Dying Daily and Our Life in Christ

Spiritual growth is making real in our daily experience what is already true for us in Christ.

Our progressive sanctification is an ever putting off all that belongs to the old man, and putting on all that belongs to the new man in Christ.

The old nature of man in Adam has not evolved better over the last two thousand years.

Has the carnal mind with its urges become so good to the Holy Spirit that we no longer need to subject it to the Holy Spirit?

Undisciplined self-gratification has never been compatible with strong, vibrant, mature spiritual growth.

You cannot be a mature believer and live anyway you choose. You cannot give nature all that it desires without defrauding the grace of God.

Romans chapter seven pictures every Christian’s spiritual battle in progress. Our old nature, though judged and condemned and deposed in the death of Christ is forever revolting against the sentence of death. It struggles daily to regain its lost supremacy.

The believer who is in Christ not only has died with Christ, but is bound to “die daily” with Him so long as he is in the flesh.

The two natures, at present are dwelling together, even though they are at perpetual war with one another. When one is weak the other is strong. When one loses the other conquers.

The crucifixion we have undergone as believers in Christ is personalized in our own person. The believer is “always bearing about in his body the dying of the Lord Jesus.” Our spiritual battle is a spiritual intimacy with Christ against the forces of Satan. Christ began a spiritual warfare that has not ended for us (Col. 3:9, 10).

We are new creatures in Christ whose inward man is “renewed day by day.” The new man from above battles daily with the forces of evil.

The cross and the resurrection of Christ extend their influence and power over the Christian’s life until the day we are presented perfect to our Father in heaven. The development of the Christian toward perfection is always going in two opposite directions. There is the mortifying, suppressing, subjecting the natural man, and the nurturing, renewing and developing the spiritual man who lives within.

In the crucifixion of the old man we make the death of Christ our own. The carnal mind must always be delivered up to death for Christ’s sake. This is our life-long experience.

If we are to become like Christ in our daily practice we must subdue our sinful desires, behaviors and bring them under the influence of the cross.

Our sanctification is prolonged and perpetuated in our daily experiences.

We are to have the same mind of Christ. We have been judged in the person of Christ knowing that He bore our sins in His death, follow on in the path of the cross judging and mortifying all that we find in our lives contrary to Christ. Anything that is opposed to Christ in our lives must die. We must deny and die to the expression of the old life as we knew it before we become Christians. We must refuse the indulgence of the old man.

The Holy Spirit is always bringing us to the surrender of self in all its forms to the will of God.

Our Savior’s suffering is never more beautiful than when reproduced in our daily lives as we die to self, fleshly desires and unholy ambition.

However, no amount of self-denial of the old nature will make us holier, unless we are brought at the same time into a deeper intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. As we abide in Christ we walk as Christ walked.

Self-denial creates voids in our soul that must be replaced with Christ and divine affection. It is our desire to appropriate the eternal life Jesus has given us. This new life in Christ creates within the believer a hunger and thirst for more of Him. Meditation on the Word of God and contemplation of the character of Christ promotes that end. In the process He conforms us to the likeness of Christ until, we have attained the fullness of the stature of Christ, His life constantly imparted and His character reflected in our lives (2 Cor. 3:18).

Daily communion with Jesus is a certain way of overcoming sin in our lives. Our growth in grace and knowledge of Christ can never fail to promote the subjection of nature. Our natural man cannot endure the burning heat of the unclouded presence of Christ.

May our steady gaze upon Christ blind our hearts to the desires of the unregenerate life-style.

Oh, blessed day when the battle is over and we cease from our putting off and putting on and we are presented spotless in Christ “when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortal.

Even so, come Lord Jesus.Selah!

Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006

Anyone is free to use this material and distribute it, but it may not be sold under any circumstances whatsoever without the author’s written consent.

Do You Have the Mind of Christ?

Do I see the beauty of a holy life as Jesus saw it? Do I see lost people through His eyes? Do I understand the eternal purpose of God with the same conviction that Jesus had?

The apostle Paul said, “We have the mind of Christ” (I Corinthians 2:16). What are the implications of having that mind?

In contrast to the pagan false “wisdom” Paul sets forth the wisdom from God, “That is found in the righteousness and sanctification and wisdom of God in Christ. God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.”  Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 

In God’s magnificent wisdom, He has been “well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe,” and the message preached is “Christ crucified.”

The unregenerate, sensual person who lives his life as if there is nothing beyond the physical “does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them because they are spiritually appraised” (I Cor. 2:14).

In contrast Paul says the believer in Christ has “received” not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely give to us by God” (v. 12).

We have the mind of Christ because we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us.  Therefore, since we are new creatures in Christ, our habit of mental activity needs to be like that of Christ.

The apostle Paul uses the word “mind” signifying the exercise of the mind, including our emotional and spiritual responses creating activity.  It refers to understanding, intelligence, and mental presence.  It is the whole knowledge of Christ including emotions and volitions based on thought.

