The final words of Jesus before dying on the cross were “It is finished.” The finished work of the cross has completed everything we need as Christians to live an overcoming, fruitful life.
“For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)” (Romans 5:17)
The death and resurrection of Jesus undid what Adam did by sinning. No longer do we have to live under the curse of Adam. By grace we can now live under the blessings of the resurrection of Jesus. To this point we will be looking in depth at the end of Ephesians 1 and the beginning of Ephesians 2. These verses offer us two options – live under the judgment and influence of sin or live a life under the power of the resurrection. The choice is ours and ours alone.
At the end of Ephesians chapter 1 Paul prays a wonderful prayer. In the prayer he asks that the church’s eyes would be enlightened, that they would have the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God. The last part of enlightenment Paul asked for related to resurrection power in our lives. See it. “and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” (Eph 1:19-21)
Paul prayed that we would know personally the “greatness of His power toward us who believe.” This is the resurrection power “which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.” Think of it! The resurrection power of Jesus is toward (heading in our direction to empower us) us who believe. This is the desire of God that our lives would be empowered by the resurrection of Jesus.
Paul continues and we pick up in chapter 2 of Ephesians. Remember this was originally a letter without chapters. Continuing his thought Paul writes:
“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” (Eph 2:1)
We have been made alive by the power of the resurrection. We must never lose sight of this. It is not that we simply decided to live a good life. We have been raised from the dead. In the next portion of verses Paul points out the life we have been saved from. It is important to understand this for a few reasons. First, we can understand how the enemy operates. Secondly, we are able to see where he gets his power to operate. Lastly, we see the great contrast to living under the rule of Satan or the rule of Jesus.
This was our standing before Jesus came and rescued us. It is also our standing if we decide to live in the flesh rather than the Spirit. “In which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.” (Eph 2:2-3)
Pay attention to the words “according” in these verses. According is a preposition and means “down from, throughout.” According to Strongs the word is “a preposition denoting motion or diffusion or direction from the higher to the lower.” You see, when we are living in the flesh the power of Satan is coming from above us, influencing us, empowering us. Just as God strengthens us we are empowered by Satan when we live in rebellion.
“the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.” The Greek word for “works” is a powerful one and means “to be operative, be at work, put forth power.” It can be likened to an engine that powers a ship. It is not seen but propels the ship forward. The end result of walking according to the power of the enemy is being “children of wrath.” Friends, this is not our destiny. Or I should say it doesn’t have to be. We have been raised with Jesus, who has been raised “far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” (Eph 1:21)
I believe Paul added these verses to give us warning. We have a choice between living a life influenced by the powers of Satan or empowered by the Holy Spirit through the resurrection of Jesus. Right after Paul described the life of wrath those have under the sway of Satan He said “But God…” We all have a but God! Let’s take a look at his full, powerful statement. “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…” (Eph 2:4-6)
We must never lose sight of why God gave up His one and only Son. It is “because of His great love.” I pray you get a deep, profound revelation of this. Knowing His love for you will transform you deep on the inside. It will have profound impacts on the way you think, every relationship you have and so on.
Now, see the three powerful actions that God performed on our half. We will look more deeply at these in a future article.
1. “made us alive together with Christ.” Just as Adam had the breath of life breathed in Him, God has made us alive spiritually.
2. “and raised us up together.” The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead has raised us up with Him. Think of it! This is the resurrection power in our lives.
3. “and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” To sit refers to ruling with Christ. We have been made alive, raised with Jesus and made to rule with Him.
Remember with all of the actions taken on our behalf, the key word is “together.” Everything is done with him. Would we want it any other way? Certainly not. All of these key words “made alive,” “raised up together,” and “made sit together” are all found in the aorist tense and in the active voice in the Greek.
