH

• Choose to believe God’s promises that He is always in control of your life, He always loves you and cares about you, and He will never leave or forsake you – no matter how you may feel when going through hardships.

1. His grace is manifest
2. His grace is magnified
    

• Trust that the Holy Spirit is with you as you deal with hardships, even when you don’t sense His presence or understand what you’re going through
   
• Be on guard against evil spiritual forces who want to use your feelings to discredit God’s promises. Pray for the faith you need to stand strong on God’s promises to you.
   

1. Paradox…When we are weak, we are strong in the Grace of God
    

1. Instead of asking “WHY- ask WHAT?”
2. Simple Definition of…
   WHY

1. for what reason or purpose
2. used to offer a suggestion or to say that a course of action is not necessary
3. used to express irritation or annoyance
    
    
   WHAT… is used interrogatively to inquire the reason or purpose of something.
    

• God may or may not choose to reveal on this side of heaven why He has allowed a particular hardship to enter your life, so asking Him “Why?” may not bring you an answer that you can understand right now.
   
• However, when you ask God WHAT you can best respond to the hardship you’re facing, He will often reveal some of the good purposes that He wants you to fulfill as you go through the situation.
   
• Ask God how He wants to use your hardship to draw you closer to Him and accomplish more of the mission He has given you for your life on Earth.
   

1. Identify the POSSIBLE SOURCE of the hardship you’re currently experiencing.
    

• Hardships may come into your life because of: life’s troubles in this fallen world. Humble yourself before God and ask Him to show you which way out of the hardship.
   

1. Don’t waste your time and energy trying to search for God’s will for you in the midst of your tough time, as if it was a hidden mystery.
    

• You can already know God’s will for you in the midst of any type of hardship: God’s will is for you to grow into a closer relationship with Him.
   
• Decide to follow God’s will for you to develop more holiness in your life during tough times.

Application

It is human to feel weak and sluggish during tough

• Spend time with God often through prayer and reading the Bible. During tough times, it’s especially important to stay connected to God through prayer and reading His Word, the Bible. (Not bible commentary books) , Don’t substitute the WORD of God!
   
• Pour out your prayer requests to God with the confidence that He cares and is always listening.  I’m not asking you to stop everything and go on your knees
   
• Ask the Holy Spirit to help you bring your prayers into alignment with God’s desires for you. Get biblical truth into your soul regularly by hearing, reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on the Bible.  Romans 10:17… “Faith comes by hearing the WORD of God…

 

 

 

Resolve to Stay on Track in the New Year

A new year is upon us, which means it’s time to break out the champagne and survey the months ahead. It’s only natural to think in terms of fresh starts, new year's resolutions. Being the new year with new resolutions is a good idea if only the spirit of keeping them is continually aglow. But as many of us know, resolving to change is one thing and making resolutions stick is a different story.

On the other hand,  new opportunities for some will manifest when the calendar changes, whether that means improving our health, acquiring a new skill, or picking up a neglected hobby. 

As noted in my previous article on this topic last year, research suggests that one-third of all new year’s resolutions are abandoned within the first month, and fewer than half survive to the six-month mark. It is a sad reality however, it is better to try and fail than never to try at all. My encouragement however is that if you make any resolve, try to be  better than that. Don't quit. 

How can one keep resolutions going all year long? First, you need to make resolutions that are attainable. Choose the right goals for the right reasons. Number two, you need to be accountable to yourself. Finally, you need the will power, planning, and support to stay motivated and on track, as said earlier, don't quit. If you quit you become a looser.

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Shipwrecked Faith 1 Tim 1:18-20, Acts 27:27

What does it mean to shipwreck your faith? Paul said this had happened to at least two people, so I guess it can happen to you or any other believer. But how does this happen?


What causes faith to become shipwrecked?


In 1 Timothy 1:18, Paul talks about fighting the good fight as “holding on to faith and a good conscience.” These two things are connected. If a believer reject or cast away a good conscience his or her faith will be shipwrecked.  See 2 Timothy 2:16-18, Romans 7:18-24

What is shipwrecked faith?

Paul was a fisherman who spent a fair amount of time at sea and he liked metaphors that are sea related. He described spiritual infants as those “tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching” Ephesians 4:14. If you are not secure in your Father’s love – which you won’t be if your conscience condemns you – you’ll make a wreck of your faith. Like a ship that fails to reach its destination, you’ll fall short of all that God has in store for you.


