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The Reason He Came

Posted in Spiritual, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on December 27, 2010 | 1 Comment »


It seems most of the world, whether or not they believe in Him, celebrates the birth of Jesus, many not even be aware that they mark their calendars from His advent.  Elaborate parties are held, but all too often the One Whose birth is being celebrated is not acknowledged and, sometimes, not even invited!!  As Jesus said, “they draw near to me with their mouths, and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

I think it is crucial that we know why He came.  The Christmas story is not just about the birth of Jesus;

it is about the incarnation of Divinity into Humanity!   In the fullness of time “the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.”  It is about the whole of His Life, Death, Resurrection and Glorification.  As long as He is left in the manger, He is no threat to anyone; or as long as His life is just considered as a good example for us to follow, we are only challenged to ‘be good.’  But the purpose of His Death and Resurrection is to make us “new creations,” give us “new hearts,” impart to us His “Divine Nature’ with all that is included:  Forgiveness, righteousness (right standing with God); faith; hope; love; peace; joy; wisdom; power; and ultimately to bring His original plan to a perfect consummation – man in God’s image!

I never cease to marvel when I read the account in Philippians of how Christ Jesus Who, although He existed in the form of God, and could well have considered Himself equal with God, literally emptied Himself of Deity, taking the form of a slave, and came to the earth, confining Himself in a tiny, helpless human body, entrusted to the care of human parents.  “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,” John tells us.  As He grew to manhood, He humbled Himself to the point of obedience even to death, and that a most humiliating and excruciating death.  “…our Saviour Jesus Christ…gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity…”

Just before Jesus and His disciples left the upper room where they shared their last supper together, Jesus said some amazing things.  He said He would ask the Father to send them a Comforter, Whom He called the Spirit of Truth, Whom they already knew because He was with them (old covenant), but He would be in them (new covenant)!  He assured them that He would not leave them orphans, but “I will come to you…Because I live, you also will live.  Then you will realize that I am in my Father, and YOU ARE IN ME, and I AM IN YOU!” He came to establish a New Covenant based, not on laws for us to try to keep, but on His unfailing faithfulness.

He had said earlier, “I came that you may have Life, and may have it abundantly.” It is certain that the abundant life to which He referred is Himself – “the Way, the Truth, the Life” living in our innermost beings.  The Apostle Paul expressed it in his famous declaration to the Galatian Church:  “With Christ I have been crucified, and I live no more, but CHRIST LIVES IN ME; and the life I NOW LIVE in the flesh, I live in faith of the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

It is this coming – to literally dwell in the hearts of all who receive Him – that makes the celebration of His first coming so much more meaningful than just the historical baby born in the Bethlehem stable 2000 years ago.  This is the Gospel – Good News – of Jesus Christ!  We celebrate His coming and His dwelling in His people!

Many of the carols that are sung this season of the year convey the message:

O Holy Christ of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in – BE BORN IN US TODAY.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O COME TO US, ABIDE IN US, our LORD EMMANUEL!

- or -

Born Thy people to deliver; born a child, and yet a King;
Born to REIGN – IN US – FOREVER; now Thy gracious Kingdom bring – or -

Come, Desire of Nations, COME!   FIX IN US Thy humble home;
Ride, the woman’s conq’ring seed; bruise IN US the serpent’s head.
Adam’s likeness now efface, stamp THINE IMAGE in its place;
Second Adam from above, reinstate us in Thy love.

Jesus came as Son of Man in order to make us Sons of God!  Because He came, we can be children of God through the new birth.  We can have peace with God; be filled with all joy; abound in hope; be strengthened with might by His Spirit; be more than conquerors; be renewed day by day; be conformed to His image; know the hope of His calling; be filled with His fullness…  The list of blessings is endless!

God gave the very best He had for us.  Can we do less for Him?

In Agape,

Eulene

(Bible Refs. in order:  Matt. 15:8-9; 2 Cor. 5:17; 3:3; 2 Pet.1:4; Gen. 1:26; 1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:17; 12:27; 2 Cor. 6:16; Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:5; Phil. 2:5-11; John 1:14; Titus 2:14; John 14:15-20; 17:23; 7:37-39; 14:6; Gal. 2:20; Col. 1:27; Eph. 3:17; 1 John 3:24; John 12:23-24; John 1:12;  Gal. 3:26; John 3:7; 14:27; 15:11; Rom. 15:13; Eph. 3:16; Rom. 8:37; Eph. 4:23; Rom. 8:29; Eph. 1:18; 3:19)

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Precious Promises

Posted in Spiritual, tagged , , , , , on December 14, 2010 | Leave a Comment »


Referring again to a quotation in my last letter from 2 Peter 1:4 & 5, a further thought stood out to me concerning God’s “precious and wondrous promises” which He has given to us.  The phrase “in order that” explains the purpose for these wondrous promises.  They are given in order that-  through them – we might participate in the very nature of God. We do well to seriously consider these precious promises.