The aorist tense means the action has been completed. The active voice means the action continues. In other words, those three actions that God performed on our behalf have been completed. But! The completed work of those actions continues to be active in our lives. When Jesus breathed His last breath and said “it is finished” He was talking about the finished work or redemption. The world had been lost and was under the sway of the wicked one. But! God in His great love for us sent us His Son and completed the work in our lives. The power of the resurrection continues and is very active in the lives that allow Him to work.
Paul finished his thought with this: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:10 Do you see the progression? First we are made alive. Then we are raised to an upright position. Then we are seated, ruling with Jesus. Finally, we are on our feet walking in “good works.” Good works are what is done by those that by grace receive the three actions on their behalf.
Last Updated: June 3, 2025 by I am a VOICE Ministries Leave a Comment
Three Declarations of Paul in a Time of Trouble
I belong to Him. I serve Him. I believe Him.
In Acts 27 we find the apostle Paul in a very difficult, life-threatening situation. As one of a group of prisoners, he being transported to Italy by way of the sea. The crew ran into stormy seas. It came to Paul that not only would the ship be lost but they would all lose their lives. Paul tried to warm his captors but to no avail.
So Paul fasted and no doubt prayed much. Then, while clearly full of the Holy Spirit said these powerful words, which still ring true to us over 2000 years later.
“For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. However, we must run aground on a certain island.” (Acts 27:23-26)
In these passages Paul makes three declarations.
First, He said God is “to whom I belong.” This is critically important. Paul was in a perilous, life-threatening situation but he stood on the truth that he was not his own. Paul belonged to God. We too can surely make this declaration before God and the devil. “I belong to God.” Simple yet powerful life changing when we believe it.
Paul makes this truth in his bold statement in 1 Cor 6.
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (vv. 19-20)
When our lives are in peril or when we are being spiritually attacked we confidently say “the God whom I belong” will bring me out.
Second, Paul said God is “whom I serve.” He recognized he served the great King and that this King would see him through the present trouble. We must also recognize that first and foremost, no matter what situations we face, we serve the great King of Kings. You see, Paul recognized that his mission from God had a much higher purpose.
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Col 3:23-24)
Paul’s third declaration was “for I believe God.” Paul refused to look at the stormy tempest sea. Instead he focused on the promise. Just as Peter walked on water by the word of Jesus, Paul believed God because of the word that came to him.
Abraham is a wonderful example to us in this regard.
“And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.” (Romans 4:19)
Faith is the key here. Hebrews 11:6 tells us “But without faith it is impossible to please him…” It wasn’t just that Paul made those declarations. He made them in faith!
In the end, Paul and the entire crew were spared. They were saved by God through a man who understood that 1. He belonged to God. 2. He served God and 3. He believed God. God is no respecter of persons. All of these things are available to us.
Father, we thank you that we are yours. We are not our own. We say today that we serve you. Finally, we believe in you despite what we see, hear or feel. Make these truths real to us in Jesus’ name amen.
Posted: February 11, 2025 by I am a VOICE Ministries Leave a Comment
Love. Love Does Not Envy
Part 6
“Love does not envy.” (1 Cor 13:4)
We do not hear much spoken in the church these days on this topic. However, it was important enough for God to include this truth in the 10 Commandments in the form of covetousness.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” (Exodus 20:17)
We can think of modern equivalents – don’t covet your neighbor’s car, nor his pool, nor his big fancy house, nor anything of his. Times change for sure but the heart of the matter remains the same. We are not to desire the things others have. God calls us to be content with what He has given us. More on that later.
The Greek word for “envy” in 1 Cor 13 is zēloō and means “to burn with zeal.” This word is used for both the good and bad sides of burning with zeal. For example, Paul said “Pursue love, and desire (zēloō) spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” (1 Cor 14:1) and “For I am jealous (zēloō) for you with godly jealousy. (zēlos – closely related word) “For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” (2 Cor 11:2). In both of those examples Paul talked about a zeal that was from God and is of great worth. I am convinced that God loves this type of zeal in us because it comes from His nature. He is full of zeal!
