Recently, I read a quote suggesting that we are the cup and Jesus is the coffee. But to me, that statement does more to limit our thinking to the analogy of a container -- whereby we (as a consequence of our limited human capacity) end up containing the King of kings and Lord of lords within ourselves, rather than proclaiming the goodness and mercy of our Lord God and Saviour that has filled the heavens and earth with His glory from the beginning of time. .
To this end, the psalmist wrote: "My heart is inditing a good matter. I speak of the things which I have made touching the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Thou art fairer than the children of men. Grace is poured into thy lips, therefore, God hath blessed thee forever." (Psalm 45:1-2)
In other words, as believers in Jesus by faith, we should be overflowing in the refreshing of His presence. Filled to the brim and spilling over because of the joy that Jesus has given us. Bearing Him witness and wondering at the gracious words which proceeds out of His mouth. (Luke 4:22)
Why? Because of His sacrifice of blood upon the cross, we can be fully persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
The greatest love story ever told to man -- that the same God who created us in the beginning loved us enough to shed His holy blood on a cross so that you and I might have eternal life.
This is why we have much to be thankful for -- so much so that we can't contain the blessings which the Lord bestows upon us within a container -- such as a cup. I am not referring to material wealth, or blessings that come from pursuing the worldly constructs. Rather, we are thankful because there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
But [we] are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you ... and if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." (Romans 8:2-10)
But the blessings of the Lord do not start and stop here. There is so much more for us to experience.
"But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you ... For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God -- for ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God ... which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which 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.
And, [as a consequence], we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:11-31)
Therefore, stand and be counted as one of His people. "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil and the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it. Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." (I Thessalonians 5:16-28)
Let His refreshing anointing come upon you so that you too can bubble up too with His abundance of goodness and mercy and love. Stand in the offering plate with Jesus.
This is why we have much to be thankful for -- so much so that we can't contain the blessings which the Lord bestows upon us within a container -- such as a cup. I am not referring to material wealth, or blessings that come from pursuing the worldly constructs. Rather, we are thankful because there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
But [we] are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you ... and if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." (Romans 8:2-10)
But the blessings of the Lord do not start and stop here. There is so much more for us to experience.
"But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you ... For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God -- for ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God ... which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which 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.
And, [as a consequence], we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:11-31)
Therefore, stand and be counted as one of His people. "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil and the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it. Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." (I Thessalonians 5:16-28)
Let His refreshing anointing come upon you so that you too can bubble up too with His abundance of goodness and mercy and love. Stand in the offering plate with Jesus.
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