Orange Moon Monday, October 31, 2022 "Our Hearts, His Home"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

    

               "Our Hearts, His Home"     

    When we consider the indwelling Holy Spirit, bestowed as a free gift of grace to all who trust the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, we often rightly focus on the heart and life-changing wonder of His presence and power.

   "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (I Corinthians 3:16).

   "The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth" (Ephesians 5:9).

   Certainly we do well to rejoice in the Holy Spirit's enabling us to walk in faith and faithfulness.  However, another blessed truth presents itself to our hearts when considering the indwelling Spirit, namely, that God loves human hearts so dearly He desires to dwell not merely with them, but within them.  "I will dwell in them and walk in them" (II Corinthians 6:16).  Our Lord drew nearer to us than our minds can fathom when we trusted Him as our Savior.  We mean that much to Him, a challenging truth to presently comprehend, but one which we must embrace with great determination and confidence.  This makes the matter personal to the most profound degree.  God made our hearts His home when we believed, inhabiting us to such degree that "the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us" (Romans 5:5).

   As I wrote the preceding words, the thought came to me regarding how monumentally large a truth, but how limited my awareness and comprehension of such grace.  It must presently be this way, of course, as the limitations of our flesh challenge the wonder of our spirits inhabited by the living Christ.  However, we can all know more than we do of our Lord's vibrant and risen life as we determine to believe a truth that often seems unlikely, but forever abides as the irrevocable gift of God to our hearts.  "Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because he hath given us of His Spirit" (I John 4:13).

    A final thought.  The gift of God's abiding presence in us came to us by way of the Lord Jesus suffering abandonment by His Father and the Holy Spirit when He died on the cross of Calvary.  "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46).  To the degree He suffered and died alone to atone for our sins, the Spirit of God will never leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).  Such is the grace of our Heavenly Father, and such is the wonder of how much we mean to Him.  Again, let us make it personal: He loves your heart and mine that dearly, so much so that the Psalmist declared, "The Lord taketh pleasure in His people" (Psalm 149:4).

"Because ye are sons, God hath sent for the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying Abba Father."

(Galatians 4:6)

Weekly Memory Verse   

      "The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth."

 (Ephesians 5:9)

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Orange Moon Sunday, October 30, 2022 "Here"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

    

               "Here"

  

   

    Creation teems with the living and active presence of God.  Even the most godly among us see but a tiny measure of His vibrant working to fulfill "the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Ephesians 3:11).   He is there nonetheless, and even more, He is here in the condition, circumstance, and situation of our life as it presently exists.  Our Lord ever abides as the great fact, the great reality of our every moment.

Father, are You there?

No, My child, I am not there,

I am here, nearer than any other.

And I will always be not there, but here,

of this you can be sure, 

and this you will discover

as the years roll on, and eternity draws nigh,

I am with you always, 

so near, so much nearer than any other.

   

    He is the God of here, the omnipresent Creator and Sustainer all things (John 1:3; Colossians 1:17).  From the inward, infinitesimal regions of the atom to the untold reaches of a vast universe, God abides beyond measure, as Solomon declared, "the Heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee!" (II Chronicles 6:18).  Indeed, everywhere is here to God.  There is no there for Him.  Thus, we never need coax our Lord onto the scene of any aspect of our lives.  He rather awakens us to His presence as we walk with Him by the faith that sees the Unseen awaiting us around every corner, on every mountaintop, and in every venue of our existence.  "Thou art there" declared the Psalmist of the God he realized would be encountered when "there" becomes "here" (Psalm 139:8).

   Let us make this personal.  As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, His promise rings through the centuries unto this moment.  "I am with you always" (Matthew 28:20).  Whatever the moment holds, along with all to come, the Spirit of God beckons us to open the eyes of our hearts to the "Here" of the Lord Jesus.  Yes, He is here to be praised and thanked in our blessings.  He is here to be trusted in our trials.  He is here to be obeyed by the power of the Holy Spirit.  He is here to forgive and cleanse when we fail and then confess our sins.  He is here to lead us in all things as we seek to communicate Him to others by the example of our life and the words of our mouths.  Nearer than our next breath He is and will always be.  Faith sees this unseen glory, and joyously awaits the day when the "Here" of God will be known in infinitely greater measure.  Until then, we make the choices that affirm our Lord's presence and provision in all things.  As we do, He will confirm our confidence and our determination to join Moses who "endured, as seeing Him who is invisible" (Hebrews 11:27).

"Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me."

(Psalm 139:7-10)

Weekly Memory Verse   

     But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

(Ephesians 2:4-7)

   

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Orange Moon Saturday, October 29, 2022 "Two Women"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

(a repeat from 2016)

    

               "Two Women"     

    

"Thy mother is like a vine in thy blood, planted by the waters.  She was fruitful and full of branches by  reason of many waters."

(Ezekiel 19:10)

     I have lived my life with two mothers, first my own Mom, and then the mother of my children, Frances.  I have no words to describe the beauty I have witnessed in their hearts and lives as they have exemplified everything that motherdom represents.  Devotion, caring, nurturing, teaching, tenderness, discipline, and most of all, loving self-sacrifice - I have seen all in the presence of these two women who have given so much for me and for my children (excuse me for a moment while I get down on my knees to give thanks…).

    I arise to affirm that I have seen the Lord Jesus Christ in my mother and in Frances' mothering of our children.  The light of His nature, character, and way has illuminated every day of my life.  I didn't know what I beheld as I grew up with my mother.  Nor have I realized it clearly enough as I have witnessed Frances's mothering (and now her grandmothering).  But I do see it a bit more clearly now as I marvel in memory of my mother, and as I presently view the Lord's glory in Frances's relationship with her children and grandchildren.  It has been, and it is a beautiful sight to behold, a beautiful display of Christ.

    Frances and my mother both sought the Lord's grace to enable the mothering of their children.  He faithfully answered, over and over and over again.  Thus, my children, grandchildren and I have been privileged to see, hear, and touch the very heart of God as it has reflected from the hearts of these two women who have looked to Him in faith.  He receives all the glory, as my mother and Frances would strongly tell me to declare.  So I declare it: all glory, praise, and thanks to the God who must be wonderful beyond imagining to have so revealed His goodness in the hearts and lives of these two vines in the blood, these two mothers who have been for me and for my children the glimmering lamps of Christ's beautiful Light.

"A woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised."

(Proverbs 31:30)

Weekly Memory Verse   

     But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

(Ephesians 2:4-7)

   

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Orange Moon Friday, October 28, 2022 "More Than a Memory"

"The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

(a repeat from 2019)

    

               "More Than a Memory"      

    I have not seen Bruce in more than 50 years.  I do not even know if he still remains in this world.  However, each October 28th, I spend the day offering prayers for him, asking our Heavenly Father to reveal His grace and truth to Bruce if he is still with us, and to work in his life according to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ and Bruce's need.

   "We give thanks unto God and our Father, praying always for you" (Colossians 1:3).

    Bruce was my first best friend.  We knew each other from the time we were five years old until I moved away from the neighborhood when I was ten.  We did the usual things little boys do, riding bicycles, playing sports, pretending to be soldiers in battle, and discussing deep philosophical issues regarding truth, reality, ethics and morality (well, probably not!).  We got along very well, had a few tussles here and there, but always reconciled.  We remained friends until I moved, and I saw Bruce only once afterward when his family invited me to stay with them for a weekend after they had moved to the country.

    Regarding October 28, I remember to pray for Bruce on this day each year because my birthday is the following day.  This was a fine thing for 2 little boys, having birthdays (and birthday parties!) so close together.  So it's easy to remember Bruce each October 28th.  After I became a born again believer in the Lord Jesus, the thought occurred to me one year that I could do more than remember Bruce each year.  I could pray for him on that day, thus making a memory more than a memory.  Recalling Bruce became an altar in my heart to be visited in devotion to God and to my first best friend.  So I'll be praying for Bruce in this day, giving thanks for him, and making request for he and his family.

    "More than a memory."  I try to live by this axiom that came to my heart and mind many years ago.  The human brain is a marvelous gift, "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14).  Our capacity to remember serves us in countless ways, and constitutes a primary distinction in our humanity originally made in the image of God.  We must use our memories to effectively function, but even more, we must remember in order to effectually and fervently serve the Lord and people.  "I will remember the works of the Lord" (Psalm 77:11).  I have no doubt that praying for Bruce each year on October 28th involves the exercise of heart and brain for the primary purpose God gave me a heart and brain.  I remember Him, and in such holy light, I remember Bruce - and more than remember him - by praying for him.  Such a gift applies to countless other people who still journey upon the pathways of my memory, and of yours as well.  More than a memory.  I'll be thinking about such grace as I think about Bruce today.  And as I pray for him.

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you."

(Philippians 1:3)

Weekly Memory Verse   

     But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

(Ephesians 2:4-7)

   

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Orange Moon Thursday, October 27, 2022 “Intervention”

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

    

               "Intervention"

  

   

    Our spiritual enemies ever seek to discourage confidence in our Lord's ability to change people, circumstances, situations, conditions, and ourselves.

    "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming?   For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation" (II Peter 3:3-4).

   While intensified in the last days, devilish and human scoffers have always ridiculed the notion of God's intervention in human hearts and the world.  If we succumb to their slanderous temptations to disbelieve our Lord's transformative abilities, we will not expect, we will not pray, and we will not act with the confidence that sees crosses and tombs as prelude to resurrections.  Indeed, do we look at matters and resign ourselves to the despairing lament, "All things continue as they were?"

   We had better not.  God gives believers in the Lord Jesus Christ responsibility to see the truth of an active Lord, mightily at work to fulfill His purposes.  "God… worketh all things after the counsel of His own will" (Ephesians 1:3;11).  How such working will apply in the matters that concern us, we do not know.  We just know that our Lord is comprehensively present and active in His redeeming work in Christ.  "All things" serve as the venue of His working declares the Apostle Paul.  Thus, we trust our Lord to change things and to change people.  Whether or not we see obvious indications of such working by our Heavenly Father is not our business.  How could we possibly know everything an infinite God does in "all things?"  Our calling lies in believing, affirming, and acting in accordance with the definitively declared Word of God that our Lord ever continues His work of redeeming change.  All things do not continue as they were.  God acts.  God intervenes.  God moves in history, and in our story.  

    Long ago, the scoffer would have directed our attention to an occupied tomb.  "He's in there, and like all others, He won't be coming out" the reviler would have sneered.  "Fool!  All things continue as they were!"  I will let you recall the rest of the story, and simply suggest that we view all things in the light of a tomb that changed, and a Lord who ever works to administer the power that intervened, transforming seeming tragedy into superlative triumph.  Because all things do not continue as they were.

"The Word of God… effectually worketh also in you that believe."

(I Thessalonians 2:13)

"My expectation is from Him."

(Psalm 62:5)

Weekly Memory Verse   

     But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

(Ephesians 2:4-7)

   

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Orange Moon Wednesday, October 26, 2022 "Autumn Speaks, Autumn Sings"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

    

               "Autumn Speaks, Autumn Sings"

  

   

    Along the Gulf Coast of the United States where we live, the autumn season does not provide the array of hues and colors that people see in many other parts of our nation.  In colder climates, the season offers a fiery display of beauty that has inspired countless artists through the centuries.  None have ever matched God's virtuosity, however, nor will anyone ever paint on a canvas the glory He splashes on groves, forests, trees, and sometimes most vividly, a single leaf.  In our locality we will see a smattering on our popcorn trees, and the occasional maple some folks plant for ornamental purposes.  By and large, however, our evergreens will remain, well, ever and green. 

    Autumn's beauty requires death to bring forth the display.  Leaves must die in order to achieve their sublime hue.  Certainly, beauty graces trees when lively and green.   The new growth of a spring forest blesses us with its own expression of wonder.  The colors of fall, however, remain unmatched in their varied and vibrant gallery as death (the loss of chlorophyll due to less light and water) originates and hastens the process.  This speaks of an even more beautiful glory made possible by loss, darkness, and thirst.

    "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?, that is to say,My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:45-46).    

    "After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst" (John 19:28).

    The Lord Jesus Christ bore infinite glory in the eternal past (John 17:5).  He now abides in even greater glory, having lived, died, and been raised from death in order to save us from our sins.  Thereby, He became our Savior as well as our Creator.  God's holiness and justice required such a loss and such a fall for the Lord Jesus to be constituted as our hope and our redemption.  "He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (II Corinthians 5:21).   

   The trusting heart views the unsightly horror of the cross and sees our Lord's glorious heart in the most vivid display imaginable.  The beauty of God - His character and nature - were never more exhibited than on the cross of Calvary where in love, the Father smote His Son with undeserved wrath that He might grace us unmerited favor.  "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (I John 4:10).  Autumn speaks and sings to us of such glory as falling and lovely leaves reflect the dying glory of a fallen and lovely Savior, and a risen Lord more beautiful than ever.

"He is altogether lovely."
(Song of Solomon 5:16)

Weekly Memory Verse   

     But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

(Ephesians 2:4-7)

   

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Orange Moon Tuesday, October 25, 2022 “A Superlative Savior”

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

    

               "A Superlative Savior"

   In our memory verse for the week, superlatives of the Lord Jesus Christ burst forth: "Rich in mercy… great love… exceeding riches of His grace, and the greatest superlative of all... "through Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:4-7).

    Rich mercy, great love, and exceeding riches proceed from the Lord Jesus because His glory transcends all contemplation and imagination.  How great is He?  The Old Testament offers perhaps the most direct answer:  "His greatness is unsearchable" (Psalm 145:3; emphasis added).  Yes, look far and wide to find the full extent of our Savior's surpassingly wondrous being, character, nature, and way.  Then, give up in glad frustration that no possibility exists of ever discovering the full extent of His greatness.  Indeed, when the Psalmist declared, "I will praise Thee forever," he knew he would eternally find new reasons to affirm the wonder of a superlative Savior (Psalm 52:9).

  

   The impact of such truth not only speaks to forever, but also to this day.  By the time we lay our heads down to rest tonight, we can learn something new about the Lord Jesus that escorts us further into His realized glory.  Perhaps on the pages of Scripture, or as we pray in the light of Christ's truth.  Perhaps in a provision administered in a way explainable only by the Savior.  Perhaps in a challenge wherein we find Him to be "a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).  Perhaps in perceiving His eternal glory in the temporal wonders of the world.  Or perhaps somewhere deep in our hearts, the Spirit of God bears witness to the Christ He exalts and reveals.  However it may occur, we can "grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" in this day, rejoicing in the knowledge that regardless of how blessed we may be in the moment, ever greater "wonders without number" await us (II Corinthians 3:18; Job 9:10).

   In both Heaven and earth, there is no one like the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is the God who became man and the man who remains God. He is the chief delight of His Father, the Lamb worshipped by angels, and the beloved Savior of trusting human hearts.  His union of Divine and human nature constitutes Him as the most fascinating subject of both time and eternity.  We can never know enough about Him, nor can we ever love, trust, obey, and honor Him to the degree He merits.  Yes, in both Heaven and earth there is no one like the Lord Jesus.  The superlatives of His Person grace all of His characteristics declared by Scripture, and doubtless many others to be displayed throughout eternity.  No greater adventure and no more thrilling thought exists than this wonder of a superlative Christ whose greatness is indeed unsearchable.

"And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever."

(Revelation 5:11-13).

Weekly Memory Verse   

     But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

(Ephesians 2:4-7)

   

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Orange Moon Monday, October 24, 2022 "The Best Robe"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

    

               "The Best Robe"

   "Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him" (Luke 15:22).

   Who received the "best robe?"   Was it the Lord Jesus Christ upon His triumphant return to Heaven after He victoriously trampled sin, hell, and the grave under His nail-scarred feet?  Might it have been David upon his coronation as the king of Israel?  Or does Luke refer to an overcoming saint who entered Heaven after living an earthly lifetime of faith, obedience, and sacrifice for God and others?

   While the Lord Jesus, David and the godly believer may seem the likely candidates, Luke does not refer to them as recipients of the blessing. "The best robe" is rather reserved for one seemingly unworthy of such exalted garb.

    "And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found" (Luke 15:15-24).

    We have all sinned against our Father, and wasted His inheritance no less than the wayward son.  If we have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, however, God has called forth the best robe to be draped upon us.   We refer to the robe of our Savior's righteousness, so effectual in redemption that God remembers no more our rejection of Him, or the degradation that led to our spiritual starvation. He looks upon us and sees the robe, the best robe. Forever thereafter He relates to us as the loving Father of sons and daughters who were dead, and are alive again, who were lost, and are found.

    Upon our arrival in Heaven, the extent of our Lord's salvation will be known in infinitely greater measure.  We will feel as if we cannot bow low enough to adequately worship "the Author and Finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2).  This will be true.  However,  our Father will command that we stand so that the universe can view the Blood-washed garment of righteousness we wear. The glory of the Lord Jesus will shine forth from us in a splendor heretofore unknown, and the display of grace will begin that will require an eternity to fulfill...

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."

(Ephesians 2:4-7)

Weekly Memory Verse   

     But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

(Ephesians 2:4-7)

   

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Orange Moon Sunday, October 23, 2022 "Promises and Commands" Conclusion

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

    

               "Promises and Commands"

Conclusion 

   What if every command of Scripture comes to us also as a promise?  They do.

    "I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints, that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus" (Philemon 1:4-6).

    The Apostle Paul called Philemon to what would have been a hard thing in his day, namely, to receive the escaped slave Onesimus as "a brother beloved" rather than as a fugitive (Philemon 1:16).  Paul called for such an act of loving obedience by Philemon based on "every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus."  The Apostle Peter identifies those good things as "all things that pertain unto life and godliness" (II Peter 1:3).  Thus, the power to obey Paul's mandate of love in Christ had resided in Philemon from the moment he had trusted the Lord Jesus.  Or we might say, "the promise of life in Christ Jesus" preceded the command to "walk, even as He walked" (II Timothy 1:1; John 2:6).

    God never calls His children to make bricks without straw.  He rather fills our barn full to overflowing by indwelling us with the Holy Spirit in the moment of our salvation.  Thereafter, the power to obey always resides within us, constituting every command as a promise of grace to fulfill the will of God.  We may or may not respond to such abundance of enabling.  Obedience is not inevitable for the believer, as comfirmed by many accounts of sin and failure in the New Testament epistles.  However, we always can obey through Christ.  Knowing such truth of His abiding and enabling presence makes far more likely the trust and obedience that should characterize every Christian's walk with God.

   A just Lord could not and would not command His children to obey a standard far beyond their inherent capabilities if He did not also supply necessary grace to fulfill His mandates.  Thus, dwelling in every "Do" and "Don't" of Scripture resides the promised power to act accordingly.  Yes, God's commands are no less filled with promise than are His promises.

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

(II Corinthians 7:1)

Weekly Memory Verse    

    My times are in Thy hand.

(Psalm 31:15)

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Orange Moon Saturday, October 22, 2022 “Promises and Commands” Conclusion - Precious Promises, Blessed Commands

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

    

               "Promises and Commands"

Part 4 - Precious Promises, Blessed Commands

   "These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name" (John 20:31).

   We began our relationship with God by believing that "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God."  Thereby, we "have life through His name," and thereby we experience such life in our day to day lives - "To live is Christ" (Philippians 1:21).

   "What is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power" (Ephesians 1:19).  

   As Christ lives in us, and we "live through Him," the Holy Spirit administers the power of God in our thoughts, beliefs, prayers, attitudes, word, and deeds (I John 4:9).  The vast majority of such grace flows so quietly and unobtrusively that even our left hand does know know our Lord's doings by our right.  It must be this way because we presently "walk by faith, not by sight" (II Corinthians 5:7).  Even more, the acts of an infinite, eternal God who "worketh all things by the counsel of His own will" can never be fully known by creatures who know nothing yet as we ought to know (Ephesians 1:11; I Corinthians 8:2).

   This wondrous administration of Christ's life known by believing constitutes the promises of God's Word as more important than we can imagine.  Little wonder the Apostle Peter referred to them as "exceeding great and precious promises" (II Peter 1:4).  How could they be otherwise when our Heavenly Father's promises believed serve as the conduit through which the mighty river of Christ's life flows within and through us?  Thereby, God enables us to walk in His love, fulfilling His commands through His presence, leading, motivation, and enabling.  Indeed, faith has no power in and of itself, but rather accesses the power of Another to course through our spirits, souls, and bodies, revealing the risen life of the Lord Jesus in us.  "Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints, that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus" (Philemon 1:5-6).

   Great and precious promises.  Blessed commands that beckon us  to know and experience our Lord's presence and working.  Both grace us with the wonder of a life lived by indwelling presence of the risen Christ.  Yes, through Him, we seek to "trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey" (from the hymn, "Trust and Obey," by John Henry Sammis).

"And what shall I more say?  For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets, who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.  And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented, of whom the world was not worthy."

 (Hebrews 11:32-38)

Weekly Memory Verse    

    My times are in Thy hand.

(Psalm 31:15)

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