Tag Archives: every knee should bow

A PARTNER’S REWARD

Bible Study, ,

Philippians 2:9-11 NLT
[9] “Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

God does not call us to sacrifice without sacrifice’s reward. Sacrifice itself is not giving up but exchanging one state for another and reaping the reward of the sacrifice. Jesus exchanged heaven for earth and life for death for our salvation. He reaped the reward of an eternal family just like Himself and a crown to rule the universe because He was worthy.

Hebrews 2:10-11 NIV
[10] “In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. [11] Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.”

Even Isaiah, many centuries before Jesus came, saw Messiah’s reward in his prophetic vision.

Isaiah 53:10-12 NLT
[10]”But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. [11] When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. [12] I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.”

Only through His harmony of purpose with the Father, even to an ignominious death on a Roman execution stake, could Jesus accomplish the greatest event in human history. However much people ignore, deny, or repudiate Jesus’s death on the cross, He died and…resurrection happened.. and cannot be disproved. He lives today in glory, exalted to the Father’s right hand, the place of honour and power even greater that He enjoyed before His coming to earth, to rule the nations as Lord, Supreme Authority.

Psalms 2:6-8 NLT
[6] “For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.” [7] The king proclaims the Lord’s decree: “The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father. [8] Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession.”

Hebrews 1:3 NLT
[3] “The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.”

No sacrifice is without its reward. When we, even as frail humans, partner with the Father in His call to ministry, whatever suffering or deprivation is included, we can be sure that there is a reward to follow.

1 Peter 5:10 NLT
[10]”In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.”

This is the hope that takes the sting out of our suffering. Paul knew and testified to this hope that kept him steadfast through all his trials. He pinned his hope on God’s promise of a reward far greater than the sum of all he had suffered. He even gloried in his pain, not as some kind of fatalist but because it was the guarantee of an inheritance he would share with Jesus.

Romans 8:17 NLT
[17] “And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.”

Our attitude to the temporary suffering we endure now will determine its effect in us. Paul said, “Keep going. It won’t last forever. There’s an unimaginable reward ahead.” Our moaning and complaining will dull the anticipation of glory ahead. Instead, if we glory in our suffering now because suffering with joy heralds God’s pleasure, it will produce the rewards of character now, and guarantee a great reception at the end of our journey.

It’s not the actual suffering with Jesus that is the issue. It’s the attitude we have towards our suffering that God is testing. If we suffer in any way with unshakeable confidence in God’s love, no matter what happens, then we share the heart of Jesus towards the Father.

Peter and James learned the same lesson.

1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT
[6] “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. [7] These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”

James 1:2-4 NLT
[2] “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. [3] For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. [4] So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

WORLD CUP FEVER

Devotion, ,

WORLD CUP FEVER

World Cup fever!  What’s is all about?

Some national team, from a little country somewhere, the butt of the world’s scorn, won a rugby match. This “illustrious” event, which is supposed to unite our nation, has also plunged us into controversy with disgruntled losers over the “flawed” refereeing that got us the victory. So, this win not only unites but also divides.

After all the hoo-hah of their win and the extravagant praise given to the Springboks from the president down… they will also retire and die. This glorious celebration, which has captured the imagination of the nation, will be forgotten tomorrow… when the realities of living in South Africa hit us again. Who will benefit from their victory in the end? Will the Bok’s fourth win in the RWC event change anything for the better in South Africa?

There is one event in world history that will never be forgotten. This indescribably successful achievement was conceived in eternity and will be celebrated throughout the ages… the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Has His death made a difference? A resounding “YES!”. Will it ever be forgotten?  No!  Every person who has ever lived and believed in Jesus will be with Him and will be like Him in His eternal kingdom forever because He died and rose again.

Philippians 2:9-11 NLT
[9] “Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

All in heaven will celebrate that victory, people and angels forever and forever.

Revelation 5:6-14 NLT
[6] “Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. [7] He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. [8] And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. [9] And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. [10] And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.” [11] Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. [12] And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing.” [13] And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honour and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.” [14] And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.”

Let’s get real, brothers and sisters! We congratulate the Boks on their win now. Let’s continue to celebrate the Lord Jesus for His victory, now and forever.

PRAYER
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing.”

There is no higher praise that we can give to you, Lord Jesus, than to fall down at your feet and worship you, and to love you and honour you by our faithfulness and obedience to your commands.

