JESUS, SIT ON THE THRONE OF MY HEART.

We have been studying who we are IN CHRIST and the privileges that come to us as a child of the Living God. The knowledge of who we are In Him and believing the truth of what the Word says is life changing.

            John 3:16 God so loved you and I that He gave His very Best…His Son, Jesus Christ.

            Our part is to believe and receive. We are receivers. Jesus did His part. He came to do His Father's will. He died and was resurrected on our behalf.

            Our believing and receiving Jesus Christ, as we have been seeing, has made us "New". A new creation …a new man…a son of God. 2 Cor 5:17.

            I've been thinking a lot this week about abdicating the throne of our own hearts.

Jesus laid down His life. John 10:15, 17-18.

            When we give up our life to surrender to God…then we find true life. , John 12:25. Luke 9:24.

            "It is the Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom"…Luke 12:31-32. When we give up our own kingdom…our own control…and we seek His Kingdom…we receive the Kingdom that can never be shaken. An unshakeable Kingdom. Heb. 12:27-28 Ps 145:11-13. .

            I want Jesus to sit on the throne of my heart and I want Him to rein in my life…how about you?

WHAT IS PREDESTIONATION?

PREDESTINED

   Ephesians 1:5 having predestinated us unto adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.

   Predestination is quite a subject.  The Greek word is "proozio" predetermine, ordain, determine before. In the NT of God, decreeing from eternity. Foreordain…appoint beforehand

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            We know the Lord has given us "free choice". As we saw last week to those who "received" and "believed" (John 1:12.) He gave power to become the sons of God. This accepting Christ, receiving and believing predestines us to being adopted.

  God the Father wanted a family. He so loved "The World" that He gave His Only Begotten Son. John 3:16

             Jesus took the sin of the whole world…John 1:29.  God predestined that He would have a family.  It is written John 3:15 whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Acts 2:21 …whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.

  What I believe…Before the foundation of the world, the Trinity knew man would fall. A plan was put into place to save and redeem mankind. Because, we, His Creation, was so valuable to God. Rev. 13:8…the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.  

  God predestined a plan of salvation.  A plan to redeem, save, adopt and make us sons of God.

         God Loves You...He put in a plan of salvation for you!!!...Be the whosoever...believe and receive the Savior of the world...Jesus Christ...your life will take on "real life"!

Jesus said in in John 10:10..."I have come to give you life more abundantly." Choose Jesus and God's predestined plan of salvation.

BEFORE HIM IN LOVE

Ø      HOLY AND WITHOUT BLAME BEFORE HIM IN LOVE.

Gloria Phifer

Eph 1: 4.KJV. "According as He has chosen us In Him (Christ) before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love…

What a statement!!!  The humanness in us finds this hard to comprehend.

    Holy…Greek…Hagios (hag'-ee-os) sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless, consecrated.) Most holy thing, a saint.

   Without blame….Greek…"amomos"… unblemished, without blame (blemish, fault, spot.) faultless, unblamable.  Without blemish.

   We are before Him (God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…vs. 3.) He has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places IN CHRIST.}

  Before in Greek… katenopion (kat-en-o-pee-on) "Directly in front of….before the presence of. In the sight of. Before the Face of, before the presence of, in the sight of, before. Before God as judge

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  What is interesting to me is in this scripture God the Father is not judging. He is seeing us as "holy and without blame" because we have been chosen in Him (IN CHRIST).

   We are standing before God the Father, not in our own merits…no…In Christ…in love.

   Love "Agape" love, affection or benevolence. Specially, a love feast. Dear, love."

  What are your thoughts at this incredible scripture?  I would like us to meditate on the fact that we are before God the Father in love…holy and without blame …because we are IN CHRIST.

   This morning I was watching Joyce Meyer, she said, "God is not mad at you!!!"

  The enemy is the accuser of the Brethren. God is not accusing us. He is loving and forgiving us…through Christ. Romans 8: 31-39.

   Your thoughts?

      This is nothing that we could do. Christ did this for us. Col. 2:13-15. He took our sins that were held against us, and nailed it to His cross.

     Hebrews 10:7-24... For by one offering He has perfected for ever them that are sanctified.  (Sanctified…"hagiazo" To make holy. To separate from profane things and dedicate to God. To purify internally by renewing of the soul.

  We are exhorted…Hebrews 4:16 Let us come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy and fine grace to help in the time of need.

We are before Him in love. 

How awesome is this!!!

REDEEMED

A rare jewel was stolen by a thief.

The original owner was walking down the main street of a large city...he passed a jewelry store.

He glanced and then turned back.   There in the window, on display, was the stolen jewel.

