JC Blog

We recently moved out to the country. It's been a change of pace for me as I have always lived in town among neighbors with easy access to things. Since the trip into town is long, I find myself staying at home in the evenings. I enjoy walking around our property after supper with the dogs. They love the chance to explore every nook and cranny of the acreage and it is a great time to unwind from the day.

As I was walking one day I noticed an apple tree. I didn't realize it was there when we purchased the property because at that time it was spring; too early to identify it. I was pleasantly surprised at this finding, looking forward to autumn when I would have this sweet delicious fruit to enjoy.

Every couple weeks I walk by to check the progress. Each apple started as a bud but through the course of the summer they have grown, become sweet and taken on color. I plan to pick the first batch this weekend to give away to friends and perhaps I’ll even bake a pie. I am excited at the thought of having all of this at my disposal.

One day as I was relaxing in my hammock, I began to think about my apple tree. Getting apples has been easy; I haven't had to do anything because of the nature of the tree. You see, the tree produces apples because it is an apple tree, this is its function. It doesn't strive, it doesn't work, it just produces because it is an established tree whose roots go deep. The entire root system goes down into the nutrient rich soil and draws from the underground water supply. It survives and flourishes, even in drought, because it is tapped into the water source.

As I pondered this, I was reminded of the words of Jesus, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" ( John 15:5 ). So many times as Christians we try to bear fruit on our own. It's a lot work. We strive, we struggle, and we feel guilty when things don't turn out right but it shouldn't be hard. We should be like my apple tree which yields fruit in its season simply by drawing from its life source.

As Christians we are also trained to think that our fruit should be programs, service and works, but Paul said, "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law" ( Galatians 5:22-23 ). The Amplified Bible describes it in this way, "But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]" ( Galatians 5:22-23 ). Do you see the difference? By drawing from the Source we don't strive for patience, we have it. We don't struggle to love one another, we just do. We don’t fight for self-control; it is evident in our lives because as Christians, we are like Christ.

Just like my apple tree bears apples, believers bear the fruit of the Spirit. We do this by abiding in our Source.  "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" ( John 15:4-5 ). By tapping into the Source and dwelling in relationship with God and His Word, these things will naturally flow out of your life because this is your natural function as a Christian.

Stop striving to please, stop trying to be something you are not, producing something other than what the Lord wants for your life. Dwell and remain in the Vine and you will find your tree full of fruit, grown effortlessly and ready with each season. When others walk by they will also see and recognize who you are by the fruit displayed in your life.

No matter what the circumstances around you, when you have a promise from God from his written word, then that promise is as strong and faithful as the guarantor of that promise. Abraham knew this and that is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness. Abraham believed God, even though, what he was believing for had not yet come to pass.

The amazing thing from this passage of scripture is that Paul reminds us that this was written. Psalms 138:2 says, "...thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." (KVJ) So the written word of God carries much weight. We know that everything in heaven, on earth and under the earth will one day bow down and confess that Jesus is Lord. He is given the name above every name. ( Philippians 2:9-11 ). However, the Psalms said that God himself magnifies his word above his name. Why? Because His name rests on his word.

You have heard it say that a man is only as good as his word. Meaning that unless one does what they say the will do, they cannot be trusted. God holds himself to the same standard. In other words, if a promise has been spoken by him and has been recorded in his word, then that promise is as good as the name he bears and you can consider the promise fulfilled. The name to which one day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that he is Lord.

Abraham believed God when he told him that he would be the father of many nations. No matter what the circumstances, he clung to that promise. It didn't matter that he was nearly one hundred years old. It didn't matter that Sarah was over ninety years old. No, didn't matter that she was barren. The scriptures tell us two things regarding this promise. First, God told Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. Secondly the scriptures tell us that Abraham believed God.

In fact, Abraham believe God before he believed his circumstances. He knew that when God spoke and promised something that he would deliver it. He reasoned that God would do what he promised even when, in the physical it seemed impossible. And Abraham saw the fulfillment of part of that promise through Isaac and had glimpses of the rest of the fulfillment through Jesus. His faith was the catalyst to bring the promise to realization.

