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Posted by: Anthony D. Carter
on Mar 13, 2011
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"I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes…This cup is the new covenant in My blood." ( Luke 22:18, 20)
Just as the new covenant of grace is a covenant of the Spirit; it is also a covenant of resurrection. When the grace of God is allowed to work in us, God applies the resurrection of Christ to our lives. This gracious work gives us access to the eternal life of our risen, triumphant, living Lord Jesus.
The Scriptures indicate in many ways that the resurrection is woven deeply into the fabric of living by grace. When Jesus was instituting the Lord's Supper (at His last Passover), He was but hours away from His impending death upon the cross. Yet, He indicated that He would again celebrate with them this memorial meal of salvation. "I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." This would only be possible by a subsequent resurrection. This reference to His resurrection was made in conjunction with remarks about the new covenant. "This cup is the new covenant in My blood." The resurrection is here linked with the new covenant of grace.
Soon after this statement regarding His resurrection, Jesus would be crucified. Three days later, the resurrection would be a reality. When some of the women came to the tomb with spices and oils, angelic beings announced the victorious truth. "He is not here, but is risen!" (Luke 24:6). The resurrection was forever an accomplished fact of history. The resurrection powerfully proved that Jesus was the Son of God: "Declared to be the Son of God with power…by the resurrection from the dead." Jesus' sacrifice for sin was accepted by the Father. "And He Himself is the propitiation [satisfactory payment] for our sins" (1 John 2:2). Now, God's grace could be poured out on all who would believe in the Lord Jesus.
Fifty days after the crucifixion (on the day of Pentecost), the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the followers of Christ. Empowered by His Spirit, the early church began to live in the power of the resurrection, proclaiming boldly the eternally ordained resurrection victory of their Lord. "Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it" (Acts 2:23-24).
Lord God of resurrection, I praise You for the resurrection of Your Son, Jesus, my Savior. Lord Jesus, I greatly anticipate celebrating the Lord's Supper with You some day in the full reality of Your kingdom. Meanwhile, please work in my life the richness of Your grace, secured by Your sacrificial death and resurrection victory. In Your mighty name, I pray, Amen.
Posted by: Anthony D. Carter
on Aug 22, 2010
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"Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain." Ps. 76:10
Wicked men will be wrathful. Their anger we must endure as the badge of our calling, the token of our separation from them: if we were of the world, the world would love its own. Our comfort is that the wrath of man shall be made to redound to the glory of God. When in their wrath the wicked crucified the Son of God they were unwittingly fulfilling the divine purpose, and in a thousand cases the willfulness of the ungodly is doing the same. They think themselves free, but like convicts in chains they are unconsciously working out the decrees of the Almighty.
The devices of the wicked are overruled for their defeat. They act in a suicidal way, and baffle their own plottings. Nothing will come of their wrath which can do us real harm. When they burned the martyrs, the smoke which blew from the stake sickened men of Popery more than anything else.
Meanwhile, the Lord has a muzzle and a chain for bears. He restrains the more furious wrath of the enemy. He is like a miller who holds back the mass of the water in the stream, and what he does allow to flow he uses for the turning of his wheel. Let us not sigh, but sing. All is well, however hard the wind blows.
Posted by: Anthony D. Carter
on Aug 7, 2010
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"Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest." Josh. 1:7
Yes, the Lord will be with us in our holy war, but He demands of us that we strictly follow His rules. Our victories will very much depend upon our obeying Him with all our heart, throwing strength and courage into the actions of our faith. If we are halfhearted we cannot expect more than half a blessing.
We must obey the Lord with care and thoughtfulness. "Observe to do" is the phrase used, and it is full of meaning. This is referred to every part of the divine will; we must obey with universal readiness. Our rule of conduct is "according to all the law." We may not pick and choose, but we must take the Lord's commands as they come, one and all. In all this we must go on with exactness and constancy. Ours is to be a straightforward course, which bends neither to the right nor to the left. We are not to err by being more rigid than the law, nor turn out of levity to a more free and easy way. With such obedience there will come spiritual prosperity. O Lord, help us to see if it be not even so! We shall not test thy promise in vain.
Posted by: Anthony D. Carter
on Apr 21, 2010
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Lord, I pray that You would convict me of any error in my life. Cleanse me from any secret sins and teach me to be a person who is quick to confess when I am wrong. Help me to recognize my mistakes. Give me eyes to see Your truth and ears to hear Your voice.
Lord, I pray that You would make me a person of integrity, according to Your standards. Give me strength to say "Yes" when I should say "Yes", and courage to say "No" when I should say "No". Enable me to stand for what I know is right and not waver under pressure from the world.
Bring me to full repentance before You. If there is suffering to be done, let it be the suffering of a remorseful heart and not because the crushing hand of the enemy has found an opening into my life through unconfessed sin.
