Who is the Elder?

Who is the Elder?

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” -1 TIMOTHY 4:12 An older person is not necessarily a spiritual elder. We do not look to the age of a person’s physical body when determining their spiritual maturity. Of course, we owe a certain amount of respect to the aged by virtue of their seniority; but they may not necessarily be our elder in the things of the Lord. One can be older chronologically and be quite immature in spiritual matters. Likewise, a relatively young man or woman can have a deep relationship with the Lord and be light years ahead of those two or three times their age. A young man or woman who knows God is more elder than a senior citizen who does not know God. We cannot judge by the flesh, or we will be misled. Source: "The Church in the Wilderness"  by Chip Brogden http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/the-church-in-the-wilderness Like this? Share your comments: http://www.chipbrogden.com/august26 I am your brother,

Chip Brogden

God's Power Revealed

God's Power Revealed

“The message of the cross… to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.” -1 CORINTHIANS 1:18 It does not matter what your situation is; the Cross is sufficient. If the Cross is the power of God for salvation, then the Cross is also the power of God for your relationships, your spiritual growth and development, your life’s purpose, your encouragement and strength, and your victory over everything which hinders and distracts and comes against you. At one time in your life you learned you could not save yourself – that was the work of the Cross. Now, accept the work of the Cross and learn that just as you could not save yourself, neither can you love God, love your neighbor, forgive those who have sinned against you, cast out devils, be a bold witness for Christ, or fulfill your destiny in your own strength. Just as you once relied upon Christ to save you, so now you must rely upon Christ to live through you every day. Just as you continually rely upon Christ for salvation, so you must continually rely upon Christ for everything else. Source: "Embrace the Cross"  by Chip Brogden http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/embrace-the-cross Like this? Share your comments: http://www.chipbrogden.com/august27 I am your brother,

Chip Brogden

Not of This World

Not of This World

“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” -JOHN 17:14 When we are called to put on the New Man we are challenged with something radical, something which by reason of Who He is must result in an upsetting of the natural, earthly order of things. It is a major upheaval. Why? Because this New Man is Totally Other. This New Man is of Heaven. This New Man is Spirit. This New Man is foreign from this world. And when we put on THIS New Man, we are going to be at once set apart from the world and earmarked for something larger than we can fathom with our mind, something apart from flesh and blood, something we call “Spirit and Life.” Source: "Lord of All"  by Chip Brogden http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/lord-of-all Like this? Share your comments: http://www.chipbrogden.com/august30 I am your brother,

Chip Brogden

Receiving Him

Receiving Him

“My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” -PHILIPPIANS 4:19 We need more than a touch from God; we must have God Himself. There is an ocean of difference between receiving the blessing and receiving the One Who blesses; between getting a touch and receiving the One Who touches; between healing and the Healer; between redemption and Redeemer; between salvation and Savior. The former deals with what God has or can do, while the latter deals with God Himself. Source: "Lord of All"  by Chip Brogden http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/lord-of-all Like this? Share your comments: http://www.chipbrogden.com/august28 I am your brother,

Chip Brogden

He Leads Me

He Leads Me

“When you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and Another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” -JOHN 21:18 ESV One characteristic of young disciples is their ability to dress and lead themselves. They find it very easy to go out and to come in. They are zealous and full of good works. We are not suggesting that this is necessarily wrong, but we are suggesting that this is only the beginning stage of spiritual growth. The real question is not what need do I want to fill, or where do I want to go, or what do I want to say, or what do I want to do. The question is: what glorifies the Lord? Whenever “I” do something I consider spiritual and good, it is, nevertheless, “me” who does it. Often we do what glorifies us – the Lord and His Need are seldom considered. But when we ask what glorifies the Lord, we see (in this passage at least) that the Lord is glorified when He is able to dress us and lead us where HE wants us to go – with no interference from Self. Source: "Embrace the Cross"  by Chip Brogden http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/embrace-the-cross Like this? Share your comments: http://www.chipbrogden.com/august29 I am your brother,