The second half of this verse is so powerful. '...God gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.' ( Romans 4:17 ) We see this example in creation. Nothing existed before hand, but God spoke and believed that what he had spoke would come to pass. As he spoke, things that did not exist, came into existence. He called things that were not as though they were, and suddenly the were.

Abraham believed God in such a way. Even though in the present physical condition, there was no heir to the promise, he believed God. He knew that God was able to call things into existence. All of this steams out of a personal relationship with Him and knowing him. It also comes from knowing his word and the promises within. When we know God in an intimate way, then we know who he is and what he will do. The more we know about him, the more we look to him and forward to the outcome rather than the circumstances.

This is so important for us today, because no matter what the circumstances are, no matter what the doctor has said, no matter what we feel, we need to rest of what God has said about it. He is the one who 'gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.' ( Romans 4:17 ) When we believe him in such a way, then, like Abraham we operate in unwavering faith. Also like Abraham, we see the promises of God that are done and complete, called to manifest into the physical realm where we can interact with them.

Today, I praise God, that He is the one who gives life to the dead and changes circumstances. I praise God that the more we know him, the more we are able to operate in the faith that Abraham had. Because of this, 'He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believe' ( Romans 4:17 ) His faith has blessed us and will continue to do so for the many generations to come. Amen!

Isn't it interesting that the law actually widened the gap between us and God. Instead of reconciling fellowship with the Lord, it proved to be our undoing. Paul said in verse 9 that sin was revived within him once he understood his sin in contrast to God's holiness, a contrast that was illuminated through the law. This disparity is evident because the law describes the standard to which God requires and to which we cannot obtain on our own. Trouble comes when we look to works of the law as a means to obtain salvation. In that sense, the law, which holds the keys to life, actually brings about death.

How can something that is good, righteous and holy bring us death? It condemns us, because it stands as our accuser before God. It shows the level of righteousness that God possesses and it shows us how we fall short of obtaining the required standard. Jesus said in Matthew 5, "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven." ( Matthew 5:20 ). The Pharisees were the most righteous holy people that have ever lived in the world. They went through great pains to live by every commandment handed down by Moses. The average person will never measure up to the standard that the Pharisees lived by and yet, Jesus said for us to see the kingdom of heaven our righteousness has to far exceed them. How can this be?

Paul is speaking to those aware of the law. He knew how important adherence to the law was for the Jews. Paul himself started out as a Pharisee. He was a devout follower of the Law and lived by the letter of it. As a teacher of the law, I am sure Paul loved the scriptures and took great pride in following them. Along the way as he grew in knowledge, he must have realized that living a perfect holy life, to which the law required, was impossible. However, he continued to do this until he came face to face with Jesus on the road to Damascus. After that experience, Paul had a revelation of grace. This revelation led him to pen this very thought, "the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death" ( Romans 7:10 ) The Law in itself is good and holy, but as a Pharisee, Paul misinterpreted the application of the scriptures. It was never a means to make him justification before God. After knowing Jesus and what he had done, he understood the real purpose of the law. The law was intended to bring him to a place where he fell upon God mercy and received his grace.

The good news for us today, is that our salvation is not in the written code. Our Salvation is in Jesus. While it is true that the law points out our shortcomings compared to God's righteousness, it also points the only one who has ever fulfilled the law, Jesus. By trusting in him to save us, his holiness is transferred to us and we stand before God completely justified. Today, may you rejoice in knowing that you are freely and eternally justified by Jesus... May you experience true freedom in him from now on. Amen!

Many people misinterpret the effects of sin as inherited from Adam. Many assume that this offense caused us to sin. While this is true, we do sin on an individual basis, the effects of Adam's trespass was much more devastating. In this chapter Paul clearly teaches that not only do we sin on an individual basis, but more accurately, we sin is on a continual basis because Adam's transgression made all men sinners. In other words, through Adam, we inherited a sin nature.

