The Fire Has No Power

The Fire Has No Power

“‘Look!’ he [Nebuchadnezzar] answered, ‘I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.’” DANIEL 3:25 Overcomers are those upon whose bodies the fire has no power (Daniel 3:27). Put them in the fiery furnace and they are not consumed, only refined, only purified. It only makes them that much more conformed to the image of the Fourth Man, the Son of God, the Lord Christ. The fire has no power over them because the fire has no power over Him, and there He is in the midst. They do not seek the fiery furnace, but neither do they shrink from it when it comes. They do not ask for temptation and testing, but they are not afraid of it. They do not look for the devil behind every rock, but when they find him they demonstrate the preeminence of Christ over all things and call for his submission to Him. This is the Testimony of Jesus and the ministry of the Overcomers. Source: "The Irresistible Kingdom" by Chip Brogden http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/the-irresistible-kingdom Like this? Share your comments: http://www.chipbrogden.com/june30 I am your brother,

Chip Brogden

Christ Fully-Formed in You

Christ Fully-Formed in You

“Him we preach… that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” COLOSSIANS 1:28 The word perfect there means spiritually mature, having reached the full measure of the purpose for which a person is created. This, in essence, is the purpose of all ministry, whether it is the ministry of an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher. It is to preach Christ, and to bring all men into a spiritually mature relationship with Him. Paul wrote to the Galatians and said they were “my little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). Christ was in them already, but He was not fully-formed in them yet: they were still children. Maturity in Jesus is what ministry is supposed to lead to. Christ is at the heart of everything; He is at the center of all activity; we begin with Him and we end with Him. Source: "Lord of All" by Chip Brogden http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/lord-of-all Like this? Share your comments: http://www.chipbrogden.com/june29 I am your brother,

Chip Brogden

Fighting FROM Victory

Fighting FROM Victory

“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 CORINTHIANS 15:57 Those who embrace the Cross have inherited the victory of Christ over all the works of the devil. This is the spiritual principle. The practical expression of this principle is seen when I demonstrate this victory in the battles of everyday life. If what God says about us is true, then we are not fighting FOR victory, we are fighting FROM victory – and actually, we are not fighting at all; we are merely standing in a victory that was given to us in Christ: “Stand therefore” (Ephesians 6:14). Source: “Embrace the Cross" by Chip Brogden http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/embrace-the-cross Like this? Share your comments: http://www.chipbrogden.com/june28 I am your brother,

Chip Brogden

Your Jar of Oil

Your Jar of Oil

“Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” 2 KINGS 4:2 Every disciple of the Lord Jesus is at a different level of growth and spiritual maturity. But may I say that no matter how long you have walked with the Lord – be it several years or only a day – you have at least one “jar of oil” in your house. Now what you do with that one jar of oil makes the difference between a victorious life and a defeated life. The single jar of oil is not much in and of itself. It is not sufficient to meet the demands of your creditors, nor is it sufficient to sustain your spiritual life. It is only sufficient when it is poured forth. The one who “saves” his life will lose his life, but the one who “pours out” his life will really have it in abundance. Source: “Lord of All" by Chip Brogden http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/lord-of-all Like this? Share your comments: http://www.chipbrogden.com/june27 I am your brother,

Chip Brogden

The Field of Treasure

The Field of Treasure

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” MATTHEW 13:44 For too long we have contented ourselves with what God can do for us and what He can give us. We come to the Lord with a need in mind, and the next day we approach with another need, and the following day we return with yet another request. This pattern repeats itself continually. We return again and again to withdraw a little more from the heavenly bank. Surely we should let our requests be made known unto God, and we must also ask, that we may receive. But think: if a man owns a field, does he not also possess the buried treasure in the field? Does it not stand to reason then, that if we receive HIM, we possess all He has? How shall He not, with His Son, freely give us all things? Source: “Lord of All" by Chip Brogden http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/lord-of-all Like this? Share your comments: http://www.chipbrogden.com/june25 I am your brother,