“And this is the promise that He has promised us, even eternal life.”  ”Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law…that we might receive the Promise of the Spirit through faith.” Having trusted in Christ, after hearing the Word of Truth – the Good News of salvation – and believing, God has sealed us with the promised Holy Spirit, that Spirit being a pledge and a foretaste of future blessing.

(1 John 2:25;  Gal. 3:14;  Eph. 1:13)

The context of Paul’s “Therefore, having these promises…” in his letter to the Corinthian believers, reviews the incredible truth that we are “a temple of the living God;  as God has said, ‘I will dwell in them, and they shall be My people’…’and I will be a Father unto you, and you shall be My sons and daughters…’ ” (2 Cor. 6:16; 7:1)

There is a multitude of promises concerning our Heavenly Father’s loving care, supply of our needs for spirit, soul and body, the impartation of faith, peace, joy, and love.  Then there is “the living HOPE by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” that we, too, shall not sleep in death, but “shall be changed…”   “Beloved, now are we the children of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

(1 Cor. 15:51;  1 John 3:1-3)

In her Sincerely Yours devotionals, Ann Mainse reminds us of a fascinating story first told by Ken Taylor.  In Communist Russia, in the 1930′s, there was a great deal of persecution of the Christian believers.  Stalin had ordered that all Bibles be confiscated and the Christian citizens sent to prison camps.   Many of them died as “enemies of the state.”

In 1994, after the fall of Communism and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, a Christian missions team arrived in the now-liberated town of Stavropol.  They had arranged for a shipment of Bibles to distribute in that town, but it had been delayed at customs.  Someone told them about a warehouse outside of town where some of the confiscated Bibles which had escaped destruction were still stored.  Having received permission to take and distribute them, they hired several local Russian workers to help load their trucks with the dusty Bibles.

One young man, a cynical and bitter individual, agreed to help, but he assured them it was only for the pay he would receive.  After a while, it was noticed that the angry young man had disappeared.  Much later, he was discovered in the corner of the warehouse, weeping uncontrollably, with an open Bible in his hands.  He had intended to steal it and later sell it, but when he opened the cover, he discovered on the fly-leaf his own grandmother’s signature!   As he read the life-changing words of that Book, his heart began to change and he was remarkably transformed by the very Bible for which his grandmother had been persecuted!

Endless stories can be told of how, throughout the ages, the inspired Scriptures with their Precious Promises have revolutionized countless millions of people the world over.

Your Word is like a garden, Lord, with flowers bright and fair;
And everyone who seeks may pluck a lovely cluster there.
Your Word is like a deep, deep mine, and jewels rich and rare
Are hidden in its mighty depths for every searcher there.

Your Word is like a starry host – a thousand rays of light
Are seen to guide the traveler, and make his pathway bright.
Your Word is like an armory where soldiers may repair
And find, for life’s long battle-day, all needful weapons there.

O, may I love Your precious Word, may I explore the mine;
May I its fragrant flowers glean; may light upon me shine.
My faith be settled in the PRECIOUS PROMISES of God;
His faithfulness my blessèd HOPE as on through life I plod.

Edwin Hodder, 1837-1904                            (The last two lines altered)

 

“For ALL THE PROMISES OF GOD, whatever their number,
have their confirmation IN HIM;
and for this reason through Him also OUR AMEN
acknowledges their truth
and promotes the glory of God through our faith.”
“Let us hold firmly to an unflinching avowal of our HOPE,
for HE WHO GAVE US THE PROMISES IS FAITHFUL!”

(Heb. 10:23;  2 Cor. 1:20 Weymouth)

In Agape,

Eulene

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Boundless Wealth

Posted in Spiritual, tagged , , , on November 22, 2010 | Leave a Comment »


There are two interesting stories that portray similar spiritual principles.

The first story was told by Dr. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, about a Texas sheep rancher during the depression years when times were very hard and there was rarely enough income to pay all the bills.  Consequently, many families had to depend on government assistance for just the bare essentials – food and clothing.  This family was no different, and they reached the point where they were in danger of losing everything.  Then, quite unexpectedly, a seismographic crew from an oil company came into the area.  They suggested that there might be oil on the land. The rancher granted the company permission to drill, and was astounded when they struck a huge oil reserve at little more than a thousand feet!  The very first well produced 80,000 barrels a day.  Many subsequent wells produced more than twice that much!  And the rancher owned it all !!   In Texas, a land-owner also owned the sub-surface mineral rights!  The problem was that he hadn’t known the oil was there – even though he owned it !!

