God's Word for Thursday, 3/15/18

With that, Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, let loose: “Rulers and leaders of the people, if we have been brought to trial today for helping a sick man, put under investigation regarding this healing, I’ll be completely frank with you—we have nothing to hide. By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the One you killed on a cross, the One God raised from the dead, by means of his name this man stands before you healthy and whole. Jesus is ‘the stone you masons threw out, which is now the cornerstone.’ Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one.”

Acts 4:10,12 (MSG)

I Doubt Your Doubt

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8)

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the LORD. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. (James 1:5-8)

When doubt rears its ugly head and tries to make you stop – no matter what you’re doing – that’s the time you should double down on whatever is at hand. Doubt is your mind or emotions trying to tell you “You can’t do this.”

Oh, yeah? Well … I doubt that doubt, because my Bible says “I can do all through Christ, which strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Now, I always fussed inwardly about that verse (King James translation). “Christ isn’t a which; He’s a Who!” I told myself. But are we sure about that?

Let’s take the lingering Greek (and no, I’m not talking about Giorgos down the street) Christos and finish translating it.

Again: “I can do all things through the Anointed One and His anointing, which strengthens me.”

That changes things, doesn’t it? So whenever you talk about Jesus Christ, meaning Jesus the Anointed One, you eventually must deal with the question, “What is He anointed with?”

Acts 10:38 says “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.”

So Philippians 4:13 again: “I can do all things through Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the power of God.” Now we’re talking!

So why are you doubting yourself, exactly?

It takes a bit of practice to get into the habit of believing that you have the miracle-working power of God inside of you – but you do. It takes awhile to think of yourself as a highly-favored child of God – but you are. It takes practice to make yourself think that way.

We’d better get busy. 😊

Sunday's Quote of the Day (With Explanation)

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Phillipians 1:21, KJV)


For me to live is Christ [His life in me], and to die is gain [the gain of the glory of eternity]. (Amp.)

This verse certainly seems simple enough, but what does it mean? Is there more than what we learned in Sunday School, so many years ago?

Quite possibly. You see, one of the mistakes of the modern era in Christian teaching is that folks tend to speak as though "Christ" is Jesus' last name.

Nope.

Christ is the English translation of Cristos ... which is the Greek translation of Masiah (Messiah) which means "anointed one" or "the anointed".

Anointed? With what?

Once again, the Bible provides that definition, as Acts 10:38 describes 

... how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. [Emphasis added - Ed.]

That verse not only tells us with what Jesus was anointed, but what it was for. 

We who call ourselves Christians (literally, "little Christs"), do we seek His power? Are we baptized in (or with) the Holy Ghost and power? Are we using it for doing good, and healing all who are oppressed of the devil?

After all, that's why Jesus came, and it's what He expects us to do.

So we must ask: if not, why not?