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Benjamin Dunn & Friends

Rededication: A Subtle Form of Idolatry By Steve McVey

For years I rededicated myself to live for Jesus Christ. By rededication, I mean that I promised God that if He would help me, I would try harder to live for Him. In my understanding at the time, living for Him meant that I would behave in a better way. I would read the Bible more consistently, pray more earnestly, witness more boldly, give more generously, avoid sin more vehemently, ad infinitum.

My understanding of what it meant to rededicate myself to Christ wasn’t uncommon. Many people view it the same way. When I was a local church pastor, I often used by sermons to challenge the congregation to rededicate themselves to Jesus. This week it would be a challenge to read the Bible more; next week it might be to pray more. Every week, my challenge to Christians revolved around behaving better. It was all about trying harder. And the people responded — in great numbers.

The reason for their response is because when we align ourselves with a legalistic paradigm that we use to judge our behavior, not one of us will get a perfect score. None of us are behaving at all times in all areas of life without room for progress. Judge yourself by law and you’ll come up short every time. The result will always be a sense of condemnation and guilt.

Jesus never once calls on us to rededicate ourselves. Instead he says that we should renounce our self efforts to do better and simply follow (enter into union) with Him. (See Matthew 16:24 – it says “deny” yourself, not “dedicate yourself.) Rededication generally focuses on bringing our behavior up to par.

Consequently, the focus of our lives becomes ourselves and how we behave. Most Christians are consumed with that endeavor. They constantly stare at themselves and their performance. They invest all their attention and energy on improving their actions. They may say they love Jesus, but based on the little attention they give to Him and the enormous attention and energy they spend on themselves and what they are doing or not doing, the truth becomes evident. They come first, not Christ. The evidence indicates that they are a god in their own mind.

Whatever we put before God is an idol. Consequently, when a Christian places his focus on himself and how he is acting more than He focuses on God Himself, he is guilty of idolatry. Remember that idolatry is placing anything before God. So to make our own demand for a higher religious performance the priority of life is a subtle form of idolatry.

Christianity isn’t about you and how well you behave. It’s about having an intimate love relationship with God through Christ. Where is your focus? Is it on you? On what you’re doing or not doing? Or is your attention and devotion squarely focused on Jesus Christ?

There is a real need for repentance in the modern church. It is the need to turn away from ourselves and our never-ending, never-satisfied demand for perfect behavior. It is the need for a turning-to Jesus Christ.

We must stop worshiping the false god of our own behavioral expectations. Stop worshiping our own self-efforts to improve. We must stop permitting our Christian experience to be about my efforts, my sins, my good works, my promises to do better. It’s not about me, me, me. Christianity is all Him, Him, Him!

May God grant the gift of repentance to His church so that we will quit worshiping ourselves at the Temple of Rededication. May we turn to Him and acknowledge that we never will be able to live up to our own self-righteous demands, so we are casting ourselves on His grace and love. Then, and only then, will we find that Christ and Christ alone is our Deliverer. He will free us from being held hostage in a prison of self-perfectionism. When we turn away from rededication and turn to Him, we will hear Him lovingly whisper, “I never intended for you to change yourself. I just want you to rest here in my arms. I’ll bring about the changes in your life. You just stay here and enjoy ME.”

A NEW CREATION IN A NEW WORLD by Benjamin Dunn

At the first sip of the Good News we come face to face with the realities and limitless possibilities of the the New Creation. A Christian is all together New and enjoys a new joy filled Life in a new world.

“I consider myself as having died and now enjoying a second existence which is simply Jesus using my body.” Galatians 2:20. - Distilled Bible.

There are two greek words used in the New Testament for new. The first is “neos” which means new of the same kind and quality. The second, which I will spend exploring in this chapter is “kainos”. “Kainos” is one of my absolute favorite words in the New Testament. The definition of “kainos” is this:

KAINOS: of a new kind and quality, unprecedented, novel, uncommon, unheard of.