Now, this flip side of zeal has a demonic element that is quite dangerous. It is rooted in the person who is not content in life. As a result, they burn with envy for the things that others have. This envy is pervasive in our modern world, especially in America. Why else would so many obsess over the lives of the rich and famous?
In James we find this: “You lust and do not have. You murder and covet (zēloō) and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.” (James 4:2) We can righty simplify that every war in history has happened because of envy. And yet, we would have if we just asked says God. We can ask as individuals, and as nations.
Now, I want to make a contrast between zeal that is from God and demonic envy. As quoted earlier, Paul made this confession regarding the church:
“For I am jealous (zēloō) for you with godly jealousy. (zēlos – closely related word) “For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” (2 Cor 11:2)
Now, here is Paul talking to the Galatian church about some in their midst who were operating in envy:
“They zealously (zēloō) court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous (zēloō) for them.” (Galatians 4:17)
What a contrast! Paul was zealous for them because He saw the church as the bride that she is. The false teachers were zealous because they wanted to make disciples after themselves “…that you may be zealous for them.” We must have discernment in the church today. There are some Paul’s and many false teachers.
The opposite of envy is contentment. Contentment is such a beautiful gift from the Lord. Paul said that he learned contentment.
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” (Phillippians 4:11-12)
Now, we know that the life of Paul had many swings – the heights of revelation to the depths of being persecuted. And yet, he “learned” to be content in every situation. I dare say that if many of us found ourselves in some of the situations Paul was in we would be rebuking the devil. With that being said, we can learn contentment. The fruit of patience plays a big part. To be content we must have patience during all the highs and lows.
Lord, forgive us for any envy in our hearts. We thank you for all that you have given us. We want to learn, like Paul, to be content no matter the situation. We ask that you would burn in us with your zeal and your zeal alone. We do not want to burn with any ungodly zeal. In Jesus’ name.
Last Updated: February 10, 2025 by I am a VOICE Ministries Leave a Comment
Love. Love is Kind
Part 5
“Love…is kind.” (1 Cor 13:4)
The Greek word for kind here is chrēsteuomai and means “to show one’s self mild, to be kind, use kindness.” The Passion Translation translate the verse wonderfully:
“Love is gentle and consistently kind to all.”
Perhaps then, the verse can be accurately translated as “Love is mild.” Or “Love is gentle.” This type of mildness is not exalted by much of the church, especially in certain denominations. But take a look at what Jesus said about gentleness:
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)
And hear the confession of David, the warrior who defeated countless enemies of God, including Goliath.
“Your gentleness has made me great.” (Psalm 18:35b)
Kindness, gentleness and mildness are sorely lacking in the world today and sadly in the church. If we encounter the gentleness of God we can’t help but to pass that gentleness on to others.
Yesterday, my pastor Robert Russell made a very interesting comment about kindness. He said in scripture it is often connected to patience – they go hand in hand. When you find a person possessing patience they are usually kind as well.
Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
And since it is a fruit we have confidence that if we remain abiding in the Vine the fruit of kindness, along with the others, will grow in us. It is not enough to act kind, we must BE kind. Acting kind is being religious. Being kind is born of the Spirit and is the result of abiding in Jesus.
Lord, we thank you for your gentleness. We can say with David that your gentleness has made us great. Yes, we have been made for war in the Spirit but it is Your gentleness that sustains us. Jesus, we want to learn from you regarding gentleness. Take out of us any brashness, harshness and crudeness. Make our hearts sensitive to others, that we would have compassion as You do. In Jesus’ name.
Last Updated: February 11, 2025 by I am a VOICE Ministries Leave a Comment
Love. Love is Long-Spirited (patient, suffers, endures)
Part 4
We have found our way to the words that Paul uses to describe what love looks like. Interestingly, his first choice may not be the choice of many modern preachers. It certainly does not tickle the natural ear or make us feel excited. But, if understood, this truth can do wonders in our inner man if we allow it.
