Daily In Christ: Recent Episodes
Mark VanOuse
As King Solomon was embarking on the work to build the temple of the Lord, he said in 2 Chronicles 2:5-6:
5 And the temple which I build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. 6 But who is able to build Him a temple, since heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? Who am I then, that I should build Him a temple, except to burn sacrifice before Him?
On the surface, this seems to be a noble thought: God is so impossibly great, who could possibly build a temple great enough to contain Him?
We may think, “Wow, Solomon! What a humble statement!”
But when we take into consideration the broader context of this statement, there is a glaring problem that reflects the huge difference between Solomon and King David, his father.
The Fundamental Difference: Relationship vs. TransactionThe fundamental difference between David and Solomon was that David had a real love relationship with God and Solomon did not. David knew God intimately in personal fellowship. Solomon did not. But David was different. David loved the Lord. David delighted in the Lord.
The temple (and the tabernacle before it) was designed to be a place of meeting with God. It was about a love relationship with God, not mere outward religious service like sacrifices. It certainly was never meant to be a place to contain God. Notice what Solomon says in 2 Chronicles 2:6:
Who am I then, that I should build Him a temple, except to burn sacrifice before Him?
Solomon’s focus was on sacrifice – on what he could do for God. His relationship with God was fundamentally transactional – based on performance rather than intimate fellowship.
David’s Heart: The One ThingDavid’s heart was captured by something infinitely greater than sacrifice – the beauty and presence of God Himself. This is what I’ve referred to as “the one thing”:
“One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.” (Psalm 27:4, NKJV)
David didn’t just want to sacrifice to God; David wanted to dwell with God, to behold His beauty, to inquire of Him in relationship. This “one thing” principle is seen throughout Scripture:
- Mary chose “that good part” by sitting at Jesus’ feet, while Martha was “worried and troubled about many things” (Luke 10:41-42, NKJV)
- Paul declared his single passion: “that I may know Him” (Philippians 3:10, NKJV)
The key is knowing God – knowing God in real love relationship. That’s the essential difference between David and Solomon: David sincerely knew the Lord and hungered for Him. We see this demonstrated throughout the Scriptures. We don’t see that kind of spiritual hunger or intimate relationship with Solomon.
God’s Heart Toward Mere SacrificeThe Scriptures reveal that God does not delight in mere sacrifice when it lacks the heart of true relationship and obedience. When King Saul presumptuously offered sacrifices that were not his to offer, the prophet Samuel confronted him with these penetrating words:
“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, and to listen than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22).
God wanted more than mere outward performance – He wanted obedience born out of a real relationship with God. This incident reveals that religious activity – even sacrifice to God – becomes meaningless when it flows from self-will rather than humble submission to God’s heart and ways. Saul’s presumptuous sacrifice parallels Solomon’s transactional approach to God.
This is why Jesus spoke about people who would approach Him at the judgment saying: “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matthew 7:22-23). Notice Jesus doesn’t dispute their religious activities – He declares the fundamental issue: “I never knew you.” The absence of genuine relationship makes all religious performance worthless.
The End ResultDavid, despite his failures including the sin with Bathsheba, turned back to the Lord, repented, and struggled through the consequences of his sin. Ultimately, David ended his life in honor, and God loved David. God appreciated David.
Solomon, for all his wisdom and wealth, lacked this fundamental relationship with the living God. While it’s true that when Solomon asked for a discerning heart, God blessed him way beyond what he requested – giving him not just a discerning heart but wisdom, riches, and honor, yet there is no real indication that Solomon had the kind of intimate relationship with God that marked David’s life.
And finally it came down to this in Solomon’s life:
4 For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. 5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6 Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as did his father David. 7 Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon. 8 And he did likewise for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods. (1 Kings 11:4-8)
The Revealing TruthShow me a person who’s caught up in sin and in the pleasures of this world, like Solomon, and you will find someone who really is not enjoying the Lord, not experiencing the delights and the satisfaction of the Lord in that deep personal relationship.
The tragedy is not in Solomon’s eventual turning to demon “gods,” but in his never having truly known the one true God in the first place. While David’s heart was set on dwelling in God’s presence and beholding His beauty, Solomon’s highest aspiration was to burn sacrifices before Him.
This reveals the difference between authentic Christianity and mere religion – between knowing about God versus actually knowing God personally in transforming relationship.
4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)
There is something profound and powerful about delighting in the Lord. Unfortunately, the moment I say “delighting in the Lord,” the focus tends to be on the delighting and not on the Lord. Through the years, when I’ve heard people talk about delighting in the Lord or desiring God, I’ve been caught up with: How do I do that? It becomes the old “how-to” trap rather than focusing on God Himself and His delightfulness.
The more I walk with the Lord, the more I realize the principle is really quite simple. When we go to a beautiful place in nature—the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, Mount Everest—we don’t need a primer on how to enjoy such spectacular beauty. We naturally behold that wonder, and it invokes pleasure, enjoyment, and awe.
If that’s the way it is in creation, how much more as we behold our Creator God? The key is not learning how to delight in the Lord, because we already have the capacity to delight—it’s God-given and natural. We’re always delighting in something.
It’s the same way with the Lord. We need to be exposed to who He is, what He is, and what He has done. As we learn of the biblical truths about God, as we behold God, our capacity for delight rises. The focus is not on delighting—the activity. The focus is on God, who is delightful. The focus is not on desiring God. The focus is on God Who is desirable.
That’s the revolutionary difference that takes the focus off us and our activity, which is a trap in our fallen, man-centered thinking and upward to God-centered thinking.
For years, I used to look at Psalm 37:4: “Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” I’d think, “But how do I delight myself in the Lord?”
That focus is totally wrong. The focus of “Delight yourself also in the LORD” is not in the “delight yourself” part, but rather, the LORD. The delighting is the consequence of beholding God, learning who He is and what He has said, and enjoying Him.
Astronomers are some of the happiest people I’ve ever met. They experience endless delight in the vast unfolding wonders of the universe. No one needs to tell them, “Delight yourself in the universe.” They just look up and look out. There’s so much to behold and enjoy from the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes—the glories of the universe and space.
King David had such a wonderful relationship with God because as a young man, alone with his sheep, he would look up at those dazzlingly clear Judean nights and see the sky ablaze with stars. His mind was filled with awe:
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? (Psalm 8:3-4)
And Psalm 19:1-2 (AMP)
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork. Day after day pours forth speech, and night after night shows forth knowledge.
Hear David’s seeking heart in Psalm 42:
As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
This deep longing for God Himself captured David’s heart from his youth. I believe this was the hallmark of this godly (though flawed) man.
Human beings have a built-in capacity to desire and delight. God has given us many delightful things in creation. Food can be amazing—a five-star restaurant with top cuisine rightfully brings delight. But we can also get delight from a Twinkie, then want two, three, four, and become addicted because those things really don’t satisfy us.
This is exactly what God asks in Isaiah 55:2:
Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.”
Charles Spurgeon pointed out something brilliant about Psalm 37:4. He spoke of people who have so much—for instance, the rich—yet they want more and feel like they don’t have enough. No matter how rich they become, they remain unsatisfied. The problem is that the earthly things that we delight in don’t really satisfy us. He adds:
Mark this, this [delighting in God] is the only thing that a man can delight in and get his desires.
It’s one thing to delight. It’s quite another thing to delight and be satisfied. Nothing—no food, sex, music, work, or scientific discovery—can truly satisfy the heart that’s been designed to be satisfied by God Himself. Psalm 63:5:
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
Psalm 16:11:
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
That’s what delighting in the LORD is all about. There’s a vast difference between focusing on “delight” versus “in the LORD“—the object of our delight.
