Meditation

03/22/2023

“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” (Romans 8:29-30)

God adopts us as Jesus’ brother. Our lives no longer conform to the world’s definition of living. God works in us to conform us to Christ. Paul listed a chain of five certainties leading to our assurance of glory. Ultimate glorification is conformity to the likeness of Christ. This is the ultimate restoration of humanity, both in an individual sense and the collective sense of the whole group of the called becoming like his Son.

God is in control of salvation all the way—-from planning it to providing final rewards in glory. Salvation is a process in which God chooses to save, calls people to salvation, works in Christ to provide salvation, and then gives the eternal rewards of Salvation. The entire process is certain because it is God’s process, so it can all be described in past tense.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Dear Abba, this list of glorification requires You to slowly and surely become living likenesses of Your Son Jesus Christ. Guide us Abba to seek to be more like Jesus in the way we interact with others, whether in business or personal actions, and we simply ask that Your will be done as You desire, that others will see us as Jesus in our actions and words, thus Honoring You. Bless all those who are hurting in body, mind, and/or spirit, that they might set aside their issues and let You deal with them on their behalf, and accept their humble repentance of their sins Abba. For those in conflicts around the world with wars and natural disasters, pour out an anointing upon them all, that they too, might feel You near them and take comfort in that knowledge. Amen.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Dusty Bibles = Dirty Lives!”

KNOWING GOD:

“Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, will not the ministry is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness?

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory; and if what was fading away came with glory how much greater is s the glory of that which last?!” (2^nd Corinthians 3:7-11, 17-18)

When God spoke to Moses in the Old Testament, he had to wear a covering over his face, for no one could look at him as his face shone with the glory of God. In the surpassing ministry of the Spirit (the third part of the Trinity) did not require anyone to veil their faces: For Christ makes us right with God and it is the Christ in the full glorious presence of God becomes visible. Belonging to Christ, we are more fully reflecting His glory, because we become more like Him.

Beloved, saved persons are being transformed into the likeness of Christ. Our transformation will become complete at the resurrection. “Transformed” (Greek – metamorphomai) is the same word used of Christ’s transfiguration.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“One of the criminals who hug there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him, ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘Since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ The he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answer him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’” (Luke 23:39-43)

The Anointed of Bethlehem has the power to declare a man God’s love at its highest measure to offer love and compassion when He hurts the most. Dying on a cross, He revealed God’s love at its highest measure to offer love and compassion when he hurts the most. Paradise, which Jesus spoke of is the place of glorification. It is another word for heaven. God in salvation gives us more than we can ask, hope, or imagine. The repentant thief went at death to where Jesus went. Jesus called the place paradise. The term often descried a place of beauty and enjoyment. Heaven in the final sense will be established at the end time; the period until then is referred to as the intermediate state. At death we go instantly back to the Father.

As the Lenten Season has begun…:

“Fast from hurting words and say kind words. Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude. Fast from anger and be filled with patience. Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope. Fast from worries and trust in God. Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity. Fast from pressures and be prayerful. Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy. Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others. Fast from grudges and be reconciled. Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.”