This verse is translated in a number of ways. 1 Corinthians 13:4a
“Love is patient.” – ESV
“Love suffers long.” – NKJV
“Love endures with patience.” – AMP
So which translation is right? All of them! Love is patient. It does suffer long and it surely endures.
Let’s take a look at the Greek word used in 1 Cor 13:4. Perhaps it will give us a better understanding and to what the Holy Spirit wanted us to understand.
makrothymeō – “to be of a long spirit, not to lose heart.” It comes from two Greek words – makros “long” and thumos “temper.” Therefore, this word carries the idea of a person who is slow to anger. Where does anger usually originate? It often happens when a person feels like they have lost control of a situation. We can easily find ourselves feeling like that in the many trials of this life. This is where being long-spirited becomes very valuable.
Let’s take a look at some other instances where this word was used in the New Testament.
Persistant Widow
In Luke 18 we find the parable of the persistent widow.
“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: ‘There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’”Then the Lord said, ‘Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long (makrothymeō) with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?’” – (Luke 18:1-8)
There is much to unpack here. In this story that Jesus used there are three that are exercising long-suffering: the widow, the judge and God. The widow was suffering long by persisting in her request for justice. The judge was suffering long by being constantly bombarded with the request for justice. And God was suffering long by the requests by the two for relief from the situation.
The widow showed great long-suffering by not giving up. For her there was a great element of endurance – not giving up. This type of long-suffering was very much active. Some see “love is patient” as kind of a passive edirance of something until it passes. We can clearly see this was not the case with the widow.
Jesus concluded the above example with a question: “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” Our faith here is directly tied with our ability to suffer long. We know there are great and many troubles ahead before the return of Christ. We greatly need the long-spirit of love to be active in our lives if we can say yes to Jesus’ question.
Abraham
Next, let’s learn from Abraham. Hebrews 6:15 says:
“And so, after he had patiently endured, (makrothymeō) he obtained the promise.”
Talk about a long wait for God’s promise. Abraham did not see the promise of God until he was nearly 100 years old. Here we see that long-suffering is directly tied to the promises of God. We do not know why Abraham had to wait so long. Perhaps it was a mixture of God’s timing and Abraham’s impatience (think Hagar). Nevertheless, Abraham never gave up. And we shouldn’t either.
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering (makrothymeō) toward us,[not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
Think for a minute how the Lord has suffered long with you. Has He not been extremely patient with you throughout your life? This should greatly encourage us, especially as we might be tempted to write others off and give up on them.
This patience (long-suffering, endurance) is greatly needed and sorely lacking in our day. We live in such an instant, microwave society. Despite that, we can become long-spirited by the grace of God. My wife Esther and I were in Walmart recently and were rung up by a cashier who was new. She had an issue scanning one of our items. It took around 10 minutes to figure out. The cashier kept apologizing. My wife just remained calm and patient. At the end the cashier profusely thanked my wife for being patient. Now, whenever that woman sees my wife she goes out of her way to say hi. This may seem like a small matter but the patience of my wife made an impact. Having the long-spirit of love will make us stand out, pointing to the Prince of Peace.
Posted: February 5, 2025 by I am a VOICE Ministries Leave a Comment
Love. To Have Love
Part 3
Note: I am continuing the series on God’s love. I am persuaded that the love of God’s love is the answer we need to the many things that face us. Some of you are facing some very deep problems. But we have a God with an even deeper love that wants to meet you right where you are.
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“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love…” and “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” (1 Cor 13:1;3)
Notice here in both instances Paul did not say those who “act in love” or those who “do loving things” but HAVE love. To me this is a very important distinction. In the previous verse it says that knowledge puffs up and love edifies. We can have a deep knowledge about God and His love and still not “have” it.
The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day surely knew a lot about God but many did not know Him personally. I can know a lot about a particular car. I can even join a car club and meet with other members to discuss its virtues. But if I do not own that car I cannot say that I “have it.” It’s not mine. I know about it but I don’t know it personally. The same is true with God’s love. We must know Him personally and intimately in order to have His love.
