Spring Begins

On this first day of spring, March 21, 2009, I have been inspired to write and post as you've noted all the many posts from today's date.
Writing is like art, I have to be inspired. Today was my inspiration day.

Home alone? Yes!

Time with no distractions? Yes!

Thank you, Lord Jesus.

FAITH IS THE VICTORY

Encamped along the hills of light,
Ye Christian soldiers, rise.
And press the battle ere the night
Shall veil the glowing skies.
Against the foe in vales below
Let all our strength be hurled.
Faith is the victory, we know,
That overcomes the world.

Refrain

Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory, that overcomes the world.

His banner over us is love,
Our sword the Word of God.
We tread the road the saints above
With shouts of triumph trod.
By faith, they like a whirlwind’s breath,
Swept on o’er every field.
The faith by which they conquered death
Is still our shining shield.

Refrain

On every hand the foe we find
Drawn up in dread array.
Let tents of ease be left behind,
And onward to the fray.
Salvation’s helmet on each head,
With truth all girt about,
The earth shall tremble ’neath our tread,
And echo with our shout.

Refrain

To him that overcomes the foe,
White raiment shall be giv’n.
Before the angels he shall know
His name confessed in Heav’n.
Then onward from the hill of light,
Our hearts with love aflame,
We’ll vanquish all the hosts of night,
In Jesus’ conqu’ring Name.

Refrain

HARPING ON FAITH

Harping! What's that?
Harping is persistently and tediously on a particular topic. I had someone tell me once that I am always "harping on faith." I thought what a great topic to harp on. Faith IS worth harping on. Why is faith worth harping on?

So what is faith?

Faith is a complete trust or confidence in someone or something; and a strongly held belief or theory as complete trust in God based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.

The Hebrew writer says "What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. God gave his approval to people in days of old because of their faith." Hebrews 11:1-2.

By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. Hebrews 11:3

This is great and intense stuff. Take a look around you right now, what you are seeing was formed at God's command and He formed it by nothing you see. Now this is intense.

So, what are going to do about this "faith thing?" We've either got to believe in God who does things unnaturally or we don't believe.
"But we are not like those who turn their backs on God and seal their fate. We have faith that assures our salvation."
– Hebrews 10:39


"So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." Ephesians 3:17

"There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called..... one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4: 4-6

Have you ever been ask, what faith are you? This question would not be asked if people knew the only one faith.

"But you my dear friends, must remember what the apostle s of our Lord Jesus Christ told you, that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to enjoy themselves in every evil way imaginable. There's that imagining thing again...even the scoffers imagine the evil they want). Now they are here, and they are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They live by natural instinct because they do not have God's Spirit living in them."
–Jude 17-19

"But you, dear friends, must continue to build your lives on the foundation of your holy faith." Jude 20 There's that foundation (Jesus Christ)and building on it with holy faith.

What is holy faith?
Holy is being dedicated or consecrated to God. In other words build with a sacred faith in dedication and consecration to God.

There will be some whose faith is wavering. Those with holy faith will show mercy to those wavering. Some you will snatch from the flames of judgment. Still there are others who you will need to show mercy, and the ones with holy faith be careful that they aren't contaminated by their sins." –Jude 20-23


KEEP HARPING ON FAITH!

Springtime Beauty

We speak the Truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
–Ephesians 4:15-16

As I am watching springtime come to life, it brings harmony and peace to my soul. Springtime begins today. My daffodils and crocuses are popping up and it is Truth. God formed the universe and everything in it. I didn't have to do anything to cause these little jewels to come to life. What intense beauty.
Then one fine day the sun shines and what fragrance and beauty to behold in these little jewels. The beauty of growing into maturity bring radiance to living a peaceful and harmonic life. Enjoy life and with all its intense depth.
Always appreciate the maturity in people, as well.

HOW DO WE OBTAIN IMMEASURABLY MORE?

What is immeasurably more?

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more that all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen.
–Ephesians 3:20,21 NIV

What is immeasurably more? Is it too large, extensive, or extreme to measure?

All that we ask or imagine.
Is there action from us? We have to ask and we have to imagine. You've heard the old cliche' if you don't ask, you don't get. So yes, indeed we must ask our heavenly Father whatever it is we want.
What is imagine? Oh, I see it is a mental imagine or concept. Is this something we suppose or assume? If we imagine something, do we not have any proof it exist? How many times have we led our children to believe that if they imagine something it most likely is a lie? Satan the evil one is so crafty. He messes with our minds; and then we in turn mess with our children's minds by misguiding their thinking.