Lord, I know that humility must come before honor. Take away all pride that would cause me to deny my faults and where I have erred in this and other matters, give me a heart that is quick to confess my mistakes. Give me a teachable spirit that is willing to listen and grow in Your ways. Amen
Posted by: Anthony D. Carter
on Mar 15, 2010
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"How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity…for there the Lord has commanded the blessing…"
(Psalm 133:1-3, AMP)
So many people today desire God’s blessing in their lives, but did you know He commands blessing when we are at peace with the people around us?
As believers, we are called to work together in unity so that we can fulfill God’s purposes. We are called to serve one another in love and serve together in the house of the Lord. Is there someone in your life that you don’t quite get along with? The Bible says to pray for that person and go out of your way to be a blessing to them. It isn’t easy, but the reward is eternal. His blessing is everlasting.
Make the decision today to live in peace and unity with your brothers and sisters in the Lord. Look for common ground. Even if the only thing you can agree on is Jesus, focus on that. Focus on the love you have for God and for seeing people come to know Him. Live together in unity so that the world will see your love. Open the door to see His blessing in every area of your life.
Heavenly Father, search my heart today and see if there is anything that is keeping me from walking in unity with other believers. I choose love today. I choose peace today. I choose unity today. Help me to be an example of love to those around me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Posted by: Anthony D. Carter
on Mar 13, 2010
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Commit to Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed {Proverbs 16:3}
In order to fulfill your destiny, you have to make a plan according to God's purpose and stay focused to fulfill that plan. Wake up each day knowing where you're headed, which direction you're taking and what you are going to accomplish--and then stick with it! Don't allow the distractions and busyness of life get you off course. Ask yourself, "Is what I'm doing moving me towards my God-given destiny? Is this my purpose in life, or am I just wasting time being busy and not really making any progress? Proverbs 4:25 says, "Keep your eyes fixed straight ahead. Don't look to the left and don't look to the right. "Don't be distracted and spend your time and energy on things that are not helping you fulfill your destiny.
Remember, God's plans are blessed, and as you walk in His plan for your life, you will experience His abundance in everything you set your hand to!
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the plan that You have for my life. Help me set my schedule to accomplish Your will today. Thank You for the Holy Spirit who is my Comforter and leads and guides me into all truth. Help me honor You in all Ido today.
Posted by: Anthony D. Carter
on Dec 26, 2009
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All of life is based on principles and follows patterns. Patterns are ways in which the universe operates. Seedtime and harvest is a pattern.
We become successful and prosper when we base our life on principles and find the patterns that work for us. Ask God to show you your Pattern.
Posted by: Anthony D. Carter
on Oct 19, 2009
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Please do not take for granted where you sit this night. For the knowledge and the anointing that I will give unto thee will soon cause you to take flight—to come to another level of that which I have called you to. And even in doing so, the things you have struggled with, I am the Lord and I will bring you through. Do not allow the reports that you hear in this world each day to deter you, and cause you to sway. For I am the Lord, and I have already determined the way. This night your ears will be anointed to hear. For all that you need to know is dwelling near. So with hunger, reach out and taste and see. For I am going to cause those things that I have promised you to be. Now do not worry about the things that are to come, for I am about to bring the works of the devil to none. And he will not be victorious, not at all against thee. For you are the generation I will cause to see my glory and my anointing as it begins to rise up in these last days. And in these days, I’ll instruct you in the way. So go and prepare yourself as if that day is here. And begin to rejoice because my coming is indeed near. So these are great and wonderful times; don’t take it for granted at all. For I, the Lord thy God, will cause mighty things that will make the devil seem extremely small. Small he is and small he will be, but you are the generation—my glory you will see. So begin to rejoice and be exceedingly glad. You are not going to be last; you are going to be first at last. So begin to rejoice and know that my Word is true. For whatever you are in the midst of, I am about to bring you through, said the Spirit of the living God.
Posted by: Anthony D. Carter
on Sep 15, 2009
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When we were baptized, we were buried with Christ and shared his death. So, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the wonderful power of the Father, we also can live a new life. Romans 6:4 God's Word is clear: When we genuinely invite Him to reign over our hearts, and when we accept His transforming love, we are forever changed. When we welcome Christ into our hearts, an old life ends and a new way of living---along with a completely new way of viewing the world---begins. Each morning offers a fresh opportunity to invite Christ, yet once again, to rule over our hearts and our days. Each morning presents yet another opportunity to take up His cross and follow in His footsteps. Today, let us rejoice in the new life that is ours through Christ, and let us follow Him, step by step, on the path He first walked. Heavenly Father, renew in me the passion to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Make the experience of my conversion real and fresh so that I might be an effective witness for You. Amen
Posted by: Anthony D. Carter
on Sep 8, 2009
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God knows that sometimes the greatest miracle is not the miraculous supply of money---it is when we learn money discipline.
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