The Song of Solomon demonstrates this truth to us in wonderful ways. The book is about the Beloved (Jesus) and His developing relationship with the Shulamite (the Bride of Christ).
In Chapter one we find this confession of the Shulamite:
“They made me the keeper of the vineyards,But my own vineyard I have not kept.” (Song of Solomon 1:6)
She was forced to keep other vineyards but failed to keep her own. This can represent those in ministry that minister to others but do not maintain their own intimate walk with Jesus. The Shulamite lacked that personal cultivated relationship with the Beloved.
Even before she made that confession the Shulamite made a very important request. She said “Draw me away!” (Song of Solomon 1:4) This prayer set in motion the awakening of her spiritual state and the deep need for intimacy. In response to her desperate (perhaps passionate) request, Jesus came.
“The king has brought me into his chambers.” (Song of Solomon 1:4)
The King (Jesus) took her into His chambers and this started a deep relationship that would change her completely. In chapter 2 we find her saying:
“He brought me to the banqueting house,And his banner over me was love.” (Song of Solomon 2:4)
Now His love is beginning to change the Shulamite. She recognizes that His banner over her is love and nothing else but love. The same will happen to us if we, like the Shulamite, say “Draw me away!” We can say that we are sick and tired of not knowing Him personally. We can say that we no longer will be the keeper of the vineyards and yet neglect our own. This is the only way to truly “have” love.
The Beloved continued to respond to her request to be drawn away.
“O my dove, in the clefts of the rock,
In the secret places of the cliff,
Let me see your face,
Let me hear your voice;
For your voice is sweet,
And your face is lovely.” (Song of Solomon 2:14)
What follows is a journey where the two come to know one other in a very deep way. Take note of three confessions of the Shulamite. A wonderful man of God named Wade Taylor Ministries / Parousia Ministries made these confessions available to me through his book The Secret of the Stairs. The reveal how she went from self-centered to being consumed by the Beloved’s love.
1. “My beloved is mine, and I am his.He feeds his flock among the lilies.” (2:16)
2. “I am my beloved’s,And my beloved is mine.” (6:3)
3. “I am my beloved’s,And his desire is toward me.” (7:10)
She went from her first to Him second. Then she went from Him first and her second. Finally, she was completely consumed by His love. This is what “having” love looks like. We go from being self-focused to being completely consumed by His love. That is why one of her last confessions/prayers tells us a whole lot:
“Set me as a seal upon your heart,
As a seal upon your arm;
For love is as strong as death,
Jealousy as cruel as the grave;
Its flames are flames of fire,
A most vehement flame.” (Song of Solomon 8:6)
Now she finally has love. She knows first hand the fiery, passionate love of Jesus. Do you want to know this love experientially? Are you sick of tending the garden of others and sorely neglecting your own? The Shulamite has led the way for us – just say “Draw me away!” He will respond by taking you into His chambers and then into the cleft of the rock. Before you realize it you will not only have love – it will have you!
Posted: February 3, 2025 by I am a VOICE Ministries Leave a Comment
Love. Sounding Brass or Clanging Cymbal
Part 2.
In this series we are going to learn what the love of God looks like. As part of this process we will look at what love doesn’t look like as well.
Paul made a point of doing this in 1 Corinthians 13, the famous “love” chapter. We are endeavoring to know what love is. First off, let’s be clear, this love we are talking about is agapē love.
This is love that is pure and comes from God alone. Agapē is quite different from brotherly love, human love and even the strong love between a husband and wife or parent and child.
Paul starts 1 Corinthians 13:1 with this:
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.”
The Corinthian church was very familiar with the sound of a “sounding brass.” The city of Corinth was very pagan. One of the practices of the pagan worship was to bang brass that made this continual, empty ringing noise. The Greek word for brass in the above verse is chalkos. Brass is copper with a bit of tin in it. The brass is hollow, allowing for an echo. In fact, the word “sounding” in this verse ēcheō, which we get our English word echo from. It also carries the idea of the endless roaring of the sea.
