Christ Our Model, by D L Moody

Golden Counsels

Christ Our Model

by D. L. Moody

* taken from Christian Resources & Links, Doctrinal & Practical Writings, see link below*

When a house is to be built, before the masons and the carpenters commence work, the architect is called in to make a drawing of the building. As the workmen conform to his plans, they realize the ideal that was in his mind.

The trouble with most people is that their lives are not formed according to any plan. They are not striving to resemble any model. They have no definite aim and purpose

This is the cause of sorrow and suffering and disappointment. We owe it to ourselves to set an ideal before ourselves, and then press toward the attainment of it with all our being. The ideal should be the highest possible, and we cannot aim higher than Christ

He is a perfect model in every way. The Bible tells us how perfectly he conformed to His Father's will, leaving us an example in service, in love, in prayer, in self-sacrifice, in dependence upon God. And all this because He was divine. And yet if he had been only divine, and not human, too, He could never have served as our model. It is because He took upon Himself our form and likeness, passing through human experiences, realizing human needs, and undergoing human temptations and trials, that He is possible as our model.

His atoning death opened the door for us into the Christian life. But that is only the entrance. There is a path to be trod, and here Christ in his life on earth is the model for every believer to follow.

How thankful I am that we have a record of His life! Gladstone once said that precept freezes while example warms; precept is a marble statue, while example is a thing of flesh and blood. The great defect of other religions and philosophies is that, while they may contain beautiful maxims and exhortations, they do not give the power to follow these out. But Christ embodied what he taught. He was a living example that we may imitate.

There is a story of a Bohemian king, St. Wenceslaus, going to devotions in a distant church, one snowy winter night. His servant followed, trying to imitate his zeal; but the way was rough, and he began to faint. The king told him to step in the marks he made, and he was able to follow. Christ commanded us to follow in His steps. The path is smoother because He trod it.

Is it possible to be like Christ? Doubt and unbelief say, No. Faith says, Yes. God commands it, and therefore it must be possible. But how? Because we can have the same life, the same mind in us as was in Christ. If we are "partakers of the divine nature," if we are branches of the true Vine, the same fruit will show in our life as in His. He will dwell in our hearts by faith, and our lives may thus become the expression of His own.

I do not say that here we shall ever be like our model in measure or degree. But light is light, whether it be candle-light, gaslight, electric light, or sunlight. It is the same in kind or nature, if not in degree. So we may really resemble Christ, although we do not realize the full measure of his divine perfection. A good definition of sanctification or holiness would be, conformity to His example. He is the Light of the world; we are to shine as lights in the world. He is the Word; we are epistles.

How can we get power to copy our model?

1. Learn of Christ. Do not look to men. In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews Paul tells of Old Testament worthies, but lest we should try to imitate them he immediately turns away our eyes and fixes them on Jesus, --"looking unto Jesus."

2. Claim by faith the promises of the indwelling Christ. Until we are born again, and he lives in us by the Spirit, all our efforts will be vain.

3. Keep in touch with Him. Get better acquainted with Him. Talk to Him in prayer. Let Him talk to you through the Bible. It is a recognized fact that two persons thrown together a good deal are apt to become alike in habits of thought and conduct, and even in looks. It is said of the early disciples that the rulers "took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus." Moses had a shining face after he had been with God.

Copied by Stephen Ross for Wholesome Words.org from Golden Counsels by D. L. Moody. Boston: United Society of Christian Endeavor, ©1899.

Read More: http://www.wholesomewords.org/etexts

August 29, 2007

Pamela Beller:

"THE SET TIME HAS COME--FOR THE BRINGING FORTH OF WHAT WAS

SOWN"

Intro by Jessica L. Miller: Recently, a very good friend sent me a prophetic word--stating she was not sure if it was for me. As I read this word, I became very aware that it not only described a lot of the spiritual warfare I have been experiencing, but what many other people have been going through as well.

This anointed word is full of encouragement to strengthen you in this time of battle--the set time has come for breakthrough!

Jessica L. Miller, Publications ManagerThe ElijahListEmail: jmiller@elijahlist.net

Pamela Beller: THE SET TIME HAS COME

"The appointed hour has come for many, and there is no greater testimony against our enemy than the revealing of the will of God brought into our lives in visual form."
In the last few months, there has been an incredibly invasive attack by satan against certain believers. It's been an emotional torture chamber of negative thoughts, feelings and circumstances and unusually heart-wrenching sadness and depression. Satan's goal is to cause you to lose heart, to give up, and to look at your age, health, circumstances, financial troubles and whatever else he has thrown your way with the hope that you'll finally give in and say as Job's wife encouraged him to do, "Curse God and die!" (Job 2:9). The whisperings of darkness have become so loud that at times you wonder if you'll ever be free from his negative oppression.