It had once belonged to him. But now he realized the only way he could have it was to pay the price and buy it back.

When he purchased the jewel it became his again.

He found the jewel.  Paid the price. He redeemed it...and it belonged to him alone.

We are the redeemed of the Lord. We were lost...sold out to a thief.

A tremendous price was paid for us, by our Redeemer...the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now we are His...We are the Redeemed of the Lord.

What great value we are to the Lord. It is incomprehensible the price He paid for us.

Jesus, on the cross, truimphed and bought us back...redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

Isaiah 43:1 "Fear not I have redeemed you. You are Mine. I have called you by name.

Luke 1:68 Blessed by the Lord God of Israel for He has visited and redeemed His people.

CHOSEN

Gloria Phifer

            How many of us long to be "chosen". In the world to be "chosen" contains great privileges. I can remember, as I am sure you can, of times when I was not chosen. The hurt and rejection that come with that. It was taken personally…"what's wrong with me that I am the last one on the ball team to be "chosen". Changing schools 14 times I had plenty of "not being chosen…not being accepted."

            I personally believe, the enemy begins early with rejection, to build a stronghold and lies that we are not valuable.

   

             Then there are the times when we have been chosen…a small light that flickers as a candle and then burns out.  To be "chosen" in the world is fickle. The world cannot be trusted.  They can take you in one moment and throw you out the next.  Not so with our God.

            Eph. 1:4 is one of my favorite scriptures. What are your thoughts about being chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world?  Thoughts of being holy and without blame before Him in love?

             In my flesh I have little experience with being chosen.  In my spirit I am crying out…"Yay!!!" I am Chosen!!! I am so valuable to God!!!  Before the foundation of the world!!! Wow!!! This scripture is one to meditate on and pondered.  You and I can stand before Almighty God in holiness and without any blame because of Christ!  Ahhh to be chosen…what wonder. I love this…how about you?

            1 Cor. 1:25-29.  We are not what the world would have chosen. And we cannot take this glory; it belongs to God alone. Do you realize what a miracle for us, that we are chosen by God?

             I am sure there are people from my childhood and teen years that wonder if I ever made it.  I'm sure they would stagger in wonder that Gloria is a follower of Jesus and even teaches a Bible study…the wonder of it all.  I have heard Joyce Meyer say, "Do you realize how impossible it is that I am standing up here?"

Your thoughts that God chooses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise?

    James 2:5 chosen the poor of this world…rich in faith…heirs of the Kingdom.

           

            What I see is Grace.  Grace that  God can take a life in shambles and turn it into His Glory. Thank you God that I am what the world would have counted foolish, weak and poor.  You have made me Your child. All the glory belongs to You!!! And this Glory belongs to You.!!!

            I just noticed, in the margin of my Bible, it has "God's Tool Chest"…number one was "Chosen Instruments…."  For 1 Cor. 1:27. How profound…thank You Lord.

            I care nothing about this world and its acceptance…I want only to be chosen by God!!!

            John 15:16, 19 Jesus chose us and ordained that we would go forth and bear fruit.  He has given us the privilege of asking the Father in His Name.  In vs. 19…the world will hate us because we are not of this world.

  What are your thoughts? Is there a cost of being chosen?

             When we are IN CHRIST we are no longer of this world. We live in it, but we are Citizens of a Heavenly Kingdom. Later in the study we will look at this Kingdom within.   there is an old song "Take the world, but Give me Jesus!!!"

    2 Thess. 2:13. He has chosen us from the beginning!!! Wow! Yay God!

 

   1 Peter 2:9" you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people: that you should show forth the praises of Him Who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."  Your thoughts?

I love this scripture. You and I are chosen in this generation…for such a time as this. You and I are royal priests.  We are holy. We are peculiar (not like the world…of a different kind.) We have the privileges of showing forth the praises of God (also by the way we live our lives.)  For someone who lived in darkness…I am sooo thankful He called me into His marvelous light…All praise to Jesus.

  Beloved…you have been chosen!!! Here is our proclamation…I AM CHOSEN OF GOD!!!

  AMEN AND AMEN. I'm rejoicing…how about you?

Ø      I am a child of the living God.

Ø      I am chosen by God.

     

       

IN CHRIST

            In this study we will be looking at who we are in Christ and our privileges as a child of the Living God.

            When Jesus was baptized and came up from the water…the Father identified Him.

"This is My Beloved Son in Whom I Am well pleased."

            Matt. 3:16-17 Matt. 4:1-11. What was in Christ that the enemy was attacking?  Christ's identity. "If You are the Son of God." Notice the enemy never said "If You are the Beloved Son of God"…satan knows nothing about love. Jesus used the Word of God (the Sword of the Spirit) in overcoming all temptation.

