3/01/2016

QUALIFIED to be in The ELECT ? --- Passover Meditations ... Ephesians 1:17



    
Meditations  for  the Pre-Pascha Season
(The Passover Season, 2016)
Meditations 
for the Monastic-At-Heart
+  +  +
Now is My+ soul troubled;
and what shall I+ say ...
FATHER,
save ME+ from this hour ?
but for this cause
came I+ unto this hour.

FATHER,
Glorify Thy Name.

Then came there a Voice from Heaven, saying,

I have both glorified IT,
and will glorify IT again.

John12:27-28
+  +  +
Meditation Verse 
Ephesians 1: 17


[ 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you,
making mention of you in my prayers;]

That the GOD
of our LORD JESUS CHRIST,
The FATHER of Glory,
may give unto you
the SPIRIT of Wisdom
and revelation
in the knowledge
of HIM+:

A Peek at the Greek:
·                     The word that is "hina", which means in order that.

·                    The word used here for wisdom is sophia, which is generally used in the NT as "the ability to USE knowledge for correct behavior, insight."  ( Friberg's Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament).

·                    The Greek word here for knowledge is actually a compound word, with the prefix EPI-- attached to the beginning of gn0sksei , "gnOskO" =  to know.

  Strong's Concordance tells us that EPI has a basic meaning of superimposition. Friberg's AnLex tells us that "epign0sis" is "what one comes to know and appropriate through faith in CHRIST.

Vine's Expository Dictionary includes discern or discernment in the definition of EPIGN0SIS.

In other words, this EPI-GN0SEI is a supernatural discernment which comes through faith in CHRIST via the HOLY SPIRIT... not merely a factual head knowledge.
+  +  +

+  +  +
Meditation

That the GOD of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, The FATHER of Glory, may give unto you the SPIRIT of Wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of HIM+:

The phrase which starts this verse,  "In order that..." , tells us that it is connected in thought to the verse above it.  The Apostle Paul never ceases to pray for the new believers in CHRIST ... in order that Our FATHER Who art in Heaven will do something out-standing for them. 

What is that out-standing "something" that the world CANNOT --- is not able --- to receive but even New-born Believers can have ?  

...The FATHER of Glory,  may give unto you the SPIRIT of Wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of HIM+:

Our FATHER'S gift to us is the HOLY SPIRIT'S ability to use Wisdom to correct our behavior. HE grants us insight as to our motives and the "why" we do things un-like CHRIST, through this priceless SPIRIT of Wisdom. 

Furthermore, we are given something else the worldlings do not have: revelation... an UNcovering.  This "uncovering" includes revealing to the Light+ the darkness that hides the evil one's doings, his illusions, in our lives.

For the follower of JESUS, the satan's workings are no longer hidden from view: we can pin-point our impure motives, our guile, our wounds, and our sins which the satan often hides from us, trying to keep us in bondage.  This also comes only via the HOLY SPIRIT, our priceless gift from The FATHER.

...The FATHER of Glory,  may give unto you the SPIRIT of Wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of HIM+:

The Apostle also asks The FATHER to grant believers the EPI-GNOSIS, the supernatural  discernment of JESUS our LORD.  This also, like the Apostle Paul's other prayer requests, comes through the HOLY SPIRIT, the SPIRIT of Wisdom.

The world and its worldlings CANNOT --- are not even able --- to receive these gifts of discernment and Wisdom because they only go to Followers of JESUS CHRIST.

They only go to the ones who have heard the call of CHRIST+ in their hearts and have RESPONDED to that call ... in a way that pleases HIM+.

They only are granted to the ones who are placed into that pre-defined flock, for they have identified with CHRIST+ in His+ death. 

They are the Followers who search out their inner motives, who listen to the HOLY SPIRIT when conviction of sin and impurity of motives are revealed. 

They put to death their flesh now and bring their bodies into subjection unto The Word of GOD, like the Apostle Paul did. 

They have died with CHRIST, so that they might live with HIM+.  THEY DO SO DAILY, through the power and help of the HOLY SPIRIT. 

Here is what identifies "The Elect" : 

They cannot stand ANYTHING
which comes
between them and JESUS CHRIST.

That is why
"The Elect" die to Self daily
and live for CHRIST.



These are the ones
who meet the QUALIFICATIONS

to be in that group
called "The Elect"

which Our FATHER
draws near to HIM.
  

