Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Christ Centered)

In yesterdays blog I shared that those who acquire the essence of Christ stand firm because He establishes them, as He is the Rock and Foundation of Life. Today I will reveal why they cannot ne moved, they stand immovable. But first Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace and then with the use of the ESV translation I will reveal our immovability.

"The Old Covenant Demand of Obedience"

"Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear (reverence and revere) the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good? . . . This day the LORD your God commands you to observe these statutes and judgments; therefore you shall be careful to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 10:12-13 and 26:16)

"As we saw in our previous meditation, the Grace of GOD provides what we need for growing in a life of obedience. Now we will begin to see that GOD's Law, as given through Moses demands obedience (whole-hearted obedience), but it does not provide the necessary spiritual resources for living an obedient life.

When Israel was about to enter the Promised Land, Moses restated what GOD's Law required. "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but . . . to walk in all His ways . . . and to keep the commandments of the LORD . . . therefore you shall be careful to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul." Remember, the commandments of GOD called for holy living. "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy" (Leviticus 19:2). The measurement for this required holiness was God Himself. This represented a high and lofty standard, far beyond what man could reach on his own.

Additionally, GOD was not calling them to an external religious behaviorism, but to wholehearted obedience: "keep the commandments . . . observe them with all your heart." From deep within their innermost being, the children of Israel were to fully obey the Lord. They were to truly and sincerely observe all that the Lord had commanded. There were to be no inner reservations or hesitations.

What the Law demanded was good. "The Law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good" (Romans 7:12). Yet, the resources were lacking. Man could not measure up on his own. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD" (Romans 3:23). Furthermore, this perfect Law offered no help to change man into what it required. "The Law made nothing perfect" (Hebrews 7:19). Praise God, there is a provision that can accomplish what the Law cannot do. "On the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope" (Hebrews 7:19). That effective hope is the Grace of GOD." Skipping ahead tour day and why it is the we are so immovable is the Grace and Truth of Christ's essence manifested within us, the wholehearted requirement lacking under the Law of Moses.


The Immovability of His Saints: 

Psalm 15:1-5 "O LORD, who shall sojourn in Your tent? Who shall dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved."

Psalm 16:7-11 "I bless the LORD Who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For You Will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let Your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Psalm 21:7-13 "The king trusts in the LORD, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved. Your hand will find out all Your enemies; Your right hand will find out those who hate You. You Will make them as a blazing oven when You appear. The LORD Will swallow them up in His wrath, and fire will consume them. You Will destroy their descendants from the earth, and their offspring from among the children of man. Though they plan evil against You, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed. For You Will put them to flight; You Will aim at their faces with Your bows. Be exalted, O LORD, in Your strength! We will sing and praise Your power."

Psalm 46:4-7 "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of GOD, the holy habitation of the Most High. GOD is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; GOD Will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; HE utters His voice, the earth melts. The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."

Psalm 55:22-23 "Cast your burden on the LORD, and He Will sustain you; He Will never permit the righteous to be moved. But you, O GOD, Will cast them down into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in You."

Psalm 66:8-15 "Bless our GOD, O peoples; let the sound of His praise be heard, Who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. For You, O GOD, have tested us; You have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; You laid a crushing burden on our backs; You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet You have brought us out to a place of abundance. I Will come into Your house without burnt offerings; I Will perform my vows to You, that which my lips uttered and my mouth promised when I was in trouble. I will not offer to You burnt offerings of fattened animals, with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams; no instead  I will make an offering of a living sacrifice of myself. (Romans 12:1-2, 3)

Psalm 112:1-6 "Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generations of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; He is gracious, merciful, and righteous. It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice. For the righteous will never be moved; He will be remembered forever."
Psalm 121:1-4 "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. He Will not let your foot be moved; He Who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He Who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep."

Psalm 125:1-3 "Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, from this time forth and forevermore. For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong."

Proverbs 10:27-32 "The fear (reverence and revere) of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short. The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish. The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers. The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land. The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse."

Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Christ Centered)

Over the years of the blog, I have endeavored to uncover the mysteries or the secrets of Christ, some times stated, the secrets of GOD, as in Deuteronomy 29:29 and else where in scripture as mysteries. By doing so one who followed these writings would find a slow growth in understanding the revelation of Christ, not only in me but themselves as well. This is as GOD our Father intended lone ago. Now for Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace, the person of Christ. And then on to security and safety for those established en Christ, our Firm Establishment, with the use of the ESV translation.