Desiring God is not about desiring. It is about the desirability of God. Our delighting and desire is in God Himself: His character—loving, wise, gentle, kind, long-suffering, patient, faithful. His nature—all-powerful, all-present, all-knowing, eternal. His aseity, which speaks of God being I AM, and all that exists, that all good is from Him and of Him. The fact that He is immutable, unchangeable.
Hear it in Psalm 73:25-26:
Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Job 22:25-26 really nails it:
25 Yes, the Almighty will be your gold And your precious silver; 26 For then you will have your delight in the Almighty, And lift up your face to God.
Our delight in God naturally rises when we think about all the wonderful things that God has done—His perfect accomplishments through Jesus: perfect life, perfect sacrifice, perfect death, perfect resurrection, perfect redemption, perfect priesthood. He has set us apart as His own, made us holy, bought us with a price, redeemed us.
Consider also how God is also working now in the believer. The Holy Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit with nine characteristics of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. He brings us peace—the Hebrew word shalom, where nothing is missing, nothing broken, nothing lacking.
There is great delight in the reality of Christ, who is our life: “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:4).
Beyond that, there are all those amazing “in Christ” realities—some 150 of them in the New Testament.
Also the great reality of Christ in us, Colossians 1:27: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
The older I get, the more my thought isn’t about what I should do or not do. My thought is no longer “how-to” Christianity. In fact, i could care less about such “Christianity”, so-called. My thought is consumed with: “Tell me about my God! Tell me about my SaviorI Tell me about what He has done for me! Tell me about who I am in Him! Tell me about who He is in me!” It’s all about Him.
As I look to Him, behold Him, know Him, learn of Him from His Word and by the Spirit, my heart thrills. My desire is aligned toward God and truly satisfied! My delight is in God. I want to yell and shout and dance and sing and write poetry about this great God. I want to tell the whole world!
Why? Because I’m “supposed” to delight in God and I need to work on that? No! It is because He is so wonderful, so delightful, so desirable. I think about that beautiful song that Larnelle Harris and Sandi Patty sang years ago, “More Than Wonderful”, which speaks of Jesus being more wonderful than our minds can conceive, more than our hearts can believe, beyond our highest hopes and fondest dreams, everything our souls have ever longed for and so much more. He’s more than wonderful.
Every true believer knows how beholding Him, experiencing Him, enjoying Him, brings deep satisfaction. There is nothing like a direct personal encounter with God! Every person who has directly experienced God in a deep and profound way is fundamentally altered and changed. It changes our direction, our passions, our seeking heart.
We seek Him not because the Bible says “seek the Lord.” We seek Him because He is so worth the seeking. We know Him because He is so worth the knowing. We love Him because He is so worth the loving—because He’s loving, wonderful, and good.
Psalm 34:8: “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Taste and see—those are experiential things.
That is the great, powerful magnet and gravitational force that pulls us to His heart and away from ourselves, away from lust, pride, sinfulness, selfishness, and into His heart. We walk holy because a holy God has made us holy, and we delight in His holiness. As King David said in Psalm 27:4:
One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.”
Oh, the great wonder of delighting in a delightful God! Oh, the joy and satisfaction of desiring a desirable God!
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I remember as a brand new Christian at Penn State, reading through the book of Acts and being struck by something that troubled me deeply. I went to a fellow believer and asked: “Tim, whatever happened to the church?” When he realized I was talking about the early church in Acts, he chuckled with understanding. He knew exactly what I was talking about.
That was 44 years ago. Since then, I’ve witnessed too much Christianity that is simply powerless—bearing little resemblance to the supernatural, life-transforming Christianity we see in Acts.
The Day Everything ChangedOn the day of Pentecost, the disciples were transformed. Acts 2:1-4 tells us:
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The result? Peter—no longer the fearful disciple who denied Jesus—preached with Holy Spirit power. Acts 2:41 tells us:
Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”
One man preaching, 3,000 souls saved. This was God—the Holy Spirit on the move—and the result was supernatural.
The Life of the Real ChurchBut what happened after that glorious day reveals the essence of true church life. Acts 2:42-47 shows us:
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
Notice the elements: apostolic teaching, genuine fellowship (koinonia), breaking bread together, prayers, and manywonders and signs. They lived life together, sharing with one another, eating “with gladness and simplicity of heart.” The result? “The Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
The Heart’s LongingThis supernatural church life is what our hearts long for. The Bible speaks to this “together kind of life” in many “one another” verses:
- Romans 12:10 (NKJV): “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.”
- Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV): “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NKJV): “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”
- Hebrews 3:13 (NKJV): “But exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
Hebrews 10:25 captures this longing:
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
The Question RemainsSo I return to that question from 44 years ago: “Whatever happened to the church?” The church, for the most part, is very far from this biblical model. Yet this is God’s ideal—what He intends His church to be.
The tragedy isn’t that we lack better programs or methods. The tragedy is that we’ve moved away from the simplicity and power of life in the Holy Spirit, from the centrality of Christ, from the supernatural community that flows from hearts transformed by grace.
Here’s the hope: God hasn’t changed. His Spirit is still the same. His Word is still powerful. Wherever believers gather hungry for Him rather than religious performance, this kind of church life can and will emerge.
The question isn’t really “Whatever happened to the church?” The question is: “Will we return to what the church is meant to be?”
Yesterday, I heard an interview with the son of a famous Bible teacher, and he was reflecting on his father’s life. He made the point that his father was not just a man of belief—he was a man of conviction. Having seen his father’s ministry and public life, I would say that’s true. He obviously had clear convictions toward biblical truth, and that’s to be commended.
But to me, in my mind, it’s like… that’s fine, but it’s not nearly enough.
Jesus said in the Gospel of John, “If you love Me, you will obey Me” (John 14:15). Notice the beautiful assumption in Jesus’ words—He’s speaking to those who already do love Him. This isn’t meant to be a burden; it’s a promise about what naturally flows from a love relationship. When genuine love is present, obedience follows as surely as fruit comes from a healthy tree. There is something about obeying. But it is a problem to obey God without love. And I think this gets into at least some of the problems with the scribes, Pharisees, and teachers of the Law in Jesus’ time. They obeyed God—they tried to obey God as much as they could through the law—and they failed. In fact, they failed so spectacularly that when the Messiah Himself showed up, when Jesus came on the scene, they completely missed who He was. They didn’t understand that He was coming as the Son of God, in the image of the Father, as the long-awaited Messiah. But they plotted to kill Him, and succeeded in doing so.
There is a difference between obedience without love and obedience with love.
What would have made a difference in their lives if they had obedience with love? Well, when you have love, you’ve got relationship. In fact, you’ve got relationship to the highest degree. Think about what is communicated to us and revealed to us about the nature of God’s love. In 1 Corinthians 13, the great love chapter, we see a powerful picture of what God’s love is like. In Ephesians chapter 5, it says that Jesus has a relationship with His church like a bride, and He laid down His life for her, and that becomes an injunction or a model for husbands: “Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and He laid down His life.”
So we see in the love relationship where there’s so much more that can be offered than in a relationship of mere obedience.
I think we have very little understanding of what was really going on in the minds of the Pharisees. We tend to nitpick on them and wag or shake our fingers at them, but we don’t understand the Pharisee in ourselves. We have to understand the universality of sin and the condition of sin that is throughout the whole human race, which is clearly and vividly portrayed in Romans chapter 1, beginning in verse 18, all the way through to Romans 3:20. That isn’t just the Pharisees and their condition that’s listed there in Romans—it is the condition of the entire fallen human race.
And so what was going on in the Pharisees’ lives was the problem of sin, the fundamental problem of sin in the human race, except it manifested itself in the lives of religious people, in the lives of people who I believe sincerely wanted to obey God. But they were so far from God, they didn’t have a relationship with God. They certainly didn’t love God.
How do we know that? Jesus said, “If you knew My Father, you would know Me” (John 8:19). Those who had a true relationship with God the Father—when the Messiah Jesus showed up, they recognized Him and they embraced Him and they believed Him.