The other story was told in a 1987 issue of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, about a North Carolina “rock hound.”  Like many in the trade, Rob Cutshaw hunted for rocks in the nearby hills and caves, and then sold them to collectors or jewelry makers. He did not claim to be an expert, but he knew enough to recognize those rocks that were nice enough to sell to collectors and jewelers.  Rob enjoyed his work, although it didn’t always make enough to pay the bills.  A number of years ago, while on a dig, he discovered a rock that even he could tell was valuable.  After trying to sell it, without success, he stashed it under his bed.   He thought that the blue-colored stone should sell for a good price – maybe as much as $500.00 – but he would have taken less if some emergency had presented itself.  For 20 years that rock stayed under Rob’s bed.  But the day came when he showed it to an expert, and then discovered, to his utter amazement, that it was nearly priceless.  After the stone was cut and polished, and named “The Star of David Sapphire” it weighed nearly a pound and could easily sell for several million dollars!

Unfortunately, many Christians live in spiritual poverty, even though they have access to the ‘mines’ of God’s untold riches.  I recalled again the verse in Isaiah (45:3) referring to the “hidden riches of secret places.”  That we may know that He is God, He has promised to give us those hidden riches!   Peter tells us that “…His Divine power has given to us all things that are needful for life and Godliness, through our knowledge of Him Who has appealed to us by His own glorious perfections.  It is by means of these that He has granted us His precious and wondrous promises, in order that through them we may become sharers in the very nature of God…”  Paul reveals more:  “…all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are stored up, and hidden from view, in Christ!” In the Person of our Savior, Jesus Christ.   He is the embodiment of all the Wealth of Heaven.  He is God’s “Unspeakably Precious Gift.”  He is the “Pearl of Great Price.”  (2 Pet. 1:4,5;  Col.2:3;  2 Cor. 9:15; Matt. 13:46; Weymouth)

May we all rejoice to experience – as expressed in this 17th century hymn composed by John Mason (1645-1694),

I’VE FOUND the “Pearl of greatest price,”
My heart sings out for joy;
And sing I must, for Christ I have -
Oh, what a Christ have I

My Christ – He is the “Lord of lords,”
The Sovereign “King of kings,”
The risen “Sun of Righteousness,
With healing in His wings.”

My Christ – He is the “Tree of Life,”
That in God’s Eden grows,
The living “clear as crystal” Stream
Whence Life forever flows.

Christ is my Meat, Christ is my Drink,
My Medicine and Health;
My Portion, my Inheritance,
Yes, all my BOUNDLESS WEALTH!

Let us not be ignorant of those “precious and wondrous promises,” and the “treasures of wisdom and knowledge” which are found in Christ Jesus.  Or struggle to make it on our own when we have been given the energizing power of the Holy Spirit.  Or be spiritually impoverished when He has given us all things necessary for an abundant and overcoming life.

Now may the God of HOPE
make you full of joy and peace through faith,
so that all HOPE may be yours
in the power of the Holy Spirit.

(Romans 15:13 Bible in Basic English)

 

In Agape, Eulene

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Grace Great Enough

Posted in Spiritual, tagged , , , , on November 13, 2010 | 1 Comment »


Having mothered six children, been involved with our own business, and having been active in our local Church for many years, I know what it’s like to be overwhelmed with daily activities.   I can relate to some of my readers who are ‘stressed out’ with modern day pressures and demands.

Over the last number of years, the revelation of Galatians 2:20 has come to me one phrase at a time:-  “I am crucified with Christ. . . . .Nevertheless I live. . . . .yet not I – but Christ lives in me. . . . .” For the believer, this is a most wondrous discovery.

Standing at the kitchen sink one day, feeling frustrated because of the constantly repetitive and seemingly thankless tasks that are thrust upon us daily, I began to talk to the Lord about it:-  “When there are important things that we are supposed to be doing, like praying, reading the Word, waiting on God, etc., why do we have to spend so much time washing dishes so we can dirty them again, making beds so we can mess them up again, laundering clothes to be soiled again, etc.  Maybe we should just go back to mud huts and banana leaves…!? “

Then the answer came loud and clear in the next two phrases of the verse:-  “and the LIFE that I NOW LIVE, I LIVE BY THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD!” It became so real to me that I have rested ever since, just knowing that He is living His life in me and expressing Himself through me in the every day vicissitudes of life.  And I realized that it is in the daily experiences and interactions that the most valuable lessons of life are learned, and opportunities presented for overcoming.  It is in these times of need that we experience the “marvelous Grace of our loving Lord” – Grace that is ‘sufficient’ for our weakest times.  It is in these times that our Faith grows and our Strength increases.  (2 Cor. 12:9; Isa. 40:29)

I love this verse by Annie Johnson Flint:-

His Grace is great enough to meet the great things,
The crashing waves that overwhelm the soul,
The roaring winds that leave us stunned and breathless,
The sudden storms beyond our life’s control.

His Grace is great enough to meet the small things,
The little pin-prick troubles that annoy,
The insect worries, buzzing and persistent,
The squeaking wheels that grate upon our joy.