"The Old Covenant Demand of Obedience"

"Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good? . . . This day the LORD your God commands you to observe these statutes and judgments; therefore you shall be careful to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 10:12-13 and 26:16)

"As we saw in our previous meditation, the Grace of GOD provides what we need for growing in a life of obedience. Now we will begin to see that God's law demands obedience (whole-hearted obedience), but it does not provide the necessary spiritual resources for living an obedient life. 

When Israel was about to enter the Promised Land, Moses restated what God's law required, as given him. "Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but . . . to walk in all His ways . . . and to keep the commandments of the LORD . . . therefore you shall be careful to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul." Remember, the commandments of God called for holy living. "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy" (Leviticus 19:2). The measurement for this required holiness was GOD Himself. This represented a high and lofty standard, far beyond what man could reach on his own. 

Additionally, God was not calling them to an external religious behaviorism, but to wholehearted obedience: "keep the commandments . . . observe them with all your heart." From deep within their innermost being, the children of Israel were to fully obey the LORD. They were to truly and sincerely observe all that the LORD had commanded. There were to be no inner reservations or hesitations. 

What the this Law demanded was good. "The Law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good" (Romans 7:12). Yet, the resources were lacking. Man could not measure up on his own. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Furthermore, this perfect Law offered no help to change man into what it required. "The Law made nothing perfect" (Hebrews 7:19). Praise God, there is a provision that can accomplish what this Law cannot do. "On the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope" (Hebrews 7:19). That effective hope is the Grace of GOD." Grace, as with Truth, light and Love are a person and not a thing, a person Who is Spirit as is GOD Spirit or Light. And unlimited resource of power and extreme Authority.

Our being Firmly Established: 

2Chronicles 20:20-23 "They rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe (in) the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe His prophets, and you will succeed." And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise Him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, "Give thanks to the LORD, for His steadfast love endures forever." And when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another." 

Psalm 40:1-3 "I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD."

Psalm 112:7-9, 10 "He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.
The wicked man sees it and is angry; he gnashes his teeth and melts away; the desire of the wicked will perish!"
Proverbs 12:15-22 "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are His delight."

Isaiah 54:11-17 "O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from Me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you. Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals and produces a weapon for its purpose. I have also created the ravager to destroy; no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from Me, declares the LORD."
Romans 16:25-27 "To Him Who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal GOD, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise GOD be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ!"
Colossians 2:6-7 "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

2Thessalonians 2:16-17 "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and GOD our Father, Who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through Grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word."
Hebrews 13:7-16 "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by Grace, not by foods (religions customs, rituals, holidays, Sabbaths, rites and ceremonies), which have not benefited those devoted to them. We have an altar from which those who serve the tent (or Temple) have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through His own blood. Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp (the worlds religions) and bear the reproach He endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to GOD, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to GOD."

Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Christ Centered)

Over the past months I have walked us through the things of GOD's Promised all of which have their conclusion and fulfillment in Christ our anointing. That is to say when we as individuals actually become His again as in the beginning. For the next few months I will endeavor to reveal Christ and all that He IS. The world today seeks security and safety each in their own way and by so doing remain in extreme hostility to GOD and Christ. Jesus Himself said, that He alone is Truth, Life and the One and only Way to GOD. He also so much as said to find the Way requires obedience to His life and words. After His execution burial resurrection and ascension He became mans High Priest and Mediator between GOD the Father and man, there is none other. The LORD of the old is LORD of the New and He is Christ, Who fills those of Repentant heart and His revelation is our great Salvation. But be of good strength and courage it is GOD Who is at work. Now for the teaching of Pastor Hoekstra's on Grace. And then with the uses of the ESV translation and the LORD should He given more enlightenment which I will add without hesitation.

"Obedience under the New Covenant of Grace"

"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:14)

"Obedience is a vital issue for every believer. Throughout the scriptures we see that God's desire is for His children to walk in obedience. Moses wrote of this truth. "You shall obey the voice of the LORD your God, and observe His commandments and His statutes which I command you itoday" (Deuteronomy 27:10). Samuel confirmed this truth. "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice" (1Samuel 15:22). Likewise, the Apostle Peter declared that God's children are to live "as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts" (1Peter 1:14). The "former lusts" are our worldly appetites for other things no matter their substance or shape of form.

