SEPTEMBER 1
“I am the light of the world.” -JOHN 8:12
Many people write to me and ask how to deal with this thing or that, how to get the victory here or there. May I say that it does not matter what your need is, or what your problem is, the Answer is the same. Victory is a Man, not an experience. If you must fail a hundred, a thousand, or a million times in order to learn that lesson then it is worth it.
It does not matter whether you understand it, agree with it, believe it, or see it yet. Indeed, everything else seems to say the opposite. But you will see, just as I have seen, that Victory, Grace, Strength, Peace, Love, Light, and Life are not “things,” they are Christ, and having the Man, you have everything the Man is.
Source: Lord of All by Chip Brogden
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CHIP BROGDEN is a best-selling author, teacher, and former pastor who shares "real, simple, truth" about a Christ-centered faith that is based on relationship, not religion. Learn more »
“He” is such a beautiful solution to the prisoner of hope
Hallelujah!!! Yes…this is What I seem to consistently perceive: Jesus Christ is the Victory: He is my Wisdom, He is my Righteousness, He is even my ability to play the guitar very very well….shalom
Chip, thanks for this post. I posted in this space my reaction to your post above but am surprise to see that it was deleted. Let me post again and request a comment from you if i truly understood what you have been posting. This is in reference to THINGS as against a MAN-the Man Jesus. I understood from your previous post that Christ is the one Gift God gave instead of things like what you have enumerated above-Love, Victory, Peace, Joy, etc. which are not things but a Man-Jesus because He is these. My problem then was the Cross in Luke 9:23 (NIV) in which i look at the physical Cross (at least 2 pieces of wood nailed together) where Jesus was nailed and the surrounding events identified with what happened to Jesus. This is also a THING. But since there is no such thing as things, is the Cross then referred to a Man-the Man Jesus? The :deny himself” is literal while the “and take up his cross daily” is figurative of saying abiding together in complete union with Jesus like a scion (bud) budded in the rootstock of a tree fitly joined together and the “follow me” is also literal. Please comment if this is politically correct. Thanks again. God bless your ministry.
Macario,
I’m not Chip, but someone who follow’s his daily devotions.Everything for the church today is based on spiritual matter’s that come from the truth of God’s word.As far as the cross is concerned for the church or bride of Christ,it’s not meant to be physical for us, we are to take from the cross of Chris as suffering for Him,dying to self and want’s, being raised up in newness of life through Him,doing the will of the Father and being led by the Spirit of God.Everything we read in scripture from Christ carrying His cross up the hill to calvary and then being nailed to it,He was pierced and bleed out down the cross and onto the ground, and then died a horrible death on it.We are to spiritualized what the cross means for the church.What are we the church willing to do for the gospel of Christ as we carry our own cross and follow after Him.It’s all a matter of the heart and a heart’s desire to leave everything behind for Him and what He want’s from His church.I picture when Jesus layed dead in the tomb before He was raised up by the Holy Spirit of God,it would be for the church like being in the desert all alone being purged from ourselves and from the world and given a new life,one that only the light of Christ can give as we are lead out of Egypt.Sometime’s this desert can last a long while,sometime’s not.From experience, there hasn’t been one day that I havn’t had to endure the cross of Christ in one way or another.One thing I can say is that we have a helper when carrying the cross of Christ and that is the Spirit of God,we cannot do it alone.I can remember from the book of Matthew, a man named Simon who came up to Jesus as he started to carry the cross to calvary and help Him as they walked up the hill together.There are alway’s metaphor’s if we have eye’s to see what God is trying to show us in His word,He alway’s give’s example’s of people that have followed Him, their obedience and service to other’s and also example’s of other’s, if we disobey.Thank goodness for the church that God’s new covenant is LOVE, that only Jesus can give as we follow Truth and Spirit,which is the light of Christ.Someone can be bed bound that doesn’t have anything to give of themselve’s physically to follow Christ but by the grace of God He can use a soul that’s flat on their back, because all He need’s is a willing Heart to LOVE,a LOVE that endures until the end.With God all thing’s are possible for those who are called according to His purpose in Christ Jesus.The Holy Spirit of God will help us carry the spiritual matter’s of the cross of Christ.
Thanks Sherry for replaying to my queries to Chip’s articles. I’ll have to read again and if possible to reread your post to get the concepts you want to get across. thanks again.
Macario,
The main thing is to focus on Jesus and His kingdom and not the world around us even though we have to live in it.Living before the world with a heart for Christ will be a challenge because the world hate’s Christ so the world will hate the church also.This is where the cross will be hard to bare.With God all thing’s are possible even though some day’s we want to give up.When we want to give in or give up is when we are going on our own reasoning and strength and not the kingdom of God and His way’s,His strength.Staying focused on what’s ahead ‘THE KINGDOM’ and letting go of the past and continuing to walk toward Christ and seek His face will all thing work for together for good.Walk in love and humble yourself before God and He will direct your path according to His plan for your life and all will be well with your soul.May the Lord’s best alway’s come your way.BLESSING’S.