Romans 5:1-5 ties together all the attributes of FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, GRACE and PEACE:-

“Therefore, being justified by FAITH, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom also we have access by FAITH into this GRACE wherein we stand, and rejoice in HOPE of the glory of God.  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation works patience, and patience, experience, and experience, HOPE;  and HOPE makes not ashamed because the LOVE OF GOD is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us.” (KJV)

Weymouth gives us this version:  “Acquitted then as the result of FAITH, let us enjoy PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we have been brought by FAITH into the position of favor in which we stand, and we exult in HOPE of seeing God’s glory.  And not only so;  we also exult in our afflictions, knowing as we do that affliction produces endurance;  endurance, ripeness of character;  and ripeness of character, HOPE;  and that this HOPE never disappoints, because God’s LOVE for us floods our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.”

Another expression by Phillips:  “Since then it is by FAITH that we are justified, let us grasp the fact that we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Through Him we have confidently entered into this new relationship of GRACE, and here we take our stand, in happy certainty of the glorious things He has for us in the future.  This doesn’t mean, of course, that we have only a HOPE of future joys – we can be full of JOY here and now even in our trials and troubles.  These very things will give us patient endurance;  this in turn will develop a mature character, and a character of this sort produces a steady HOPE, an expectation that will never disappoint us.  Already we have the LOVE of God flooding through our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us.”

Perhaps these three renderings will help to impress on our minds the glorious truth which they express.

Eugenia Price gives us an interesting definition of Faith:  “Faith is being one with God!” The “life that I now live” I live by His faith as He lives His life in me.  He is fully acquainted with our modern culture, the time in which we live, the place of our abode, the modern technology which has become so much a part of every day life:  travel, communication, machinery, technology.  He knows how to deal with every situation.   So we can trust Him for all things.

Since Christ reconciled us to God by dying for us,

surely now we may be perfectly certain of our salvation

through His living in us.

(Rom. 5:10)

 

In Agape, Eulene

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What is Truth?

Posted in Spiritual, tagged , , on October 30, 2010 | 1 Comment »


“WHAT IS TRUTH?” This is a crucial question for which, sooner or later, we all must find the answer.  It was asked of Jesus during his trial before Pilate, the Roman Governor.  And it has come down through the ages to every individual.

Truth is defined as conformity to fact or reality;  factual; absolute; constant; never changing.  It stands on its own, not relative to anything else.  Opinions can change, ideas may come and go, interpretations are formed according to circumstances, perceptions are prompted by personalities and experience.  But Truth is Fact – and stands firm against all onslaughts.  A person’s thoughts, beliefs, understandings, perceptions, opinions, ideas, can change with the changing times and all their fickle influences.  But Truth is Fact – and stands alone, unaided by human trivialities.

“What is Truth?” the Governor asked, as Jesus stood before Him mute;
He had not heard the Master’s word when He declared, “I AM THE TRUTH!”
What is Truth?  It’s essential to know, for it’s promised to set us free;
With open ear we’re made to hear, and open eye will come to see.

What is Truth – and never a lie – that springs from the inward parts?
Truth is a Person – not a thing – Whose Spirit dwells within our hearts.
Truth is a Person – the Son of God – Who came down to our earth to be
The Way to the Father’s Abode;  the Life for all for eternity.

© Eulene H. Moores

Actually, the Scriptural definition of truth is more than ‘some thing.’  It is ‘Some One!’  Jesus declared “I am the Truth” and to know Him would make us truly free – free from all the falsities of human delusion and the subtle deception of the human heart.  Until we have a vital relationship with Him, Who is the very embodiment of Truth, we are told that “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked;  who can know it?” That “the imagination of the thoughts of the heart are only evil continually!” (John 14:6; 8:32; Jer. 17:9; Gen. 6:5)

The Psalmist knew that God “desires truth in the inward parts,” and it is His intention to remove the “stony heart” and replace it with a “heart of flesh”  In other words, a clean, pure, honest heart that is soft, humble, and truthful before Him and, hence, before our fellowman.

(Ps. 51:6)

The beloved Apostle John said that he rejoiced greatly in knowing that his children “walk in Truth.”  The more we walk in the Light the more we walk in Truth.  (1 John 1:2,4; 3 John 1:3,4)

Truth is an element which should be intrinsic in all of our relationships.  Jesus said that “God is Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.” Yes, our worship must be much deeper than the outward physical expression of song and praise;  it must originate in, and flow out from, our innermost being – our spirit.  And it must also be in truth – utter honesty and exposure to God’s searchlight.  It may mean a humbling, a denial of self, a yielding and a willingness to submit our will to His.  But, oh, how liberating it is!  The Truth truly does free one from selfishness, self-righteousness, pride, guilt, fear and doubt.  “The law of the spirit of Life in Christ Jesus” sets us “free from the law of sin and death.” We can leave the ‘turkeys in the barnyard’ and begin to ‘soar with the eagles’ in the limitless heavenly realms.  (John 4:24; Rom. 8:2)

We know we are of the Truth when we love in truth as well as deed, and not only in the words of our mouths.  It is often easy to say we love, but true love is un-conditional and un-selfish.

