"Renewed by Grace"

"Renewed by Grace"

What is the purpose of your objective? You have to know this if you are to determine if you are heading in the right direction. 

Only spiritual knowledge (understanding/wisdom) can provide life and power. The new man is renewed in (spiritual) knowledge (Gal 3:10) – after the image of Christ - and that must be my aim also … because, in Gen 1:26 God said to Christ, let us make man in our image – I am to be an imitator of God and to walk even as Christ walked – I am renewed as His righteousness and His holiness. Righteousness includes all God’s will concerning my duty to God and my fellow man. Holiness involves our relationship to Himself. The new man has been created,  but it also has to be renewed daily “after God in righteousness and holiness” – by the Holy Spirit. 

In my quiet hour, I can set my heart on God’s purpose through meditation and prayer. Establish a true vision of how my inner man will be changed into the very likeness of God, and how it can be seen in me – how I can live like Him – Christ in me, the hope of glory. Moment by moment I’m washed in His blood. Moment by moment, I receive life from above. 

Rivers of Living Water

When the new man God created is put on, it is my responsibility to put off the old man – all the attitudes, habits and pleasures of my old life, my old nature. Forsake all and follow Christ in the path in which He walked. Hate my own life, lose it. 

The full experience of the life of Christ in my person, in my body and my work for others depends upon my fellowship in His suffering and death. 

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind! (by the Holy Spirit) – Fully, all things old are passed away – a spiritual understanding. 

By nature, I am of this world. When renewed by grace I am still in the world – but filled (after being emptied) with the life of heaven by the Holy Spirit – the spirit of this world being overcome by the Spirit of God, for my being. Recognise any worldly traits and cast them out, to allow entry of the Spirit – Who does everything as I, by faith, give up the struggle and receive the simple, natural, healthy, joyful growth of the heavenly life in me. 

"He who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me], as the Scripture has said, ‘From his innermost being will flow continual rivers of living water,’” (John 7:38 AMP) 

Sanctify Them Through the Truth

"Your Word is Truth."  (John 17:17 AMP)

Receiving and keeping the words of God from Christ are the signs and power of true discipleship.

“The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life [providing eternal life]."  John 6:63  – not knowledge and doctrine but into the actual experience and enjoyment of life and truth in Himself (from the Father) – like He was sanctified in truth – to make me holy through God’s Word and truth [Desire this, ask for this when the Word is read] – seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened unto you – expect and receive the very life of God to be imparted to me, the quickening power – as I read/listen to His Word, His truth. 

The belief and expectation of His power as He imparts His Word to me (spoken to me, His breath of life) alone can make me holy, as He is holy. It is the only means of holiness [reading the Word, without associating it as being direct from Him, is lifeless]. 

Meditate on the Word – let it soak in and do its work on me – bringing Christ and the Holy Spirit into me. Ask, “Sanctify me through Your truth.” 

Teachings from Psalm 119

This teaches how to study the Bible. It uses different names for God’s Word and uses different verbs to express how to feel and what to do re the Word – every faculty of my being – desire, love, joy, trust, obedience and action – is summoned by God’s Word. 

Note the change of tense – past present and future – received, receiving and to continue to receive – a righteous man who’s fervent, effectual prayer avails much. 

Note the different requests made – for understanding and the power to observe it. To receive the blessing promised in the Word and to actually do it, live it – according to Thy Word. 

How God’s Word is needed to free me from afflictions. 

How it is a direct appeal to fellowship with God – to teach me how to pray to the Father, knowing the Father wants to help me.

Brian McMichan

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Renewed by Grace

"Lets Teach Our Children to Love"

Why is it so difficult for our educators and society, in general, to understand that love and respect for one another taught from a young age can solve much of the world's hostility and social problems!

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it" (Prov 22:6).

Love is the answer!

Loyalty and Faithfulness

True loyalty springs from the heart and is wrapped in love. It is often in our most private moments that true loyalty, or the lack of it, is made known.