The church at Corinth would also be very familiar with a “clanging cymbal.” The Greek word for “clanging” is alalazō and means “to repeat frequently the cry ‘alala’ as soldiers used to do on entering into battle.” The cymbal, also made of brass, was used by soldiers while going into war. It was also used for a joyful sound to celebrate a victory. God is saying here that even if we know various human languages and can even speak fluently the language of angels but if we don’t have love we are nothing more than the empty, hollow, repeating sound of sounding brass. Not only will our words be empty, vain repetitions but they will also incite war in people. Our words, possibly without realizing it, will cause anger to rise in people.
Rick Renner ministries has an interpretive translation of 1 Corinthians 13:1 that I quite like.
Father, we do not want our words to be like the endless, empty banging of sounding brass. And we certainly do not want to incite war in people. We want to be people of peace and people of love. We ask you to fill us with your pure, agape love that is not empty but full of power. In Jesus’ name.
Last Updated: February 11, 2025 by I am a VOICE Ministries Leave a Comment
Love. Puffed Up or Built Up
Part 1
In this series we will be using 1 Corinthians 13 – the love chapter – as the base. We will move around a bit as the Holy Spirit leads. It is our firm belief that the love of God is the answer to everything. The love of God, as we will learn, is strong and not weak. It was strong enough to bring Jesus to the cross. It compelled Him to live a life of love that embodies all of the things spoken in the love chapter and more. Come along as we gain new eyes of what the love of God really looks like.
“Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” 1 Cor 8:1b)
Here Paul makes a compelling distinction between knowledge and love. He said that knowledge puffs up and love edifies. To understand the differences and contrasts let’s dig into the Greek a bit.
Puffs up – physioō “to make natural, to inflate, blow up, to cause to swell up.”
Edifies – oikodomeō “to build a house, erect a building.”
To be puffed up means to be inflated with pride. Have you ever seen what happens to a balloon a day or so after it has been blown up? What happens to it? The air begins to leak. If you wanted a full balloon you would need to keep blowing it up again. The same is true with knowledge alone. It artificially fills the space of our minds but must be maintained.
Being edified is quite different. The materials used are strong: brick, wood, steel. The building is meant to last. When you build a house there is no need to fill it with artificial air to keep it standing.
When we have only knowledge about God’s Word but we don’t have a relationship with Love Himself we get puffed up with the pride of religion. But when we know Him and are personally touched by Him, love edifies (builds) us up. In that place we will not need artificial air (knowledge) to temporarily puff us up.
We can point to the lives of the disciples who were with Jesus. They encountered Love every day and were built up as people. That is why after Jesus died and ascended to heaven they were able to continue. Not only did they continue – they turned the world upside down! Do you suppose mere knowledge would have sustained them? In no way!
Only listen to those preachers who have Love. Don’t settle for those with good communication skills alone. Be around those who build up with love rather than rattle off Bible verses.
Love is a language that is easily understood. At our church we have a good number of Ukranians who now call Eastern Tennessee home. I can understand little of what they say but have been built up by their love. (many speak very good English btw!) I can feel their love building up those around them.
Father, thank you for your love that builds us up. We are not interested in being artificially puffed up with knowledge. We ask you to build us up with your love and give us the honor of edifying others. In Jesus’ name.
Posted: January 15, 2025 by I am a VOICE Ministries Leave a Comment
Living in the Finished Work of the Cross
The final words of Jesus before dying on the cross were “It is finished.” The finished work of the cross has completed everything we need as Christians to live an overcoming, fruitful life.
“For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)” (Romans 5:17)
The death and resurrection of Jesus undid what Adam did by sinning. No longer do we have to live under the curse of Adam. By grace we can now live under the blessings of the resurrection of Jesus. To this point we will be looking in depth at the end of Ephesians 1 and the beginning of Ephesians 2. These verses offer us two options – live under the judgment and influence of sin or live a life under the power of the resurrection. The choice is ours and ours alone.
