Mended Institute

Morning Bliss:  Jesus is Our Advocate_ Focal Scripture : 1 John 2:1; These things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous"                     Read: 1 John 2:1-2 The Christian's goal, John says quite frankly, is total sanctification, complete victory over sin in our own life. John is not satisfied, and neither is the Holy Spirit who inspired Him to write these words, with a half-way Christianity. It is not good enough to live a more holy life than your next door neighbor; it is not good enough to simply avoid the "big" sins like murder or adultery. No, John insists, my goal for you is for you to completely mortify the sin that so easily besets you ( Heb. 12:1c ) . Pride, gluttony, worry, fear, selfishness, lying, and lust should all meet with a zero-tolerance determination in our spirit. We should never be content to allow any sin to set up ...

Morning Bliss:  _Boldness by the blood!_ Focal Scripture : Hebrews 10:19; [We have] boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus"                Read: Hebrews 10:17-22 Access to the Holy God who created us is the most precious commodity in the universe. So precious, in fact, that no person can afford it, can purchase it with any amount of money or sacrifice or even personal godliness. This is the lesson we are meant to learn from the Old Testament sacrificial system of worship. The innermost room (the "holiest") of the temple was where God’s presence was experienced in a special way. Yet the writer of Hebrews reminds us that there is only one way to access the presence of God. What thousands of priests, over hundreds of years, could never accomplish - what billions of people over thousands of generations have never been able to do for themselves - Jesus did for sinners once and for all through His death. We have boldn...

Morning Bliss: Am Reconciled!_ Focal Scripture : Colossians 1:21-22; You, that were...alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight."                   Read: Colossians 1:20-22 One word with which Paul frequently sums up the accomplishment of the cross is "reconciliation," the bringing together of two parties that were previously at odds. Here in Colossians Paul describes in detail why this reconciliation was necessary. First, you (and every other human being) were alienated from God, pitted against Him both in your mind and in your wicked actions. There is not a person in the world who is by nature at peace with God. While we love to invent our own ideas and images of God, we resist His authority over us and His self-revelation to us, in the Bible. We would a thousand times rather live our o...

Morning Bliss: Slain Enmity! _ Focal Scripture : Ephesians 2:16; That He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby"                   Read : Ephesians 2:13-17 What a strange phrase! Slaying enmity, putting to death hostility, slaughtering antagonism. But this is the paradox of the cross. By being put to death for us, Christ put to death the hostility that existed between us and God. The point that Paul is making in this particular passage is that Christ has reconciled both Jews and Gentiles to God -- there was no one who did not need Christ's peacemaking work on their behalf. No one, not even the most devout Jew, was at peace with God's perfect standard. God's anger, His just wrath, hangs over every human being, demanding punishment for our rebellion against His good law. Simultaneously, humanity, by nature, is opposed to God and to His demands on us. This is the mutual enmity, the co...

Morning Bliss: Jesus, Our Faith Base_ Focal Scripture : Hebrews 12:2; Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God"                     Read: Heb. 12:1-3 We learn many things as we look to Jesus on the cross. We learn how to suffer pain, we learn how to endure injustice, we learn how to respond with goodness. But there is infinitely more to the cross than good examples set by a sorrowful martyr. When we see the cross correctly, we see far more than that -- we see that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, and we see that the cross was a milestone on the way to a joyful coronation. Jesus is the author and finisher of saving faith because of what he accomplished at the cross. His work of putting away our sins and transfusing us with his righteousness is what faith springs f...

Morning Bliss: Nailed Our Sin to His Cross_ Focal Scripture : Colossians 2:14; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross"                     Read: Col. 2:11-14 Two things must not be missed: first, Jesus is the one doing the nailing at the cross. While it is true that he allowed the Roman soldiers to pin him down and pierce his hands and feet, fastening His body to the wood of the cross -- it is also true that ultimately Jesus was in control of the entire situation. Jesus prophesied of the cross before He ever hung on it; he also reminded His disciples that no one was able to take his life from him, but rather he would lay it down for his people. Jesus had come into the world for a purpose, and that purpose was to die, the just for the unjust, on the cross. Ultimately, it was Jesus who was nailing our sins to his cross when ...

