Transformed

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory,

 are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory,
   which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)

a Google picture.

“. . . we, who with unveiled faces. . .” In Old Testament times, the people could not look directly on the face of God because of His being holy. Because Jesus rent the veil between the holy and the holiest of holy places in the Temple, we can look directly into God’s face

“. . . all reflect the Lord’s glory. . .” Paul reminds the Corinthian believers that he and they reflect Jesus’ glory. This is a strong statement. Can we imagine if someone told us we are a mirror image of the Lord?

“. . . are being transformed into his likeness. . .” He tells the church that they being changed to resemble Jesus. Are we 21^st Century Christians being changes into His likeness or that of the world’s?

“. . . with ever-increasing glory. . .” This altering of the people is dynamic. Paul had experienced this changing in himself- first in his heart, then in how he lived. Here he describes this phenomenon as a progression.

“. . . which comes from the Lord. . .” He identifies the source of this process. It originates with the Lord. If we communicate with God on a daily basis, we have the privilege of hearing from Him when we need to.

“. . . who is the Spirit.” Paul explains that God works through the Holy Spirit in order for this transformation to be evident.

Abound More and More

 

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more

 and more in knowledge and depth of insight. . . .

 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through

Jesus Christ-to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9, 11 (NIV)

“And this is my prayer. . .” Paul demonstrated that he cared about the Philippian believers. He desired certain things for the people. He expressed that desire as a matter of prayer. I wonder how many TV ‘evangelists’ can say this about their followers and it be true?

“. . . that your love may abound more and more. . .” Paul’s prayer request is simple. He asks that the love of the believers at Philippi, and those who come later-us, to grow to overflowing in order for those they meet to feel the love of Jesus.

“. . . in knowledge and depth of insight. . . .” This is interesting. Paul’s request is for growth of their (and our) knowledge and insight. We live in what is called the Age of Information. On the floor of my high school at the top of the steps in the main entry was the phrase, “Knowledge is Power.” Taken in a human context, this is true. Paul didn’t say he requested the Philippian Christians to have power or riches. He asked God to give them understanding and discernment.

“. . . filled with the fruit of righteousness. . .” The Apostle asks Jehovah that those believers be sated with the fruit of living holy before God.

“ . . that comes through Jesus Christ. . .” Paul knows that the best traits only come through Jesus. Those of us who face extreme situations caused by others as a way of life have learned this fact.

“ . . to the glory and praise of God.” Paul and all devout believers attempt to live their lives for the Lord God. Have I always done this, No, I have to be sincere, I haven’t. However, God is teaching me every day how to live for Him.

Next Door Savior by Max Lucado

    

What should we do with Jesus? Should we worship Him from afar? Max Lucado has given us a new way to look at Christ. In his book, Next Door Savior, he shows us how we can relate to Jesus as someone close to us. The book, 21 chapters long, is divided into two parts-No Person He Won’t Touch and No Place He Won’t Go. At the back, he includes a study guide.

This book challenged me. It made me think about Jesus being close to me as opposed to Him being ‘out there’. By his style as well as his subject matter, Mr. Lucado held my attention. At the beginning of each chapter, a scripture reference appeared. The narrative that follows deals with the scripture passage. Mr. Lucado interpreted the message of each Biblical passage in a very appealing way, presenting these examples in a way that communicated Biblical truth in a way that 21^st Century believers can relate to. I would recommend Next Door Savior to anyone wishing to grow spiritually. It would make an outstanding study book for a small group study.

I received this book free from the publisher Thomas Nelson- through BookSneeze, in exchange for an impartial, unbiased, and fair review.

Intercession

Some of my journals 

Random Journal Day March 2013

3/26/1997, (I had been ill for four days.)

 “Therefore, He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” Hebrews 7:25 (NIV)

I ran across this today in the Bible reading I am trying to get caught up on. I have studied Hebrews several times. But today, this verse speaks to my heart.

“Jesus is able to save COMPLETELY those who come to GOD through Him.”

Completely is an awesome word; it means in every way. It means that a person is saved from all sin, the sins of omission as well as the sins of commission, those things God calls sin that we aren’t aware of as sin.

“. . . because He always lives to intercede for them”. God always hears from Jesus what we are going through. Jesus is sitting there at God’s right hand saying, “Father, there is this daughter/son of yours who needs your guidance through this day.” Or “Father, your children down there in central Indiana need your protection during the tornado.” Or “Father, that daughter of yours has asked you to come into his or her heart.” Or “Father, that daughter or son of yours has expressed a ‘thank you’ for guiding them through this day.”

Any one of these times of interceding is glorious.

UPDATE:

As I enter this Random Journal Day entry into my computer (2/23/2013) I am interceding for the leadership of our church.


Linking up to:http://beneaththesurface-dawn.blogspot.com

A Quote on Faith

aplacetolayyourhead.blogspot.com

“So I live, knowing that I am in God’s hands, to be used to bring others to Him, if He wills by a long life full of work, or to die tomorrow if He so wills, having nothing worth mentioning. . . . We must do what we can and leave the rest to Him. . . . My trust is in God, so that it matters not what I do or where I go.” Edward Wilson*

What faith this man had. This was written just before he died.

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*From The Faith of Edward Wilson by George Seaver (John Murray, 1948); page 44. Cited in Adult Bible Studies-fall 2012 (Cokesbury) page 76.

When Religion Isn't Enough By Mary Detweiler

Mary Detweiler discovered there was something more to Christianity than what she had been taught by her ‘works oriented’ background. She learned that God was not a distant being who watched from afar. Mary discovered God wants to have a vital relationship with His people.

This book interested me because of its subject and its content. I came to more fully understand the desire of God to adopt us into His family.

Mrs. Detweiler explains the facets of God as a friend and as a parent. She reviews the ‘roller coaster’ relationship between Judah and the Father and how God sent judges (leaders) to speak for Him. The people wander back and forth between God and the pagan ways of their neighbors.

Mary explores the avenues of prayer and worship. She calls them the sun and water of our relationship. These two elements of faith cause people’s belief in God to grow.

She had trouble-to the point of guilt- believing that prayer moves the hand of God. She cites the story of Peter’s release from prison. People gathered at John Mark’s mother’s home to pray for Peter’s release. When Peter arrived there and knocked on the door. Rhoda went to the door. She heard his voice and ran to tell the others. They didn't know what to think and disbelieved her. Finally they went to the door and opened it. There stood Peter; they were amazed. Mrs. Detweiler found comfort that she was not alone in her amazement of prayer working to cause God to change outcomes.

Mrs. Detweiler explores scripture throughout the book to convey her message-that Christianity is a relationship between God and His children.

I would recommend this book to anyone searching for a deeper understanding of God. It would make a good small-group study.

_________________________________________________________________________________

I received this book free from the author; all she asked me to do was for me to give an impartial, unbiased, and fair review.

Faith and Actions

goodmenproject.com

            

   “Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what He did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” James 2:21-22

The story of Abraham taking Isaac up to a mountain and preparing his son with Sarah for sacrifice is known by believers. We read where Isaac asks why they didn't have the sacrificial animal with them. Abraham responded with words of faith, “The Lord will provide.”

 James tells us Abraham’s faith was “made complete” by his deeds. When we get into the issue of works, we look at works being the starting point in our journey of faith. If Abraham hadn't believed in God’s providing, I don’t believe he could have done as God told him.

The work a person does is the result of the faith he or she has. I once heard a children’s moments’ lesson sum up this issue very well.

“When we are new in the Lord we look at work as what we do in order to develop or faith. Actually our work is as a result of our faith.”

Click this for a special hymn  My Faith Looks Up to Thee