(1 John 2:21; 3:18,19)

Love does “not rejoice in evil, but rejoices in the TRUTH.” (1 Cor. 13:6)

“The Lord is near to all them who call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in TRUTH.” (Ps. 145:18)

“His TRUTH shall be your shield and defense.” (Ps. 91:4)

May our prayer be “Teach me Your way, O Lord;  I will walk in Your TRUTH;  unite my heart to fear Your name.” (Ps. 86:11)

Therein lies our glorious HOPE.

“Grace be with you, mercy and peace
from God the Father, and
from The Lord Jesus Christ,
the Son of the Father
in Truth and Love.”

(2 John 1:3)

In Agape, Eulene

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The Greatest of These

Posted in Spiritual, tagged , , , on October 21, 2010 | 2 Comments »


Dear Friends,

“And now abides FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, these three;  but the greatest of these is LOVE.”

(1 Cor. 13:13)

The context of this reassuring declaration is that, for the present, we have only limited sight, seeing things as if in a mirror dimly.  And the knowledge we have is very limited and imperfect.  But the day will come when we shall see clearly; and we shall know fully, even as we are fully known.

While we do not see or understand the whys and wherefores of all of life’s experiences, we do have HOPE and FAITH which abide in spite of circumstances and appearances.

The admonition of Titus to the elderly men I think would be very appropriate for anyone of any age:-that we be “…sober, grave, temperate, sound in FAITH, in LOVE, in patient HOPE.” (Titus 2:2)

As part of the whole armor of God, we are encouraged to put on the helmet of HOPE (protecting the mind) and the breastplate of FAITH and LOVE (protecting the heart and lungs).  (1 Thess. 5:8)

There are three lessons I would write, three words as with a golden pen,
In tracings of eternal light, upon the hearts of men.
HAVE FAITH.  Where’er your bark is driven – the calm’s disport, the tempest’s mirth –
Know this:  God rules the host of heaven, the inhabitants of earth.
HAVE HOPE.  Though clouds enshroud you round, and Gladness hides her face in scorn,
Just put the shadows from your brow – no night but has its morn…
HAVE LOVE.  Not human love alone, but God’s own love your heart to fill,
And flow out, like the circling sun, o’er every vale and hill.
Thus grave these words upon your soul – FAITH, HOPE and LOVE – and you shall find
Strength when life’s surges maddest roll, Light when you else were blind.

Johann von Schiller (1759–1805)

Following that wonder-full Love chapter of 1st Corinthians (13), Paul exhorts us to “follow after Love.” Other translations give “pursue Love,” “Be eager in your pursuit of this Love,” “Make Love your aim.” The Amplified Version confirms the urgency of this pursuit of LOVE:-  “Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire [this] Love – make it your aim, your great quest.” And from the Message, “Go after a life of Love as if your life depended on it – because it does!”

Indeed, why would we not?  Since following after Agapè means following after God, for “GOD IS LOVE and he who dwells in LOVE dwells in GOD, and GOD in him,” how could we ask – or even think – of anything of greater value?  Or more to be desired?  (1 John 4:16)

The following poem is a repeat from about three years ago, but the message is appropriate:-

MAKE LOVE YOUR AIM!

Make Love your aim – your highest goal;
The greatest questing of your soul!
Reach up – until God’s Love you know;
Until you’re filled – and overflow!
Reach out – until that Love is spread
To all around, and to self dead!

Press on!  Stretch forth to lay hold on
The victory that Christ has won!
The victory that Christ has won
To give you Life – make you His son!

His son and heir to rule and reign;
His plan for you:  His goal to gain!
Faith, Hope and Love – these three remain
Love’s the greatest; make it your aim!

Faith, Hope and Love – these three abide
Until the earth is covered wide
With all the Glory of the Lord
And the whole world is one accord!

God will be all, and all in God;
Creation all His Love applaud!

© Eulene H. Moores, March, 2003

 


“We give thanks to God always for you all,
making mention of you in our prayers,
Remembering without ceasing your
work of FAITH, and
labor of LOVE, and
patience of HOPE
in our Lord Jesus Christ,
in the sight of God and our Father…”

(1 Thess. 1:2,3 KJV)

 

In Agapè, Eulene

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Walk in Love

Posted in Spiritual, tagged on October 10, 2010 | Leave a Comment »


Dear Friends,

It is a while since my last posting.  During this time we have experienced the loss of a dear friend – a loss to us, but a glorious gain for her.  Thank God for the confident expectation we have in the promise of re-union in the resurrection.