Another great explanation of “kainos” is: “ … new in kind and in contrast to what previously existed, so taking the place thereof.

If something is “kainos” it is superior to what it succeeds.

Without a doubt, one of my most cherished verses in scripture where “kainos” is used is in 2 Corinthians 5:17 :

-  “So that, assuming that anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation in quality.” - Weust Translation

- “Therefore, if anyone is in union with Christ, he is a new being.” - TCNT

- “For if a man is in Christ he becomes a new person altogether.” - Phillips Modern English

- “When anyone is united to Christ, there is a new world.” - NEB

We are not the same distorted and corrupted humans we once were, subject to the chains of sin and death. We are new, we are “Kainos’ new! We are new in quality and in kind, and superior to what we were in our fallen state.

The scripture goes on to say, in the next verse, that not only are we new creations, but that the old being or person we were before we came to Christ has also been made extinct.

“His old being has passed away.” - Con

“His old life has disappeared, everything has become new about him.” - Knox

“The past is finished and gone, everything has become fresh and new.” - Phillips Modern English

“The old order has gone, and a new order has already begun.” NEB

The old order is gone and everything is New! The greek word here for old is “arkhayos” and is defined as: the original or primeval. How amazing! Christ and his Cross have destroyed the original corrupted humanity and created us anew in him.

“Numerous popular explanations of Paul’s doctrine of the Christian life argue, or assume, that the Apostle distinguishes with these phrases two parts or natures of a person. Following this misguided thinking is the debate as to whether the “old nature” is replaced by the “new nature” at conversion, or whether the “new nature” is added to the old.

The interpretation that ho palaios anthropos and ho kainos anthropos refer to parts is wrong and misleading. These terms rather designate the complete person viewed in the corporate whole to which he or she belongs. Thus these terms are better translated as “old person” and “new person”…The translation “old self” and “new self” is too individualistic, since the idea certainly means the individual Christian (Rom 6:6), but is much more than merely individual.

The “old person” is not the sin nature which was judged at the cross and to which is added a “new person”. The “old person” is what believers where “in Adam” (in the old era). The “old” points to everything connected with the fall of humanity and with the subjection to the distress and death of a transitory life, separated from God.

The “new person” is what believers are “in Christ” (in the new era). Paul directs us to the completely new, to the salvation and healing that believers receive when they are crucified with Christ and raised with him.”-The Dictionary of Paul and His letters.

Everything that we were “in adam” has been shattered and destroyed! We have been completely disconnected from the falleness of humanity and it’s curse, which is separation from God, and have entered into a new world altogether. We enter into a new era. This change is not just a change in the nature of a man it encompasses far more!

In this new era, a Kainos era, a whole new reality and dimension opens to us. I call it the “kainos dimension”. It’s a whole new world! In our union with Christ we have entered into new existence in a new world of endless bliss. This is the realm and reality believers enjoy as a gift when they drink freely of the new covenant.

So, if we suppose that this new creation reality is truly what Paul writes it is, in the divine word, we must conclude to a few glorious truths available to us.

First lets explore a bit about a few assumptions about the human body. Without a doubt most view it as a vile and evil entity that must be subdued by much effort of the believer. This I believe is not the reality that Christ leaves us in His infinite love and with his perfect sacrifice.

The body is not in and of itself evil at all. It is a creation and master work of art by the Master of Holiness created to carry the life of the spirit!

The body is designed by the Lord to be subservient to whoever its master is. It is under the dominion of whoever owns it, whether it be darkness or light, sinfulness or righteousness, life or death. When owned by darkness it is enslaved to its purposes.

But, when owned by Christ, the body is gloriously enslaved to love and to be loved by Him! It is employed to express and demonstrate the radical love of Christ and to be put on display for all to see the divine life flowing through it. It is given totally over to His life and His righteousness. The one whose body is owned by Christ has His very eternal life flowing through their veins!

