The Glory of God

[Sean James]

Fully surrender. Unlike Judas who did not fully surrender, realize that we need Jesus continually in order to do any good thing. Let us not seek to criticize and accuse but to edify others and help them come to Christ on His terms--surrender of the whole heart so Christ may reproduce His character in us--all of the fruits of Spirit without one missing as we affectionally obey God's law of love!

Judas had joined the disciples when multitudes were following Christ. The Saviour's teaching moved their hearts as they hung entranced upon His words, spoken in the synagogue, by the seaside, upon the mount. Judas saw the sick, the lame, the blind, flock to Jesus from the towns and cities. He saw the dying laid at His feet. He witnessed the Saviour's mighty works in healing the sick, casting out devils, and raising the dead. He felt in his own person the evidence of Christ's power. He recognized the teaching of Christ as superior to all that he had ever heard. He loved the Great Teacher, and desired to be with Him. He felt a desire to be changed in character and life, and he hoped to experience this through connecting himself with Jesus. The Saviour did not repulse Judas. He gave him a place among the twelve. He trusted him to do the work of an evangelist. He endowed him with power to heal the sick and to cast out devils. But Judas did not come to the point of surrendering himself fully to Christ. He did not give up his worldly ambition or his love of money. While he accepted the position of a minister of Christ, he did not bring himself under the divine molding. He felt that he could retain his own judgment and opinions, and he cultivated a disposition to criticize and accuse. 

Choose Christ's way over your own way, and learn from Judas as a beacon of warning as a pattern of life not to follow. Be like Jesus all day long in joyful union and communion.

[Sean James]

As we behold the loveliness of Jesus, we clearly see the power of the gospel in His life in how infinite love was shining forth from Him even amid the farce of a trial heaped upon Him. The way Jesus responded is evidence of the perfection of His character, and all that He did in His trial He offers us in the most trying and exciting moments of life so we may be patient, calm and self-possessed no matter what comes to us. May you today allow Jesus' perfection to keep you in perfect peace so His grace and strength are your constant stay no matter what our Heavenly Father allows to befall you for your good and the blessing of the world, as was true in the experience of Christ.

Standing behind Pilate, in view of all in the court, Christ heard the abuse; but to all the false charges against Him He answered not a word. His whole bearing gave evidence of conscious innocence. He stood unmoved by the fury of the waves that beat about Him. It was as if the heavy surges of wrath, rising higher and higher, like the waves of the boisterous ocean, broke about Him, but did not touch Him. He stood silent, but His silence was eloquence. It was as a light shining from the inner to the outer man.   

By beholding we become changed, and we are to look to the Lamb of God and live. When the whole heart is yielded to Christ, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be seen in our lives as we affectionately obey God's law of love, and we shall be imbued deeply with His Spirit because we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, especially dwelling upon the closing scenes of His life.

[Sean James]

We all have a choice. So did Jesus. When He was on the cross, He chose to stay in the midst of the suffering to save us from sin. When we love Jesus with the whole heart, as we contemplate His infinite loveliness, we may find healing from self and grow to be more like Jesus as we realize how much He loves us!

Jesus, suffering and dying, heard every word as the priests declared, "He saved others; Himself He cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Christ could have come down from the cross. But it is because He would not save Himself that the sinner has hope of pardon and favor with God.

Praise God that we may have pardon with God because of the merits of Christ. Let us patiently and calmly receive the infinite salvation offered us and grow more like Him in constant union and communion with Christ! God is so gracious!

[Sean James]

True freedom is found in complete surrender to God's law of freedom--love as revealed in Jesus' life who kept the Ten Commandments and will live out its holy principles in you as you come to Him in simple faith and permit Him to guide you in true conversion! 

The law requires righteousness,--a righteous life, a perfect character; and this man has not to give. He cannot meet the claims of God's holy law. But Christ, coming to the earth as man, lived a holy life, and developed a perfect character. These He offers as a free gift to all who will receive them. His life stands for the life of men. Thus they have remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. More than this, Christ imbues men with the attributes of God. He builds up the human character after the similitude of the divine character, a goodly fabric of spiritual strength and beauty. Thus the very righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the believer in Christ. God can "be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." Romans 3:26. 