There is a vast difference between obedience with love and loveless obedience. And that love and obedience working together is what Jesus shared with His disciples in the upper room in John chapters 13 through 17.
But here’s the beautiful truth that transforms everything: We love God because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). The source of our love isn’t something we manufacture or work up within ourselves—it flows from His love for us. This is the “God First” approach that changes everything. When we understand that He is the source of all love, all good gifts, all righteousness, then our obedience becomes the overflow of His love working in and through us (1 John 5:3).
Scripture tells us that “every good and perfect gift is from above, from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17). Every good thing—including our love for Him, our desire to obey Him—comes from God Himself. He is the source. We are not trying to generate love or obedience from our own hearts; we are receiving His love and allowing it to flow through us in loving obedience.
This is what the Pharisees missed completely. They were trying to produce righteousness and obedience from their own resources, apart from relationship with the God who is the very source of all that is good (1 John 4:8). They had missed the heart of it all—that God is love, God is the giver of every good gift, and we come to Him not to perform but to receive.
The love of God is coupled with obedience. The obedience of God is coupled with the love of God. But it all begins with His love for us, His goodness toward us, His grace poured out upon us.
Hebrews 10:5-7 says:
5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:
“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
But a body You have prepared for Me.
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin
You had no pleasure.
7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—
In the volume of the book it is written of Me—
To do Your will, O God.'”
Here we read that the Lord Jesus Christ said that the Father prepared a body for Him.
So the body that the Lord Jesus Christ had when He was incarnate in this world—that perfect body—was prepared, not even by Himself, but by the Father Himself. The Father prepared Jesus’ body. Question number one: was that body imperfect for the accomplishing of the will of God in any way? No, if we say that that body was not perfect, then we are saying somehow the Father failed to prepare the perfect body that was necessary for the perfect sanctification of every believer.
Number two: if that’s the case, then the Lord Jesus Christ was lying because the Father hadn’t prepared His body. Now we have doubly accuse God, of wrong. No, that’s not the case. Our Father did it. He did indeed prepare the body of the Lord Jesus Christ—the perfect body necessary to be able to carry out the will of the Father.
Then it goes on in Hebrews chapter 10 to say that the Lord Jesus says this says, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” In fact it says that twice (verses 8 and 9), and then in Hebrews 10:10, that golden verse, it says:
10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Now the Greek perfect tense is used there for “sanctified,” and the Greek perfect tense means an action that is done once, never to be repeated again. It’s the exact opposite of the Greek continuous tense. So God, in the inspired Word of God, the Bible, selected—hand picked—the Greek perfect tense of “sanctify” to describe the extent and the completeness of our sanctification.
But even if you didn’t know about the Greek perfect tense, we still have the situation of the proofs: number one, of the body that the Father prepared for the Lord Jesus Christ to perfectly accomplish all for our justification, our redemption, our remission of sins and our complete and perfect sanctification. So He completed it. He finished it. He said, “I have come to do Your will, O God.”
And the connection to us is this: “by that will”—not your will, but by Jesus saying, “I have come Father to do Your will.” And He did do it as completely as the doing of everything that Jesus did to accomplish the Father’s will. And we can clearly see this all throughout the Gospels, particularly in the Gospel of John, where it says that Jesus came to do what His Father was doing and say what His Father was saying:
John 5:19 (NKJV)
19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
John 12:49-50 (NKJV)
49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”
So we see three forceful arguments for the completeness of our sanctification already accomplished (not by us, but by The Lord Jesus Christ):
Number one: the body that was prepared by the Father, testifying to the completeness of what the Father did through The Lord Jesus. He truthfully testified that body was prepared by the Father.
Number two: Second, Jesus comes and says, “Father, I have come to do Your will, O God”—stated twice so we would get it.
Number three: in verse 10, we’re told by that will—by Jesus’ will, which He did perfectly and completely when He accomplished what the Father wanted Him to do—by that will we have been sanctified (Greek perfect tense) by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
There you have it— three undeniable proofs that testify to the perfect sanctification that the believer lives in in:
Number one: the perfect body, the body that the Father prepared for the accomplishing of all.
Number two: Jesus coming to do the will of the Father.
Number three: the Greek perfect tense used for “sanctified”, telling of the completed, perfect accomplishment of everything that the Father wants through the Lord Jesus Christ, and by that will we have been—Greek perfect tense—sanctified by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all.
Hallelujah! To God be the glory!
By “perfect sanctification” we are not saying (as some do) that believers are sinless. We are stating the Bible truth that God is the One who already and perfectly sanctified (set apart, made holy) the believer. When you understand that those in Christ are already perfectly sanctified, then you have the perfect basis for a holy walk with God. Paul makes that case clear in 1 Corinthians 6:11-20. the Bible nowhere teaches that sanctification is “process”, as is so often claimed. The biblical “process” is learning to walk as the holy people that we already are, because of what The Lord Jesus Christ accomplished for us and God’s Grace.
You can learn much more about the biblical reality of Perfect Sanctification by listening to my series Living in The Reality of Perfect Sanctification.
One of the most striking and glorious truths in all of the Bible is this: every single person who is in Christ is already blessed.
This is not theoretical. It’s not a future possibility or potential. It is present reality. We already possess the amazing riches drawn from the deep wells of God’s grace—supplied richly and fully in Christ. Colossians 2:9 says:
For in Him [Christ] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
Bible-believing Christians say, “Amen” to that. Think of it: all of The Father and all of the Holy Spirit dwells IN CHRIST. Well, good for Jesus…. but what about us? Look at the next verse:
and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
Those of us in Christ, by God’s Grace (1 Corinthians 1:30), are complete in Him. The Greek word means “to make something total or complete” [1]
We don’t have to go through life struggling, scraping by, barely surviving. We have a generous Father, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). These are not small blessings, nor are they occasional—they are abundant, heavenly, and ours right now.
He is the God who daily loads us with benefits (Psalm 68:19). And as Psalm 103:2 exhorts, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”
It is incredible to think that the starting point of the Christian life is not lack, but fullness. Not poverty, but abundance. Not waiting for blessing, but already being blessed beyond imagination.
This is not some vague “tomorrow” promise. It is a real possession today—and forever.
Scripture ReadingEphesians 1:3 (NKJV)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”
Psalm 68:19 (NKJV)
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! Selah”
Psalm 103:2 (NKJV)
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”
PrayerFather,
Thank You for the overwhelming truth that in Christ I am already blessed—fully, richly, and eternally. Open the eyes of my heart to see all that You’ve given me in Your grace. Help me to live not as one in lack, but as one filled with the abundance of Your life and love. Teach me to trust, to rejoice, and to walk in the full provision that is mine in Christ.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
[1] Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 597.
The word “Grace” is used frequently in Christian sermons, books, podcasts, etc. However, many times this word is used in a way that God does not use it. Which means we are communicating something incorrect when we use the word “Grace” in a Christian context. The result of such incorrect usage of the word “Grace” …
God’s Use of the Word “Grace” is Not What You Think Read More »
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What was Jesus’ last word, uttered as He gave His last breath at the Cross? We read about it in The Bible: So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. (John 19:30) In your mind, transport yourself back in time, to …
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The post Tetelestai: All is Completely Fulfilled, FOREVER! first appeared on Daily In Christ.
God so richly blesses with so many wonderful benefits that we can't help but to bless Him in return!