This is why we can believe and trust in Christ’s sacrifice to be perfectly sufficient for perfect divine health all of our lives. When in union with Christ life and not death is the ruling factor. The Christian body becomes is the glorious carrier of Christ himself! Believe it, drink it, and feast on the New Realities of the New Creation! 

Happy Gospel

The true gospel is all about Jesus, HIS birth, HIS life, HIS cruxification, HIS death and HIS resurrection. What else can be so true than that.

The Gospel is a good news of Christ. The good news is centered in God’s son and tells of a new existence given graciously to all who believe and trust in it’s power.

1 Timothy 1 : 11 says, “According to the gospel of the glory of the happy (blissful) God (Rotherham translation)

The Angel who brought the message to the sheperds who are living in the field said, “Do not be afraid, for behold I bring you a good news of  a great joy which will come to all people.” (Luke 2 : 10).

Simeon a righteous man, a man who will not dead until he had seen his Messiah, said,” …For with my eyes, I have seen Your salvation, which You have ordained and prepare before all peoples.” (Luke 2 : 30-31)

The birth of Jesus is really a great joy! Jesus brings a great joy to all the people.

So the message of the gospel should make people happy (blissfull) because that’s what the nature of God. Different than that it’s not a true Gospel.

In Galatians 1 : 6, Paul was so amazed by how so quickly the Galatians turning away from God who called them by the mercy of Christ to some different good news (gospel).

Let me tell you something, Jesus came to put face on God, we are here to put face on Christ by our life, by our words, by of who we are, by our integrity, by our  honor , by the way we live, we demonstrate who Jesus is. Not just in terms of  sign, wonders, healings and miracles, and the stuff, but on who we essentially are as individual, we manifested Jesus in our day by day life. So nobody more honest than we are, nobody more loving, more kind, more generous than we are..because that’s what Jesus is. So your personal testimony what God is like for you, drives the whole of your life and ministry and it is the well spring of your integrity as a person

Jesus came to established and preaching  the Kingdom, showing this is what heaven is like. That’s why His prayer is..on earth as it is in Heaven.

He wants to give you eternal life like in heaven while you’re still on earth. HE wants you to be blessed (happy and to be envied), that HE gave HIS life for you.

It was death for Jesus..it is life for you, it was punishment for Jesus..it is freedom for you, it was judgement for Jesus,..it is blessings for you.

The true Gospel is also about being a new man in Christ, you are a new creation in HIM in a new world. 2 Corinthians 5 : 17 (TCNT) “Therefore, if  anyone is in union with Christ, he is a new being.” Moreover, “When anyone is united to Christ, there is a new world.” (NEB translation). Not only that, “The old has passed away, behold the fresh and new has come (Amplified), “His old life has disappeared, everything has become new about him (Knox translation).

So everything that we were “in Adam” has been shattered and destroyed. We’ve been disconnected from the falleness of humanity and it’s curse, which is separation from God, and have entered into a new world altogether, a new era.

Benjamin Dunn wrote, “In this new era, a Kainos era (new in kind and in contrast to what previously existed), a whole new reality and dimension opens to us. I call it the “kainos dimension”. It’s a whole new world! In our union with Christ we have entered into a new world of endless bliss. This is the realm and reality believers enjoy as a gift when they drink freely of the new covenant.

Well, I believe the true Gospel should make me happy and joyfull. As I said earlier, happy (blissfull)  is the nature of God, every words comeout from HIS mouth should make you happy. I remember Benjamin Dunn wrote this,” Next time if someone preaches to you “the gospel”, check your joy meters, because only the true Glad-Message of Christ’s finished work on the cross that can tip the scales!!!

So how about you? Are you happy??


~ by Debra Bano ~

BE STRONG!