From HOPE and FAITH we move on to the third verity in the triad of that which “abides” – LOVE.  We must be aware that there are several Greek words translated by the word LOVE in English.  This word has been bandied about and, in common usage, can mean anything from affection for beauty in nature, for a friend or a pet, for ‘things’ of all kinds.  It is used to describe physical, sexual, or human affection.  But here the Greek word is one that is becoming increasingly familiar – Agapè – defined very simply as Divine Love – the Love of God – unconditional and sacrificial Love.

In his special prayer recorded in Ephesians 3, Paul prayed that Christ might dwell in our hearts by FAITH that, being rooted and grounded in LOVE, we might know (experience) the LOVE of Christ, which surpasses knowledge, that we might be filled with all the fullness of God!

In another of Paul’s prayers recorded in his letter to the Thessalonian Church, he prayed that the

Lord would cause us to “increase and to abound in LOVE to one another, and to all.” (1 Thess. 3:12)

We are therefore admonished to “walk in LOVE, as Christ also has loved us, and has given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” (Eph. 5:2)

That little comparative word ‘as’always intrigues me.  Just AS Christ has loved us, and sacrificed Himself for us, we are to exercise that same degree of Love?

What does it mean to “walk in LOVE?”  I think we cannot find a better answer than is found in the 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians.  There we are given very practical instruction as to how Agapè behaves:

“Love is patient and kind.
Love knows neither envy nor jealousy.
Love is not forward and self-assertive, nor boastful and conceited.
Love does not behave unbecomingly,
Nor seek to aggrandize herself,
Nor blaze out in passionate anger,
Nor brood over wrongs.
She finds no pleasure in injustice done to others, but joyfully sides with the truth.
She knows how to be silent.
She is full of trust, full of HOPE, full of patient endurance.
LOVE never fails…..”

(1 Cor. 13:4-8 Weymouth)

On four different occasions John referred to himself as the “disciple whom Jesus loved!”  John loved Jesus and wanted to be so close to Him, we are told he would lean on His breast!  The Epistles of John have more to say about LOVE than any other Biblical passages.

Just meditate on these profound words from the first letter of John: “Beloved, let us love one another, for LOVE is of God, and every one who loves is begotten of God, and knows God….. Herein is LOVE, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation (atoning sacrifice) for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another…..If we love one another, God dwells in us, and His LOVE is perfected in us….And we have known and believed the LOVE that God has to us.  GOD IS LOVE and he who dwells in LOVE dwells in GOD, and GOD in him..” (1 John 4)

It seems abundantly clear that this is what it means to “WALK IN LOVE.” It really is defined in the two commandments by which Jesus summarized the whole of the Mosaic Law:

“You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
and with all your soul,
and with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
This is the first commandment.  And the second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these.”

(Mark 12:30,31)

Now may “the Lord direct your hearts into
the LOVE of GOD,
and into the patient waiting for Christ.”

2 Thess. 3:5

In Agape, Eulene

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Have Faith in God

Posted in Spiritual, tagged , , on September 30, 2010 | Leave a Comment »


Dear Friends,

FAITH is the first of the triad of that which “abides,” and is very closely related to HOPE and LOVE.

In my last letter regarding our HOPE in God, I stated that “Biblical hope is inseparable from Faith in God.  It is not merely a wish or a want but, rather, a confident expectation.”  (1 Cor. 13:13)

I find that words often roll off our lips without our thinking of the depth of meaning which they convey.  So, concerning FAITH, I decided to confirm the official definition of that word also.  The dictionary comes close:  “1.  Confidence in, or dependence on a person, statement, or thing as trustworthy;  trust.  2.  Belief without need of certain proof.  3. Belief in God or in testimony about God as recorded in Scriptures.”

Of course, we have God’s own definition given in Heb. 11:1-6: “Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…..Through Faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” In other words, Faith is the assurance of the things we hope for, being convinced of the reality of the things we cannot see.  And it is through Faith that we understand that the worlds were prepared by the Word of God, so that what we can see was not made out of things which are visible.