Morning Bliss: Crucified In Jesus_ Focal Scripture : Romans 6:6; Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."                      Read : Rom. 6:6-14 When you by faith look at Jesus on the cross, do you see yourself perhaps in the place of those who stood far away from the gruesome scene, observing and grieving but at a distance? Or do you feel like the thief that hung next to Jesus and asked for a part in his kingdom, trusting in the fact that this mangled, crucified man is also your Lord who is about to come into his kingdom? While both of these positions depict our relationship to Christ to some degree, what Paul wants us to see, when we look by faith at the cross, is ourselves crucified with Jesus -- not just far off from him, or next to him, but hanging with him on the cross. "Crucified In Him" , depicts, You in Him, that's a...

Morning Bliss: The Cross for my sake_ Focal Scripture : Isaiah 53:5; He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities."                    Read: Isaiah 53:3-7 It was love that sent Jesus to the cross. It was "the joy set before him" that kept Jesus on the cross. But it was our sins that necessitated the cross. Why couldn't Jesus simply come to earth and preach and call for repentance and then go back into heaven? Why was it not good enough for him to live a perfect life and then return to his Father in heaven? It was because sins, before a holy and just and good God, require punishment. Because God is just, he will not allow us to go free without punishing our sins. That would be like a judge letting a convicted serial killer back onto the streets.  Because God is good, He will avenge every one of the countless wrongs in the world. He will not allow victims of violence and deceit to be victims fo...

Morning Bliss: Sin Effects_ Focal Scripture : Psalm 81:12; I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels."                 Read: Psalm 81:10-12 Sin results in separation from God. But here we are also reminded that it means being joined completely to our own desires and schemes. At first glance, this might not sound so bad. While we certainly don't want to be separated from God, the thought of being married to our own desires and plans doesn't seem to be much of a penalty. Isn't that more like a dream come true? In reality this is judgment; this is punishment. Those who persist in sin and rebellion, God leaves to their own lust and allows them to walk in their own counsels. But notice that it does not say that the lust is fulfilled, or that the plans prosper. When God gives a person up to his own lusts, his lusts consume him without end, because there is no true or lasting or deep satisfaction apart...

Morning Bliss: Sin and Its Effects_ Focal Scripture : Genesis 2:17; Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."                       Read: Gen. 2:15-17 The scene of Adam and Eve's sin in the Garden of Eden provides a nutshell perspective of many vital truths that are further explored and expanded upon throughout the remainder of Scripture -- we see the devil's desire to undermine our faith in God, our tendency to view God's protections as kill-joy restrictions, a spouse's potential to build up or tear down, and the dangerous allure of the mysterious or unknown. Perhaps the most poignant reminder, though, as we gaze at the sickening sight of perfection being seduced into rebellion, is the fact that even the seemingly smallest sins have enormous and eternal and horrific consequences. There is no such thing as "getting away" with ...

Morning Bliss: Sin through One Man' Focal Scripture : Romans 5:12; Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned."                  Read: Romans 5:12-16 Can one man make a difference? Human history shouts in the affirmative. One man, one woman, one child can have an enormous impact, either for good or evil. Adam, by eating of the fruit which God had forbidden, plunged himself and all his posterity into sin. And the inevitable result of sin was death. The world is full of "if onlys". If only Adam had not eaten of that fruit! If only the people had listened to Noah's preaching! If only Moses had not lost his temper! If only Peter had stood up for Jesus! On the other hand, the world is full of "what ifs". What if Abraham had not faithfully followed God's command? What if David had not stood up to Goliath? What if Paul had not written to the churches?...

Morning Bliss: Do not Serve Sin!- Focal Scripture : Rom.6:6; Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."                   Read: Romans 6:5-8 When you by faith look at Jesus on the cross, do you see yourself perhaps in the place of those who stood far away from the gruesome scene, observing and grieving but at a distance? Or do you feel like the thief that hung next to Jesus and asked for a part in His kingdom, trusting in the fact that this mangled, crucified man is also your Lord who is about to come into his kingdom? While both of these positions depict our relationship to Christ to some degree, what Paul wants us to see, when we look by faith at the cross, is ourselves crucified with Jesus -- not just far off from Him, or next to Him, but hanging with Him on the cross. Our old man, Paul says, is crucified with Him. This is attention-...

Morning Bliss: LET CHRIST LIVE THROUGH US!- Focal Scripture : Matthew 9:9, "And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him."      Read: Matt. 9:9-10, Mark 2:14-15 To "follow" means to come or go after; move behind in the same direction; to come or go with; to accept the guidance or leadership of; to adhere to the cause or principles of; to be governed by; obey; comply with (Jn. 10:27-29; Rom. 10:9-10, 13). When a person first comes to Jesus, it is impossible to know everything that following Jesus entails. No one, however, should be fearful of making a total commitment because of some imagined problem that may never come to pass. There should be a willingness to forsake everything to follow Jesus. Once we make that decision, then Christ begins to live through us and we find a strength that is not our own, equal to whatever test we may ...

