Today’s Devotional – June 11th (Power of Positive Thinking Gospels, Part 3: Being Crucified )

By admin On June 11th, 2014

.

.

Today’s Devotional – June 11th

.

.

.

.

 

Power of Positive Thinking Gospels

& Being Crucified

To read part 1, click here…June 9th (The Power of Positive-Thinking Gospels! Part 1)

.

.

.

.

.

Several nights ago, a very popular Christian speaker held a large convocation with a vast throng of tens of thousands of listeners.

.http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hillsong01.JPG

And this evangelist gave a very high-energy presentation, with a very positive message. 

.

Well, the gist of what he said is, “we need to think positive, speak positive, and believe positively, that God has good things in store for us here on earth!”

.

Yes, this popular speaker continued to present a message about achieving our earthly dreams: earthly dreams for ourselves and for our families.

.

“But”, he added, “we need to take time out from our worldly-achievement-oriented lives to spend lots of time with our spouse and children!

.

church service (not connected with this story) by Matt Malone for Wikimedia – copyrighted

 

.

.

.

.

.

“SMOOTHER THAN BUTTER!”

.

“The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.” Psalm 55:21

.

This extravaganza was filled with short, but uplifting testimonies, a high-energy, upbeat rock band, attractive women, well-timed jokes, and smoother-than-butter” preaching!

.

Well, needless to say, this presentation was received with no lack of enthusiasm!

.

The vast audience, 50,000 strong, seemed mesmerized, yet ecstatic about this uplifting and upbeat message! The night was a huge success!

.

Speaker and audience hands – Church – Audience hands – cropped and altered – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

. 

A NATION OF PRIEST & KINGS

.

One very big problem with the presentation is that, while it was a message which has a great appeal to the unconverted masses, yet it presented a gospel void of the true purpose for which Christ came: to raise up a spiritual nation of priests and kings, conformed to the image of Christ!

.

Listen…“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people…” 1st Peter 2:9

.

So here we see what is our high calling of God: to become a nation of royal priests!

.

In other words, to merely live as good moral people of the world is not what the Gospel is about; to become upstanding and productive members of society, completely misses the point of why we are here.

.

the holy of holies-www.thebiblerevival.com-public domain

.

.

.

.

.

CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Christianity-Jesus_Christ_Died_for_your_Sin.jpg.

One of those difficult truths of the Bible, is found in the words of Paul… “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.

.

This above verse presents a concept which transcends far beyond being merely a nice moral person: as far as Heaven is above the earth!

.

Cross of Jesus Christ – cropped – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

.

.

.

.

.

 

PAUL LOST ALL 

.

But to merely preach a message about being a positive and upbeat individual, whose great purpose is to be successful (financially, morally, and socially), completely misses what Christ wants to do within the hearts of His Chosen vessels!

.

Listen to Paul’s further testimony… “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, Philippians 3:8.

.

Does this sound like Paul was merely a good upstanding citizen?

.

Paul lost all earthly considerations, so that he might win Christ!

.

Paul Shipwrecked Acts 27:41-44-www.lavistachurchofchrist.org–public domain

.

.

.

.

. 

PAUL DESIRED TO DIE A DEEPER DEATH

.

Listen, as Paul continues… “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” Philippians 3:10, 11.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PaulT.jpg.

No, Paul was not satisfied with just a superficial relationship. His desire was to experience a deeper and deeper death-to-self, so that he might attain a greater and greater resurrected life!

.

Now granted, these ideas are not very pleasant for the natural mind to think about! But by the power of God’s Spirit of Holiness, the Believer willingly goes through a chastening process which continues through that Believer’s appointed time on earth. As the Believer grows in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus, God continues to chasten and purify the heart of that Christian.

.

And the end result is a life of joy and gratefulness to God for His mercy and grace upon that unworthy sinner!

.

Paul the Apostle-Artist-Valentin de Boulogne or Nicolas Tournier- circa 1500s

.

.

.

.

.

FAMILY VALUES, A SIDE-BENEFIT

.

Now, as far as family values, there is a side-benefit to this death-to-self crucifixion, which the Believer goes through.

.

Because, as the Believer becomes more and more in harmony with Christ, there will be an increasing servant-mentality within the heart of that child of God!

.

And of course, his or her family would naturally be the first to benefit from such a life of service. And because the Believer desires the Salvation of his or her family, that Christian will, more and more, lavish Christ’s love upon the various members of the family!

.

“Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in His ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.” Psalm 128: 1-4

.

This above passage is a wonderful promise, which every Believer can cling to!

.

Jesus the Carpenters Son-by-www.lavistachurchofchrist.org US public-domain.jpg

.

.

.

.

.