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Ephesians 2:7 (NKJV)[7] that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Jamieson Faucett & Brown in their commentary* observe:Ephesians 2:7 answers the question of why God lavished such love upon his people: so that they will marvel for all of …
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[Series: God’s Prescription When Life Isn’t Fair. This episode: “Psalm 37:34-40 – The Hope of the Righteous”] When we are going through a dark time, when the unrighteous and ungodly are getting away with their wrongdoing, it can seem like there is no hope. That our lives are hopeless, lost to the great wrong being …
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[Series: God’s Prescription When Life Isn’t Fair, this episode: “Ps 37:12-21 – The Doom of the Wicked and The Heritage of the Righteous] Over and over again in the Bible we see situations where the righteous are vexed and can be tempted to be discouraged when it seems like the unrighteous are getting away with …
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[Series: God’s Prescription When Life Isn’t Fair] God is speaking very clearly to us during these distressing times and no matter the situations of unfairness that we face. We continue our hope-filled series, based on Psalms 37 & 73 (the “3-7, 7-3” prescription). In this episode: I heard God LAUGH. His laugh of derision of …
God’s Prescription When Life Isn’t Fair – Pt 2 Read More »
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[Series: God’s Prescription When Life Isn’t Fair] There are times when we are frustrated — even angry — that something in our lives is downright unfair. We may be living our lives, doing what is right and then someone takes advantage of us. And it seems like they are getting away with it, while we …
God’s Prescription When Life Isn’t Fair – Pt 1 Read More »
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[This is the second part of a 2-part message. NOTE: although the title is similar to the message shared during the last two podcast episodes (preached in 2020), this is a different one (preached in 2016)]. There are times when it seems as if things are spinning out of control. Or perhaps that the godless …
In God We Trust – Pt 2 Read More »
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[This is the first part of a 2-part message. NOTE: although the title is similar to the message shared during the last two podcast episodes (preached in 2020), this is a different one (preached in 2016)]. The most important and comforting thought we could ever have, even in the midst our turbulent times is this: …
In God We Trust – Pt 1 Read More »
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[This is part 2 of the two-part message, “In God We Trust 2020”] The Bible speaks in many places about the blessedness of trusting God, not man. In this episode we learn about what The Bible means to trust in God. We also discuss: The blessedness of trusting God, not man (Jeremiah 17:7-8) Often, scripture …
In God We Trust 2020 – Pt 2 Read More »
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[This is part 1 of the two-part message, “In God We Trust 2020”] Do you know what verse lies at the exact center of the Bible? It is a powerful verse with profound implications for our troubled times: Psalm 118:9, “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.” That …
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[Series: More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times] Romans 8:35-39 In the midst of darkness, trouble and crisis we may be tempted to believe that God somehow is not really for us… we may even think that He is against us! But nothing could be farther from the truth! In this episode we look …
More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times 12: NO ONE and NO THING Can Separate Us From The Love of God in Christ! Read More »
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[Series: More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times] Romans 8:33-34. Many Christians, when they experience the blessing of the Grace of God, have a dark tendency to think, “Uh oh! I better watch out for the other shoe to drop!” In other words, “Something bad is probably going to happen, now that something good …
More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times 11: God is For Us – Pt 2 Read More »
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In Romans 8 we read: [31] What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? [33] Who shall …
What the Intercession of Jesus Means for us Read More »
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[Series: More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times] Romans 8:31-32. If we go through a trial and wrongly think that God is against us it pushes us into deeper darkness. But the plain truth is: believer, God is indeed FOR you and not against you! And that makes all the difference whenever we go …
More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times 10: God is For Us – Pt 1 Read More »
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[Series: More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times] Romans 8:28-30. The biggest fear that we can have is our own, total failure. This darkens our horizon and hinders our faith walk with God right now. In this episode we see that God’s real Hope has nothing at all to do with you or what …
More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times 9: This is Our Hope: God’s Purpose Shall Stand! Read More »
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[Series: More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times] What would you think if you knew that there was someone who is praying for you and that someone was offering perfect prayers to God on your behalf? The good news is that you DO have such a perfect Intercessor, right now. In this episode we …
More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times 8: Perfect Intercession for You Read More »
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[Series: Such Costly Love] The great Love of God is supremely demonstrated by the costly sacrifice of Jesus and shed His precious blood for us. In this episode we learn more about SUCH COSTLY LOVE and more reasons for His shed blood: Remission of sins, which brings about the completely removal of all sin, past …
Such Costly Love – Part 3 Read More »
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We’ve taken a pause of our ongoing series, “More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times” to allow The Lord to bring an important 3 episode series, Such Costly Love“. It has been my experience in ministering to people who are in crisis that when their foundational understanding of the Love of God is weak, …
A Deeper Understanding of The Love of God During Crisis Read More »
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[Series: Such Costly Love] Christians understand that it was necessary for Christ to shed His precious blood to bring us salvation. Unfortunately, very few Christians understand why Jesus had to shed His blood for US. In this episode we learn about: Redemption blood – as a ransom, purchasing us from sin, self and Satan to …
Such Costly Love – Part 2 Read More »
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[Series: Such Costly Love] The Greatness of God’s incredible love is demonstrated and clearly seen not in the best of places… but in our worst. In this first part of a two-part message we’ll look into the great cost of God’s Love for YOU. Exactly what is this great demonstration of God’s Love? This love …
Such Costly Love – Part 1 Read More »
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[Series: More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times] All around us seems to be in hopelessness and despair. Our world has been thrown into deep crisis because of the pandemic. Racial unrest tears the heart of the nation. In city after city the voices of peaceful protesters are drowned out by gangs of criminals …
More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times 7 – Saved in Hope Read More »
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[Series: More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times] We have been plunged into times of darkness and hopelessness. The Coronavirus Pandemic has killed over 100,000 people world wide and resulted in a long shut down. Great economic uncertainty abounds as many are unemployed, racial tension and riots are igniting cities across the land. Is …
More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times 6 – Revealing the Sons of God Read More »
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[Series: More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times] In these incredibly uncertain, even frightening, times many wonder: “What is the greatest form of security?” and “How can my family and I be kept safe?” Even more importantly: “How do I get rid of this fear and anxiety in my life?” In this episode we …
More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times 5: Children & Heirs of God Read More »
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[Series: More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times] Believer, do you know that the old sinner you is dead and buried? Do you know that you are dead to sin? Do you know that you are also dead to the law? In this episode we talk about the NEW YOU: The power of believing …
More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times, Part 4: Victory in Context 3 Read More »
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[Series: More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times] Every single believer is already “more than a conqueror through Him who loved us” — even in the darkest of times. Unfortunately, many believers don’t understand the incredible truths of God’s Love, and the incredible things that God has done for them and to them. So, …
More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times, Part 3: Victory in Context 2 Read More »
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[Series: More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times] It is breathtaking how God meets us at our very worst — unworthy, sinful and deserving of His just wrath — and transforms us into His beloved children and rightful heirs of all! In this episode we take a look at the context of Romans 8:15-39, …
More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times, Part 2: Victory in Context 1 Read More »
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I was awakened at about 2:15 one morning and had difficulty falling back to sleep, being plagued with “popcorn worries” – those pesky worries about one thing or another that keep popping up. After taking authority over Satan (we know where this sort of stuff ultimately comes from), I turned to The Bible and saw …
The Eternal God and Our Refuge Read More »
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The Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe. It has killed tens of thousands, shut down entire economies, closed schools, shuttered businesses and left many in fear of the future. Can there be any hope for our future? If it depended on man, we would be hopeless and our future very dark. But God is …
New Series Brings HOPE on the Daily In Christ Podcast Read More »
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[Series: More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times] There are times in our lives when we are suddenly hit with a crisis. Like a car getting slammed broadside on the road. But no matter how dark and frightening the crisis — even the current Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic — God reigns supreme. And that makes …
More Than Conquerors in the Darkest of Times, Part 1 – Introduction Read More »
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[Blessed Beyond Imagination #18] Many Christians struggle with living as the brand new creature in Christ that they REALLY ARE, because they think, “I don’t think I’m ‘good enough’ or ‘holy enough’ or ‘righteous enough”. That’s right: you are NOT… but the Lord Jesus Christ is! And that makes a world of difference for you, …
Blessed #18: In Christ Realities (Part 5) Read More »
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[Blessed Beyond Imagination #17. The beginning of this podcast has encouragement from God’s Word dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic crisis]. It’s true: God has already richly blessed you, believer, beyond imagination! But many struggle and ask, “Why isn’t this working in my life?”. We tackling that perplexing question in this episode: Why “doing for God” …
Blessed #17: In Christ Realities (Part 4) Read More »
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[Blessed Beyond Imagination #16] Very few believers know who they really are in Christ…And that’s important to know, in good times… and especially in bad times! Even fewer believers experience the reality of who they really are in Christ in their daily lives. In this episode, we talk about living in the full benefits of …
Blessed #16: In Christ Realities (Part 3) Read More »
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[Blessed Beyond Imagination #15. Note: the beginning of this episode has strong encouragement during this dark time of the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak and economic uncertainty.] God has already richly blessed every single believer… beyond imagination! But most Christians have almost no idea just how much God has already blessed them in Christ! In this episode …
Blessed #15: In Christ Realities (Part 2) Read More »
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[This is the audio version. Click here for the written version] I have become increasingly concerned over the hysteria and panic over the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. True, we must be careful and take wise action. However, the overreaction and downright panic are much worse than the disease itself. If God did not exist, I can …
THIS KING – the audio version Read More »
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There is significantly greater danger for the unbeliever than there is for the believer. The unbeliever is living without Christ. They are dead men walking (Eph 2:1). They are being driven by the spirit of Satan working inside of them (Eph 2:2). They are on a collision course with a world driven by Satan whose agenda is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).