Let Jesus live out His character in you by beholding His loveliness, surrendering unreservedly to Him whose blood cleanses you from all sin as you confess and forsake sin and turn to Him who paid the price for your human soul to have TRUE FREEDOM in obedience to His law of love! Thus you may be constantly growing in His grace so all of the fruits of the Spirit are manifest in your life as you experience constant union and communion with Him by the Holy Spirit to the glory of the Father!

[Sean James]

A lot of it depends on your perspective. For many of the disciples, the crucifixion of Christ was so disappointing to their hopes because they had a false idea of what the Messiah's mission and kingdom was to entail. But for Nicodemus, who had been given great light about the way the Son of Man was to die, the crucifixion was a clinching clarification that confirmed his faith, and He went forth boldly as a converted disciple without any reserve.

Nicodemus, when he saw Jesus lifted up on the cross, remembered His words spoken by night in the Mount of Olives: "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:14, 15. On that Sabbath, when Christ lay in the grave, Nicodemus had opportunity for reflection. A clearer light now illuminated his mind, and the words which Jesus had spoken to him were no longer mysterious. He felt that he had lost much by not connecting himself with the Saviour during His life. Now he recalled the events of Calvary. The prayer of Christ for His murderers and His answer to the petition of the dying thief spoke to the heart of the learned councilor. Again he looked upon the Saviour in His agony; again he heard that last cry, "It is finished," spoken like the words of a conqueror. Again he beheld the reeling earth, the darkened heavens, the rent veil, the shivered rocks, and his faith was forever established. The very event that destroyed the hopes of the disciples convinced Joseph and Nicodemus of the divinity of Jesus. Their fears were overcome by the courage of a firm and unwavering faith. 

Let us understand the gospel clearly and then go forward in a bold, humble faith. All of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives without one missing as long as we are vitally connected to Christ!

[Sean James]

It's over for him, and it has been over for a long time. The devil knows he must die. That's why he is seeking to take as many down with him as possible as revenge against God, even though God has been so good to him and all of us and does not change. God's love will be demonstrated to all the universe in how He has dealt with the crisis of the mystery of rebellion that began with Lucifer in heaven, and it culminates in having a restored race and a safe universe without sin or sinners. Let us choose Jesus continually and submit our will to Him so He can work in us to will and to do of His good pleasure! Jesus' resurrection is proof that God is more powerful than Satan, sin, or any power against us! Rejoice in the Lord always!!

When Jesus was laid in the grave, Satan triumphed. He dared to hope that the Saviour would not take up His life again. He claimed the Lord's body, and set his guard about the tomb, seeking to hold Christ a prisoner. He was bitterly angry when his angels fled at the approach of the heavenly messenger. When he saw Christ come forth in triumph, he knew that his kingdom would have an end, and that he must finally die.   

[Sean James]

What if you feel sad when Jesus is seeking to make you glad? Good news! God is patient with us in the emotional healing time it takes to REALLY BELIEVE that God loves us and that JESUS IS RISEN!! It is true! You can walk in the victory of life and life more abundantly! Keep your eyes on Jesus and let Him lead your life!

Oh that the bowed head might be lifted, that the eyes might be opened to behold Him, that the ears might listen to His voice! "Go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen." Bid them look not to Joseph's new tomb, that was closed with a great stone, and sealed with the Roman seal. Christ is not there. Look not to the empty sepulcher. Mourn not as those who are hopeless and helpless. Jesus lives, and because He lives, we shall live also. From grateful hearts, from lips touched with holy fire, let the glad song ring out, Christ is risen! He lives to make intercession for us. Grasp this hope, and it will hold the soul like a sure, tried anchor. Believe, and thou shalt see the glory of God.

As we behold the infinite loveliness of Jesus and think only of others like He did, we will better realize that He has plans for us that exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think! When we yield the WHOLE HEART to Christ, there is TRUE CONVERSION and all of the fruits of the Spirit in the life without one missing as we walk in affectionate obedience to God's law of love!