Abraham, we know, is a foremost Biblical example of one who understood and exercised great Faith.   God called him to leave his ancestral home to travel to a strange country about which he knew nothing – no maps or travelogues, or pictures to arouse his interest!   He simply obeyed, and went out, not knowing where he was going.  Even after arriving in the “land of promise” he lived by Faith “as in a strange country.” It took active Faith in a Faithful God for Sarah to conceive and give birth to a son when well past the child-bearing age.  “..building on hope in spite of hopeless circumstances, he (Abraham) had faith…” (Rom. 4:18 Williams Trans.) Then, a number of years later, Abraham again exhibited outstanding Faith when he obediently offered that beloved son to God on the altar of sacrifice, “accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead!” Not much wonder that Abraham is considered the “Father of  Faith!”  (Heb. 11:8-11;  17-19)

And just as Abraham put his Faith in God and it was credited to him as right standing with God, all those who are of Faith are considered his children.  We are assured that Christ has redeemed us by His sacrificial death at Calvary that the blessing of Abraham might come through Him, and that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through Faith.  (Gal. 3:6-9,13,14)

How do we receive this Faith?  The Apostle Paul tells us that Faith comes from hearing a rhema (Gr.) declaration of Christ.  That is understood to be the revealed Word of God, as an utterance from God to the heart of the reader through the Holy Spirit.  As Jesus explained it  “…the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26)

Faith is clearly one of the most important concepts in the New Testament.  It is a basic requirement for “without Faith it is impossible to please God.  For he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” (Heb. 11:6)

Faith means believing in the infallible Word of God as it is quickened to one’s spirit.

Faith implies complete reliance on God and full obedience to Him.

Faith means abandoning trust in our own resources and casting ourselves wholly on the mercy of God.

Faith means laying hold on the promises of God in Christ, relying entirely on the finished work of Christ for salvation, and on the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit of God for daily strength.

It is by Faith we stand, not in human wisdom, but in the power of God. (1 Cor. 2:5)

It is by Faith, believing that Jesus is the Son of God, that enables us to overcome the world. (1 John 5:4,5)

It is reassuring to know that Faith is not involved with works on our part.  We simply believe and receive it as a Gift from God.  We look unto Jesus, the Initiator and the Perfecter of our Faith.  We are justified, or made righteous, by the Faith of Jesus Christ, and we live by the Faith of the Son of God, Who loved us and gave Himself for us.  Through Him we believe God Who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that our FAITH and HOPE may rest in God.

(Eph. 2:8;  Heb. 12:2;  Gal. 2:20, 16;  1 Pet. 1:18-21)

(You) by (Christ) do believe in God,
Who raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory;
that your FAITH and HOPE
might be in GOD.”

(1 Peter 1:21)

In Agape, Eulene

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Hope Thou in God

Posted in Spiritual, tagged , , , on August 26, 2010 | Leave a Comment »


“Why art thou cast down, O my soul?  And why art thou disquieted within me?  HOPE THOU IN

GOD:  for I shall yet praise Him who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”

In one of our recent devotional readings, I was very much inspired by this phrase and determined to see

what all I could find about it in the Scriptures.  And what a lot I found!

This encouraging directive given by the Psalmist through Divine inspiration is repeated three times in    Psalm 42:5;  42:11; and 43:5  To express it in our very modern English, we might say to ourselves, “O, my soul!  Why are you so depressed?  Why so stressed out?  YOU PUT YOUR HOPE IN GOD, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

To begin, I decided to confirm the official definition of the word “HOPE” (which just happens to be my middle name!)  As a verb, it means “to desire with expectation of fulfillment; to place confidence; rely.”

As a noun, it means “desire accompanied by expectation of fulfillment; confidence; trust.”  Biblical hope is not a matter of temperament, nor is it conditioned by prevailing circumstances or any human possibilities.  It does not depend upon what a man possesses, upon what he may be able to do for himself, nor upon what any other human being may do for him.  For example, there was nothing in the situation in which Abraham found himself to justify his hope that Sarah would give birth to a son, but because he believed in God, he could ‘against hope believe in hope.” Or, “building on hope in spite of hopeless circumstances, he had faith…” (Rom. 4:18 Williams Trans.) Biblical hope is therefore inseparable from faith in God.  It is not merely a wish or a want but, rather, a confident expectation.  “For in You, O Lord, do I HOPE:  You will hear, O Lord my God.” (Ps. 38:15)

As one commentator stated, “Hope is not a kite at the mercy of the changing winds, but an “anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” penetrating deep into the invisible eternal world.”  (Heb. 6:19)

Many times David expressed his hope in the Lord:  “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you that HOPE in the Lord.”   “You are my hiding place and my shield; I HOPE in Your word.” (Ps. 31:24; 119:114)

The prophet, Jeremiah, declared that the one whose hope was the Lord was a blest one indeed.  “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose HOPE the Lord is.  For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreads out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat comes, but her leaf shall be green;  and shall not be anxious in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” (Jer. 17:7,8)

Even in his lamentations, Jeremiah emphasized the hope he had in God:  “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have HOPE.  It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning;  great is Your faithfulness.  The Lord is my portion, says my soul;  therefore will I HOPE in Him.  The Lord is good unto them who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him.  It is good that a man should both HOPE and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.” (Lam. 3:21-26)

There are many answers to the question, “For what do we hope?”  Considering it in the light of Spiritual realities, we all hope for Mercy, Grace, Forgiveness of Sin, Deliverance, Restoration, Help, Eternal Life, Return of Christ and Resurrection, Heavenly Inheritance, to be perfected in the image of Christ.