That's why the world is so fearful: they're fearful of climate change, fearful of disease, fearful of deadly viruses, fearful of influenza, fearful of pandemics, fearful of cyberattacks, fearful of getting their identity stolen, fearful of who's in the White House, fearful of who's not in the White House, fearful of terrorism, fearful of international situations. Fear, fear, fear!
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Every single person who is in Christ is indeed richly blessed beyond imagination. But you might be wondering: it sure doesn’t seem like I’m richly blessed beyond imagination! Maybe you even think that your life is just the opposite. In this episode, we’ll help you to understand and experience the blessed life that is your …
Blessed #14: In Christ Realities (Part 1) Read More »
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A new king has emerged, though not entirely new. It has been around for thousands of years, wreaking havoc on the human race. Its name is "Coronavirus" and its existence in our day is known as "Coronavirus COVID-19".
This king is in keeping with its name: for "corona" means "crown."
This king is overruling the kings of the Earth, even of the mightiest nations...
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[Blessed Beyond Imagination, part 13]. It’s one of the most important messages that could ever be spoken… And it answers the most important question of all: can I know for sure that I have a good standing with God? EVERYTHING depends on it! In this episode we look at: Faith is very important to God. …
Blessed #13: Blessed of God (Part 6) Read More »
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Blessed Beyond Imagination series, part 12. In the Bible we read that God “justifies the ungodly“. How can that be? Today, we examine what He does this, looking at what the Bible says about: All of us don’t deserve to be blessed, because of our sin, idolatry and rebellion against God. In fact, we deserve …
Blessed #12 Blessed of God (Part 5) Read More »
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They didn’t deserve to be blessed… yet GOD blessed them anyhow! In this episode, we continue looking at the lives of those who are blessed of God, yet didn’t deserve to be blessed. Today, we look at: Ruth – an outsider, a Moabite. Even though she was not a part of God’s blessed people, the …
Blessed #11 Blessed of God (Part 4) Read More »
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God blessings the undeserving... as seen in the lives of Joseph and Moses. The Great Divide of law: before Mt. Sinai, no judgment for sin, afterward, curses.
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Blessed Beyond Imagination. Sounds a bit “over the top” don’t you think? But God actually DOES bless like this, in an exceeding measure! This is what God DOES… because of WHO HE IS. So WHO is blessed of God? And WHY are the blessed of God? In today’s episode: God blesses us solely because He …
Blessed #9: Blessed of God (Part 2) Read More »
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Throughout the Bible and down the corridors of time, we find people who were known to be BLESSED OF GOD. How did they ever get to such a place of being SO BLESSED? What was their secret?
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Some time ago the Lord showed me that the hope of glory means the hope of the glory of the full extent of all that our Creator God means for us to be. Recently, God revealed to me something even deeper that can connect better in my mind and in the minds of others and it is this...
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We are not capable of being God in our lives. If we allow God to control our lives, step by step every day, it leads to peace and sure direction.
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God richly blessed an undeserving, pagan man, Abraham. His blessing extends even to us.
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In Romans 4, we see that Abraham had nothing but inability. He gave glory to God by looking to GOD's ability. This is the epicenter of faith.
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[Part 7 of the “Blessed Beyond Imagination” series] Have you ever been betrayed by a friend, rejected by someone who used to love you or ever had someone say, “I’m DONE with you!”? At some point, we all experience the pain and loss of broken love. On this edition we learn about the steadfast love …
Blessed #7: The Incredible Steadfast Love of The Lord – Part 2 Read More »
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[Psalm 103:8-10, Part 6 of the series, “Blessed Beyond Imagination”] We live in rapidly changing times. Everywhere we look, dramatic — sometimes traumatic — change is taking place: in our culture, in the world, at the workplace, in our schools and in our families. But there is one, sure, great constant and that is GOD …
Blessed #6: The Incredible Steadfast Love of The Lord Read More »
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[Psalm 103:5-7] Because of God’s incredible GOODNESS, we are blessed beyond imagination. Today, we explore the blessings of real and lasting SATISFACTION, God’s justice for the oppressed and Personally knowing HIM: God and only God can bring real satisfaction. The devil flaunts the pleasures of this world at us. But the child of God finds real satisfaction from …
Blessed #5: The Blessings of Satisfaction, Justice & Personally Knowing God Read More »
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[This is Part 4 of the series, “Blessed Beyond Imagination”] Many Christians acknowledge that God is a blessing God. The extent of His blessings are truly amazing. However, they think to themselves, “Why would God bless me, with all the sin that I have done?” In this encouraging episode, we look at one of the greatest …
Blessed #4: Redeemed! Read More »
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[This is Part 3 of the series, “Blessed Beyond Imagination”] We continue with a veritable feast of God’s blessings & benefits, found in Psalm 103. Today, we look at: God’s TOTAL forgiveness – no matter how great the iniquity or sin, God’s love and grace makes possible a perfect and forever forgiveness, based on the perfection …
Blessed #3: Perfect Forgiveness & Healing Read More »
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[This is Part 2 of the series, “Blessed Beyond Imagination”] It’s amazing how FORGETFUL we can be. One moment we get a deeper, fresher glimpse of the blessing of God…. and the next, we forget that word of blessing, when we open up an unexpected bill in the mail. In this episode we learn: The blessings …
Blessed #2: Forget Not His Benefits Read More »
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[This is Part 1 of the “Blessed Beyond Imagination Series”] Many times, we greet each other with “How are you?” For the believer, our answer really is “Blessed beyond imagination!”. In this introductory episode, you’ll find out why, as we learn: That God is the source of all blessing. He blesses us because He is good. …
Blessed #1: Introduction to the Blessing of God Read More »
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[This is part 2 of a 2-part series] Jesus Christ became an “object of horror” when He bore ALL of our sin, ALL of our curse, ALL of our infirmities, ALL of our sicknesses and ALL of our diseases. In this episode, we continue to examine WHY He bore all that for you and me: Why God laid on Him …
He Was Crushed So That You Would Be Blessed – Pt 2 Read More »
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[This is Part 1 of a 2-part series]. Most Christians know that when Jesus went to the cross He died for their sins… and that is true. However, he didn’t just “die for our sins”, he did for SINNERS. He died for YOU. In this episode, based on prophetic scriptures in Isaiah 52 and 53 we …
He Was Crushed So That You Would Be Blessed – Pt 1 Read More »
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Law thinking drives us deeper into ourselves, relying on fleshly resources rather than the kind and infinite resources of our Heavenly Father. For example, it is commonly taught in the church that God requires a tithe — meaning a tenth of all. Then people get into all sorts of debates about what God requires: do we tithe …