Perhaps John 17 reveals the mind of Christ in its rare beauty.  “Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life’” (John 17:1-2).  That is the passion of God incarnate.  He came to reveal the Father and give eternal life to all who will believe on Him.  In the mind of Christ, we understand the cross.  Only then will the passion our preaching be “Christ crucified.”  “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2).

The mind of Christ is revealed in the cross.  In the mind of Christ we see “the beauty of holiness.” Christ came to reveal the holiness of the Father and the sinfulness of sin.  The cross of Jesus exposes our sins, and we stand condemned before a righteous God.  The cross reveals the mind of our Savior who knew no sin and became so identified with us that He gave Himself as the substitutionary sacrifice on our behalf.  The mind of Christ reveals an attitude of self-emptying and humility so profound that He would empty Himself “taking the form of a bond-servant and being made in the likeness of men” and give Himself a ransom for sin.  “Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).

Jesus saw everything in perpetual relationship to His Father.  He saw the whole universe related to the Father and for that reason He gave His life in obedience to Him.  The master passion of Christ Jesus was to glorify His Father in saving sinful man.

“We have the mind of Christ” when we see the Father in all of His holiness.  “We have the mind of Christ” when we sin as it breaks the heart of a holy and righteous God.  We have the mind of the Savior when we understand the penalty for sin must be paid in full by a divine, sinless substitute.  “We have the mind of Christ” when we feel the passion of His soul in submission to the will of God, even unto death.

If I have the mind of Christ, I can see the infinite beauty of holiness as He saw it when He clothed me in the robes of His perfect righteousness.  “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Do I have that same passion to see lost people as He saw them?  If I have the mind of Christ, I will pour out my life in obedient sacrifice and believe and trust in Him.

Hear my prayer, oh God. I give my mind to you; let me think the way Christ thinks.  Help me make the choices the way You would choose.  I want to do what You would do and feel as you feel. Help me to obey You—even unto death!Selah!

Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006

Anyone is free to use this material and distribute it, but it may not be sold under any circumstances whatsoever without the author’s written consent.

It Symbolizes the Relationship Between

I am grateful The Holy Spirit suggested making a healing path ( like I saw in China in the front garden. It is a path of patio stones with rounded stone cemented into them. When you walk on the when they are warm they cause healing while giving a foot massage ).

I am grateful The Holy Spirit suggested making a shrine beside the walkway. It symbolizes the relationship between Jehovah, Jesus, The Holy Spirit, angels and me in my walk with Christ

I am grateful The Holy Spirit suggested planting specific flowers around the walkway and shrine. They represent powerful symbols.

I am grateful The Holy Spirit suggested

putting the raised gardens in a specific sequence to represent my dedication and suffering for Christ

I am grateful The Holy Spirit suggested arranging the biggest raised garden in a special way representing Jesus and His followers.

To be Set Apart From

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation

To sanctify is to set apart.

As Christians we are to be set apart from worldly cares.

That does not mean hiding away in a cave somewhere

It does mean we are not to indulge in worldly pleasures such as intoxication, sex out of marriage, same sex copulation, being vain, selfish and greedy.

We are to follow the example of our Heavenly King, Jesus in our thoughts, words and deeds.

This can only be accomplished by being obedient to The Holy Spirits guidance.

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Mekaddishkem (Exodus 31:13 The LORD that Sanctifies You ) for blessing me with The Holy Spirits power and guidance to help us to please You and to bless us with a meaningful, loving life by living a sanctified life.

I praise You in the name of Your most sanctified son Jesus Christ. Amen

indeovi vas ( may you live with Jesus in Latin )

Seleh- stop and think about it.

This photo and article @ Joseph- Anthony a son of Jehovah 2024

Anyone is free to use this material and distribute it but it may not be sold without authors consent

As you think so too you are. Joseph- Anthony a son of Jehovah.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A GOOD SITE ON HOW TO DEAL WITH TOXIC PEOPLE AND GET HEALING IN A CHRISTIAN MANNER PLEASE GO TO https://www.youtube.com/@Kris_Reece/videos HER ADVICE HAS HELPED TREMENDOUSLY

The Right Use Of

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.” Charles Spurgeon

Commitment to a Holy Life

Commitment to a Holy Life

Obedience.

It is a dirty word in our day. We are all like little children; no one wants to obey anyone else. The words “obedience” and “submission” are a constant reminder of our indwelling sin. But whether we like them or not, they get to the heart of our problem of living a holy life.

Jesus said, “If you love Me you will obey Me.” It is our responsibility to obey Him. We cannot obey Him unless we submit to His sovereignty. There can be no holiness in our lives if we do not obey Him. “He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me; and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him, and will disclose Myself to him,” said Jesus in John 14:21.

Obedience is the road to holiness.

Over the years we have developed habitual patterns of disobedience. We have patterns of sin in our lives. Am I willing to give up these habits that keep me from being all that God wants me to be?

Every time we sin we make it easier to keep on sinning. We reinforce these patterns, or habits, until we make a commitment to make a new habit not to sin. Have you made it your aim, goal, passion, not to sin? Have you made it a commitment to live a holy life?