Our lives are to be under the rule (the dominion) of GOD's plan and purposes or other wise put His Will, as revealed in His word. When we are disobedient to God's Will, sin is dominating our lives. The LORD certainly wants us to get out from under the domination of sin and to live obediently. The only path for such liberation is the Grace of GOD. "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law (of first sin and death and then the defunct Laws of Moses, now rendered useless, having of no heavenly value) but under Grace" (Romans 6:14). Man might think that the law could free us from the dominating influence of sin. If we had laws with radical standards and severe consequences, surely man would not go on sinning. Of course, this approach does not work. No standards are as lofty as the holy law of GOD. No consequences are more severe than violating GOD's law. Yet, men still are dominated by sin. Grace is GOD's remedy. Man has taken it upon himself to attempt to regulate by laws mans morality though laws of governments religious institutions higher degrees of learning and the such but all has fails he best intentions as the world to day is seeing openly. Man has by ignorance removed the teeth or pain of his own laws and therefore their is no fear of punishment and with that no respect for law or government. Let alone for GOD from Whom law is established which requires obedience to GOD's sufficiency. Be of good courage it is GOD at work bring about mans need for obedience to Him in all things, great or small.

A reactionary apprehension can develop against GOD's liberating remedy of Grace. Some people think that proclaiming grace as the solution will only encourage people to sin all the more and even wrongly assume that this will unleash more grace. The opposite is actually true. When GOD's children embrace the wonder of what His Grace provides (an effective rescue from sin through our identification with the death and resurrection of Christ), we see the folly of continuing in sin. "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in Newness of Life" (Romans 6:1-4). By GOD's Grace at work, growing in this New Life benefits means growing in obedience." We have already looked into the benefits of GOD's Promises but there is more for those who become conjoined to Him, as in or by a marriage.

Security of the saints some General references to:

Job 11:13-20 If you prepare your heart, you will stretch out your hands toward Him. If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents. Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and will not fear. You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away. And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security. You will lie down, and none will make you afraid; many will court your favor. But the eyes of the wicked will fail; all way of escape will be lost to them, and their hope is to breathe their last."  

Psalm 91:5-10 "You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent." 

Psalm 112:7-9, 10, 125:1-3 and Proverbs 1:20-33 "He (the righteous) is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.
The wicked man sees it and is angry; he gnashes his teeth and melts away; the desire of the wicked will perish!" 

Psalm 125:1-3 "Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, from this time forth and forevermore. For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the lot to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong."

Proverbs 1:20-33 "Wisdom (is the Spirit of Christ in the person of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth) cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at My reproof, behold, I will pour out My Spirit to you; I will make My words known to you. Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out My hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all My counsel and would have none of My reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon Me, but I will not answer; they will seek Me diligently but will not find Me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of My counsel and despised all My reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to Me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster."

Proverbs 3:13-26, Isaiah 33:13-16 and 43:1-7 "Blessed is the one who finds wisdom (Christ), and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed. The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; by His knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught."

Isaiah 33:13-16 "Hear, you who are far off, what I have done; and you who are near, acknowledge My might. The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling has seized the godless: "Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?" He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking on evil, he will dwell on the heights; his place of defense will be the fortresses of rocks; his bread will be given him; his water will be sure."

Isaiah 43:1-7 "Now thus says the LORD, He Who created you, O Jacob, He Who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I Will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your GOD, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in My eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I Will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you. I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by My name, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed and made."

Hebrews 13:1-6 "Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the (Christ the) Body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"

1Peter 3:13-22 "Who is there to harm you if you are zealous for (Christ that which is) what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the LORD most Holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's plan and purpose, His Will, than for doing evil.  For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to GOD, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which He went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to GOD for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of GOD, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to Him."

Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (GOD our Comforter)

The next person of the Godhead that is called our Comforter is the Holy Spirit, Who is unseen and unfelt as in a physical fashion. And with Him like with Jesus, Who is the Messiah and Christ our anointing, there is more to the Holy Spirit as He also wares other titles as well. Such as; He Abides forever in John 14:16, Brings to remembrance Christ's words in John 14:26, Testifies concerning Christ in John 15:26, Convicts the world of sin in John 16:7-8, and Guides into all Truth in John 16:13. Back to Christ and His words of Comfort, my targeted subject for today. But first Pastor Hoekstra and his topic of Grace. And then with the use of the ESV translation my subject the words of Christ that Comfort us.

