Hope of glory

Today was an interesting  study as we came to Hebrews 2:10 that JESUS had to suffer to lead/bring us into glory.  It took a bit to enable my class to see that CHRIST is bringing us into the glory of GOD. Not just taking us to heaven.

GOD’s glory HE HIMSELF described in Exodus 33:18-19 as being HIS nature of being merciful, gracious, long suffering, abounding in goodness, and truth, keeping mercy and forgiving and so on.

GOD has determined that everyone who calls on the name of JESUS will be confirmed to the image (likeness of nature) of JESUS (Romans 8:29) who is the brightness of GOD’s glory and the express image of GOD’s person (Hebrews 1:3)

The HOLY SPIRIT is showing us more and more of JESUS nature and changing us into JESUS’ likeness (2 Corinthians 2:18).

When we claim the great and precious promises GOD has given us in HIS Word we begin to participate in JESUS’ divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).

Our trials and tribulations are working to bring us to glory/ to being conformed to JESUS’ image (1 Peter 1:7).

And JESUS is continually interceding for our complete (to the uttermost) sanctification /transformation into HIS likeness (Hebrews 7:25, 10:14). Then when we see JESUS face to face we will be like HIM for we will see HIM as HE is (1 John 3:1-2).

Yes, JESUS is bringing us into glory Hebrews 2:10 (showing us and changing us into what we should be). 

As 1 Peter 5:10 says, “But the GOD of all grace, who has called us unto HIS eternal glory by CHRIST JESUS, after you have suffered a while make you perfect, stabling, strengthen, settle you.”

CHRIST in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). What an awesome truth!  Now that is glory!

Hugs

Sharon

Can you connect the dots?

Can you connect the dots?

The concept “Connect the dots” is a motivational tool used to teach young children. For when the dots are correctly connected, the child gets to see what the picture is. Often numbers are used by each dot in a -connect the dot picture- to teach the child his numbers.  

Now in adult discourse the phrase “connect the dots” can be used as a metaphor to illustrate an ability (or inability) to associate one idea with another and to find the “big picture”, or significant feature, in a mass of data. It is that adult concept, I believe the Biblical term “rightly dividing the Word of truth” is talking about (2 Timothy 2:15 KJ).  We need to correctly connect the dots of truths in the Bible to understand what is being said.

As we study the Bible, if we don’t connect the dots, dangerous false doctrine can sneak in for the devil is constantly maligning GOD and twisting what HE said.  As you remember, it began way back in the garden of Eden when he said, “Did GOD really say?”.  

When studying the Bible, we need to connect the dots of ideas by comparing Bible verse with Bible verse just has the HOLY SPIRIT teaches by comparing spiritual things with spiritual (1 Corinthians 2:13).

One horrendous lie being spread is that JESUS is appeasing GOD the FATHER’s fierce anger toward believers by answering the devil’s felonious accusations.  That slandering concept simply is not found in Scripture. What the Bible does say, is that JESUS, who is the exact representation of GOD (Hebrews 1:3), is hates SIN (Hebrews 1:9) for sin destroys (John 10:10, 1 John 3:8). It is because of GOD’s love for mankind that the plan of salvation, namely JESUS would die for the sins of all mankind, came into being. 

Sin had to be paid for and eradicated.  JESUS paid for it on the cross and it will be completely eradicated once the devil and his followers are thrown into the eternal lake of fire.

When a person believes in JESUS finished work on the cross to bear his punishment for his sins he is forgiven, saved from the wrath of GOD on sin and becomes a child of GOD.  That plan was GOD the FATHER’s idea (John 3:16) prompted by HIS love. Part of that magnificent plan was everyone who believes in JESUS would be born into GOD’s family, becoming HIS children (John 1:12,1 John 3:1-2).

You might ask, then why are the HOLY SPIRIT (Romans 8:26) and JESUS (Hebrews 7:25) interceding for believers?  Romans 8:29 says its because GOD the FATHER has decreed that each of us who are saved by calling on the name of the LORD (Romans 10:9-10, 13) will be changed into the image (have the same divine nature, characteristics) as JESUS so that JESUS might be the 1^st of many brethren in GOD’s holy family (Romans 8:29).

The HOLY SPIRIT and JESUS pray (converse within the GODHEAD) concerning our development and what is needed to transform each believer in JESUS into the image of JESUS, which GOD the FATHER decreed would take place.  JESUS and the HOLY SPIRIT are not answering to an angry GOD but do defeat any accusations from the devil against us.  All three of the Eternal GODHEAD, the Trinity, are at work together for us who have come to GOD through JESUS (Hebrews 7:25).

Our heavenly FATHER loves us, planned good for us (Ephesians 2:10), and sent HIS own precious SON that we might not perish but be reunited with HIM and have everlasting life (John 3:16).   JESUS came and died to show us what GOD is really like, to save us from our sins, and to set us free from the enemy and our sin nature (Matthew 1:21) and to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).