Chip Brogden

Dying to Live

Dying to Live

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” LUKE 9:23,24 Resurrection Life is that which has died, but now lives. It has the mark of the Cross upon it. It has passed through death once, and death can no more touch it. If we have not already passed through death then we are constantly fearful of dying, but the one who has already died and lives again has nothing more to fear from death. As we are decreased through the daily carrying of our cross, Christ in us is increased, and the strength of His Life is matured through our weakness. Source: “Embrace the Cross" by Chip Brogden http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/embrace-the-cross Like this? Share your comments: http://www.chipbrogden.com/june26 I am your brother,

Chip Brogden

Having Him

Having Him

“We know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him…” 1 JOHN 5:20 There is a difference between salvation and a Savior; between deliverance and a Deliverer; between healing and a Healer; between redemption and a Redeemer. The first is a “thing,” the second is a Person. This may sound self-evident and elementary, but before God the difference is vast, and in actual experience the difference is incalculable. If we are not clear on the matter of His Son we will find the Christian life very difficult, if not impossible, to live. I have the “thing” because I have Him; having Him, I do not need to search for the “thing” anymore. What do you have? An experience? A word? A doctrine? A belief? Or a Man? This is the difference between a living Christianity and a dead religion. Source: “Lord of All" by Chip Brogden http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/lord-of-all Like this? Share your comments: http://www.chipbrogden.com/june21 I am your brother,

Chip Brogden

One Kingdom, One Master

One Kingdom, One Master

“‘How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, ‘Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’” MARK 10:23-25 The point is not that every disciple must be penniless. The point is that in this Kingdom, Christ alone has the preeminence, and you cannot serve two masters. Why are riches such a stumbling block? It all relates to Self. For the rich man, Self is mostly represented in his riches. For the wise man, Self is mostly represented in his wisdom. For the good man, Self is mostly represented in his goodness. For the strong man, Self is mostly represented in his strength. YOU are your biggest obstacle to entering in. Why? Because there is no room in the Kingdom of God for Christ and Self. Source: “The Irresistible Kingdom" by Chip Brogden http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/the-irresistible-kingdom Like this? Share your comments: http://www.chipbrogden.com/june22 I am your brother,

Chip Brogden

Right Investment of Time

Right Investment of Time

“Now as [Paul] reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.’” ACTS 24:25 When the time is short we must make the most of every opportunity and waste nothing. Ordinarily if we speak the Word to someone and they send us away, the best advice is to leave. Unfortunately, Paul was in prison and could not get away. Felix sent for him often but nothing ever changed. In this manner Paul witnessed to Felix for two years without any result whatsoever. Clearly this was a ruse of the enemy designed to frustrate the gifted apostle and sap his strength. Paul the prisoner had no choice but to come when Felix called for him; we who are free ought to be careful lest we find ourselves spending all our time talking to a Felix when there is a Cornelius praying to hear us speak the very words that Felix takes for granted. 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/june23 I am your brother,

Chip Brogden

Doing Flows from Being

Doing Flows from Being

“Put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” EPHESIANS 4:24 What is the Christian Life? It is leaving our ground altogether and coming onto the ground of Christ. It is deeper than a changed life – it is an exchanged life. Over time we can accomplish a change, but we can do nothing to exchange our life for His Life. This, from start to finish, is God’s work, and it is a work of grace. What, after all, is Righteousness? What is true Holiness? Christ is not righteous because He does righteous things; He does righteous things because He is Righteousness. Christ is not holy because He does holy things; He does holy things because He is Holiness. His “doing” flows out of His “being” – and OUR “doing” flows out of His “being” as well. Source: “Lord of All" by Chip Brogden http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/lord-of-all Like this? Share your comments: http://www.chipbrogden.com/june24 I am your brother,

Chip Brogden

Out-Of-Control Parenting

Out-Of-Control Parenting

I figure that, when it comes down to it, most mothers fall into two categories: those who are pretty proud of their skills and those who are deeply worried that their flawed parenting is ruining their children for life.