Satan is not interested in discouraging the fainthearted or unbelieving. His primary focus is on those who, for years, have believed and walked towards a specific goal in their lives--something so intensely "Kingdom of God" that it's governed every action, decision, moment and thought. You've thought at times that you haven't been able to live because you're so consumed for this thing God has spoken; and He has not just spoken to you about it, but He has made it a part of who you are. You feel that if this vision dies, there's no place for you anymore because you can't separate your own soul from what you have inside of your spirit.

An expectation of the end result of your faith has moved you from desire to spiritual compelling. It's a dynamic of Christianity that the world has never seen--the manifestation of the best wine saved for the last. This dynamic expectation has satan trembling in fear for its manifestation. One of the greatest defeats of our enemy is to see the wombs of God's children bring forth what was sown into them.

The appointed hour has come for many, and there is no greater testimony against our enemy than the revealing of the will of God brought into our lives in visual form. We've longed and waited for it to be manifested in this earthly sphere. Many of us have carried these visions deep within our own spirit. We've groaned and cried out to God in travail until we feel physically damaged by the intensity of the burden with no acceptable remedy for the pain, except that we see with our own eyes--the labors of our soul.

So many of God's people have been in that chamber of God and have heard those inexpressible things that many people couldn't begin to imagine and we've brought them back into this earthly realm to guard and to watch over. It's the very seed of God's desire planted in the fertile ground of our hearts. We've been waiting, waiting, waiting with seemingly no sight of seeing what was sown--be made living.

The set time has come and many will begin to see the sprouting heads of what was sown in your hearts appear almost overnight, and by that, your hope will be restored once again, and you'll see that all the love and passion you have has not been in vain. And with the revealing of the first sign of life to your vision, your faith will soar and bring life back to your physical, financial and emotional life, along with every other area that satan targeted in your life with his hope of destroying that precious seed God entrusted you with.

I was recently in a prayer meeting and the Spirit of God came in an incredible way. He said to encourage His people, and to tell them that there's a wave of His Glory about to hit the earth. I encourage you to hold on. Some of you have been laboring for years, even to your own hurt. You've left your own desires to pursue a higher call and have suffered incredible opposition, but still had something inside of you that couldn't let go.

The set time has come and the Lord is coming to bring forth in the earth the things that have been hidden in the hearts of His worshippers. Be encouraged and don't lose heart--you will reap if you don't lose heart. He loves us even when satan said that He didn't. Even as the Word encourages us to consider both the suffering of Job and the end intended by the Lord, there must be a bringing forth of what was sown. The set time has come.

Pamela BellerEdge of The Blade Discipleship Ministry

Email: Latterrain777@msn.com

Pamela Beller's Bio:

Pamela Beller is well-known for her deep passion for the Scriptures and her even deeper love for the Lord of the Scriptures--Jesus Christ. She has a driving desire to see the Body of Christ healed and united. She has planted and pastored a church, speaks at conferences, does outreach and retreats, and she has taught the Word of God for over 15 years.

Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.

ElijahList Publications

310 2nd Ave SE, Albany, OR 97321

http://www.elijahlist.com/

email: info@elijahlist.net

Phone 1-541-926-3250

Today's Word from Joel Osteen " The God of Justice"

The God of Justice

Today's Scripture

“Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him! (Isaiah 30:18 NIV)”.

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Sometimes, unfair things happen. A relationship doesn't work out, or a friend betrays us. Maybe you worked really hard, but you didn't get the position you deserved. Life is not always fair. The good news is that even though life is not always fair, we serve a God who is fair. He is a God of justice. He sees every wrong that's ever been done to you. He sees every person that's ever hurt you, every unfair situation. If you will stay in faith and not get bitter, God has promised He will pay you back for every injustice that's ever been done to you. He said He would take what was meant for your harm, and He'll turn it around and use it to your advantage. And the great thing about God is if you keep the right attitude, if you'll wait for Him, He'll not only bring you out, He'll bring you out better off than you were before! God wants to make the enemy pay for bringing that trouble into your life. Be encouraged today that God is for you! He is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Praise Him and thank Him for showing His justice in your life today!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your justice in my life. Thank You for working behind the scenes on my behalf. I choose to trust You today. I choose to release every person who has wronged me. Help me to forgive so that I can open the door for You to work in my life today.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Joel Osteen Ministries, 3700 Southwest Freeway, Houston TX 77027

Copyright © 2007 by Joel Osteen Ministries

The Way to Pentecost, Samuel Chadwick, Ch 6

The Way to Pentecost

Samuel Chadwick

Chapter 6: The Pentecostal Life

The Inheritance of the Spirit-Filled

Romans 8 is the fullest exposition of the life which comes through "the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus." It is the charter of the believer's inheritance in the Spirit.