Turning to the New Testament, the Apostle Paul averred that “We are saved by HOPE; but HOPE that is seen is not HOPE; for what a man sees, why does he yet HOPE for? But if we HOPE for what we do not see, then do we with patience wait for it.” To the Church at Galatia he wrote: “for we through the Spirit wait for the HOPE of righteousness by faith.’ (Rom. 8:24,25; Gal. 5:5)

Paul wanted us to know the “HOPE of eternal life which God, Who cannot lie, promised before the ages…..That, being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the HOPE of eternal life.” (Titus 1:2; 3:7)

He wanted us to know the “HOPE of our calling;” to have our “faith grounded and settled in the HOPE of the Gospel;” to be aware of the Hope of the Resurrection;  the Hope which is laid up for us in heaven. “Looking for that blessed HOPE and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us…” and “…set your HOPE perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

(Eph. 1:17-19;  4:4; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Col. 1:5; Titus 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:13)

Jesus Christ Himself is our Hope, the “HOPE of Glory” Who dwells in all who, having received Him, have become the children of God.  “Beloved, now we are the children of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  And every man who has this HOPE in him purifies himself, even as He is pure.” (1 Tim. 1:1; John 1:12; 1 John 3:2,3)

We are constantly encouraged to continue to put our hope and trust in our Heavenly Father Who loves, cares, and provides for His children, and to maintain that “confident expectation” of the fulfillment of all of His gracious promises.  “HOPE THOU IN GOD!”

“Now the God of all HOPE
fill you with all JOY and PEACE in the believing,
that you may abound in HOPE
through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

(Romans 15:13)

In Agape, Eulene

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God’s Mysterious Ways

Posted in Spiritual, tagged , , , , , on August 12, 2010 | Leave a Comment »


Dear Friends,

There is an interesting statement in Romans 14:7 that is an oft quoted adage:  “For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.”

How often is that an applicable reality in the little events of everyday life.  I have often been awed by the thought of a person’s life and accomplishments being read about, discussed, and having a profound influence, sometimes even centuries later.  From the lives of the Old Testament worthies, the New Testament believers, and the poets, prophets and sages throughout the ages – those who would never have thought of the extent of their influence – we still glean inspiration and truth.

One such person that has captured our attention is a prolific poet by the name of William Cowper who lived from 1731 to 1800, a contemporary of John Wesley and George Whitefield, the leaders of the Evangelical Revival in England.   I’m sure that Cowper would never have imagined in his wildest dreams what influence his life and words would have on the other side of the world 200 years after his demise.

William’s mother died when he was only six.  His relationship with his father was one of rejection and estrangement.  Beginning at the youthful age of 21, William was overtaken by recurring bouts of paralyzing and suicidal depression that haunted him most of his life.  At the age of 32 he was committed to an insane asylum where there fortunately was a Christian doctor who showed great love and concern for Cowper and repeatedly held out HOPE to him.  Upon ‘providentially’ finding a Bible one day, reading the story of the resurrection of Lazarus, seeing “in our Saviour’s conduct so much benevolence, mercy, goodness, and sympathy with miserable men,” and then the wonderful assurance of Romans 3:25, he had a marvelous encounter with the Lord.  After his release, he lived for the remainder of his life under the devoted ministry of John Newton, the author of  “Amazing Grace” about whom we wrote in our last letter.

An account of one of his many ‘failed’ attempts at suicide has endured, no doubt because of the surprising outcome:  One day he ordered a cab, instructing the driver to take him to London Bridge.  On their way, a dense fog settled down over the city.  The cabby wandered about for a couple of hours, and then admitted that he was lost.  Cowper asked him if he thought he could find the way home.  The cabby thought that he could and, in another hour, landed him at his door.  When Cowper asked what the fare would be, the driver felt that he should not take anything since he had not gotten his fare to his destination.  Cowper insisted, saying, “Never mind that;  you have saved my life!  I was on my way to throw myself off of London Bridge and end it all!”

Cowper then went into the house, sat down and wrote the words of what has become one of his most enduring legacies – a hymn that tops my list of favorites.  Read the words carefully:-

God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up His bright designs, And works His sovereign will.

You fearful saints, fresh courage take, The clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain.

In David’s psalms, he often admonishes his soul (the seat of his emotions):  “Why are you cast down, O my soul?  And why have you become disturbed within me?  HOPE IN GOD, for I shall yet praise Him for the HELP OF HIS PRESENCE…All of your waves and your breakers have gone over me;  YET the Lord will command His loving-kindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.” (Psalm 42)

Now may the God of HOPE
fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
that you may abound in HOPE
by the power of the Holy Spirit.

(Romans 15:13, NKJV)

In Agape, Eulene

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