Trying to live a good life, trying to live at harmony with each other and trying to live in accordance to the ten commandments does not work. We were born with a sin nature and therefore cannot break free from sins grip on our own accord. This is why Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." This is a hard idea to grasp until you know understand this concept of the sin nature. You were born with the spirit of this world, you belonged to the kingdom of darkness and polluted by a sin nature because of what happened in the garden. However, II Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" Meaning that, when you trust Jesus as your savior and put all your hope of righteousness in Him alone, you are born again. At that time the most miraculous thing happens. God took the sin nature, the nature of this world out of you and puts His Spirit inside you. The old is gone, and the new has come. Colossians 1:13 says, "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son." ( Colossians 1:13 KJV ) You were freed from the sin nature when when you trusted Jesus as your Savior and were born again.

Not only did Adam's trespass create the gap between us and God and created a sin nature, it also made reconciliation with God on our own accord impossible. More importantly, just as sin, through Adam brought death, life which is what Jesus offers, brought justification. And Paul stresses that the grace we received was much more in every way. Jesus completely undone what was done through Adam, and this truth is powerful. Through faith in Jesus we have a new spirit that no longer belongs to this world. The sin nature has been completely destroyed and removed. God's abundant grace overwhelmed and overcame it much in every way.

The next thing that Jesus completely reconciled was condemnation and guilt due to our old sin nature. If the judgement that followed the creation of the sin nature caused condemnation, the gift of grace through Jesus completely annihilated sin and the affects of it upon our person. Under judgement we are fully aware of and fully condemned of sin. So the opposite must be true. Through Jesus we should be fully aware that we are forgiven, righteous and a holy consecrated people because of him. No longer suffering under the spirit of this world, but rejoicing through the spirit of the kingdom of light through whom we have no received reconciliation ( Romans 5:11 ).

Today passage is a marvelous thing to understand and rejoice in. Gods grace is so abundant so that we should be celebrating it every chance we get. I pray that God will enlighten your spiritual eyes and give you a revelation of this wonderful truth. God bless you!

No matter what you are going through in life, you can be confident in the Lord because he has made you sweet and precious promises through his word. As Christians it is important to understand the spiritual truths of God. What he says about you, what he has provided you, how he loves you... so you can understand what is yours by birthright in God's family through Jesus Christ. Did you know that you are so much more than flesh and blood if the Spirit of the God lives inside of you? Your natural existence is secondary to your spiritual existence. Jesus said in John, "The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life" ( John 6:63 ).The spirit inside of you is life, understanding how this operates will give you the victory that Christ purchased for you.

The spiritual is far superior is every way. The spiritual side always trumps the natural realm, that is why Jesus provided everything for you in the spiritual realm. He wanted to make sure that His promises were eternal and everlasting. Once they exist in spiritual form, then by release they will overflow into the natural physical realm and you will see results. There is evidence of this truth throughout the entire scriptures, look at creation as an example of this. Jesus spoke the world into existence. The words he spoke were spiritual, they existed before the physical creation came into being and His words formed the world as we know it. In another example, Peter tells us that Jesus was the lamb slain before the foundation of the world ( I Peter 1:20 ). So our salvation and propitiation for sin was secure before the world was ever created, but the physical manifestation of this redemptive act happened when Jesus came into the world and die on the cross for us. The spiritual gives birth to the physical. Understanding this truth and acting accordingly will propel your life into victory.

In today's passage, Paul tells us that you have the very same spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead living inside of you as born again believers. This is an amazing revelation! Ephesians chapter 1 gives us more detail on this truth, "...and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come" ( Ephesians 1:19-21 ). Did you know that the grave could not hold Jesus? The darkness tried to keep hold him, but this power that raised him from the dead was so great that it could do nothing but release him. Up through the heavenly realm Jesus ascended triumphing over every power, authority and dominion that tried to hold him in darkness and was seated as first born from the dead at the right hand of the father in heaven. And you have also been seated in the heavenly realm with Christ Jesus. "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus" ( Ephesians 2:6 ). Meaning that this has already happened in the spiritual realm, it is a done deal. And if it is done in the spirit then it can be done in the physical because we have learned that the spiritual side always trumps the physical side of things.