[Sean James]

Praise the Lord for the risen Savior, Jesus, who is now our High Priest interceding for us in the sanctuary in heaven, blotting out the record of the sins of all who have come unto Him in true repentance which He offers us as a gift! Then with hearts renewed by divine grace, Jesus manifests through us all of the fruits of His Spirit without one missing, for we have a message to give to a world that needs to know His love and the promise of His soon return!

The night is dark, but the Sun of Righteousness is shining upon them. Their hearts leap for joy. They seem to be in a new world. Christ is a living Saviour. They no longer mourn over Him as dead. Christ is risen--over and over again they repeat it. This is the message they are carrying to the sorrowing ones. They must tell them the wonderful story of the walk to Emmaus. They must tell who joined them by the way. They carry the greatest message ever given to the world, a message of glad tidings upon which the hopes of the human family for time and for eternity depend.   

Christ is the center of our hopes, the anchor of our salvation. As we share what He has done for us, the loveliness of His character means even more to us as we learn to walk by faith in uplifting Jesus continually!

[Sean James]

After He rose from the dead, Christ treated Thomas with compassion and forbearance, thus showing us how we can treat those who have a weak faith, and guiding us to win and heal, not denounce and destroy. When we surrender fully to Jesus in living faith, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be manifest in our lives as we affectionately obey God's law of love, and we will have courage to go forward in reaching out to souls who need the healing balm of love to guide them in the path of life!

In His treatment of Thomas, Jesus gave a lesson for His followers. His example shows how we should treat those whose faith is weak, and who make their doubts prominent. Jesus did not overwhelm Thomas with reproach, nor did He enter into controversy with him. He revealed Himself to the doubting one. Thomas had been most unreasonable in dictating the conditions of his faith, but Jesus, by His generous love and consideration, broke down all the barriers. Unbelief is seldom overcome by controversy. It is rather put upon self-defense, and finds new support and excuse. But let Jesus, in His love and mercy, be revealed as the crucified Saviour, and from many once unwilling lips will be heard the acknowledgment of Thomas, "My Lord and my God." 

Jesus is Lord and God, Savior of the world, but desiring to be the personal Savior of all in an ever-deepening union and communion with Himself by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Only when Christ abides in us will our thoughts, feelings and actions be in harmony with the loving decision of a sanctified will to do what God calls us to do in fulfilling the great commission!

[Sean James]

Happy Sabbath! Let us not run ahead of Jesus. He knows our future, and He has a perfect plan. We can learn to rest in Him, wait upon Him, and allow Him to guide us. Had Peter learned this lesson earlier in his experience, it could have protected him in Christ from taking things into his own hands in a way that only brought disappointment. But God loves to take us right where He finds us and give us grace to overcome sin and allow Him to write His story in our lives! As we surrender unreservedly to Jesus, He gives us a new heart and mind in which all of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives--not one will be missing as we affectionally obey God's law of love!

 To Peter the words "Follow Me" were full of instruction. Not only for his death, but for every step of his life, was the lesson given. Hitherto Peter had been inclined to act independently. He had tried to plan for the work of God, instead of waiting to follow out God's plan. But he could gain nothing by rushing on before the Lord. Jesus bids him, "Follow Me." Do not run ahead of Me. Then you will not have the hosts of Satan to meet alone. Let Me go before you, and you will not be overcome by the enemy.

Let Jesus guide the way before you, directing your path and guiding your steps. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way" (Psalm 37:23). As we let Jesus lead our steps, we will find love, joy and peace that passes all understating!

[Sean James]

With limitless possibilities before us, how can we ever be discouraged when Christ abides in our hearts and leads the way before us to victory in reaching souls for Him? What love, joy and peace that pass all understanding along with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing come to us as we experience total surrender to Christ and let Him live out His life in us in affectionate obedience to His law of love!