Law Thinking Drives Us Deeper Into Ourselves and Away From God Read More »
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[Part 5 of 5] While Satan’s plan to keep us away from God is devious — by distracting us with DOING to be like God — God’s REALITY for the new order of our being is INFINITELY better than DO — it is CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory. In this episode we learn: …
Exposing Satan’s Master Scheme: To Be Like God WITHOUT GOD – Pt. 5 Read More »
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[Part 4 of 5] If Satan’s #1 strategy to keep us AWAY FROM God is to have us believe that we must DO to be LIKE GOD… then what is GOD’s way and plan for us? In this episode we explore God’s brilliant plan in the new creation: not “just you”, but the NEW YOU …
Exposing Satan’s Master Scheme: To Be Like God WITHOUT GOD – Pt 4 Read More »
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[Part 3 of 5] Satan’s #1 goal is to keep us away from God, at all costs. And his #1 tactic to achieve that goal is so subtle, seemingly so good, that we miss it entirely: He tries to get us to be LIKE GOD WITHOUT GOD, by having us believe that we become like …
Exposing Satan’s Master Scheme: To Be Like God WITHOUT GOD – Pt. 3 Read More »
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[Part 2 of 5] On the surface it looks so good. But in reality, it’s the deadly, cunningly deceptive scheme of Satan to keep us away from God: focusing on trying to be like God by means of our doing. In this episode, we examine Origin #2 of this diabolical scheme: the fall of our first parent’s Adam …
Exposing Satan’s Master Scheme: To Be Like God WITHOUT GOD – Pt. 2 Read More »
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[Part 1 of 5] Satan’s #1 goal in our lives is to keep us away from God at all costs. How does he achieve that goal? What is his master strategy to keep us away from God? The way that Satan frequently works in our lives is by hiding inside something that on the outside looks …
Exposing Satan’s Master Scheme: To Be Like God WITHOUT GOD – Pt 1 Read More »
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[John 14:1-6] Many people say they “believe in God”…. but do you believe IN JESUS? Many Christians say they believe in Jesus and yet they burn themselves out trying to be “more like Jesus”. God is not interested in you “trying to be more like Jesus”…. He’s got a better way, and that way IS Jesus. In this lesson …
Believe Also In Me Read More »
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[Hebrews 13:8-24] Jesus Christ is not only prominent in the scripture, He is also preeminent. In the midst of verses that appear to be a “Christian To Do list”, Hebrews 13:8 triumphantly declares, “Jesus Christ, is the same yesterday, today and forever.” This is no accident: it is the Holy Spirit reminding us yet again of …
Hebrews Pt 50: The Prominence & Preeminence of Christ Read More »
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[Hebrews 12:25-13:6] In all of the scripture, no one is more prominent than The Lord Jesus Christ. No work is greater than His finished work. If we refuse Him, we refuse The Father. Having Him, we have all. In this lesson we learn: How vitally important it is to not refuse The Father who is …
Hebrews Pt 49: The Prominence of Christ – Part 1 Read More »
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[Gal 4:21-31] Many Christians struggle and continue to live in bondage, because they mix together two TOTALLY DIFFERENT covenants, the Old Covenant of Law and the New Covenant of grace. In this lesson, we’ll examine yet another striking contrast between the Old Covenant (law) and the New Covenant (grace), as portrayed in Galatians 4 by a …
Hebrews Pt 48: The Bondage of Law vs. The Holy Freedom of Grace Read More »
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[Hebrews 12:22-24] Many Christians live with a sense of condemnation and fear of God’s judgment. They believe that because they have failed to be good enough, righteousness enough or faithful enough, God is somehow displeased with them — or worse — condemning them. In this episode, will see the great news of God’s grace in the …
Hebrews Pt 47: The SO MUCH BETTER of The New Covenant Read More »
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[Hebrews 12:18-21] Most Christians think that God is impressed with their efforts to please Him by what they DO. In this episode, we’ll see that the focus on OUR “do for God” is actually self-righteous, contrary to faith and evokes the terror of the Lord. Also: Why it is that when Israel said to God, “All that …
Hebrews Pt 46: The Terror of The Law Read More »
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The subject of suffering frequently comes up in Christian teachings. Many times the speaker will quote a passage like Romans 5:3-4 3 And not only [that], but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Then they go on and on about “the value of suffering”: …
The Real Reason Behind Trials: The Testing of Our Faith Read More »
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An examination of Hebrews 12:12-17 to learn about the real reason for trials in our lives and the powerful results of God's grace.
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Redemption means that God purchases us with the blood of His own Son from the slave market of sin, self and Satan. But instead of making us His slaves, in love, He makes us His sons. The idea here is someone loving a person in bondage and slavery so much that they say, “I’ll pay …
Redemption: From a Slave to a Son Read More »
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[Hebrews 12:3-11] After having dealt with the common misconceptions about Hebrews 12:3-11 in our last episode, in this lesson we focus on what these verses are really all about: the child training of our Loving Father. We look into: The word “chasten” and “chastening” appear repeatedly throughout these verses. The Greek words translated “chasten” and …
Hebrews Pt 44: The Child Training of Our Loving Father Read More »
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[Hebrews 12:3-6] Does God send terrible things like cancer, tragic accidents and the death of loved ones to make us more like Jesus? Does God punish His children, even with severe scourging? In this episode, we deal head-on and scripturally with common — and harmful — misconceptions about the discipline of God. We elaborate on the reasons …
Hebrews Pt 43: Dispelling Misconceptions on the Discipline of God Read More »
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[Hebrews 11:33-12-2] In this concluding lesson in our The Just Shalt Live by Faith series, we dig into: More on overcoming faith Overcoming faith, even in the midst of severe persecution and death What God’s grace through faith in Christ accomplishes The importance of a faith that steadfastly looks to Jesus, the Source of all. …
The Just Shall Live By Faith – Pt 12 (Hebrews Pt 42) Read More »
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[Hebrews 11:30-33a] In this episode, we continue to look at OVERCOMING FAITH: Joshua and the Conquest The leadership of God’s people BY FAITH and its effects. They were ordinary people OF FAITH who trusted in an EXTRAORDINARY GOD! God is the one who is great, The Hero, and HE does mighty things through those who have FAITH …
The Just Shall Live By Faith – Pt 11 (Hebrews Pt 41) Read More »
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[Hebrews 11:23-29] In this episode, we look at the faith of Moses, the man of God who was called of God to forsake Egypt and bring deliverance to God’s people from the hand of Pharaoh. Over and over again we see that by living by faith, Moses: Had a godly response, despite fearful situations. Identified …
The Just Shall Live By Faith – Pt 10 (Hebrews Pt 40) Read More »
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I was listening to a Bible teacher and he said, “God wants you to know that God, the creator of the heavens and the earth, that God, Who is the Creator is your Father and it’s important that you maintain a son-Father relationship, a Father-son relationship. When you come to God, you must come to God …
Relating to God as a Son, Not a Sinner Read More »