"Temporary Visible Things, Eternal Invisible Things"

"For our light affliction . . . is working for us . . . [an] eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2Corinthians 4:17-18)

"Our gracious God wants to use the trials in our lives ("our light affliction") to produce for us eternal blessings ("eternal weight of glory"). He intends to use our daily difficulties to enlarge our spiritual capacity to experience more fully the glorious eternal realities of knowing, worshiping, and serving GOD forever! The LORD desires a full, rich inheritance to await us in heaven: "For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ" (2Peter 1:11). 

A life of great difficulty here on earth does not guarantee enriched experience in heaven. The process of earthly trials producing heavenly blessings is not automatic for GOD's children. Verse 18 tells us exactly when this process is occurring: "while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen." The difficulties of life are turned to eternal blessings "while" we turn our attention upon unseen realities. For those of Israel this includes their blindness because they continue to resist GOD's transformation which He did shortly after Jesus' ascension. This being confirmed by the record of Acts unto to this very day.

Many believers waste their afflictions by focusing upon "the things which are seen." They set their minds on themselves, their circumstances, or some conventional human wisdom. Such an approach to life's problems fosters temporal frustrations and depressions not eternal blessings. To accrue eternal benefits from temporal situations, we must look to the unseen eternal resources, because "the things which are not seen are eternal." 

What are these unseen things? They are the resources of the Grace of GOD, they are the tools of choice employed by GOD. Many are of the natural things that happen throughout of earthly existence, like cause and effect. This includes Grace for consolation and hope: "Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our GOD and Father, Who has . . . given us everlasting consolation and good hope by Grace" (2Thessalonians 2:16). This also includes Grace for endurance: "My Grace is sufficient for you" (2Corinthians 12:9). It actually includes "Grace upon grace" (John 1:16) for whatever is needed. 

All of this is available through daily dependency upon the LORD. "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2Corinthians 5:7). The Christian life is lived by faith in the ascended LORD, not by mastery of observable circumstances. GOD's people enter into His blessings by trusting Him. It is by looking to the Grace of GOD during our difficulties that afflictions are turned into an "eternal weight of glory.""

Christ's Words our Source of Comfort:

Matthew 9:20-22 and Mark 5:35-41 "Behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His garment, or she said to herself, "If I only touch His garment, I will be made well." Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well."

Mark 5:35-43 "While He was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe." And He allowed no one to follow Him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When He had entered, He said to them, "Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at Him. He put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with Him and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand He said to her, "Talitha cumi," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." Immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. He strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat."

Luke 7:11-17 "He went to a town called Nain, and His disciples and a great crowd went with Him. As He drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." Then He came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited His people!" This report about Him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country."

John 14:1-7 (Jesus is speaking) "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in GOD; believe also en Me. In My Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I Will come again and Will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going." Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also. From now on you do know Him and (for you) have seen Him."

John 14:18-24 and John 16:16-24 (Jesus is speaking) "I will not leave you as orphans; I Will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also Will live. In that day you Will Know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. Whoever has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me Will be loved by My Father, and I Will love him and manifest Myself to him."
Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father Will love him, and WE Will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words. And the word that you hear is not Mine but the Father's Who sent Me."

John 16:16-24 (Jesus is speaking) "A little while, and you will see Me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see Me." Some of His disciples said to one another, "What is this that He says to us, 'A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me'; and, 'because I am going to the Father'?" So they were saying, "What does He mean by 'a little while'? We do not know what He is talking about." Jesus knew that they wanted to ask Him, so He said to them, "Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, 'A little while and you will not see Me, and again a little while and you will see Me'? Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I Will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day you will ask nothing of Me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full."

John 16:29-33 and 2Thessalonians 2:16-17 His disciples said, "Ah, now You are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech!Now we know that You know all things and do not need anyone to question You; this is why we believe that You came from GOD." Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with Me. I have said these things to you, that en Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

2Thessalonians 2:16-17 "Now may our LORD Jesus Christ Himself, and GOD our Father, Who loves us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through Grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word."
I am going to do something that I have not done before and that is to add another touch of Pastor Hoekstra's teaching on Grace. It dealing with the law of sin and death. And how when we receive the Truth of our being identified en Christ Jesus on the tree of execution we have with Him died to this law of Genesis 3, that covers the world and man in particular.