Does this sounds like faith coming into this equation?

According to his power that is at work within us, is this power prompting us to ask or imagine things we can't do without His power working in us? And, in our belief, we receive immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. Has this ever happened to you?
You wanted something or needed something so desperately and you took the asking to the heavenly Father for it and you even imagined you would have what you asked for. And, one day out of the clear blue, you received a blessing so big that it was beyond your imagination.

Wow!

Is this how faith works in our lives when we practice it?

And, who benefits from this immeasurably more blessings?


Throughout all generations, for ever and ever. All generations? Really? It's not only for the biblical generations? Can I benefit from this, too? How long is for ever and ever? This is an opportunity for everyone who was and is and is to come. Wow!

Well, I am so thankful to have this fabulous opportunity to ask and imagine good things coming to me; because when each of us realize the power of the Holy Spirit living in us, we all benefit beyond our wildest imagination. I didn't say that, God did. Just believe Him. God does not lie and He never breaks a promise.

How does the church benefit in this wildest of blessings?

To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout (there's that foundation we are building on).

God gets tremendous glory through His power living in His people!

You just can't get any better than this my dear friend.

And, so it is!

ARE YOU LIVING BY THE SPIRIT'S POWER?

Make the most of every opportunity for doing GOOD in these evil days. Ephesians 5:16

Rebuke and expose evil. It's our God-given and constitutional right to practice 'FREEDOM IN ACTION'. All agree....right?

How?
Why?
When?

Is it an attribute to expose and rebuke evil deeds done by our government; and yes, even those 'so called' churches who do evil deeds in darkness, and yet profess Christianity in the name of Jesus?
We are to expose evil and rebuke it in the name of Jesus regardless of who is oppressing God's people.

Is our liberty in jeopardy?
No! Our liberty is not in jeopardy when we ACT by exposing and rebuking the evil deeds of darkness brought upon people by its government and churches.

How?
By taking action, we are exercising our freedom in Christ. Thank you in Jesus' name that we can speak up and stand up for Truth. And, who is Truth?

Why?
Exposing evil deeds of darkness is a wonderful opportunity for God's people to shine and glorify Him. Amen

When?
NOW. We take action to expose evil by the Holy Spirit's power that lives in us. Amen

Stephen a man after God's own heart, had no problem standing up for Truth. Acts 6

Where are the 'Stephens' in the 21st century?

Wake up O sleeper,
Arise from the dead,
And, Christ will shine on you. Ephesians 5:14

ARE YOU A LIGHTBEARER?

Are you living in the light?

For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
Find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead rebuke and expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But when the light shines on them, it becomes clear how evil these things are. And where your light shines, it will expose their evil deeds.

This is why it is said,

Awake O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you. (Christ will give you light).

Ephesians 5

Imitate Christ's Humility

If you (I) have

any encouragement from being united with Christ,

if any comfort from his love,

if any fellowship with the Spirit,

if any tenderness and compassion,

then make my joy complete by being like-minded,

having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves (myself).

Each of you (I) must look not only to your (my) own interests, but also to the interests of others.

You (my) attitude must be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 2: 1-5 NIV

Is It Possible To Build On The Foundation With Many Materials?

Is it possible to use gold, silver, precious jewels, wood, hay and straw when building on the foundation of Jesus Christ?

I believe I have used all of these through my years of building. I've had works already tested by fire. What about you? Some passed the test and others did not.

Jude says, "Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear–hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh." Jude verse 22 NIV

verse 17 in Jude: "But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18: They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." 19: These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

verse 20: But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Pray in the Holy Spirit and keep yourselves in God's love. This is building with gold, silver and precious jewels. You will sparkle like a diamond and be a "shining star>"
Philippians 2:14-16 NIV

.......shine like the stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.... Phil. 2:15

What Are Your Options for Building Materials?

If any man builds on this foundation (Jesus Christ), using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or straw what will happen?

How reliable is gold? Is it valuable? How will gold do when tested by fire?

Gold has been known and highly valued since time began. Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au (Latin: aurum) and atomic number 79. It is a highly sought-after precious metal, having been used as money, as a store of value, in jewelry, in sculpture, and for ornamentation since the beginning of recorded history.
Gold is dense, soft, shiny and the most malleable and ductile pure metal known. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster and considered attractive, which it maintains without rusting in air or water.
Gold has withstood the "acid test" for its genuine value.