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[Hebrews 11:13-22] How did they do it? How did those memorialized in Hebrews Chapter 11 live in such a way that God selected them and their story as examples of faith? The answer: they lived by faith. In this episode we: Remember the important context of Hebrews 11 — the full book of Hebrews, centered on …
The Just Shall Live By Faith – Pt 9 (Hebrews Pt 39) Read More »
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[Romans 3:21-26] The great reformer Martin Luther once said, “This one and firm rock, which we call the doctrine of justification, is the chief article of the whole Christian doctrine, which comprehends the understanding of all godliness.” He also called this doctrine the “article of the standing and falling of the church …if this article stands, …
Justified Forever! Part 2 Read More »
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Many Christians are crippled in their walk with the Lord, because they wrongly believe that God is relating to them on the basis of their righteousness, instead of on the righteousness of JESUS CHRIST. But the truth is, we could never, in a billion-trillion years come even close to being “good enough” for God. If …
Justified Forever! Part 1 Read More »
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To all the saints (those in Christ, made holy by the grace of God) everywhere: HAPPY ALL SAINTS DAY! Then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we HAVE BEEN sanctified [made holy saints] through the …
Happy All Saints Day, All Saints! Read More »
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[Romans 4:13-25]. In this episode we discover FAITH GROUND ZERO. This is the epicenter of faith — true, saving faith, the righteousness of faith. The Bible points to Abraham as the prime example of one who demonstrates “the just shall live by faith”. We’ll see that real faith is focused on God Himself, rests on grace, …
The Just Shall Live By Faith – Pt 8 (Hebrews Pt 38) Read More »
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[Romans 3:27-4:12] Who are the people God blesses? The biblical answer will probably surprise you. In this episode we dive into the key scriptures on the righteous OF FAITH and NOT by the works of the law. God is always and ever the SOURCE, the MEANS and the GREAT END of all that is good …
The Just Shall Live By Faith – Pt 7 (Hebrews Pt 37) Read More »
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“Faith Ground Zero” [Hebrews 11:11-12, Romans 3:10-26]. Abraham faced an impossible situation: fathering a child when he was 100 and Sarah was 91. Yet, there was something remarkable about the nature of their faith. In fact, the Bible identifies their faith as “the righteousness of faith”. Through faith in Christ, they were supernaturally enabled by God to bear …
The Just Shall Live By Faith – Pt 6 (Hebrews Pt 36) Read More »
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[Hebrews 11:7-10] The ancients — people like Abel, Enoch, Noah and Abraham — didn’t have Bibles, churches, Christian books, CD’s or podcasts. But they had the living God. Their faith looked to Him and His righteousness. In this episode, we examine the faith of godly Noah who, even though in a wicked generation, built the ark because …
The Just Shall Live By Faith – Pt 5 (Hebrews Pt 35) Read More »
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[This message was preached by Mark VanOuse at Transforming Lives Through Christ Ministries on Sunday August 24, 2014] It’s a simple, yet amazing truth: God is glorified most by the grace He gives. In this message preached on a Sunday morning at his home church, Mark takes us through the scriptures visiting some of the great …
Grace and Glory Read More »
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[Hebrews 11:3-6] The Bible declares it: THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH. In this panoramic episode, we see what living BY FAITH can accomplish: We take a sweeping view of all of Hebrews 11, extracting out of every “by faith” or “through faith” verse what living by faith accomplishes. In Hebrews 11:3 we dig into …
The Just Shall Live By Faith – Pt 4 (Hebrews Pt 34) Read More »
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[Hebrews 11:1-2. This episode continues the mini series “The Just Shall Live by Faith”, within our ongoing Hebrews series.] In this episode, we learn: God in His grace, through Jesus, has supplied ALL. Therefore, we have all NOW. Faith takes and personally appropriates what God has already richly supplied. What faith is NOT. Faith is the …
The Just Shall Live By Faith – Pt 3 (Hebrews Pt 33) Read More »
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[Hebrews 11 intro, Heb 10:38-39] What IS faith? That’s a very important question to answer, since the Bible is clear that “the just shall live by faith” (Hab 2:4, Rom 1:17, Gal 3:11, Heb 10:38). In this episode we dig into this question and discover that there are two aspects of faith: First, faith looks to …
The Just Shall Live By Faith – Pt 2 (Hebrews Pt 32) Read More »
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[This episode is part 1 of a mini-series called, “The Just Shall Live By Faith”. It is also a continuation of the “Hebrews: The Glory of the New Covenant” series. Note, this podcast is based on our article, “The Necessity of The Just Shall Live By Faith“, found on the www.DailyInChrist.org website.] “The just shall live …
The Just Shall Live By Faith – Pt 1 (Hebrews Pt 31) Read More »
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By Mark VanOuse Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) [6] But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. How many would like to please God? If you are truly born again, a child of God, deep down you …
The Necessity of The Just Shall Live By Faith Read More »
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[Hebrews 10:32-37] It can be tough walking in a world where the majority of those around us walk by sight and not by faith, by the flesh and not by the Spirit. In this episode we look at: The importance of remembering the fullness of Jesus Christ, the perfection of His finished work and that we are …
Hebrews Pt 30: Remember! Read More »
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[Hebrews 10:15-31]. Too many Christians experience a “Christian” life that is more like a roller coaster ride: ups and downs, with more down than up. The reason for such inconsistency is that they try to live their Christian lives based on their inconsistent performance. The Epistle to the Hebrews repeatedly proves that real Christian living …
Hebrews Pt 29: God’s Success with YOU in the New Covenant Read More »
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[Text: Hebrews 10:11-15] Hebrews 10:14 (NASB) declares, “For by ONE offering He HAS PERFECTED for all time those who ARE sanctified.” Those are revolutionary, life changing words. In this episode we learn how Christ’s perfect, once for all time finished work makes us as perfectly complete as He is. This 100% completeness is not because of us, but because …
Hebrews Pt 28: 100% Complete & 100% Sanctified Forever Read More »
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[Passage: Hebrews 10:1-10]. On the cross, Jesus very last word was “Tetelestai!” (John 19:30). That powerful Greek word means, “It is FINISHED” or “all is ACCOMPLISHED”. In this lesson we dive into one of the greatest chapters in all the Bible, Hebrews chapter 10. We’ll learn: Just what it was that Jesus perfectly accomplished on …
Hebrews Pt 27: Perfect! Read More »
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In this study, we take up the second half of Hebrews 9, verses 16-28. We talk about: Wills, testaments and covenants: what they are, what they have to do with Jesus and what they have to do with YOU. The vast difference between the Old Covenant/Testament of law, which left us in sin, defeat, incompleteness, …
Hebrews Pt 26: Out with the Old, in with the New! Read More »
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Jesus is our Great High Priest. He served in the heavenly tabernacle, He entered the Holiest of All with His perfect blood. In this lesson we dig deep into the the eternal difference His perfect priesthood makes to throw open the way for us to enjoy closeness with God The Father.
The post Hebrews Pt 25: The Eternal Difference Jesus Our Great High Priest Makes (Heb 9:1-15) first appeared on Daily In Christ.