Ephesians 6 : 10 ~ "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of HIS might."
The reason apostle Paul write this letter to the Ephesians congregation is because of the great war they must faced. This war is not against the flesh and blood but to stand against the wiles of the devil, the principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, and spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places.
This is the situation and condition we face it right now. We face the same enemies today.
Let us go back first toJoshua 1 : 9, when the Lord encourage him, " Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Joshua and the Ephesians congregation have the same faith in trusting God, they both obeyed God's order, but yet in a certain time they felt that they loose strength. They both had been promised to received inherintance, God promised the richest of HIS glory, HIS mistery to the Ephesians, that's why Paul prayed for the Ephesians that may the Lord give them spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God, and the eyes of their understanding being enlighten because of their incredible faith to God and their love for the saints. They are under the law of the Cross. where everything is under HIS grace. Paul remind them that they were once strangers from the covenants of promise but now in Christ Jesus they have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

God showed the promise land to Joshua, God also said that Joshua must observe to do according to all the law, Joshua must not turn from it to the right or to the left. Joshua is in God's control, he followed God's order, received HIS strategy to overtake the promise land. He is facing the great enemy now.
But in Joshua 3, threre's something that Joshua must told to the people of Israel,"Sanctify yourself...."

Now we must understand that to overtake our inheritance, there are character and attitude to be build, character that can trusting God 100%, believe in HIM that HE will guide us in every ways.

Joshua and the Ephesian were in process of their character and attitude, it is not easy but they have to live in holiness, have a pure heart, loving each other etc.

God said Be strong and have courage..! When the richness of HIS glory in us, we are already in the enemy's target to be destroy. The enemy can manipulated us to jump in his trapped by sending the spirit of doubtness and spirit unbelieve. Joshua has to deal with this spirit when the 10 spies came out with a very bad report as he and Caleb focused on what GOD's promised them.
The key to defeat this enemy is focus on what God is saying abot us and HIS promises to our life..Just focus to the future and bring it back to the present!!!

In Jesus Mighty Name,
~Debra~ 

FAITH

Kings 17 : 9-16 

The verses above is about FAITH! Many of us are of the opinion that our faith is tested and shown in "great moments", but our faith is grown in hard times and small things.

Widows of this time were a symbol of poverty and a common one. This widow gathering sticks. Sticks are kindling, not firewood, so whatever she's going to bake/cook, it's not going to take long.
She has no faith, she accepted the fact that she and her son are going to die of starvation. She has given hope, but she's APPOINTED by GOD to KEEP Elijah! This is FAITH in desperate times.

She is not a Jewish, so see how she greets Elijah," As the Lord, your God lives". She recognize the Living God. She has faith but not hope, she has no acces to the living God, but she takes the prophet at his word and share her last meal.

Now see from Elijah side. This meeting is a test for Elijah as well. Elijah must thinking he had the wrong widow. He is tested by her lack of hope. Most of us are influenced by the attitudes around us and Elijah is no exception. But Elijah answer the challenge to his faith. He answered the woman to step out on faith and give of her little. In Luke 6 : 38 - great faith, great gift.
He assures her that God will multiply what she has. All this comesback to trust in God.

If you trust HIM, you must know HIM. You must know HIS infinite supply. HE is the God who created all things and if you are doing HIS work, HE will tax the farthest star in the universe "to maintain" you. You must know HIS constant supply. It is not to your benefit that HE supply you with everything at once, for then you might grow content and forget HIM, but HE will supply your daily bread.

You must know HIS will, for it conditions HIS supply. HIS will is that you should have FAITH. This widow did, and she met God who supplies three times a day. This is HIS love for us.

FAITH is tested in small things!!

We see also the characteristic of God providence :

- Little is rewarded with much. God's nature is to provide, liberal reward for those who trust HIM with
the little they have.

- His providence is always adequate, but it can never be stored up. Like the manna of the ancient Israelites, it is for TODAY ONLY.

- His providence is based upon HIS eternal nature. HE is infinite, HE is unchanging, and HE desires fellowship with us. Therefore there is NO LIMIT to HIS supply, either in AMOUNT or TIME, as long as we keep FAITH with HIM!