Gold is the most malleable and ductile of all metals; a single gram can be beaten into a sheet of one square meter, or an ounce into 300 square feet. Gold leaf can be beaten thin enough to become translucent. Gold is a good conductor of heat and electricity and reflects infra red radiation strongly. Chemically, it is unaffected by air, moisture and most corrosive reagents, and is therefore well-suited for use in coins and jewelry and as a protective coating on other, more reactive, metals.

So with that description, I would say gold is a highly precious material to build with.
It is costly. Gold is now selling around a $1000 an ounce.

The builder's work will be tested by fire. Will gold withstand the fire and still maintain its value? Yes it will. Gold has proven the test.

What about silver as a building material? Is silver valuable? Will it withstand the fire?

Silver like gold has been around since time began. It is valued as a precious metal, used to make ornaments, jewelry, high-value tableware and utensils. Silver is a very ductile and malleable (slightly harder than gold) monovalent coinage metal with a brilliant white metallic luster that can take a high degree of polish. It has the highest electrical conductivity.

Gemstones have no universally accepted grading systems other than white (colorless) diamond. Diamonds are meant to sparkle and radiate rainbow colors. This is a function of cut. In its rough crystalline form, a diamond will do none of these things, it requires proper fashioning and this is called "cut". In gemstones that have color, including colored diamonds, it is the purity and beauty of that color that is the primary determinant of quality.
Heat can improve gemstone color or clarity. Much aquamarine is heat treated to remove yellow tones, change the green color into the more desirable blue or enhance its existing blue color to a purer blue. A considerable portion of all sapphire and ruby is treated with a variety of heat treatments to improve both color and clarity.
The diamond should be protected with boracic acid; otherwise the diamond (which is pure carbon) could be burned on the surface or even burned completely up. When jewelry containing sapphires or rubies is heated (for repairs) it should not be coated with boracic acid or any other substance, as this can etch the surface; it does not have to be "protected" like a diamond.

It appears most precious gemstones can withstand some degree of heat.

What about wood?

Wood fuels a fire. It would most like burn rather quickly. Then is it obvious that hay and straw would immediately be consumed by fire.


How can our works relate to gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay and straw?
Stop fooling yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world's standards, you will have to become a fool so you can become wise by God's standards. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say,
"God catches those who think they are wise in their own cleverness."
And again, " The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are worthless."

"So don't take pride in following a particular leader. Everything belongs to you. Paul and Apollos and Peter; the whole world and life and death; the present and the future. Everything belongs to you, and you belong to Christ and Christ belongs to God."
First Corinthians 3: 11-23

Paul said, "Christ didn't send me to baptize but to preach the Good News and not with clever speeches and high sounding ideas, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power. First Corinthians 1:17 NLT

"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple."
First Corinthians 3:16 NIV

Which Little Pig's House Are You Building?

The apostle Paul says, "By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is JESUS CHRIST". First Corinthians 3:10,11 NIV

By special favor (God's grace), Paul was chosen to be the expert builder for this foundation that God had in mind for us. I don't know much about carpentry, but I know enough that you can't build a house without a firm foundation. This foundation is usually contracted out to another source, before the carpenter starts his construction. The carpenter has many material options to choose from to build his house. It can be made of brick, wood, stone, steel or even cardboard or cloth. Have you ever seen the Yurt shelters?

God found favor with apostle Paul and gave him the power to lay a firm foundation that no man can tamper with without serious repercussion. Any man can build on this already laid foundation. And that foundation is Jesus Christ. Paul said, "I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." He said, "I came to you in weakness and fear and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith may not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."

Paul said, "if any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work."

Do we not know that hay or straw would burn up quickly when tested by fire?
What about wood tested in the fire? There are some woods that burn up quicker than other types of wood.
When a carpenter builds a house, he chooses carefully his building materials. Why? For fear of loss?

Remember the story of the three little pigs? One built with straw, one built with sticks and one built with bricks; and when the big bad wolf got hungry and came knocking, he tested the little pigs' homes. Which little pig's home stood the test? And, what happened to the big bad wolf?

What does all this mean when we build on the foundation of Jesus Christ?

Paul said, "the fire (big bad wolf) will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, the builder will receive his reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." First Corinthians 3:10-17 NIV

Building your spiritual life with the best of materials makes for a continuing better relationship with our Lord.

Continue this topic another day....

Your comments are welcome.