Shipwreck faith according to this author means that you won’t mature in the faith Luke 8:14. It means you’ll lose the freedom that is yours in Christ Galatians 5:1, you will become unstable 2 Peter 3:17, and you’ll fear punishment that isn’t coming 1 John 4:18.


What does it mean to shipwreck your faith? It means moving from the secure foundation of Jesus Christ. It means diluting your faith in God with faith in self, faith in effort, faith in your ability to perform. It’s trying instead of trusting. It’s striving instead of resting.


For us believers we are in the ocean of this world, with a fair gale, we don’t know what storms we may encounter; therefore we must not take it for granted that we have obtained our purpose.


In act 27, we see sailors in a troubled ocean with chances of not surviving. Like us in the ocean of this world, they did not know what might befall on them at sea. However, one thing is sure when we are in troubled seas, Hope is in the Anchor- Jesus.


When the ship was caught up in the waves, the sailors panicked, and tried to leave the ship, hoping to save their lives. They pretended they were going to lower some anchors from the ship’s bow. Paul had stern warning to them all, "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved." Acts 27: 31.  As discussed early, Paul knew the rules of the seas for he had worked as a fisherman for a long time.


In the ocean of this world, we go through trials and tribulations of many kinds. Unless we remain steadfast in God’s Word we will all perish.


God is our Anchor who sees us through the trials of life and is the one who gives us eternal life. For believers, being saved from the storm-tossed ship demonstrated the presence of God. It is therefore recommended that you stay anchored in God and He will give you victory over all the trials and tribulations that may come your way.

Jacob wrestles with God and prevails- Genesis 32:22-31

In Genesis 32, Jacob leaves his father in law's homestead terrified that his brother Esau would kill him for taking his birthright. Jacob tries to apease him and wishes to find favor in his brother's sight. See Genesis 32:3-5. When Esau comes close, Jacob is terrified, to a point of seeking divine assistance. 

However 32:7-21, he takes matters into his own hands by setting aside a significant portion of his riches to send them ahead as a gift to appease Esau. Here we see him not really depending totally on God, but his action. 

Genesis 33:22-31 here he does not know if his servants are even still alive for he has not heard from them. He even does not know if Esau has accepted his gift or not. And yet he sends his wives and children into the path of Esau and his riders. 

Up to this point the danger is across the water from him. He is safe, for a while; so he thinks or it so seems. 

While in fear of his brother and at this time of the night, Aperson he does not know wrestles him to the ground. Deuteronomy 28:24; Is 5:24, etc.). Jacob gave as good as he got. He wrestles with a stranger. The wrestling continues till day break. The person whom we can assume is an angel of God or God Himself did something to Jacob's hip and put it out of joint. This was at daybreak after the angel realises that he is not winning. It is clear hear that Jacob would cling on anything for a blessing that he hopes will save him from his brother's wrath.

Something important to note here is that Jacob knows he wrestles with one whose blessing matters.   The stranger wrestler reveals a concern before sunrise. He is concerned about what the sunlight will reveal, and demands that Ja cob let him go - Genesis 32:26. Although Jacob is fearful of his brother Esau, the reason to why he is fleeing, he is so tenacious when it comes to wanting a divine intervention. 

Jacob demands a blessing. He has decided that he will not let go of the wrestler whose power he knows is more than his own and, the wrestler who wounds with a touch has neither destroyed nor rejected him vv26 & 27

Jacob got his blessings becaude he held on long enough. The wrestler asks Jacob's name and the wrestler grants him with a new name: "God-wrestler -- Israel." 

The author, like Jacob, seeks to unfold the mystery of the wrestler, his indenty and personality. Our text does not tell us who the person is see v 24 which refers to a "person." However looking at v 30 the author like Jacob comes to the conclusion that the wrestler is God. Jacob wrestled with God and prevailed.

Having said that, then it is good juncture to make an application. Jacob so fearful of his brother,  wanted blessings from God. This is a sign of remorsefulness for what he had done. Lying to his brother by taking his birthright.

While we may live an imperfect life, there is always opportunity for us to seek blessings from God. We may not need to wrestle as Jacob did, but we need to know that we can make our imperfect living perfect.