"Truth to Deliver Us from the Law"

"The law (of Genesis 3) has dominion over a man as long as he lives . . . But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter (the Laws of Moses)." (Romans 7:1 and 6)

"In the word of GOD, the LORD has Promised Truths' which brings spiritual liberation. "The Truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). We have considered such Truths that set people free from bondage to sin, from bondage to the fear of death, and from bondage to the influence of the evil one. Now, we will look at another category of Liberating Truth: Truth to deliver us from the law. The law of hostility, that separates natural man from his Creator because of hostilities, resentment and bitterness which cause unbelief.

This issue pertains to everyone initially, because we all begin under bondage to this law. "Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God" (Romans 3:19). Everyone who has ever lived, is living now, or will live in the days to come ("all the world") is initially held in a state of condemnation ("guilty before GOD"), because of their inherent sin nature. This guilty condition will persist for a lifetime, if GOD did not supply a remedy. "The law has dominion over a man as long as he lives." However, this condition need not persist, because the Lord's word proclaims liberating truth for this drastic need. "But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by." The person we were at physical birth died on the cross with Christ, when we believe Him. The promised New creature en Christ now stands justified by Christ's faith in the promises spoken of Him and the Faithfulness of GOD in those Promises (not by law performance). "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified (declared not guilty, pronounced righteous en Christ) by faith apart from the deeds of the (Law of Moses or of works required by his and keeps Israel in bondage to this day) law" (Romans 3:28). 

All of GOD's children have experienced these Liberating Truths, as they apply to justification (our eternal righteous standing before GOD in heaven). Keeping in mind that all children of the earth were created in His image and likeness. But that does not qualify us as being His until we by trusting hope believe Him. However, many of GOD's people are unaware of the need to be delivered out from under the bondage of the law concerning sanctification (our daily growth in personal, practical godliness on earth). Yet, the word of GOD (Jesus, the Word of GODs Promises which put on mans flesh to bring about GOD's transformation) addresses this matter repeatedly. Here, in one of our primary verses for meditation, we see these Truths given a sanctification implication. "Now we have been delivered from the (sin and death) law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the spirit having received Christ's Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter." Yes, understanding this Truth of being delivered from the law determines whether we will struggle daily in bondage to Law of performance, or live freely by the ongoing, fresh work of the Spirit of God."



 

Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (GOD our Comforter)

In these days of parlous times, where because of iPhones, TV cameras watching streets, and News Agencies everywhere. This world seems to be upside down in chaos everywhere.....especially because of the ease of our receiving current events as they happen, except in those areas of darkness and extreme evil. Because the people in those countries live under bondage of a mindset dating back to mans dark ages of the Meds and Persians. Whereas the rest of the world though evil live in comfort of that evil because of the blood and cross of Christ Jesus. With that said, I will turn my attention toward Pastor Hoekstra and Grace before looking into GOD's Comfort with the use of the ESV translation.

"Momentary Light Afflictions, Eternal Weight of Glory"

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (2Corinthians 4:17)

As Gods Saints and Believers in Jesus Christ, we are "ministers [servants] of the New Covenant" (2Corinthians 3:6). We serve God by His Grace, experiencing it and passing it on to others. "For all things are for your sakes, that Grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God" (2Corinthians 4:15). One astounding privilege of living and serving "en unity with" Grace is that our momentary light afflictions can be producing for us an eternal weight of glory! 

Having our temporal difficulties "working for us" is a new, heavenly perspective on afflictions. People generally consider their afflictions as something that is working against them, not for them. Yet, afflictions can work for good, and the good is even eternal! What a gracious plan and purpose is revealed in this contrast: "light affliction . . . for a moment" and "eternal weight of glory." 

First, consider that heavenly enjoyment of GOD's "glory." This can result from our earthly experiences of "affliction." The difficulties that we endure here on earth can prepare us for opportunities to enter into more glorious fellowship, worship, and service of the LORD in heaven.

