Thursday, June 7, 2018

Being Like Jesus Is More Than Just Being Good

My Utmost For His Highest 

Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do… —John 14:13 

{CHAMBERS} “Am I fulfilling this ministry of intercession deep within the hidden recesses of my life? There is no trap nor any danger at all of being deceived or of showing pride in true intercession. It is a hidden ministry that brings forth fruit through which the Father is glorified. Am I allowing my spiritual life to waste away, or am I focused, bringing everything to one central point— the atonement of my Lord? Is Jesus Christ more and more dominating every interest of my life? If the central point, or the most powerful influence, of my life is the atonement of the Lord, then every aspect of my life will bear fruit for Him. […] Am I willing to give one minute out of every hour to concentrate on it? “If you abide in Me […] Am I abiding? Am I taking the time to abide? What is the greatest source of power in my life? Is it my work, service, and sacrifice for others, or is it my striving to work for God? […] It is not on what we spend the greatest amount of time that molds us the most, but whatever exerts the most power over us. We must make a determination to limit and concentrate our desires and interests on the atonement by the Cross of Christ. […] Does it appear to contradict sound logic or seem totally absurd? Yes, but what a glorious truth it is to a saint of God.”

{ELGIN} God’s intent is that we me conformed into the image of Jesus. (Romans 8:29) “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”  What exactly is that … the image of His Son, I mean?  We tend to limit it to Jesus as He walked on terra firma … the earth.  But what if it goes beyond that?  What if it extends into the heavenlies.  (Romans 8:34) “Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”  Just as Jesus is interceding with the Father for all of the saints … we too should be interceding for others with the Father. (James 5:16) “Pray for one another ….. The prayers of a righteous man (person) are powerful and effective”  Intercession. 

Jesus is our high priest.  (Hebrews 4:14-16)  “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” A priest makes intercession on behalf of others and if we are to be like Jesus, we should be willing, even eager, to stand before the Father on their behalf.  Today would be a good day to start.

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