Morning Bliss: Never Ending Life! Focal Scripture : John 11:26; Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?."                  Read: John. 11:21-27 In this single verse containing Jesus' words, we find a statement and a question. No statement -- no question -- could be more important for every reader to consider.  Permit me to tag today's subject again _(Eternal Life Pt. 3)_ ..We have dwelled on this subject and we could notice dimensions Jesus used to bring eternal life explained to us and how to gain this life.  Jesus stakes his own word and his own person on this promise -- if you are spiritually alive and put your trust and hope in him, then you will never die. That is quite a promise! Especially in the face of all the decay, destruction, and death with which we are surrounded on a daily basis. Is it possible to escape death, to defy the laws of nature? Jesus says it is. But not in o...

Morning Bliss: Eternal Life! -Pt. 2 Focal Scripture : John 6:40; And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up, at the last day."                   Read: John 6:36-40 In his perfect life, sacrificial death, and triumphant resurrection, Jesus proved that he was sent from God. And here John records for us Jesus' own description of the will of God, which sent him. This is the will of him that sent me, Jesus says, that everyone who has eyes to see me for Who I am, and believes on me, will have everlasting life. How do you see Jesus? Do you see him as a good teacher? As a prophet even? Or do you see him (as he claims in this very same verse) to be the One who has the power to raise the dead when the world comes to an end? To truly see the Son, Jesus clearly implies, is to believe on him. It is one thing to give mental assent to a s...

Morning Bliss: Eternal Life! - Focal Scripture : 1 John 5:11; And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son."                   Read: 1 John. 5:10-13 There are some things in life you can do without. You can survive without smartphones, shopping malls, or football games. You can even get by without life insurance, 401(k) plans, or home equity. But you cannot do without the Son of God. God has given us eternal life. What a mercy! What a revelation! Everything in our experience screams to us that our life is temporary. Pets rotate through our life; family members die; we get older. Nothing lives forever. But God has given us eternal life! How can mere mortals live forever? Certainly not in their own strength or by their own ingenuity. No, God has given us eternal life, but this life is in his Son Jesus Christ. Only the source of life Himself can carry us through death and bring us into ...

Morning Bliss: Redemption Reality Focal Scripture : Galatians 3:13; Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us."                    Read: Galatians 3:10-13 God is holy. God is perfect. And because God is perfect, he demands perfection of us. He reflects his perfect expectations for us in the perfect law that he has given us. But we have not perfectly obeyed God's law; and so now we are in a perfect mess. We are in the terrible predicament of being sinners who must one day give an account to a holy God for our sinful actions. What hope do we have of surviving the judgment day that God says is coming? The only hope in all the world is that your sins were paid for by Christ when He died on the cross. Because if Christ died for you, then he has taken upon himself the punishment for your sins. The curse that the law demands was put upon Christ as he hung on the cross. If your sins were put upon C...

Morning Bliss: A lifestyle Check Focal Scripture :   Matthew 7:20, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."                 Read: Matthew 7:12-20 The way that you can tell whether a person is genuine or not is by the fruit they produce. This fruit is speaking of lifestyle. Jesus made the point that you don't get bad fruit from a good tree, and you don't get good fruit from a bad tree. Many people say one thing, but their actions speak so loudly that you really can't hear what they are saying. If you are in doubt about whether a person is genuine or not, or whether you should receive from them and follow their teaching, look at the fruit they are producing. In evaluating ministers and ministries, more attention should be given to the fruit that is being produced. Failure to do this could lead someone to reject and even discredit a minister who simply makes a mistake or is wrong in one area. Every minister has shortcoming...

Morning Bliss: No condemnation! -  Focal Scripture : Romans 8:1; there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."                      Read: Rom. 8:1-14 Here we find two descriptions of the same person -- the person that is in Christ Jesus. Those that are in Christ Jesus are described first by their position and then by their practice. They have no condemnation against them, Paul says, and they walk after the Spirit instead of the flesh. No condemnation! Because God is completely holy, even our greatest deeds and thoughts are sin-soaked, filthy rags in his perfect sight. We stand guilty before a virtuous and fair judge; justice will be served (he will not compromise his own righteousness in order to have mercy on us) and so we must be condemned. But those who are in Christ have their punishment transferred to Jesus, so that they are with...