A visitor to our website responded to our article, Not Under Law: What the “Struggle Verses” of Romans 7 Really Mean by writing: The problem with this article is that you don’t understand history, which gives you a false understanding on how to interpret scripture. The God of Israel gave the instructions (the law, the …
The Biblical Reasons Why Christians Are NOT Under Law Read More »
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In this lesson we continue to look into God’s mercy and total forgiveness, as promised — and given — in the New Covenant, Hebrews 8:12. We talk about why it is so important that we understand that God’s forgiveness is as total, perfect and complete as the perfection of Jesus and His finished work. That …
Hebrews Pt 24: God’s Mercy & Total Forgiveness (Heb 8:12) Part 2 Read More »
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In Hebrews 8:12, God promises, “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” In this lesson, we focus on the vastness of God’s mercy, total forgiveness and complete removal of our sins. Most Christians hold to a dubious theology of forgiveness based on only one …
Hebrews Pt 23: God’s Mercy & Total Forgiveness (Heb 8:12) Part 1 Read More »
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“I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and lawless deeds I will remember no more” (The New Covenant, Hebrews 8:12) Ask the average Christian, “What do you have to do for God to forgive you?” and most will cite 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to …
Total Forgiveness, Now and Forever Read More »
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It’s the greatest treasure of all: intimately and personally knowing the living God. Not an impersonal “know about” God, but a relational reality. In this episode, we continue our focus on the specifics of the New Covenant, as presented in Hebrews 8:10-12. In this lesson, we dive into verse 11, where the Lord promises, “None of …
Hebrews Pt 22: The Greatest Treasure of All: Knowing God (Heb 8:11) Read More »
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Belonging. We all long for it. God has made it a wonderful reality through His New Covenant promise in Hebrews 8:10, “I will be their God, and they shall be My people”. In this episode we explore: God as truly our God, being His people, a part of His family, as sons we are rightful …
Hebrews Pt 21: Belonging to God & His People (Heb 8:10c) Read More »
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It’s the great secret of the Christian life: GOD alive and IN us, as promised in Ezekiel 36:27, the parallel to Hebrews 8:10. God says: “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” You’ll learn about this most important …
Hebrews Pt 20: The New Spirit — GOD Alive IN YOU Read More »
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True of false: a Christian’s heart is “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked”. The biblical answer is: definitely false. In the New Covenant God promises — and gives — a new heart that is good. In this eye-opening episode you’ll find out about your new, good heart given to you by God in the new …
Hebrews Pt 19: The 100% New Heart Read More »
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Ask the average Christian exactly what the New Covenant is and you are likely to get bewildered stares, or wild guesses. How tragic it is that the majority of Christians have no idea what the New Covenant is! Yet Jesus bled and died to institute it. In this episode, we introduce Hebrews 8:11-13, the I WILL’s …
Hebrews Pt 18: The New Covenant: The I WILL of God (Heb 8:11-13) Read More »
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Hebrews 8:6 declares, “But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.” In this study of Hebrews 8:1-9, we see even more vividly how the New Covenant — the covenant of grace — is as infinitely better than the …
Hebrews Pt 17: So Much Better (Heb 8:1-9) Read More »
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Why do we need a new High Priest and a new Priesthood? What difference does that new High Priest and priesthood really make for us? In this episode we continue our study in Hebrews chapter 7, digging into verses 11-28. We see the many ways that the High Priesthood of Jesus is infinitely superior to the …
Hebrews Pt 16: A New High Priest and a New, Better Way Read More »
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Throughout the scripture we clearly see that the almighty, transcendent and holy God “does whatever He pleases”. But has it ever occurred to you: What pleases God?
The answer may surprise you.
The post What Pleases God? first appeared on Daily In Christ.
Why do we need a Great High Priest? Four chapters in Hebrews are dedicated to this important subject. The Bible is full of talk about priests. But what does this have to do with us? Everything! In this podcast: We identify our greatest needs and how they are fully met by Jesus, our Great High …
Hebrews Pt 15: Why We Need a Great High Priest Read More »
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In this podcast, we take up the question, “So what does the incarnation have to do with me”? This question is answered by taking up the reasons for the incarnation that we discussed last time and then connecting the dots to understand the great many benefits Christ’s incarnation give us for the victorious life. (Part …
The Incarnation: The Greatest Thing That Ever Happened For You – Part 2 Read More »
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The incarnation — literally, God “in flesh” — is the greatest thing that ever happened for you. Jesus, The Son of God (fully God), was begotten the Son of Man (human) to accomplish incredible things for you. In the first of this two-part teaching, we explore: What is the incarnation? We explore the powerful meaning …
The Incarnation: The Greatest Thing That Ever Happened For You – Part 1 Read More »
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Our completeness is because of Him. Our completeness is every bit as complete as The Lord Jesus Christ is complete. Because He is complete and perfect, we are just as complete and perfect because we are in Him who is infinite completeness and perfection. Our completion is not because of "becoming more like Jesus", doing all the right things, dying and going to heaven. Our completion IS The Lord Jesus Christ! And we are in Christ because of the Father’s doing (1 Cor 1:30).
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One of the most common, unbiblical myths in Christianity is the Myth of the Christian “Sinner”. Almost universally and everywhere I hear (or read of) Christians referring to themselves as “sinners”. A common sentiment is the well-worn phrase, “I’m just a sinner like everyone else”. Or, “I’m just a sinner saved by grace”. Yet Christians …
The Myth of the Christian “Sinner” Read More »
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In four critical places in the Bible we read the towering truth: THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH (Hab 2:4, Rom 1:17, Gal 3:11, Heb 10:38) It doesn’t say (as most Christians think) that “the just shall live by try”, or “struggle” or “striving”. It says FAITH. THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH The antithesis …
Looking to JESUS The Author & Finisher of Your Faith Read More »
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Most Christians struggle with whether God really loves them, especially after they have sinned and failed. It's important to understand that the Bible clearly teaches that God's love is beyond ourselves, our performance, our righteousness -- even our existence.
The post He Loved Me Then, He Definitely Loves Me Now! first appeared on Daily In Christ.
How is that so many Christians either think they can “lose their salvation” or have doubts about the future? Often, it’s because they base their Christian life on their own performance (up and down), rather than on God Himself, His faithfulness and His performance for us. In this podcast, our study of Hebrews continues in …
Hebrews Pt 14: All Based on God’s Faithfulness (Hebrews 6, pt 3) Read More »
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It’s not every day that we hear a new band with an incredible sound and truly a powerful, life-changing message. So I’m excited about the national debut of the ALLAN SCOTT and his premiere release, “Perfect Love”. The band hails from right here in the State College, PA area. Lead vocalist and rhythm guitar is Allan …
Allan Scott: Fresh Sound, Fresh Grace! Read More »
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Many Christians are afraid that they may lose their salvation. They believe that the warning verses in Hebrews 6:4-8 and 10:26-31 are aimed at Christians. Is Hebrews really about losing your salvation? Can a Christian’s sin be more powerful than Christ’s finished work, thus negating that work on his behalf? In this podcast, we deal with these …
Hebrews Pt 13: Real & False Salvation (Hebrews 6, pt 2) Read More »
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Ephesians 3:20 (Amplified Version) Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] One …
God Can Do Far Beyond What We Can Imagine Read More »
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Our Hebrews series continues in chapter 5:12 through 6:3. We answer the questions: Why would a person be considered a “spiritual babe”? What is the “word of Righteousness?” What’s the big deal about “righteousness”? The subject of righteousness is huge in the Bible. Most Christians — even pastors — are confused about what it really …
Hebrews Pt 12: Righteousness Makes a Huge Difference Read More »
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Father God has been showing me personally, in a much deeper experiential way, just how much He loves me as His beloved son. How wonderful it is to realize that the One who created the universe, with its billions of gigantic galaxies, atoms, cells and DNA loves me as my Father! This is true for every …
The Great Difference Our Father’s Love Makes! Read More »
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There's an all-important context throughout scripture: it's the Father's love for us. Understanding this radically transforms our experience in His love.
The post Hebrews Pt 11: The Great Context of The Father’s Love first appeared on Daily In Christ.
Hebrews, in so many ways proves that Jesus is fully qualified to our perfect High Priest. This is vitally important, as if He fails on one point, we are lost. We learn that:
- Qualifications for high priest
- Jesus is qualified and called to be our High Priest
- The problem of dullness of hearing and how it hinders our ability to fully understand the greatness of Jesus and His finished work.
The post Hebrews Pt 10: Jesus IS Qualified to Be Our Perfect High Priest (Chapter 5, part 2) first appeared on Daily In Christ.
In this edition, we talk about:
- What “keeping the rest” (cease from work) means as it applies to dead works versus life in the Spirit.
- The great salvation of the Bible vs. the myopic salvation of the modern church
- Jesus our compassionate High Priest and beginning the discussion on why Jesus is fully qualified to be our high priest.
The post Hebrews Pt 09: How We Keep the Sabbath (Hebrews Chapter 5, Part 1) first appeared on Daily In Christ.