Chip Brogden

Two Made One

Two Made One

“Do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For ‘the two,’ He says, ‘shall become one flesh.’ But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” -1 CORINTHIANS 6:16,17 One theme that constantly appears in Scripture is the believer’s spiritual union with Christ. This joining together is perfectly pictured in the illustration of the Ekklesia as the Bride of Christ. When Paul wished to encourage the Corinthians to “flee fornication,” he made a similar analogy but from a very different perspective. The physical joining together of man and woman, whether in marriage or outside of marriage, has the effect of making them one flesh. Spiritually speaking, the Bride of Christ is joined to the Lord and is now one spirit with Him. This is an admittedly difficult point to get across – even Paul said this is a great mystery, and you do not usually find him to be at a loss for words when it comes to explaining something. Source: "The Irresistible Kingdom"  by Chip Brogden http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/the-irresistible-kingdom Like this? Share your comments: http://www.chipbrogden.com/august25 I am your brother,

Chip Brogden

Enjoy the Journey

Enjoy the Journey

When you first embark on a journey, there is the excitement and expectation of what lies ahead. However, as you continue, it is easy to become discouraged or disillusioned with the journey when it does not match your expectations. My child, I call you today to throw away every expectation of what you think your life with me should be like, and embrace your journey with me each in every day for the blessings and challenges that it holds.
You may not know the steps that you are taking next, but rest in the knowledge that I do. For the plans that I have for you are good, and are to give you hope and a future.
I have ordered each and every step that you will walk, every mountain that you will climb, and every river that you must cross. I know the challenges that you will face, and also the places of rest that you need to stop to be strengthened and refreshed in my presence. Do not try to figure out my plan, but trust me in where I am leading you. Take my hand and let us walk this journey and enjoy every moment and each and every step that we take together.

Put on your Armor

Put on your Armor

My child, as I have called you as a warrior in my kingdom, I have not left you without any armor or weapons, or have left you defenseless against the enemy. I have given you armor that will not rust, and a sword that is sharp and has the ability to defeat any foe that dares come upon you. However, it is on you to actually put on your armor and to pick up your sword, to pick up the weapons of warfare, that I have given to you.
You see, I have never meant for you to walk on the battlefield unarmed. Take the time to recognize all that I have given you. Know that I have given you all that you need to stand victorious and to defeat every single plan on the enemy. So, go forth onto that battlefield with boldness and fight as the warrior that I have called you to be.

Will He Find Faith?

Will He Find Faith?

“When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” LUKE 18:8 This is perhaps one of the most intriguing questions Jesus ever put forth – from a human perspective it almost sounds as if He wonders about it Himself. There is no doubt that He will perform what He has promised to us; but will we perform what we have promised to Him? Can we patiently wait for Him to fulfill His Word, no matter how long it takes? Rest assured that, “Now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11). Two thousand years after His promise we are even closer to its fulfillment. Like this? Share your comments: http://www.chipbrogden.com/august24 I am your brother,

Chip Brogden

An Anointed Head

An Anointed Head

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.” -PSALM 23:1,5 An anointed head and a cup that runs over – this is the hallmark of the Christian. An anointed head exudes a heavenly fragrance that sets us apart from the world, even though we walk about in it daily. It is bearing the Testimony of Jesus that witnesses of a heavenly reality that is quite distinct from the earthly fact. The cup that runs over means we have an ample supply of the Life of the Lord. If we can contain ourselves then we have yet to touch the Lord. For once we have indeed touched the Lord we will overflow. We will not be able to contain Him. All who walk with the Shepherd should experience Infinite Supply: a never-ending flow of the Life, Light, and Love of the Lord Jesus Himself. This is the normal Christian life, and it is God’s provision for every disciple. Source: "Lord of All"  by Chip Brogden http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/lord-of-all Like this? Share your comments: http://www.chipbrogden.com/august22 I am your brother,