At the end of Ephesians chapter 1 Paul prays a wonderful prayer. In the prayer he asks that the church’s eyes would be enlightened, that they would have the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God. The last part of enlightenment Paul asked for related to resurrection power in our lives. See it. “and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” (Eph 1:19-21)
Paul prayed that we would know personally the “greatness of His power toward us who believe.” This is the resurrection power “which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.” Think of it! The resurrection power of Jesus is toward (heading in our direction to empower us) us who believe. This is the desire of God that our lives would be empowered by the resurrection of Jesus.
Paul continues and we pick up in chapter 2 of Ephesians. Remember this was originally a letter without chapters. Continuing his thought Paul writes:
“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” (Eph 2:1)
We have been made alive by the power of the resurrection. We must never lose sight of this. It is not that we simply decided to live a good life. We have been raised from the dead. In the next portion of verses Paul points out the life we have been saved from. It is important to understand this for a few reasons. First, we can understand how the enemy operates. Secondly, we are able to see where he gets his power to operate. Lastly, we see the great contrast to living under the rule of Satan or the rule of Jesus.
This was our standing before Jesus came and rescued us. It is also our standing if we decide to live in the flesh rather than the Spirit. “In which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.” (Eph 2:2-3)
Pay attention to the words “according” in these verses. According is a preposition and means “down from, throughout.” According to Strongs the word is “a preposition denoting motion or diffusion or direction from the higher to the lower.” You see, when we are living in the flesh the power of Satan is coming from above us, influencing us, empowering us. Just as God strengthens us we are empowered by Satan when we live in rebellion.
“the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.” The Greek word for “works” is a powerful one and means “to be operative, be at work, put forth power.” It can be likened to an engine that powers a ship. It is not seen but propels the ship forward. The end result of walking according to the power of the enemy is being “children of wrath.” Friends, this is not our destiny. Or I should say it doesn’t have to be. We have been raised with Jesus, who has been raised “far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” (Eph 1:21)
I believe Paul added these verses to give us warning. We have a choice between living a life influenced by the powers of Satan or empowered by the Holy Spirit through the resurrection of Jesus. Right after Paul described the life of wrath those have under the sway of Satan He said “But God…” We all have a but God! Let’s take a look at his full, powerful statement. “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…” (Eph 2:4-6)
We must never lose sight of why God gave up His one and only Son. It is “because of His great love.” I pray you get a deep, profound revelation of this. Knowing His love for you will transform you deep on the inside. It will have profound impacts on the way you think, every relationship you have and so on.
Now, see the three powerful actions that God performed on our half. We will look more deeply at these in a future article.
1. “made us alive together with Christ.” Just as Adam had the breath of life breathed in Him, God has made us alive spiritually.
2. “and raised us up together.” The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead has raised us up with Him. Think of it! This is the resurrection power in our lives.
3. “and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” To sit refers to ruling with Christ. We have been made alive, raised with Jesus and made to rule with Him.
Remember with all of the actions taken on our behalf, the key word is “together.” Everything is done with him. Would we want it any other way? Certainly not. All of these key words “made alive,” “raised up together,” and “made sit together” are all found in the aorist tense and in the active voice in the Greek.
The aorist tense means the action has been completed. The active voice means the action continues. In other words, those three actions that God performed on our behalf have been completed. But! The completed work of those actions continues to be active in our lives. When Jesus breathed His last breath and said “it is finished” He was talking about the finished work or redemption. The world had been lost and was under the sway of the wicked one. But! God in His great love for us sent us His Son and completed the work in our lives. The power of the resurrection continues and is very active in the lives that allow Him to work.
Paul finished his thought with this: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:10 Do you see the progression? First we are made alive. Then we are raised to an upright position. Then we are seated, ruling with Jesus. Finally, we are on our feet walking in “good works.” Good works are what is done by those that by grace receive the three actions on their behalf.