The only way to break old habits is to make a commitment to start forming new ones. God cannot do that for us. It is our responsibility.

In Romans 8:13 the apostle Paul brought out the contrast between a habitually dominated pattern of living according to the flesh, and an obligation to habitually, under the power of the Holy Spirit, be “putting to death the deeds of the body.”

The responsibility of the Christian is to yield to and cooperate with the Holy Spirit in putting to death or destroying the strength and vitality of sin as it tries to reign in our bodies.

The old venerable theologian John Owen observed, “Mortification from a self-strength, carried on by ways of self-invention, unto the end of a self-righteousness is the soul and substance of all false religion.” In fact, it is a pretty good description of legalism.

The only way we can put to death sin in our lives is by submission to the presence of the Holy Spirit in our inner being.

It is our responsibility to obey Him. “The Spirit alone is sufficient for this work,” said Owen. “He is the One who gives life and strength to our efforts.”

How do we break these old habits of sin? How do we destroy the powerful grip of sin?

Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). It is in the heart that the changes must take place. “The heart is the center of the inner life of the person where all the spiritual forces and functions have their origin” (TDNT).

That is where the commitment to an obedient life must begin. If I love the Lord God I will obey Him. I will seek to please Him if I have settled the love of my life.

The world system seeks to squeeze us into its mold by the constant bombardment of temptations to indulge in our sinful nature.

Have you made a once-and-for-all commitment to the Lord to live a life that is pleasing to Him? That is where every true born again Christian must begin. “Lord Jesus I give you my life. I thank you for dying for me on the cross and giving me eternal life. I thank you for forgiving me of all my sins, and cleansing me in your precious blood. I thank you for the indwelling presence of Your Spirit. Lord, I give myself to You and I ask that You enable me to live a holy life.” Make a personal commitment to Christ today.

Commit every day to the Lord. Begin your day with a renewed commitment to live God’s kind of life. “Lord, I want to please You today in everything I do. I give You this day, come and live Your life in and through me.”

Keep your heart sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Spend some time in God’s Word so you will know what God’s will is for the Christian. Living the Christian life will not come automatically. It is your responsibility to love and obey your Master.Selah!

Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006

Saying That is Interesting and Then

Wisdom is having knowledge and putting that knowledge into action. Stupid is having knowledge, saying that is interesting and then walk away from it. Joseph- Anthony a son of Jehovah

We are Proteges Of

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. Psalms 37:23 The Holy Bible The New Living Translation

In the ancient times when you were a student learning from a master you were to obey his instructions to the letter. If you refused you were booted out on the mean streets.

So too it is with Christians.

We are proteges of The Holy Spirit who is our Mentor sent from Jehovah to direct the steps of His children in their day to day lives. If we are obstinate and arrogantly refuse to listen to and obey His guidance we will walk away and let us stumble around in the darkness from one disaster to another.

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Roi (Psalms 23:1 The LORD My Shepherd ) for blessing me with the best Shepard to guide my steps through out the day. I praise You in the name of the best Shepard Jesus Christ. Amen

indeovi vas ( may you live with Jesus in Latin )

Seleh- stop and think about it.

This photo and article @ Joseph- Anthony a son of Jehovah 2023 Anyone is free to use this material and distribute it but it may not be sold without authors consent

Are Not Burdensome.

Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God 1 John 5:3-5 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation

We are in a war in the west from the barbarians called liberals, social justice, queer rights and black lives matter and other like satanic matter minded cults.

The only way to victory is to have faith that The Holy Spirit guides us there as we obey His commandments.

And, only those who accept Christ as their savior and King have the gift of The Spirit with in us to lead us to victory.

“When justice is divorced from morality, when rights of individuals are separated from right and wrong, the only definition you have left for justice is the right for every individual to do as he pleases…the end of that road is anarchy and barbarism” . John Piper

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Gibbor Milchamah (Psalms 24:8 The LORD Mighty In Battle ) for blessing us with the best tactician to lead us to victory over the wicked in this world. I praise You in the name of He who defeated satan on the cross, Jesus Christ. Amen

indeovi vas ( may you live with Jesus in Latin ) Seleh- stop and think about it.

This photo and article @ Joseph- Anthony a son of Jehovah 2023 Anyone is free to use this material and distribute it but it may not be sold without authors consent

In the Blender

I am grateful that The Holy Spirit suggested putting the Swiss Chard in the blender and adding it to the chili sauce

I am grateful that The Holy Spirit suggested an easier and more economical method of building the raided gardens

I am grateful that The Holy Spirit suggested an easier method of putting a new tarp on the tabernacle.

I am grateful that The Holy Spirit suggested bringing unused blankets from the house out to the sanctuary and layering them to keep me toasty warm during to cold winter months.

I am grateful that The Holy Spirit softly spoke to me and reminded me my thoughts were ungodly and convicted me of them. It seemed as if I no sooner repented of one and the devil got me thinking of another. I kept The Holy Spirit busy today.

I am so grateful He is so patient with me and does not throw his hands up in frustration and walk away.