Finally Jacob limps away from the wrestling site  transformed. He will never be the same again. Each step he takes is marked by the divine touch. When we seek God's intervention in our life, we will never be the same. We may wrestler the whole night till day break, or longer, but if we prevail, we will be never the same.


Work Cited


The Holy Bible- New King James Version


Jacob the Wrestler- White and Bruno Authors


Authors Thesis notes -2006

God has not forgetten you- Isaiah 49:16

Isaiah 49:16 is waitnessing that God's people in this case Zion ( the choosen) are always in His sight, his eyes were ever upon them, and never withdrawn from them. Which shows how near and dear we are to him today as his choosen, what an affection he has for us, and care of us.

God, had drawn/carved or graven Jerusalem on his hands long before it was founded, and had it constantly before his eyes. The author's understanding of this is that God had laid out the plan of Jerusalem long before it was built, and that it was so dear to him that he had even engraven it on his hands. That is the same with us today. See Jeremiah 29:11.

The essential idea is, that Zion was dear to His heart; and that he had sketched it as an object in which he felt a deep interest, so deep to a point of carving its outlines on the palms of his hands, where it would be constantly before him. Think of a tattoo that reminds you of something dear to you. The author is not advocating tattoo piecing. However that is a topic for another day.

So what was God really saying to the Israelite children when they cried out to Him in despair? In their distress, they have accused Him of forsaking them and that He is not caring. He refers to the bond between mother and child, so sacred a bond. It is very rare for a good mother to forget her child. 

Here God says to Israel that it could happen, that “But not so my bond with you,” Isaiah 49:15. God assures his choosen that he will never forget them. What an assurance. It is like music in their ears. How could I forget you?” see Isaiah 49:15b. 

In His palm, God will hold them, He will carry them, He will lift them up lest they dash their feet against a stone. His eye is on them every moment of every day and every thought He has ever had toward them, every promise He has ever made, every prophecy that awaits fulfillment cries out to Him from the palm of that hand. See foot note.

Never will He forget those to whom He has pledged Himself. He has said it, it is fixed, it is carved, and it will be done. For those of us who love Him, there could be no greater words of consolation. Are there times you feel like God has forgotten you, like he does not care anymore. Know this today, that he loves you and has carved you in the palm of his hand. 

You are encouraged to read the entire chapter Isaiah 49

Footnote: Henry Matthews commentary on Isaiah

work cited

Holy Bible- New King James Version

Commentary on Isaiah- Henry Matthews

The Omnipresent God- Job 9:11

Job 9:11 is an expressive of the invisibility of God; God who is everywhere. He does not move to be at the next place. The angels in heaven always behold his face,  but for us Christians we see Him in the works of creation. Christians by faith have a comfortable and delightful view of him, His wonders, his love, grace and mercy in his word, and in the face and person of Christ, the image of the invisible. We will see Him in heaven most clearly as he is. He is invisible, not to be seen with mortal eyes, but not to be comprehended in the mind. He is the Almighty Invisible God, yet His presence is everywhere.

Job 9:11 the man Job decrees that" he passeth on also, but I perceive him not; this "going and passing on", This speaks clearly about the omnipresence; he cannot be thought to move from place to place though he is everywhere, he  fills heaven and earth with his presence, and there is no going from it: local motion cannot be said of him; but this respects the operations of his providence; he is continually working all around us, by supporting us in being, and supplying us with what we need, and so he is near us, and yet we see him not. 

Job  the man experienced the reality of his providence, as well as the blessings of his grace, in the time of his prosperity, and in the agony of life Job felt the weight of his afflicting hand upon him; but yet, Job could not see him; he was sensible that he was nigh him, and find a concern in all that befell him, but he could neither see nor comprehend him, nor account for his dealings with him: Job acknowledges that he had "passed by" him in his state of nature, and had looked graciously on him, and had said unto him, Live; he had "passed on" from him, and hid his face so that he could not see him, nor find him backward nor forward, on the right hand, nor on the left, where he used to work. Isn't this the way we feel about God. His blessings surrounds us everyday, everywhere, in every situation and condition yet we "see him not."

Look around you as you finish reading this article, see God's presence. Think about it, God is everywhere anytime all the time. He passes by you daily, he leaves his mark for you to see yet you may not "see him."

work cited 

Holy bible- KJV

J. B Coffman commentary of the bible