1) Pentecost Brings Deliverance

The law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus makes men free. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. He is the Spirit of Power, and the first demonstration of power is emancipation. He breaks the power of canceled sin. There is no bondage from which He cannot deliver. He breaks the fetters of the soul, and opens the prison doors of the redeemed. Salvation comes with the suddenness of a mighty rushing wind and as with the flash of fire; or it may come as the breath of the morning and the light of the dawn. However it comes, it comes to set men free from all that brings into bondage and condemnation. It is the Gospel of Liberty to all imprisoned life. There is no slave the Gospel cannot save. The greatest deliverance of all is from the moral impotence of the dual personality of chapter 7. The measure of completeness is in the word: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus." They are delivered from all and everything that brings condemnation.

2) Pentecost Brings Abounding Vitality

Our Lord came that we might have abundant and abounding life, and it is found in the Gift of the Spirit of Life. The Gift of God is Living Water, springing up into everlasting life. Living water is the water of vitality from the Eternal Source of Life. The law i. good, but weak through the flesh, ineffective through human infirmity. The Holy Spirit strengthens the inward man. The Spirit of Life dwells in men, permeates their being, sanctifies their nature, quickens their powers, vitalizes their mortal bodies, and radiates their life. They live -- really live! They live the life that is life indeed. Pentecost turned anemic believers into exuberant saints. People said they were drunk, and so they were, but not with wine. They were vivacious with abounding vitality. Pentecost wakens people up. It vitalizes latent powers, and makes the utmost of every faculty and gift. Those who would have Life abounding Life, victorious Life, satisfying Life, glorious Life must get to Pentecost. Life is the best medicine for every kind of sickness. It cures all ills, ends all weariness, and conquers death all the time.

3) Pentecost Brings Understanding

Where did Peter get the sermon he preached on the Day of Pentecost? He did not read it from a carefully prepared manuscript. This fisherman Apostle is always surprising us with the things he knows. Who taught him? How did he know the hidden meanings of Prophecy? How did he come to understand the philosophy of history so that he could say with certainty, "This is that"? How came he to understand the meaning of the Cross and to discover the explanation of the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead? Who instructed him in these things? The Master tells how he had come to know that He was the Christ the Son of God; and that one explanation explains the rest. He knew by the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation. The Spirit of Truth guides into all Truth. "In that day ye shall know." We know by the Spirit that we are sons of God and joint-heirs with Christ. The Spirit Himself is our Witness. We know that the world is redeemed, and therefore travails in Hope, waiting for its redemption through "the revealing of the Sons of God"; a new Creation by Regeneration. We know, and do not despair. "We know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to His purpose." We know, and are not as others in the day of adversity. We know God. We know, and we know that we know. We know that at the last we shall be saved, and shall stand approved in Christ at the Throne of God. None shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect. Nothing shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. "In that Day ye shall know." The Spirit is familiar with the deep things of God, and He takes of the things of Christ and reveals them unto those who receive Him. He is the Spirit of Wisdom as well as of Revelation. He leads in practical wisdom, as well as guides into all Truth. He makes men wise with the wisdom that is from above.

4) Pentecost Brings a New Fellowship in Prayer

"And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered; and He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God" That is the secret of prevailing prayer.

5) Pentecost Brings Power

That was the specific promise of Christ. "Ye shall receive Power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto Me." Witnessing prevails over the enemy. "We are more than conquerors," says St. Paul, and St. John ascribes the victory to testimony. "And they overcame him [Satan] because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death" (Rev. 12:2). The Spirit of Power is given for witnessing. The testimony of Pentecost was mighty. It is always mighty in the demonstration of the Spirit.

6) Pentecost Brings the Fire of God

Fire is the chosen symbol of Heaven for moral passion. It is emotion aflame. God is love; God is fire. The two are one. The Holy Spirit baptizes in fire. Spirit-filled souls are ablaze for God. They love with a love that glows. They believe with a faith that kindles. They serve with a devotion that consumes. They hate sin with a fierceness that burns. They rejoice with a joy that radiates. Love is perfected in the Fire of God. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

7) Pentecost Brings Passion for the Souls of Men

The eighth chapter overflows into the ninth. The experience consummates in anguish and tears for the lost. There is no sterner test of Grace than the attitude to the lost. Pentecost leads back to Gethsemane, for it baptizes into Christ's Baptism of Redeeming Passion. Spirit-filled hearts are always tender, and they see men through the tears of a holy compassion.

Read More: http://www.raptureready.com/resource/chadwick/chadwick35.html