Thank you, once again, for your great victory over sin and death. We shall live forever because you died and rose again, taking us with you into your eternal home. We shall praise you throughout all eternity for your love.

PRAYER – FOCUS ON JESUS

Christian Life, ,

PRAYER – FOCUS ON JESUS

If the kingdom is to be the main subject of our fellowship with the Father, then our next priority is the learn about and from the one whom God has appointed as king in His kingdom.

“For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”

Psalms 2:6 NLT

“Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honour and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:9-11 NLT

“After that, the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet.”

1 Corinthians 15:24-25 NLT

We live in a world, not only of wickedness and evil, but also of subtle allurement to become part of its anti-God behaviour by indulging in fleshly lusts that war against our souls. How can we escape from the pull of the world?

Once again, the Bible gives us the answer – focus on Jesus.

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honour at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.”

Colossians 3:1-3 NLT

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne.”

Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

A big part of our fellowship with the Father, then, is contemplating the glory of the Son. God loves it when we talk to Him about Jesus, appreciating and valuing all that Jesus is to us. There is nothing that transforms our lives more powerfully than to gaze at Jesus and learn from Him.

Jesus is our model and our mentor. He said, “Learn from me,” and “Remain in me.” This is the only way we can live the life of God’s kingdom in a wicked and corrupted world.

THE GREAT DIVIDE

Bible Study, ,

THE GREAT DIVIDE

“Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above very name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11.

This is Paul’s song – the greatest declaration ever made and the greatest song ever written.

Before the beginning of time, Lucifer set out to usurp God’s position in heaven and take over the ownership and control of the earth. He lied to the first pair by posing as the ultimate authority. They listened to him, did what he said, and plunged the entire universe into moral darkness and chaos. He, Satan, the deceiver, has gone on hoodwinking people ever since.

God had already laid His plan to prove the devil wrong before the earth was born, and to bring him to judgment so that He could restore His creation to its original perfection without the interference of His arch enemy, the Liar. His plan was Jesus, sent to earth as fully human, to live under the authority of the Father and in the power of the Holy Spirit as the lowest of the low, a servant; nothing.

Instead of acting and reacting like fallen human beings, hating and retaliating like the master they served, Jesus absorbed all of humanity’s hatred of God by serving, loving and forgiving God’s enemies. He showed the powers of darkness and the race of rebellious human beings that love is more powerful than fear. Why fear? Because the human race is driven to hate God because they are afraid of Him. They know that He has the power to destroy them.

God the Father put Jesus at the mercy of His enemies to do with Him what they chose. When they had finished with Him, He was mangled, bled out, humiliated and dead. Then they sealed His broken body in a cave and left Him to rot. Death was Satan’s final weapon against Him and he thought he had won!

But it did not end there. On the third day, Jesus broke death’s hold; with a burst of divine power, He came back to life and walked out of the tomb through an enormous boulder sealed with a Roman seal. What Satan thought would put paid to Jesus’ claim to be Lord was the seal of his own doom. Jesus’ death and resurrection was the final proof that He was God, not the devil, and He was Lord, not the usurper.

“Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death – that is the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” Hebrews 2:14, 15.

What a moment! Now the Father had every right to declare who was Lord -Jesus! He earned and owned the title as His right. The Father put Him where He belonged, in the place of supreme authority, and gave Him the name that was His alone – Yahweh! Kurios! Lord! Supreme Commander of the nations and of the universe!

“…The end will come, when He hands the kingdom over to God the Father, after He has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” 1 Corinthians 15:24-26. 

Daniel saw this event in a prophetic vision centuries before it happened.

“In my vision I looked and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshipped Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” Daniel 7:13, 14.

This glorious declaration also holds a warning. It is not only for those who believe in Jesus. Paul declared that it is for “every knee”. This includes every knee. Even the devil and his minions, and every person who sides with him, will be forced to bow on that day, obviously not in worship but in defeat, to acknowledge that Jesus Christ, not the devil, is Lord.

While we are still in this life, we have a decision to make. Who is Lord? If we choose to side with the devil and believe his lie, when we eventually bow to Jesus we will seal our eternal fate, and it will be our choice, not God’s that decides where we go. If we are convinced that It is Jesus who spoke the truth, our destiny with be with Him forever.

Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.