All who consecrate soul, body, and spirit to God will be constantly receiving a new endowment of physical and mental power. The inexhaustible supplies of heaven are at their command. Christ gives them the breath of His own spirit, the life of His own life. The Holy Spirit puts forth its highest energies to work in heart and mind. The grace of God enlarges and multiplies their faculties, and every perfection of the divine nature comes to their assistance in the work of saving souls. Through co-operation with Christ they are complete in Him, and in their human weakness they are enabled to do the deeds of Omnipotence.

This is so amazing! Let's expect great things of God and allow Him to do more than we can ask or think through us!

[Sean James]

Praise the Lord, we have a risen Savior!! Be not afraid for the future as you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and experience true conversion in constant surrender to His will and allow Him to manifest through you all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing as you affectionately obey God's law of love!

The disciples no longer had any distrust of the future. They knew that Jesus was in heaven, and that His sympathies were with them still. They knew that they had a friend at the throne of God, and they were eager to present their requests to the Father in the name of Jesus. In solemn awe they bowed in prayer, repeating the assurance, "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." John 16:23, 24. They extended the hand of faith higher and higher, with the mighty argument, "It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Romans 8:34. And Pentecost brought them fullness of joy in the presence of the Comforter, even as Christ had promised.

May you let Jesus direct you constantly in His perfect will! He is preparing us for heaven!!

[Sean James]

Look to Jesus and live by grace through faith! When we are truly converted, all of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives without one missing as we affectionately obey God's law of love!

Through Christ's redeeming work the government of God stands justified. The Omnipotent One is made known as the God of love. Satan's charges are refuted, and his character unveiled. Rebellion can never again arise. Sin can never again enter the universe. Through eternal ages all are secure from apostasy. By love's self-sacrifice, the inhabitants of earth and heaven are bound to their Creator in bonds of indissoluble union. 

To be forever bonded to Jesus in marriage is an amazing miracle! We can be so happy for the word of God that promises: "Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion" (Jeremiah 3:14). Will you let Jesus create you anew in His image through the experience of infinite intimacy with Him? When you do, He will do in and through you more than you can ask or think!

[Sean James]

We have a lot to do with how our lives turn out. As we learn of Christ and respond to His providential leading, He desires to bless us and fulfill His plans in our lives in the ideal way of blessings us to be a blessing. But if we are unfaithful, God will still fulfill His purpose--but it will come about through adversity and humiliation. May we choose to look to Jesus and live, surrendering the whole heart to Him in affectionate obedience as all of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives without one missing as we choose to be in constant union and communion with God. Only in Christ can God's purpose for us be fulfilled. Let us truly abide in Him today!

Had Israel been true to God, He could have accomplished His purpose through their honor and exaltation. If they had walked in the ways of obedience, He would have made them "high above all nations which He hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honor." "All people of the earth," said Moses, "shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee." "The nations which shall hear all these statutes" shall say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." Deuteronomy 26:19;  28:10; Deuteronomy 4:6. But because of their unfaithfulness, God's purpose could be wrought out only through continued adversity and humiliation. 

As we look away from our weak, fallen souls and realize we have a divine-human Savior who perfectly navigated the human experience without sin, when we face temptation to be unfaithful, we can rejoice that God knows exactly what we need when we need it, and He will lead us in His perfect will and way. Look to Jesus to be both the author and finisher of the faith experience that you need to abide in Him in true readiness for His return!

[Sean James]

There is incredible hope for all who let Christ restore the character from sin to holiness! He can do it as we behold Him, yield to Him, and abide in Him! Then He gives us a new heart and a new mind imbued with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing! Gladly we obey the law of God as our highest delight!

Satan was exulting that he had succeeded in debasing the image of God in humanity. Then Jesus came to restore in man the image of his Maker. None but Christ can fashion anew the character that has been ruined by sin. He came to expel the demons that had controlled the will. He came to lift us up from the dust, to reshape the marred character after the pattern of His divine character, and to make it beautiful with His own glory.

The glory of God is seen in Jesus! Keep looking to Him and let Him finish what He has started in your life for His glory--a character after His pattern to reach souls in repopulating heaven!