Chip Brogden

You Will Never Be Alone

You Will Never Be Alone

I am right here by your side. I will never leave you nor forsake you, so when you feel alone, just close your eyes and know that I am here with you.
My voice is gentle and I will speak from within you. As you go about your day, child, simply listen for my voice and you will get used to the sound of my voice. You will discover that I am always giving you direction, that I am always here with wisdom.
I know every problem that is in your heart. I know all your fears and what you stay up worrying about. I know your joys and everything that goes on inside of you. I also know the answers to your problems. I have the power to overcome your fears and I can take on every burden you have so that you do not carry them on your own.
So then, stop to hear my voice. Tap into the power that is inside of you, child. For indeed, I will withhold no answer, no solution, no love and acceptance from you. I am here so that you may never be alone.

Comprehending Christ

Comprehending Christ

“Be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height.” -EPHESIANS 3:16-18 We have to come to know the breadth, length, depth, and height of HIM, and may I say that we will never come to the end of Him. But we do not search for anything as if we do not have it, nor do we hope to gain some new thing, for what we call “new” is simply that which has been seen for the first time. Thus, revelation is critical, for it unveils what we already have. Having the Son, we have All. Source: "Lord of All"  by Chip Brogden http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/lord-of-all Like this? Share your comments: http://www.chipbrogden.com/august20 I am your brother,

Chip Brogden

Give Me Your Cares

Give Me Your Cares

My child, today I want to remind you that you do not have to deal with all the struggles and stresses of this life alone. Give me your cares. Throw them into my hands. I desire to take those things that you cannot solve and add my miraculous power to you to help you overcome them.
Are you going through a sickness, a conflict in a relationship, a divorce? Whatever your problem is, lift it up and give it over to me. I am here to help you with every last problem that is bothering you.
You do not have to endure a life full of torment, depression, or sadness. I have a peace that surpasses all your understanding and a joy to give you that is unspeakable, says the Lord.

No Going Back

No Going Back

“If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” -GALATIANS 5:18,25 In the wilderness you don’t follow your feelings. It says the children of Israel were led by a column of smoke by day and a pillar of fire by night. When the cloud moved then they moved. When the cloud stayed still then they stayed still. I mean it’s really as simple as that. Walk in the Spirit. If you begin to be led by your feelings then you’ll make the wrong decision every time. Most of the time, the right decision doesn’t feel good. Doing the right thing is usually difficult. The easiest thing to do is to quit, to give up, to go back to Egypt. But I’m telling you, get to the place where going back is no longer an option – then going back is no longer a temptation. Source: "The Church in the Wilderness"  by Chip Brogden http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/the-church-in-the-wilderness Like this? Share your comments: http://www.chipbrogden.com/august21 I am your brother,

Chip Brogden

Slow Down

Slow Down

“We wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again— but Satan hindered us.” -1 THESSALONIANS 2:18 If we will wait patiently before the Lord then He will make us know His will. Almost any mistake can be rectified except presumption and rashness. The flesh is always in a hurry, so we should begin to equate “getting in a hurry” with “getting in the flesh.” Out of one thousand presumptuous acts, nine hundred and ninety-nine of them are flesh. We want instant relief, instant answers, and instant results, but God wants us to slow down, remain calm, be still, and know that He is God. He wants us to apprehend His Mind, wait for His Spirit, and become acquainted with His ways. Source: "Embrace the Cross"  by Chip Brogden http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/embrace-the-cross Like this? Share your comments: http://www.chipbrogden.com/august16 I am your brother,

Chip Brogden

I Will Take Care of You

I Will Take Care of You

Look at the birds of the air and the grass in fields. The birds never cry for food and the grass never begs for water. Yet, I have taken care of the birds and the grass, without them, even asking me to.
How much more will I take care of you, whom I have created in my very own image and likeness? If you feel that I have forgotten about you, left you alone to get food and water for yourself. Know that this is not the truth.
I have never left you alone and I never will. Trust me and know that the rain is coming and that I will always take care of you, says the Lord.