Most of us, after a really great parenting day, when our kids have behaved well in public, have scooted our toes across the line to stand in the "pretty proud" category. But then in the next hour, when the children misbehave or we lose our temper, we trudge back into the category where we spend most of our mental energy wrestling with guilt and shame. It's so crowded on this side of the line that we assume it's a normal place to be and even a sign of a good Christian mother who hawkishly watches over her children and seeks to manage every aspect of their lives.

On both sides, the environment is toxic with pretend control.

We talk so often of teaching our children about grace, about how our love and God's love do not depend on what they do or don't do. Obedience doesn't earn love, we say. Obedience honors the love we already have, we say. We pound this drum, for it is the heartbeat of the gospel, the freedom song we long for our children to dance in.

But so often this message doesn't translate into who we are as parents. We try playing a beautiful song of grace for our children when we ourselves are deaf to the music and its rhythm.

I practically whispered to a friend once: "I feel so much inexplicable shame about parenting." My shame is not attached to something specific; I feel instead an aching combination of desire for the good of my children and a sad awareness that the brokenness of this world (that lives in me) will decay them. I want SO MUCH to do this parenting thing right, and I know SO DEEPLY that I am flawed. The flawed part, because it scares me, pounds at me with urgency: do all the right things, plan all the right things, teach all the right things, say all the right things, feed them all the right things! Right things! Do! Do! Do! Plan! Plan! Plan! Control! Control! Control! And what? My children will be saved? My hopes for them will come to fruition?

I can say this because I've learned the hard way: right things don't earn well-behaved children. Right things don't earn the Lord's approval and, therefore, good outcomes for them by the power of His hand. God is not a vending machine, and neither are my children.  

I am but a child myself, poor in spirit, weak in flesh. I have no ability to save, no ability to pierce a heart. My shame wells up at my own inabilities to perfectly direct the steps of my children. It has been born out of a worldly belief that I am in control, that if my plans are well and good that the world can be shifted right again, that I am guaranteed something.

Oh, I see. Standing on this side of the line, wallowing with the guilt crowd, is all about me. Parenting is about me, because well-behaved children look good on me. Bad parenting days are about me, because their poor behavior means I am an utter failure. The guilt is more akin to fear: that I won't have something to show for myself for all this hard work.

The freedom song of God's grace and love I sing to my children shoos away anything that hinders their intimacy with and enjoyment of Him. Why can't I sing it to myself, or better yet, let God sing it over me? Shame over my frailty makes me hide, but instead of turning to Christ, who has swallowed up my every sin, I turn to control and it's fruit: fear and guilt. Pretend control is tiring.

The third way of parenting--the fearless way--is living by the biblical truth that God is in perfect control and that His power is most seen in our weakness. We therefore must embrace our weakness (which is easy to assent to in theory but difficult to face in reality) and beg of God daily that His power will enable us to parent our children according to His will. This is parenting from an identity of Dependent Child rather than from the trapdoor identity of Perfect Christian Mother so many of us are seeking to master. The third way of parenting, simply put, is Out-Of-Control parenting: parenting not to get it "right" according to our own standards or in comparison to others but rather parenting for God's eyes and God's honor by God's power. When we practice Out-Of-Control parenting, we not only become more cognizant of both our powerlessness and God's power to save, but we put our children in the most secure, trustworthy hands possible. We listen intently for what how He wants us to lead and guide our children.

Christian parents, even more than you delight in your children, God delights in you. His will for you is to not to parent out of shame, guilt, or fear. His will for you is to parent out of dependence on His Holy Spirit living in you, who loves you and longs to help you imprint Himself on their hearts. Parent today out of the joy those truths bring. Let's stop playing pretend.