That is the group which Our FATHER established, setting up the QUALIFICATIONS before the foundation of the world, before mankind lived on planet earth.

How can we be certain about this, that QUALIFICATIONS were established to belong to the group called "The Elect " ? 

We know this is true because The LAMB+ was slain from the foundation of the World ! --- before GOD even created man from earth.  
Revelation 13:8.

Are you
MEETING THE QUALIFICATIONS
to be in
"The ELECT" ?

Not only did the Apostle Paul speak of these QUALIFICATIONS to be in "The ELECT," but also the Apostle Peter taught the same Truth.

Hear this:

  2 Peter 1: 10
 Wherefore the rather, brethren,

give diligence
to make your calling
and election sure:

for if ye do these things,
ye shall never fall:

2 Peter 1:2-3
According as His Divine power hath given unto us all things
that pertain unto Life and Godliness,
through the knowledge
 [ EPI-GNOSIS ]
of HIM+
that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the Divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
+  +  +
Let us pray:

O Ruler of the Universe, LORD GOD, YHWH ADONAINU, great deeds are they which YOU have done, surpassing human understanding.

Your ways are ways of Righteousness and Truth, O King+ of all the ages. 

Who can fail to do YOU homage, LORD, and sing the praises of Your Name ? For YOU only are the HOLY ONE.

All nations will draw near and fall down before YOU, because Your Righteous and HOLY works have been revealed ! Amen.

+  +  +
Worthy is the LAMB+.

Worthy is The LAMB+
that was slain.

Worthy is the LAMB+,
slain
from the foundation
of the earth.
Revelation 13:8


+  +  +

PRAISE and THANKSGIVING
be to The FATHER,
and to HIS Beloved SON+
JESUS CHRIST,
and to
the Blessed HOLY SPIRIT.

ONE GOD:
FATHER,
SON+,
and HOLY SPIRIT,
both now and forever,
world without end.
Amen.





x

2/29/2016

The INTERCESSOR+ ... Passover Meditations for the Monastic-At-Heart ... Ephesians 1:16


Take the Name of JESUS with you !
Meditations  for Pascha
(The Passover Season, 2016)
+  +  +
Meditations for the Monastic-At-Heart

Now is My+ soul troubled;
and what shall I+ say ...
FATHER,
save ME+
from this hour ?
but for this cause
came I+ unto this hour.

FATHER,
Glorify Thy Name.

Then came there a Voice from Heaven, saying,

I have both glorified IT,
and will glorify IT again.

John12:27-28

+  +  +

Meditation Verse 
Ephesians 1:16

[ I, Paul ]
Cease not to give thanks for you,
making mention of you
in my prayers;

+  +  +

Meditation

Our dear Brother and Apostle Paul !

Why did Paul’s prayers have SO MUCH POWER ? Let us look at his life briefly to find the power of prayer, always remembering:

EVERY OBEDIENCE
BRINGS
A FURTHER ANOINTING.

2 Corinthians 11 relates some ... just some... of his sacrifices for the New-Born Church.  Verses 23 to 28 --- five short verses --- records a LIFE-TIME of suffering.

Are they ministers of CHRIST?
(I speak as a fool) I am more;

in labors more abundant,
in stripes above measure,
in prisons more frequent,
in deaths oft.

Of the Jews
five times
received I forty stripes save one.

Thrice was I beaten with rods,
once was I stoned,
thrice I suffered shipwreck,
a night and a day I have been in the deep;

In journeyings often,
in perils of waters,
in perils of robbers,
in perils by mine own countrymen,
in perils by the heathen,
in perils in the city,
in perils in the wilderness,
in perils in the sea,
in perils among false brethren;

In weariness and painfulness,
in watchings often,
in hunger and thirst,
in fastings often,
in cold and nakedness.

 Beside those things that are without,
that which cometh upon me daily,
the care of all the churches.



We see this same Apostle who had been transported into the Third Heaven and heard unspeakable words that were "unlawful for man to utter" ...
saying this: 

 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

For I could wish that myself
were accursed from CHRIST
for my brethren,
my kinsmen according to the flesh:
Romans 9:2-3


Thus we see this great Apostle and mighty Confessor of The LORD JESUS CHRIST not only "simply prayed for "... but he ALSO  made intercession for the other followers of JESUS.

What is intercession?