Last Updated: December 30, 2024 by I am a VOICE Ministries Leave a Comment
The Year of Restoration
Prophetic Word for 2025
A few days ago the Lord began revealing to me that 2025 would be the Year of Restoration.
“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,The crawling locust,The consuming locust,And the chewing locust,My great army which I sent among you.” (Joel 2:25)
Many, if not all of us, have had things stolen from us. The locusts have stolen marriages, relationships, finances, jobs, spiritual vision, hope, passion and much more. But God is promising that HE is restoring what the enemy has taken.
Not only is He going to restore what the enemy has taken, He is going to abundantly bless us. He isn’t going to stop at restoring. See the following verse after the promise to restore what the locusts have eaten.
“You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,And praise the name of the Lord your God,Who has dealt wondrously with you;And My people shall never be put to shame.” (Joel 2:26)
I am also reminded of what happened to the Israelites after they had their freedom restored. They left Egypt with not only their freedom but silver and gold. “Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.” (Exodus 12:35-36)
A holy boldness came upon the Israelites because of favor of God. Likewise, the favor of God coming upon His children in 2025 will result in a holy boldness to not only be restored but to be abundantly blessed.
Now, what position do we have to stand on these things? Is it because we have been good Christians? No! We can point to Galatians 3.“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Gal 3:13-14)
You see, why were the locusts there to begin with? God sent them because of the many sins of Israel. They repented and God promised to restore. Likewise, Jesus took the curse of judgement on Himself on the cross. Our hope and standing are on what He did.
In 2025 we can boldly receive restoration of what the locusts have taken. And we can boldly receive all the abundant blessings God has in store.
Last Updated: October 17, 2024 by I am a VOICE Ministries Leave a Comment
Love Lesson from the Unlovely
In Luke 7 we are introduced to a woman who was known as “a sinner.” The consensus was that she was a prostitute. We meet her as she enters the house of a Pharisee named Simon. She knew Jesus was there and was determined to worship him.
Now, I want us to pause and think about what this woman has done so far. She was a known prostitute entering the house of a religious leader. The woman was considered unclean. It took an incredible amount of courage for her to enter the house. But as we will see, this woman gets even more bold in her worship.
“And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.” (Luke 7:37-38)
Notice first that she wouldn’t even face Jesus. She “stood at His feet behind Him.” The woman was at such a low place in life that she could only muster standing behind him. But yet this act no doubt took all of her strength to do. Next, we see that she brought an alabaster flask with very expensive fragrant oil and washed his feet with her tears. What boldness! Yes, the perfume was costly. But her act could have been much more costly! How would Jesus respond? Would he demand in disgust that she leave immediately? Would the religious leaders cast her out? But her strong love for Jesus could not be contained. She was ready to risk it all. Where did this intense, unafraid love come from anyway?
Jesus gives us the answer. Simon, the Pharisee, observing the acts of the woman, began to doubt Jesus as a prophet. Surely – he thought – Jesus should know the type of woman that had her hands all over him. Jesus took Simeon aside and asked him a question.
“There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” (vv. 41-42) The man rightly answered the one who had been forgiven more.
Now we find one of the most beautiful portions of scripture. “And He said to him, ‘You have rightly judged.’ Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”Then He said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’” (vv. 43-48)
See it: “Then He turned to the woman…” When she began to worship Him the woman couldn’t even face Jesus. Now HE turned to the woman – making eye contact I am imagining – and told Simon about why she loved much.
Friends, this prostitute has taught us much about loving Jesus. The next time you encounter someone who displays extravagant love for Jesus it is most likely because they have been forgiven much. Try not to judge them as Simon and others did. Instead, perhaps ask that same love would burn in your heart. Be free to worship Jesus. Sometimes it will be unconventional, messy, and not understood. But I can tell you this: it will not go unnoticed by Jesus.
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