UNITED IN RESURRECTION

UNITED IN RESURRECTION

“If we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His.” -ROMANS 6:5 ESV

If we share in His death then we will share in His life. How could it be otherwise? What is true of the Vine is true of the Branches that are part of the Vine. It would be impossible for the Vine to be raised while the Branches that are part of the Vine remain buried. So long as the Vine and the Branches are one, they share in both the suffering and in the glory that is revealed afterwards.

In the same way, when God made us one spirit together with Christ on the Cross, His intention was for us to experience both the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. So Paul says that if we suffer with Him, then we will reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:12). Again, we see the purpose of the Cross. If we refuse to join Him in suffering then we cannot hope to join Him in ruling. If we refuse the Crucified Death then we cannot have the Resurrected Life.


Source: “Embrace the Cross” by Chip Brogden
http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/embrace-the-cross

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Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

An Unavoidable Spiritual Law

An Unavoidable Spiritual Law

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” -JOHN 3:30

We must see that everything God has done, everything God is doing, and everything God will do is for the purpose of INCREASING Jesus and DECREASING everything that is not of Him.

This principle is so powerful that it makes no difference if you agree with it, understand it, believe it, or like it. He MUST increase; therefore, He WILL increase and HE IS increasing. At the same time, I MUST decrease, therefore I WILL decrease, and I AM decreasing. This is a spiritual law, and it is working as we speak. For the Christian who is seeking first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness this is wonderful news. For selfish, carnal Christians it is a frightening thing, this talk of losing your life and taking up your Cross and denying yourself. That is why you hear so much about spiritual power and so little about spiritual brokenness.


Source: “Embrace the Cross” by Chip Brogden
http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/embrace-the-cross

Like this? Share your comments:
http://chipbrogden.com/march31


I am your brother,


Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

The Power of Praise

The Power of Praise

Praise me in all that you do, child. Not only does it serve me, for I love your praises and how you adore me, but praise is also for you.
When you lift your voice and praise me, you put your eyes on Me and when you do, you will have the right perspective once again. When you praise me for all the good and the bad in your life, you will see Me as I am - your God, who is mighty and whose arm is not too short to save.
For indeed, your praise is what will lift the spirit of heaviness. Your praise is what will lift your spirit out of the dust. So take your eyes off of every problem in your life and put it on me instead.
When you do, you will see the good I have planned for every conflict in your life. You will see that I have already worked out a solution. You will see that I am able to turn around any circumstance for you favor. Praise me and you will feel your faith soar. Where you had no hope, you will be filled with light. Where you could not see a way out, you will see seven ways out. My child, that is the power of praise.
So lift up your voice and keep your eyes stayed on me. Indeed, you will see miracles and you will believe the impossible once again! Amen.

I Will Guide Your Path

I Will Guide Your Path

There are many times in life that the winds and the storms blow, leaving you to feel a bit shaken. Perhaps you even wonder if you have made the right turns and gone in the direction that I have intended for you to go in.
My child, I want you to know that you have nothing to fear. When you desire with all of your heart to serve me and to follow me, I will not leave you to go astray. I will continue to direct you and set your feet on the path that I desire for you to go.
You do not have to be dismayed, thinking that you will never find your way. For I am your GPS and I know exactly how to recalculate your path and bring you to the land that I have for you, says the Lord.

Dead Men Cannot Die

Dead Men Cannot Die

“They overcame [the dragon] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they did not love their lives to the death.” REVELATION 12:11 No one can overcome a spiritual adversary unless they embrace the Cross. The ones who overcome the dragon do so by the blood of the Lamb and by not loving their own lives. Their testimony is: “not I, but Christ.” The blood, and loving not their life, and their testimony, all point to the same thing: these are people of the Cross. They did not love their own lives, but they gave up their lives; therefore God has raised them from the dead and they have entered into the victory of Christ. You cannot kill a dead man. You cannot defeat a person who has already died. What more can you do to a man once he has died and been raised to life again? Source: “Embrace the Cross" by Chip Brogden http://www.chipbrogden.com/books/embrace-the-cross Like this? Share your comments: http://www.chipbrogden.com/june19 I am your brother,

Chip Brogden