Then, consider that our afflictions are "light" compared to the "weight" of the glories that lie ahead. This does not mean that our trials on earth are trivial. Note the "light afflictions" that Paul encountered. "In journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness — besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches" (2Corinthians 11:26-28). Yet, Paul counted these as light when compared to the "substantial magnitude" of the glory awaiting him in heaven. 

Lastly, consider that the difficulties of life are "but for a moment." Whereas, the resulting heavenly blessings are "eternal." Trials often seem like they will never end. Yet, they eventually pass away. Actually, it is the heavenly glory that results from the trials that will never end. 

What an amazing plan and purpose God has! He wants to use the trials of our lives to enlarge our spiritual capacity to enter more fully into the glory of knowing Him, worshiping Him, and serving Him forever and forever!"


GOD as the Giver of Comfort:
(Psalm 71:17-21 "O God, from my youth You have taught me, and I still proclaim Your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim Your might to another generation, Your power to all those to come. Your Righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You Who have done great things, O God, who is like You? You Who have made me see many troubles and calamities Will revive me again; from the depths of the earth You Will bring me up again. You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.")

Psalm 86:14-17 "O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set You before them. But You, O LORD, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Turn to me and be gracious to me; give Your strength to Your servant, and save the son of Your maidservant. Show me a sign of Your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because You, LORD, have helped me and comforted me."

Isaiah 12:1-6 "You will say in that day: "I will give thanks to You, O LORD, for though You were angry with me, Your anger turned away, that You might comfort me. "Behold, GOD is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation." With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the peoples, proclaim that His name be exalted. "Sing praises to the LORD, for He has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."

Isaiah 51:1-3, 12-16 "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, that I might bless him and multiply him. For the LORD comforts Zion; He comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song....... "I, I am He Who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who are made like grass, and have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, Who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, and you fear continually all the day because of the wrath of the oppressor, when he sets himself to destroy? And where is the wrath of the oppressor? He who is bowed down shall speedily be released; he shall not die and go down to the pit, neither shall his bread be lacking. I am the LORD your GOD, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the LORD of hosts is His name. And I have put My words in your mouth and covered you in the shadow of My hand, establishing the heavens and laying the foundations of the earth, and saying to Zion, 'You are my people.'"
Isaiah 66:7-17 "Before she was in labor she gave birth; before her pain came upon her she delivered a son. Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment? For as soon as Zion was in labor she brought forth her children. Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth?" says the LORD; "shall I, Who cause to bring forth, shut the womb?" says your GOD. "Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her; that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast; that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious abundance." For thus says the LORD: "Behold, I Will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip, and bounced upon her knees. As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bones shall flourish like the grass; and the hand of the LORD shall be known to His servants, and He shall show His indignation against His enemies. "For behold, the LORD Will come in fire, and His chariots like the whirlwind, to render His anger in fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire will the LORD enter into judgment, and by His sword, with all flesh; and those slain by the LORD shall be many. "Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one in the midst, eating pig's flesh and the abomination and mice, shall come to an end together, declares the LORD."

2Corinthians 1:2, 3-7, 7:5-16 "Grace to you and peace from GOD our Father and the LORD Jesus Christ.  Blessed be the GOD and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and GOD of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by GOD. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 
Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. But GOD, Who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a Repentance that leads to Salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief (GOD produces within) has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of GOD. Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true. And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you."

Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (GOD our Strength)

Today I want to draw from the wealth of GOD and Christ's abilities hidden deep within us who become One with GOD Almighty through our gaining Christ. Our actually having put on Christ both as a new covering outwardly and inwardly. Who is the LORD of both the Old and New Covenants and Testaments of witness to Him the Almighty One, also called the Ancient of Days and the Son of GOD. First Pastor Hoekstra and Grace which is Christ and then with the use of the ESV translation I will proceed with Divine Ability.


"Outer Man Perishing, Inner Man Renewed'

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day." (2Corinthians 4:16)

"Those who learn to live by the Grace of God are increasingly protected from discouragement. "Therefore we do not lose heart." This truth was touched upon in an earlier verse from this fourth chapter of 2 Corinthians. "Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart" (2Corinthians 4:1). The protection from discouragement there involved mercy and grace. Since we serve the LORD by mercy and grace (and not by our own merit or by our own resources), we have a built-in supply of heavenly encouragement available to us daily. 