How does INTERCESSION differ
from supplications
and other prayers ?

It is what Our LORD JESUS CHRIST did for each one of us: 

HE+ came
between
the satan and us.

HE+ intervened --- placed HIMSELF+ between the destroyer and us, his victim  --- and protected us from destruction by the satan.

HE+ took the satan's blows, meant for us. The LORD JESUS fought the devil and won.

The LORD JESUS came as a man but lived in unity with His+ Heavenly FATHER, pleasing HIM in all things.

As the SECOND ADAM+ , JESUS fought the devil ... and beat him FOR US.


His+ Divine intercession entails more than supplications and requests to Our FATHER for us.

It is interVENTION.

JESUS INTERVENES --- placing Himself+ directly between us and the satan --- for us. Furthermore, CHRIST ever liveth to make intercession for us... which takes effect when we submit our lives unto HIM+.


Hebrews 7:25

Wherefore HE+ is able also to save them to the uttermost
that come unto GOD
by HIM+,
seeing HE+ ever liveth
to make intercession for them.


HE+ not only delivered the victims from the satan's domain once

"taking captivity captive"
at the Resurrection,

but HE+ is living -- abiding, staying, remaining constant forever --- in that VICTORY, winning  over the satan  daily in the  battles, traps, and wiles the devil sets for our souls.

The satan loses and loses and loses... over and over again ... because of HIS+ INTERCESSION, the intervention, of our LORD JESUS on our behalf.

The Apostle Paul knew how to intercede.  He knew how to make supplication to Our Heavenly FATHER for the New-Born Church.

But also...

that dear Apostle did not hold himself back from all manner of suffering for the sake of the church.

He wrestled with the evil spirits IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST in order to deliver them from the satan's grip.

Remember Acts 19 and the sons of Sceva ?

19:13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the LORD JESUS, saying, We adjure you by JESUS Whom+ Paul preacheth.  And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

19:15
And the evil spirit answered and said,
JESUS I know,
and Paul I know;
but
who are ye?

That was the real question then.

Here is the real question today:

Who are we ...
to the evil spirits, when we pray ?

Are we so in unity with the Will of Our LORD JESUS, with the Blessed HOLY SPIRIT, and our Heavenly FATHER ...

that the evil spirits
tremble when we pray   ?

Have we the commitment to turn away from self indulgence ... in all the little ways we employ... to do like the Apostle Paul and bring our bodies into subjection daily ? (1 Corinthians 9:27 ) 

Are we willing and able to  endure suffering for the sake of wrestling individuals from the grip of the satan ?

Are we as certain that The LORD JESUS will honor our suffering for the Kingdom of GOD as was this Apostle who followed JESUS' example?

The Apostle Paul did not cease to give thanks for the Brethren.

Nor...

did he cease to labor and embrace suffering for the New-Born Church. 

What a good example !

Our LORD JESUS is the Great Intercessor+. Our Brother and Apostle Paul simply followed The LORD'S example in his heart, in his life ... and in his daily dying to himself.

That, dear brethren,
is how we resist the devil .
REMEMBER: 
EVERY OBEDIENCE
BRINGS A FURTHER ANOINTING


+  +  +
Let us pray:

Thank YOU+, LORD CHRIST, for going to the Cross, coming between me and the satan, for my deliverance.

Forgive me for forsaking the Cross when it is uncomfortable. Help me to embrace the Obediences YOU have called me to embrace.

Help me, O LORD, to embrace true intercessory prayer. Strengthen me to die daily to my flesh for the sake of Your Kingdom.

And in that death to Self, help me, LORD, not to be afraid. Help me to entrust my happiness and my well-being unto YOU, my LORD and my KING+.

For the sake of Your Holy SON+, the LAMB+ of GOD Who+ takes away the sin of the world, I offer You my life through JESUS CHRIST my LORD. 

Amen.


+  +  +
Worthy is the LAMB+.

Worthy is The LAMB+
that was slain.

Worthy is the LAMB+,
slain
from the foundation
of the earth.
Revelation 13:8


+  +  +

PRAISE and THANKSGIVING
be to The FATHER,
and to HIS Beloved SON+
JESUS CHRIST,
and to
the Blessed HOLY SPIRIT.

ONE GOD:
FATHER,
SON+,
and HOLY SPIRIT,
both now and forever,
world without end.
Amen.