Thanks Sherry for your advise/comments. I know i have to live by the life of Christ in me as Christ lived by the life of the Father in Him just as Paul said that it is not him living any longer but Christ who is living in Him that does the living through him (Paul). But it is absurd for Paul to be lazy and does nothing. So Paul still work and does the living. But my dilemma is the HOW would i live my life so that it is not i really who live but Christ who lives in me. I am looking at practical ways to do. I know also that it is by the Cross of Christ but what is really the Cross? Is it saying NO every time i encounter anything that favors the flesh but counter the Will of ways of God in a moment by moment basis? Thanks for you in coming post as you have the time.
Just re-read this again and my it is awesome: It makes the walk simpler, Just One Man: all things…glory…Jesus is my focus, He is my goal, He is my life, He is my Light, Not just to be like Him in my soul and body, but He Himself is my goal….Hallelujah!!!!
thank you Lord…
As an old brother of mine always says, “The Greater includes the lesser”. If I have Jesus then everything pertaining to him is mine also!
OOOOOOOH, to learn this reality on a daily basis. Oh, to live this reality on a daily basis. The greatest need in my spiritual life.
Thanks again, Chip.
THANK YOU JESUS ….We have certainly been blessed, with the highest honor and privilege that,we may know HIM our VICTORY:)
God bless you Chip and family.
“Seek first the Kingdom of God and everything else will be added.”
The Kingdom of God came to us as a man–Jesus Christ. To seek Him is to seek the Kingdom.
Blessings, and All 4 Jesus!
Mario
Whenever we seek “things” rather than the “man”, Jesus Christ, we are then showing that it is us, rather than Christ, who are trying to do it all ourselves. Surrender is more than just giving up our attachments, or our desire to gain something. When Christ, through death to ourselves, by our own cross, has ALL of our being, then everything in our lives comes into it’s proper place. I am now learning this lesson. And it is a difficult one. My way, or His way? My will, or His Will? His life lived through me, or my life lived in the flesh? Please Lord Jesus, take ALL of me, so that there is only ALL of you! Now and forever yours. May we altogether be. Amen
Timothy,
How I agree with your reply! The more of Him we encounter and possess the more self and the world will be detached from us. Its as though the world we live in is quickly fading away because of darkness. We will be forever in Him and not us, but the lose of what use to be will be huge, as the way to Him is very narrow and straight. The cross will be heavy to bare but possible because its He not I that carries it.
Sherry, Thank you for your kind response. And “Thank You” Chip! I had told myself; that I wouldn’t post my comments to “override” the Truth as revealed by Christ Jesus through Chip’s writings. I write, as also inspired to enlighten, teach, and show others the Truth that I am learning in Jesus. This posted comment of mine, made me weep once again, in deepest sorrow and repentance, over how easily our restless Sinful Nature (flesh) can trip us up. Repentance is a daily thing for any Christian (for me at least) to REALLY LIVE IN CHRIST. But forgiveness is a constant established fact, seen and accepted. Our freedom “from things” is in the Person of Jesus Christ. Not EVER in our own strength or abilities. May I accept your freedom, Lord Jesus, as You have given it to me. Thank You, for Your patience with me, when my eyes are on me. Set them upon You once again, and restore to me a steadfast heart that longs only for You. I will deny myself, take up my cross, and follow You Alone. Keep me ever true to You. In You Alone I Stand, Victorious over everything, or anyone, that opposes You. I am YOURS! In Your Love I pray. Amen.
Amen, so true, thank you Chip, you are a blessing to the body of Christ
Timothy B.
Are you ever right on. When we stop learning we will stop living.
Keep up the good fight of faith.
In His Presence
A brother in Jesus
Mitch
“With ties of love” Hosea 11,4 Before Christ all of us are like Gomer …only after we surrender all to HIM… we are ready to share the good news to win the lost for CHRIST…
Great post Chip.
The moment that I came to the revelation that God was not some distance figure drifting around out in space, but a real personal being with a desire for me to get to know Him, my whole outlook on life changed for eternity. This freedom to worship and commune with Him anywhere, anytime, in any kind of circumstances is impossible to explain to those who have not experienced it. People that are “addicted” to religious routine cannot begin to comprehend this. That is why much of mainline religion tends to look at people that have found this freedom and label us as rebels, outcasts, and weird. Whatever they want to call us we should never relinquish this wonderful freedom for the sake of playing the religious game.
Does this mean that I never have any problems, far from it. But having that peace that passes all human understanding is awesome to say the least. Rom.5: 1-6 clearly tells us that the tribulations of life are to teach us how to be consistent in all situations and conditions. The whole creation is crying out for the manifestation of the sons and daughters of God to show forth the way to HIM.
It is not all about getting the doctrines right, but about as vibrant and fruitful relationship with God and our fellow man.