In our present verse, encouragement comes from the contrast between what is happening to the "outward man" and to the "inward man." The "outward man" is the physical person, which can be observed by human sight. Made up of the elements of the earth as a clay pot is so made. This is generally the object of attention among the unredeemed (as well as among believers who are walking according to the flesh). This man is "perishing" because sin has impacted all of us. It is also known as the court of the Gentiles figured in the old temple of Jerusalem, the outer fringe of the temple there located. "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned" (Romans 5:12). Man began from dust. "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground" (Genesis 2:7). Due to sin, the outer, physical man is headed back toward that initial starting point. "In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19). For those who do not know the LORD, this is a discouraging fact. They often strive desperately to prevent this inevitable process. 

On the other hand, servants (heirs) of New Covenant find that en Grace they are not discouraged by this fact. "Therefore we do not lose heart." It is true that our outer man is also perishing. Because it is within our flesh that the battles are win or lost depending on our choices. It is here that we learn that Satan dwells and that it is here that he will be found under our feet, if we do not loose hope, of faith. Yet, we see a bigger picture than that. "Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day." As our outer man is deteriorating, we are still encouraged, because our inner man can be in the process of renewal (salvation's work): "And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him Who created him" (Colossians 3:10). As we are humbly seeking the LORD in His word, we are being changed, brought more and more into the newness of Christ: "Beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the LORD" (2Corinthians 3:18).

Divine Abilities,

Able to Deliver:
Daniel 3:16-18 "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He Will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

To raise up children from stones:
Luke 3:7-9 "John the Baptist said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by Him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

To Fulfill Promises:
Romans 4:16-25 "That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all His offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (who live by and acquire his kind of faith), as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"—in the presence of the GOD in Whom he believed, Who gives life to the dead (those separated from Him, of the world) and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be." He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of GOD, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to GOD, fully convinced that GOD was able to do what He had promised. That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness." But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe en Him Who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, Who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification."

To make Grace Abound:
2Corinthians 9:6-15 "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all Grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, "He has distributed freely, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever." He Who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify GOD because of your submission that comes from your confession of the Gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing Grace of GOD upon you. Thanks be to GOD for His inexpressible gift!"

To do Exceeding Abundantly: Ephesians 3:14-19, 20-21 "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in His Love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of GOD. Now to Him Who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

To Subdue all things:
Philippians 3:17-21 "Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the LORD Jesus Christ, Who Will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself."

To Guard the soul's treasure:
2Timothy 1:8-14 "Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share in suffering for the Gospel by the power of God, Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us en Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, Who abolished death and brought Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are en Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit Who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you."

To Save to the Uttermost:
Hebrews 7:18-22, 23-25, 26-8:13 "For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to GOD. And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, but this one was made a Priest with an Oath by the One Who said to Him: "The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, 'You are a Priest forever.'" This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but He (Christ Jesus) holds His Priesthood permanently, because He continues forever. Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to GOD through Him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a High Priest, Holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since He (Christ Jesus) did this once for all when He offered up Himself. For the Law (of Moses) appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than this Law, appoints a Son Who has been made perfect forever. Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a High Priest, One Who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the Holy places, in the true tent that the LORD set up, not man. For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this Priest also to have something to offer. Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the Law. They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by GOD, saying, "See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain." But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the Covenant He Mediates is Better, since it is enacted on Better Promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. For He found fault with them when He says: "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I Will establish a New Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in My covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declared the LORD. For this is the Covenant that I Will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I Will put My laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I Will be their GOD, and they shall be My people. And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I Will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I Will remember their sins no more." In speaking of a New Covenant, He makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away."

To Keep from falling:
Jude 24-25 "Now to Him Who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only GOD, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our LORD, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. The Amen."

Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (GOD our Strength)

Continuing in GOD's Abilities becoming ours once we have acquired His Plan and Purposes or Will for our lives en (unity with) Christ Jesus. When the Spirit of Christ and His Grace and Truth have had their beginnings of His perfect work within us, we become One en Him. We know that it is He that speaks through us. Because He is me and I am He.  I will pull from some general references to GODs Power. But first Pastor Hoekstra and his writing on the revelation of Grace. Then I will use the ESV translation to look into my targeted subject. 