The precious HOLY SPIRIT has come to live within us once we believe in JESUS. HE patiently comforts, teaches, empowers us, and directs us in the way we should go. As HE shows us more and more about JESUS, we are changed into that likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Therefore we can conclude- as we connect the dots-that the interceding of the HOLY SPIRIT and of JESUS  is not to convince an angry GOD- Abba FATHER- not to hurt us, but rather the three of them conversing as they constantly work together to bring about the believer’s transformation into the image of JESUS CHRIST decreed by Abba FATHER- HIMSELF (Romans 8:29).

Let us never forget that JESUS-Who loves us and died for us-is the express image and exact representation of GOD our FATHER in all HIS goodness and love and hatred of sin (Hebrews 1:1-3, 9).

Looking unto JESUS, the Author and Perfector of my faith
Hugs
Sharon

Changing

At the FWC volunteer servant and little girl fashion show and brunch Saturday we were seated at round tables. At the end of the program, we had table discussions on how to develop our inner beauty.  Several of my students were at one of the tables and another seated there remarked that the others must be a clique for they knew so much about one another. The gals were including, not excluding her, but at times she felt a bit at a loss not knowing the others.

It is fun to gather together as women and get to know one another. That is part of the advantage of being in a small group.  For as we gather together to study GOD’s word we also learn and care about each other as well as what we are like in CHRIST so we know how we should act.  We learn more and more of GOD our FATHER, our LORD JESUS CHRIST and the promises they have given us to claim.  Then when we claim those promises, we actually grow in the likeness of our Savior (2 Peter 1:1-4, Romans 8:29).

As we gather and talk about GOD and what HE says in HIS Word it delights the heart of GOD.  How do I know?  Look what the Bible says.

”Then they that feared the Lord spoke often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before HIM for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon HIS name (character).  And they shall be MINE, says the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up MY jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spares his own son that serves him” (Malachi 3:16-17).

As we discuss Bible passages, they come alive to us so we see how the truth therein can be applied in our own lives and the HOLY SPIRIT changes us, enabling us to live out what we have learned (2 Corinthians 3:18). Which by itself is an excellent reason to be part of a Bible life group. 

If you are not in one you are missing out.

Hugs

Sharon

How does it happen?

Do you ever feel like Peter when he went to JESUS and asked, “How often do I have to forgive someone for the same thing, up to 7 times?” (Matthew 18:21 paraphrased). 

JESUS’s response must have blown Peter’s mind, for the LORD answered, “No, not 7 times but 70 times 7” (Matthew 18:22 paraphrased).  Just think how hard that would be.  But that is what JESUS wants.  This is how GOD taught me how to really forgive and the biblical principle to look to JESUS to find out what to do.

One day this person did it again.  He’d done it over and over and it was so wrong and so unfair!  I told the LORD all about it and you know what happened?  It was like GOD switched on a video in living color and I began remembering time after time the LORD forgave me.  I was no longer mad at that person for I forgave him.  I saw how little his offense was compared to the many of mine that GOD had to forgive.  I learned how and was strengthened to forgive by watching GOD forgive me. (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Still in John 15, today I read verse 9.  “As the FATHER has loved ME, I also have loved you: abide in MY love.”

Yesterday I mentioned that to abide means to stay connected/ receive nourishment from.  We abide in JESUS/ stay connected to and are nourished and strengthened by JESUS by meeting with HIM in HIS word and pouring out our hearts to the LORD/ consulting HIM in everything expecting HIS input and direction.  GOD does that by impressing truth in our hearts (Philippians 2:13) and by directing our thoughts (Proverbs 21:1) and remember it will always be in accord with the word of GOD (Isaiah 8:20). 

Now today I saw that I am also to abide in JESUS’ love. How can I abide (be nourished) in JESUS love?  HE tells us how.

“If you keep MY commandments you abide in MY love just as I kept MY FATHER’s commandments and abide in HIS love…This is MY commandment that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no man than this, that HE lay down his life for his friends (put another’s good before his own)” (John 15:10, 12-13).

Just as I was strengthened that day years ago to forgive by seeing how GOD had and continues to forgive me, so I allow HIS love to flow through me as I see what JESUS did for me.  How HE 1^st loved me by laying down HIS life for me (John 15:12-13).

“…beholding (catching a glimpse of) the glory (magnificent character) of the LORD (we) are being transformed (like from a caterpillar to a butterfly) into the same image from glory to glory (little by little as we progressively see JESUS more clearly) by the SPIRIT of the LORD” (2 Corinthians 3:18). 

But what is my part? To abide in JESUS and in HIS love, we need to receive and act on what GOD shows us (Philippians 2:12).  Those things I call the nudges and the little reminders the HOLY SPIRIT gives by bringing Scripture to our minds.

As we abide in JESUS and HIS love, through looking to HIM and doing what HE says, we are being changed into JESUS likeness (Romans 8:29) little by little by the HOLY SPIRIT.  Isn’t that amazing?

Hugs

Sharon