 

PAUL WORKED DAY AND NIGHT

http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVarticles/PaulsTentmaking.html.

But the Believer will no longer desire the attainment of earthly riches. And yet that Believer will desire to work hard at his job, so as to be a good witness to all! And that Christian will want to provide for all the needs of his family.

.

“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.” 1st Thessalonians 4:11, 12  

.

This above passage presents the concept of living a no-nonsense life of industry and quietness.

.

Paul Tentmaking – cropped – La Vista Church of Christ – Creative Commons License

 

.

.

.

.

.

“EAT FOR STRENGTH” 

.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fruit_Stall_in_Barcelona_Market.jpg

And of course, the Christian desires to become like Christ in every way. And so, that Believer will want to live as healthfully as possible, knowing that Jesus lived a life of health and strength.

.

Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat (feast) in the morning! Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!” Ecclesiastes 10:16, 17.

.

Yes, temperance is a vital part of Christianity, and is an outgrowth of one’s spirituality!  

.

Fruit Stall in Barcelona Market by Daderot – cropped – Wikipedia share-alike license

.

.

.

.

.

HALF-TRUTHS PREACHED

.

And so, this popular speaker was telling his audience much truth. Yes, his message of health, hard work and family values was correct, up to a certain point.

.

But his neglect to inform his audience of the death-to-self purification of the heart, will undoubtedly cause further destruction within the camp of God! And this popular speaker’s world-focused gospel will find its greatest appeal among those who desire to have Jesus, but still retain their earthly desires. 

.

Listen… “They (Antichrists) are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.” 1st John 4:5.

.

And such a double-minded gospel appeals to the world, who bring their world-loving ways into the Church.

.

Speaker & audience hands – Church – Audience hands – cropped/altered – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

“GOOD NEWS FROM A FAR COUNTRY!”

.

But there is some very good news! Yes, we still have opportunity to repent of our world-loving ways and turn to Him who is knocking at the door!

.https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jesus_Christ_in_prayer.jpg

Listen… “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” Revelation 3:19-21.

.

This passage from Revelation has been especially written for God’s people who are living in these very times of church apostasy.

.

Prayer – Wikimedia – Public Domain

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

TO READ PART 4, CLICK HERE…

June 13th (Power of Positive-Thinking Gospel, Part 4: This Wicked World)

Satan presiding at the Infernal Council – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

 .

.

.

.

.

.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USMC-100506-M-2360J-038.jpg

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to fully understand what it means to be crucified with Christ. Let me not be drawn into a false gospel which is void of the “born again” experience…

Marine Praying – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain

 

.

.

.

.

.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Question_book_magnify2.svg

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Fleeing to the Mountains, Part 3: The Abomination in My Heart” or you can also read… November 25 – (How Narrow is the Narrow Gate?)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

.

.

.

.

THE END

.Orion Constellation at Eagle Ridge

.

.

.

 

.

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

 

 

.

.

.

THE HEEL OF JESUS FOOT

.Son Of Man Constellation

 

Now, as step back about several light-years, we can view the great “Son of Man Constellation”. And if we look at his right foot, it is revealed that this serpent is winding its way over the top of the heel of Jesus’ foot. Of course this reminds one of the very words of God, as He spoke to the serpent in the Garden… “And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed… And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.” Genesis 3:14, 15. Of course, this was a prophecy about Jesus, and how Satan would bruise His Heel.

.

And so it is no coincidence that God has arraigned the stars in such a way as to portray this concept, concerning the serpent bruising Christ’s heel.

 

.

.

.

WHERE IS THIS SERPENT GOING?

Serpent Points To Valley & Destroying Mtn.

.

Now it appears as this snake/serpent and its passengers are on a mission. But where are they headed? Well the snake is travelling away from Christ’s heel, that is for sure. Well, if you go out at night and find this serpent Constellation, you will notice that the four stars which make its jaws are pointing in two directions.

.

In other words, if you were to draw a line from the two stars which compose its upper jaw, and a straight line from the two stars which compose its lower jaw, and extend those lines across the sky, one line would go to the Valley of Decision Constellation, while the other would go to the Broad Way to Hell Constellation (AKA Pisces).

 

.

.

.

.

.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Question_book_magnify2.svg

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Five Wise Virgins Stars” or you can also read… “The Five Foolish Virgins Stars”

 

.

.

.

.

.

TOMORROW:

“June 12th (Jig-Saw Puzzle Jesus!)”

Jigsaw puzzle – Wikimedia Commons – public domain

 

.

.

.

.

.

20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH 

.

ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

.

THIS STUDY #160 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

.

 

above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

.

.

.

Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo. Most tall, narrow photos have been cropped or reduced by this website to make them a better fit on phone screens.

.

Leave a Reply