April 21, 2019 ()

Bible Text: Ephesians 2:4-6, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 3:9-10 |

Beauty from Ashes                          April 21, 2019

Ephesians 2:4-6  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,  5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)  6  And hath raised usup together, and made ussit together in heavenly placesin Christ Jesus:

Mercy is the extreme opposite of what you deserve. By the blood of the Lamb, now are we the sons of God. Not only saved and raised with Him, but also seated with Him in heaven.

Galatians 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

This is what has transpired by receiving Jesus as Saviour.

Philippians 3:9-10a  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection,

If He had not died, we would never know the power of His resurrection. Through His death we areraised, we’re not waiting to be. The victory has been won. It’s not how we feel, it’s what He finished. Christ lives in you – there is so much power. We have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavens in Christ because of the power of His resurrection. Our old man is dead and we are raised in the newness of His life. That’s called grace reigning. We are no longer bound to sin. We are free indeed.

Death is not an easy thing. The Father had to turn from Jesus because He was made sin for us. He had to die so we could live. It was for Him too – for His sake.

Isaiah 43:25  I, evenI, amhe that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

It was to bring many sons to glory. But also He had to have that goodly pearl (Matt. 13:45-46). The power of the resurrection continues in our lives. There has to be the death of things for more of the newness of life to reign. The refiner’s fire brings forth the exact glory for God. Like olives are crushed and grapes pressed, or with the fire in Yellowstone – it brings forth ashes for nutrients for more growth.

Isaiah 61:3  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes,

God gave us the power of His resurrection for more fruit. The pruning is vital.

Hebrews 12:11  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

The fiery trials are not strange to us. We must understand how He sees us in the word of God. Allow the word to chasten you and encourage your heart. Admit it when you are wrong. You become more humble. He is everything!

Job 1:21  . . .the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

This is the pruning. Then after being exercised by the chastening, it is a double portion gain.

Job 42:5  I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.

Job got a double portion. There has to be a pruning for more fruit to come forth. There is now no condemnation and no separation. There is a cost to go with God, but grace holds you. He always gives you more, but it’s always through pruning. Through the fire and death that brings more life, to be placed on the throne with Him. The power of the resurrection is in your life. Will you know it? He has raised our life up over everything - sin, death, guilt, shame – He took it. Christ in you, the hope of glory. You have it, by grace live it. We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus who loves us. He is risen! There is nothing that the power of His resurrection has not overcome in your life!

 

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