"Encouragement for Others, Glory for God"

"So then death is working in us, but life in you . . . For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God." (2Corinthians 4:12, 15)

We who live en the New Covenant of Grace are earthen vessels. We have no true spiritual life in ourselves. "You have no life in you" (John 6:53). The treasure who lives within us (is Christ Jesus) in our daily resource of spiritual life: "Christ who is our life" (Colossians 3:4). Consequently, we must always be dying in order to live. We must be embracing the cross of Christ so that our bankrupt self-life will not be our resource for living. We must look to the LORD Christ as our sufficiency. 

The Lord helps us in this process by putting us into impossible situations that necessitate our dependency upon Him. He faithfully responds to our trust and manifests Himself through us. "For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the divine Life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh" (2Corinthians 4:11). Others observing this receive encouragement to look to the Lord for the Life they need. Thus, Paul could write to the Corinthians (who were aware of this process in his own life): "So then death is working in us, but Life in you." 

Every difficulty that GOD brings into our lives not only has significance for us, but it can also have an impact on those to whom we are ministering. "For all things are for your sakes." How important it is to have a perspective on life that includes GOD's working in us that He might touch others. Paul certainly viewed life and ministry in this manner. "I now rejoice in my sufferings for you . . . Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all . . . Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory" (Colossians 1:24; Philippians 2:17; Ephesians 3:13). Keep in mind that it both GOD and His Christ at work within those receptive of them in accord with John 17 in which we find the Lord's Prayer as our High Priest.

As the Lord works His Grace into and through our lives, Grace can be spreading to many other lives: "that grace, having spread through the many." When GOD's Grace is at work in people's hearts, thanksgiving is so often the beautiful fruit that results. Such thanksgiving brings much glory and honor to GOD: "may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of GOD."

General References to GOD's Power:

1Chronicles 29:10-13 "Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: "Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is Yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand are power and might, and in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 
And now we thank You, our God, and praise Your glorious name."

2Chronicles 25:5-10 "Amaziah assembled the men of Judah and set them by fathers' houses under commanders of thousands and of hundreds for all Judah and Benjamin. He mustered those twenty years old and upward, and found that they were 300,000 choice men, fit for war, able to handle spear and shield. He hired also 100,000 mighty men of valor from Israel for 100 talents of silver. But a man of God came to him and said, "O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the LORD is not with Israel, with all these Ephraimites. But go, act, be strong for the battle. Why should you suppose that God will cast you down before the enemy? For God has power to help or to cast down." And Amaziah said to the man of God, "But what shall we do about the hundred talents that I have given to the army of Israel?" The man of God answered, "The LORD is able to give you much more than this." Then Amaziah discharged the army that had come to him from Ephraim to go home again. And they became very angry with Judah and returned home in fierce anger."

Job 26:5-14 "The dead tremble under the waters and their inhabitants. Sheol is naked before GOD, and Abaddon has no covering. He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing. He binds up the waters in His thick clouds, and the cloud is not split open under them. He covers the face of the full moon and spreads over it His cloud. He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light (justice and righteousness) and darkness (evil). The pillars of heaven tremble and are astounded at His rebuke. By His power He stilled the sea; by His understanding He shattered Rahab. By His wind the heavens were made fair; His hand pierced the fleeing serpent. Behold, these are but the outskirts of His ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of Him! But the thunder of His power who can understand?"  

Psalm 62:11-12 "Once GOD has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to GOD, and that to you, O LORD, belongs steadfast love. For You will render to a man according to his (faiths) work."

Psalm 65:5-8, Psalm 93:4 and Nahum 1:3 "By awesome deeds You answer us with righteousness, O GOD of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; the One Who by His strength established the mountains, being girded with might; Who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at Your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy." 

Psalm 93:3-5 "The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty! Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits Your house, O LORD, forevermore."

Nahum 1:2-8 "The LORD is a jealous and avenging GOD; the LORD is avenging and wrathful; the LORD takes vengeance on His adversaries and keeps wrath for His enemies. The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD Will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; He dries up all the rivers; Bashan and Carmel wither; the bloom of Lebanon withers. The mountains quake before Him; the hills melt; the earth heaves before Him, the world and all who dwell in it. Who can stand before His indignation? Who can endure the heat of His anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by Him. The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him. But with an overflowing flood He Will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue His enemies into darkness."

Romans 16:25-27 "To Him Who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal GOD, to bring about the obedience of faith—to the only wise GOD be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen."