Orange Moon Thursday, January 26, 2023 "The Eternal Purpose"

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

    

              "The Eternal Purpose" 

        

    

    We presently live under the auspices, influence, and power of a vast conspiracy.

    "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,  and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ, to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in Heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Ephesians 3:8-11).

   Yes, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit conspired (meant in the best possible sense) to fulfill "the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus" by which all things would originate and forever proceed.  God created all things by His Son, He sustains all things by Him, and all things move toward His Lordship of creation under the authority of the Father (Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:17; Revelation 11:15; I Corinthians 15:28).  Nothing has ever happened or ever will happen that does not ultimately serve the conspired purpose of the triune God, who "worketh all things after the counsel of His own will" (Ephesians 1:11).

    Interestingly, however, the Lord allows other conspiracies to exist.  Fallen spiritual and human beings often unite to foolishly seek the overthrow of God and His determinations.  As in Eden, devils and people come together for sordid and doomed purposes - "the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2).  Things happen that are not the will of God, again, devilish and human sins our Lord, according to His nature, does not and cannot originate.  "God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man" (James 1:13).  He nevertheless fulfills His ultimate purposes amid all, and is so wise, present, involved, and powerful that even the most heinous of lesser conspiracies will somehow serve the "Eternal Purpose."  As Joseph said to the brothers who wickedly plotted his demise: "Ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good" (Genesis 50:20).

   Regarding the "most heinous of lesser conspiracies," the cross of Calvary defines such evil.  Conspiratorial "wicked hands" led the Lord Jesus Christ to His suffering and death.  However, "the deteminate counsel and foreknowledge of God" also paved the Savior's path to Calvary (Acts 2:23).  The enigma transcends our complete understanding, other than to realize the most salient of all truths regarding the matter: God's "conspiracy" transcended devilish and human conspiracies by an infinite measure and degree.  Yes, let devils and humans devise and deliver the worst they can throw against God, torturing His Son to death.  The result?  "God raised Him from the dead… and hath given Him a Name which is above every name" (Acts 13:30; Philippians 2:9).  Moreover, by the cross, God provides saving grace for all who receive the "free gift" made possible by the price our Savior paid in His sacrifice (Romans 5:15; Ephesians 1:14). 

    We live amid conspiracies of many kinds, both small or large, which presently bear much consequence.  However, a greater Conspiracy ever directs the current of creation, promising a final outcome of the "eternal purpose" that will not and cannot fail to be fulfilled.  The counsel of the triune God formed a purpose in the eternal recesses of His love, wisdom, grace, mercy, righteousness, holiness, and power against which no devilish or human devisings can ultimately stand.  We do well to fix our gaze there, even as we deal with the challenges presently faced by plots doomed to fail, and which will ultimately serve to more reveal the glory of our God than if they had never been formed.  His "eternal purpose" ensures this, the "Conspiracy" that will keep our hearts in peace as we remember and affirm that amid all devils and humans can wickedly devise, the earthly tomb is empty, the Heavenly throne above is occupied, and Jesus Christ is Lord.

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His Shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."

(Isaiah 9:6-7)

Weekly Memory Verse

    For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

 (I Corinthians 12:12)

 

   

  

    

     

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6720

Orange Moon Wedneday, January 25, 2023 “The Fount”

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

    

              "The Fount" 

        

    

    Creation constitutes a "to everlasting" reality.  

    "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before Him" (Ecclesiastes 3:14).

    However, only of God can Scripture declare…

    "From everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God" (Psalm 90:2).

   The Creator alone has forever existed "from everlasting."  He alone has always been.  Before anything else came into being, the One who eternally generates His own essence and substance existed as the essential core of reality.  This sublime wonder of His glory remains.  Indeed, of His most wondrous work, the forming of beings in His own image, Scripture declares, "In Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28).  Human beings, "fearfully and wonderfully made" as we are, possess no means of making or sustaining our own existence (Psalm 100:3; 139:14).  We are because God wills us to be, and we will forever abide because like all of our Lord's doings, we "shall be forever" through His "upholding all things by the word of His power" (Hebrews 1:3).

   This may seem to be theology, philosophy, and science to be pondered by the mind.  It is.  However, our greatest response to such truth must involve our heart, namely, the capacity for faith God built into human beings.

    "The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that is, the word of faith which we preach" (Romans 10:8).

    Realizing the singular being and nature of God as the only "from everlasting," reality calls us to accept our role of utter dependence on Him.  This makes the matter far more than conceptual.  This makes the matter personal.  Do I trust the One who gives me "life and breath and all things?" (Acts 17:25).  Do I trust Him about my yesterdays, todays, and forever?  Do I trust Him about this present moment and whatever it may hold in circumstance, condition, and situation?  Do I trust Him for life itself, whether spiritual or earthly?  Do I believe that "to live is Christ" and that nothing else is? (Philippians 1:21).  Realizing we require Him in this moment and forevermore to maintain the basic fact of our very existence prepares us to "trust in the Lord with all thine heart" (Proverbs 3:5).

   The brain can ache when we seek to wrap its limited capacities around such eternal reality.  We nevertheless do well to make the attempt, as guided by the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures.  Few truths will more challenge our comprehension than the eternality and infinity of the living God.  However, few truths will more infuse our trust in Him, our determination to "have no confidence in the flesh," and our experience of living in the truth of who He is, and who we are (Philippians 3:3).  Yes, God is God, from everlasting to everlasting in His singular splendor.  We are His children through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, forever dependent and especially graced to everlasting by His eternal being, and the promise and provision that flow from the Fount whereby all things proceed and endure.

"Thou art God alone."

(Psalm 86:10)

"All my springs are in Thee."

(Psalm 87:7)

"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."

(Deuteronomy 33:27)

Weekly Memory Verse

    For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

 (I Corinthians 12:12)

 

   

  

    

     

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Orange Moon Tuesday, January 24, 2023 “Guidance: Consecration, and Confidence”

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

    

              "Guidance: Consecration and Confidence"         

    

     

    Good decision making requires knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.  We must possess facts - knowledge - organize and coordinate them - understanding - and then properly apply what we know to circumstances, conditions, and situation - wisdom.

   "For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding" (Proverbs 2:6).

   God, of course, possesses knowledge, understanding, and wisdom in infinite measure.  He promises to impart guiding light to all who seek Him for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, and who believe that as we ask accordingly, He will provide.

     "For Thy name's sake lead me, and guide me" (Psalm 31:3).    

     "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord" (James 1:5-7).

   Consecration and confidence place us in the proper frame of heart whereby we can expect our Heavenly Father's guidance.  He will lead us to think well and decide well as seek to honor Him, and as we determine to trust Him.  Challenges will meet us along the way, and sometimes "This is the way, walk ye in it" may take time to discover (Isaiah 30:21).  In our present state of imperfection, we may also sometimes miss the Lord's leading.  However, as His glory and trustworthiness guide our heart and minds, we can expect His heart and mind to consistently guide our hands and feet.  "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake" (Psalm 23:3).

   We all rightly want to know what to do in every aspect of our lives.  However, why we desire guidance must be established - "For Thy Name's sake."  Expectation must also accompany our seeking - "Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering."  Yes, consecration to the glory of the Lord Jesus and confidence in God's promise to lead us as we seek Him will prepare us to the good decision making that so reveals His good guidance, based on His good and faithful heart.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."

 (Proverbs 3:5-6)

"In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence."

(Proverbs 14:26)

Weekly Memory Verse

    For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

 (I Corinthians 12:12)

 

   

  

    

     

6757

   

  

    

     

6720