Hi, Chip,
I needed to be reminded again about that today. How I had slipped and taken my eyes off Him, and put them on PEOPLE. He IS ALL I NEED!…..even to the exclusion of those close who rail against me for who I am and what I believe, because they believe the popular teachings of today’s church and the false prophets who run them. How we can get caught up trying to justify who and why we are who we are and believe what we do! – WHEW!….and Satan will always try and sneak in to make you water down what you believe so it is acceptable to those you want to love and accept you. God have mercy. Sometimes our vibrant and fruitful relationship with God, that Mitch spoke of, is at the cost of those dear to us. Not all of Jesus family and old neighbors were “on board” with Jesus, on the contrary, once they even tried to throw Him off the cliff…..we have to remember that this walk CAN be a very lonely one when we put our relationship with God FIRST, BEFORE our relationships with man. Truly, as you say, having The Man, is having everything that He is – the joy AND the suffering, the love AND hatred of others…..but the Final Destiny is Christ for eternity.
Clare how correct you are in your post about what it may cost us in some of our relationships with those around us. I really believe that this may be partly what the scripture speaks of in Philp. 2:12 about working out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
I will share just a bit of personal testimony. My father whom I greatly loved and respected, made the following statement to me. “Boy don’t let your religion make a fool out of you”! I never held that against him because it wasn’t religion that I had, but a living relationship with Jesus. God graciously showed me that there was no way that I could explain to him what had happened to me. My father was active in a denominational church until his death over 36 years ago. I do dearly miss my father and would love to have an opportunity to just have a good chat with him.
Yes it can hit very close to home sometimes, but we must continue the race that is set before us. Keep up the good race of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Bless you, Mitch!….and thank you for your share.
This one is JUST as hard – both my son and daughter railing against me as I speak truth into their lives, and pray for God’s Holy Spirit to minister that truth to them. The hard thing is to watch them harden their hearts and REFUSE to allow God to be their all in all, and determine to live THEIR way, and want God on THEIR terms – which of course just doesn’t happen. The heat is fierce and painful, and the temptation to apologize is powerful to win their acceptance and love. We can’t apologize for God’s truth, and we must let the chips fall where they may…..like Ezekiel. If we don’t speak truth for fear of hurting someone, the consequences (which may be far worse) will be on OUR head, and we don’t know when God may bring to their remembrance our words and it be life-changing. We must never change who we are before God to placate others, for their own selfish reasons. IN the final wash-up we are accountable to God on That Day – not man, no matter who it is. I have been facing this one for many years, and it never seems to be resolved. God knows, and I thank Him for His grace and mercy that gives me the courage to go on.
Clare
That is a very difficult situation to say the least. I can only say that I will keep this in my prayers. Keep this in mind, just as the prodigal’s father was patiently waiting for his son to return and when he did he received him with open arms. Could it just possibly be that God is working with them in some other manner other than what we think is the right way.
Just remember God used a donkey to change a prophets direction, so there is always hope.
Hi, Mitch…..I was just reading our little conversation and now how things look since we touched. Things became so bitter with my two precious off-spring, that I have had to let them go, and let God deal with them. It is the hardest thing I have ever done. We can all carry victimization and bitterness forever as baggage in our hearts. ONLY GOD can give us the grace to let go, forgive and begin the healing process. I am reading a little book that someone told me about called, “Finding God in the Ruins” by Matt Bays, it is raw and exposes pretty well the heart of us all, and man’s broken mess that we inherited from Adam. As Christians we tend to forget that there was a SECOND Adam who came to heal it all and restore, but the pain that we go through in not only SEEING the truth of our mess but confessing and DEALING with it is a hard thing which we try to avoid. Pride in us doesn’t like people to see that we are different inside to the picture WE paint of ourselves, and the possibility of them rejecting us as badly damaged goods. We have this thing inside of us that we want people to love and see us as great achievers. Jesus NEVER rejected us, but invited us to come to Him and BE HEALED. The woman who washed his feet with her tears KNEW, and was healed….her love and gratitude beyond words. God never rejects a broken and contrite heart!
There was something I saw not so long ago about the father of the Prodigal. He watched his son go off to live a life full of debauchery and sin. He KNEW what his son was heading into, but he NEVER chased after him and cried, “Don’t go! Don’t GO!!!! I love you, you have a home here, and all you need! PLEASE don’t go!” He was not going to enable him in any way, even when he was in the pig-sty eating the husks that the pigs even rejected! He KNEW that if he sent help, food, money, whatever….HE WAS DELAYING THE LAD’S RETURN HOME! It took that boy to get to the absolute END of SELF before he was willing to see what he had left was what he SHOULD have kept. God’s grace and mercy are amazing! That father watched day and night for his return, never leaving his place of watching that distant spot in the road where he would see the eventual return of his beloved son. NO condemnation, NO judgment, NO anger, NO punishment meted out………just overwhelming, loving acceptance of His precious son now home again. Wow! I pray for my kids, and the ALL the sons and daughters who have rebelled and left behind parents who love and care for them. I pray for all GOD’S sons and daughters who have done likewise in backsliding and shaking their fist at their heavenly Father who created and loved them before the foundation of the world! Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly! Amen.
Talking of the donkey……who was it who sent someone to LOOSE the donkey from its captivity and bring it to Him? And who was it who sat on the donkey and guided it to Zion? The donkey didn’t know that if JESUS LOOSES us to carry the burden, and willingly we are guided by Him, we will receive the blessing. Thank You, Jesus! Hosannah in the highest! Glory! Thank You, Jesus!