Paul wrote an encouraging word in today's passage, "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you." ( Romans 8:11 ). Paul is stressing the incomparable victory that we have in Jesus. We are alive in everyway! If the Spirit of God raised Christ from the dead, then that very same spirit who lives inside of us will also give live to our mortal bodies. It is already done in the spiritual realm and we also experience this in the natural realm because our redemption was so complete and eternal through Christ Jesus. Paul was so convinced and assured of this that he wrote at the end of this chapter that he was convince that nothing was able to separate us from the love that was in Christ Jesus ( Romans 8:37-39 ). Why was he convince? Because he saw what had already been accomplished for us by Jesus. He knew that if it existed in the spiritual realm then it would exist in the natural as well. This is why we were given a new born again spirit at the time we were saved, because this became our guarantee of the sweet and precious promises of God. Jesus wanted to make sure we had everything that was promised and provided for us and that these things would never be taken away from us.

So today, no matter what you are going through in life, you can rest assured by faith that you have victory in Christ. These things have been provided for you. And if they've been provided for you, then they are yours for the taking. Paul said in II Corinthians 4, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal ( II Corinthians 4:16-18 ). This is the key, understanding that the troubles of this world are light and momentary, but by fixing our eyes on what we do not see then we will release this life giving, death raising power that lives on the inside of us. Today, it is my prayer that you understand that the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives inside of you and this spirit has been provide for you to operate in that very same power. Today, I pray that you start focusing on what is eternal and what is yours in Christ Jesus and let it overflow into the natural realm. Amen!

This verse is a barometer to how one is fairing in life. Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" ( John 16:33 ). He meant exactly that, this world is full of trouble, heartache and persecution at the hands of the world, but in the midst of these things it is possible to have peace. James said something similar when he said, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds" ( James 1:2 ). He was saying don't be surprised at it when you become the worlds target because of Christ and don't be caught off guard when you experience pain in life. These verses are meant to encourage us and give us hope. And today we learn how to have life and peace in the midst of the world in which we live.

The Amplified Bible puts it best, "Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever]" ( Romans 8:6 Amp ). If we are living out of our new nature as born again believers, then it doesn't matter what comes our way, because we will experience soul peace.

Soul peace is a marvelous thing. It is experiencing the kind of peace that only the Holy Spirit can give you. It is the calm in the midst of the storm and it dwells inside of you. It makes no logical sense to the world around you and it is something that cannot be understood without having the Holy Spirit inside you. Jesus is called the prince of peace, he came not to bring peace on earth but peace between you and God. Now that we have been reconciled with the Father we are not at war with Him but we are in a state of peace with him. That peace lives within us as born again believers. It is the quiet tranquility that exists in our very nature. When we live according to the Holy Spirit and let Him live through us then are continually abiding in this peace. And if we are abiding in it, then it is only natural that this peace will spill over into the natural realm as well.

We have this incredible life and peace within our born again spirit. However to experience it, we must renew our minds to it. Paul said, "the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace" ( Romans 8:6 ). Getting this peace out into the natural realm seems like a mystery, but he just said we will experience this when we let our soulish realm, which is our mind, our thoughts, our personalities and consciousness be ruled by the Holy Spirit. This is a choice. Paul said in Colossians, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..." ( Colossians 3:15 ). What he literally meant is let Christ's peace call the shots in your life. Let it play umpire in your mind deciding how you will react. "And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]" ( Colossians 3:15 Amp ). This is how to experience the life and peace that Jesus purchased for you.

Is your life full of turmoil? Is your head swimming in negativity, anxiety and death? If it is then you are not living according to the Spirit of God. Life and peace is your new nature, but the choice is yours. Will you let peace rule in your heart today? Will you experience rest and calm in the midst of the worlds confusion? Today may you be blessed by knowing that soul peace was provided for you. May you decide to let this incredible gift overflow into every area of your life. Amen!