            For victory, through our Christian journey, it is imperative that we know who we are In Christ.   This is where our life is. Col. 3:3 "For you are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God." I love this scripture. What are your thoughts about being hidden in Christ? Ps. 32:7.

            During a storm, our electricity was out for 24 hours. I lay in bed that night covered with four blankets, my warmest pj's…gloves on my hands…a flashlight to read.  As I was laying there I thanked the Lord that I was in our house…I was hidden away from the storm…I had shelter. In every storm we are hidden in Christ. We are in His shelter. There is nothing to fear…we are "In Christ." Though the storm blow around us…we are safe…we are hidden IN CHRIST!

            I love the thought of being hid in Christ in God. It gives me comfort and security. I see safety. There is an old song…

"Shut in with God in a secret place…

There in the Spirit …Beholding His face…

seeking new power to run in the race…

I long to be shut in with God."

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY

            Is there anything more important than to be part of a family? How do we become a part of a family?  We are born into a family or we are adopted into the family. We, as followers of Christ have two births. The Lord is involved in both. Ps 139:13-18. He covered us in our mother's womb.

ü      What are your thoughts when you realize He covered you in the womb?

                  With every natural birth there is water and blood. John 3:3-8. We must be born again. Not only do we experience a natural birth, there is a spiritual birth…"born of the Spirit."

ü      Thoughts?  

                  John 19:30-34. From Jesus pierced side. Flowed blood and water.  He gave His life for our salvation; for our new birth.

ü      Any thoughts on this? Do you find it intriguing that there are two births?

            In our first birth we did not have a decision.  With our second birth it is our choice.

ü      What are your thoughts about choice? Do you see it as a privilege? Why do you think God has allowed us choice?

            John 1:9-14. Here we see the power of choice. His own did not receive Him. As many who did receive Him; to them He gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name.  (vs. 13 this birth was not a natural birth it was from God.)  Born Again…the second birth. Vs.13…born of God.

            Receive in Greek is "par-al-am-ban'-o". "To take to one's self. To accept or acknowledge one to be such as he professes to be. Not to reject, not to withhold obedience. To receive something transmitted. To receive with the mind."

            Power in Greek is "exousia"… In the sense of ability…privilege. Force, capacity, freedom, mastery, superhuman, token of control, jurisdiction, authority, liberty, power, right, strength, power of choice, the power of authority (influence) and of right privilege. The power to rule or government, the sign of regal authority, a crown."

ü      What do you see in both of these Greek words? The Greek gives a rich understanding of the words.

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            The Greek word for become is "ginomai" To cause to be (generate) to be ordained to be. Be published (I thought of our names written in Heaven), to become, to come into existence. Begin to be! Receive being. (I thought of receiving the new man…the new birth within our spirit)  To arise. To appear in history. Come upon the stage. To be made finished. Of miracles to be performed."

   ***   There were so many things that came to my mind through this word. To appear in history…for such a time as this. To come upon the stage. To perform miracles.  Wow!

ü      What stands out to you from this Greek word?  When we received Him He gave us the power to become Vs. 12…the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name.

The Greek word for sons is "teknon" "a child as produced: child, daughter, and son. Offspring. All who are led by the Spirit of God and thus closely related to God.The votaries of wisdom, those souls who have, as it were, been nurtured and molded by wisdom. In the NT, pupils or disciples are called children of their teachers, because the latter, by their instruction, nourish the minds of their pupils and mold their character. Bonds of love, friendship, trust just as between parents and children." Romans 8:14 for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are sons of God.

ü      What comes to your mind when you realize you are a son- a child of God?

            We have seen one prerequisite "Receive"…now we see another…"Even to them that "believe on His Name"

.  Greek for believe, "pisteuo" To have faith, with respect to a Person. To entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ.) Believe, commit, to trust, put trust in. Of the thing believed. To credit, have confidence. To trust in Jesus or God, as able to aid in obtaining, or in doing something; saving faith."

ü      Believe…a wonderful word…do you have words for believe? Is believing a choice?

Believe on His Name…Name in Greek "Onoma" "The Name is used for everything which the Name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering the Name. For One's rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds."  Matt 1:21. Jesus-"Jehovah is salvation" Romans 10:8-13 The Name of the Lord…salvation.

ü      What does the Name of Jesus mean to you?

             Philip. 2:5-11 Acts 3:6. There is Power in the Name of Jesus.  At the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth.  And every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father!!!.  We have received Him and believed on His Name…

 Through Jesus Christ our proclamation is "I am a child of the Living God."!!!