Holy Spirit Empowerment Is Vital In Living The Paschal Mystery

Reference Scripture: Acts 19:1-7, 'Jesus' Holy Spirit baptism and John's water baptism'

Key Verse:  Paul said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? (Acts 19:2a) 


The sacraments of  Baptism involves cleansing of the human mind (Romans 8:1-8). In today's Epistle, the baptism of John, which Apollos taught and practiced involved inner mental cleansing and moral and ethical reformation. John's Baptism introduces mankind into a great and important reformed movement. The baptism of Jesus involves water baptism and stresses empowerment by the Holy Spirit for deliverance from the spiritual death of the mind of the flesh, and resurrection into the life, and the spiritual empowerment to live in the mind of the spirit (Luke 4:18-19).

Apollos' twelve disciples lived their religious lives in the mind of the flesh. They received the baptism according to John the Baptist. They had not heard about Jesus' baptism and empowerment in the Holy Spirit. These sincere believers missed the very essence of the Gospel of Christ, Holy Spirit-based deliverance from slavery to sin, and resurrection from spiritual death, as revealed in Jesus Christ. Apollos' ministry was not quickened nor empowered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-2).


Apollo and his followers had limited, intellectual concepts and knowledge of truth in the Gospel of Christ. In the mind of the flesh, they focused on water baptism, moral and ethical reformation. Because they practiced their religion in the mind of the flesh, their worship, sacraments, prayers and services were neither pleasing nor acceptable to God (Acts 19:3).


In the mind of the spirit, confession of sin, and the water baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin are important but only initial steps in salvation. As revealed in Jesus Christ as Messiah, resurrection from spiritual death comes through proper mental alignment, faith in Christ's incarnation, and empowerment by the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery. Within witnessing paschal faith communities, the Holy Spirit unites believers in Christ. In the mind of the spirit, the Holy Spirit guides and empowers spiritually awake believers in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, to discern, proclaim and manifest the fruit and gifts of the spirit, in their daily lives and ministries (Acts 19:4-5).

Through Paul's ministry of affirmation, proclamation and reconciliation, twelves followers of Apollos received and were empowered by the Holy Spirit. They manifested the spiritual gifts of prophesy and tongues. They experienced what Jesus meant by being born of water and of the spirit. They knew the experiences of spiritual awakening and being born from above (Acts 19:6-7).


Have you been baptized, guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit since you believed? Are you in the mind of the spirit, following Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery? Are you, within witnessing paschal faith community, passing over from spiritual death into the new and eternal life in Christ?
 

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Reconciliation And Adoption In Living The Paschal Mystery

Key Scripture: Galatians 4:4-7, 'Reconciliation and adoption through Christ's Incarnation'.


Key Verse: 'And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying "ABBA"!, Father ! (Galatians 4:6). 


The mystery of the Feast of Christmas is the birth and manifestation of the incarnate Christ (ADONAI, JEHOVAH), God's image and likeness, in human flesh (Genesis 1:26-31). By following Jesus Christ as Messiah in living the Paschal Mystery in the mind of the spirit, all mankind can be delivered from slavery to sin in the mind of the flesh. In faith, humility and obedience, we can all pass over into the freedom and abundant life in Christ, in the mind of the spirit (John 6:36).


In the fullness of time God sent Christ, the Son Begotten Only of the Father, in the power of the Holy Spirit to be incarnate in Jesus Christ, as mankind's Messiah and Divine messenger. In Jesus Christ God has revealed mankind's full humanity and mankind's full divinity in and through Christ, in the mind of the spirit (Genesis 1:31). It is through the incarnation of Christ, God's image and likeness in the spiritual body of every person, that men are no longer strangers to salvation. By faith we have become members of the universal and mystical body of Christ, in the mind of the spirit (Romans 8:1-11, Galatians 4:4).

As children and heirs of God in Christ, in the mind of the spirit, spiritually awake believers in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups experience the Godhead's Spirit-based redemption and spirit-based second birth in Christ. In the mind of the spirit, believers are lifted beyond themselves and their cultures, into the universal, Christ-centered, born again experience. In spiritual adoption by faith, in the mind of the spirit, these believers are born from above (Romans 8:9-13, Galatians 4:5).


By the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ as Messiah, was made perfect man in human flesh, in the Virgin Mary his mother. Through the mystery of Christ's incarnation in Jesus Christ, and in all who follow him in living the Paschal Mystery, believers are delivered from the bondage and slavery to sin. In the mind of the spirit believers receive power to become children of God. In this spiritual adoption, God has sent Christ, the Spirit of His Son, into believers hearts crying "ABBA!" Father! (Galatians 4:6).


Christ-centered spiritually awake believers in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups are no longer strangers to salvation, nor slaves to sin in the mind of the flesh. By faith, humility and obedience and following Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery in the mind of the spirit, they are now children and heirs to God, through Christ (Galatians 4:7).


Do you now have a clearer understanding of the mystery of the Feast of Christmas, the birth and manifestation of the incarnate Christ (ADONAI, JEHOVAH), God's image and likeness, in human flesh (Genesis 1:26-31)? Are you following Jesus Christ as Messiah, in living the Paschal Mystery, in the mind of the spirit, so you can be delivered from slavery to sin, in the mind of the flesh? Are you in faith, humility and obedience, within witnessing paschal faith community, passing over into the freedom, love, grace, truth and abundant life in Christ, in the mind of the spirit (John 6:36)?

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Embracing Christ's Scepter Of Righteousness In Living The Paschal Mystery

Reference Scripture: Hebrews 1:5-9, 'Righteousness is the scepter of Christ's kingdom'.

Key verse: But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom" (Hebrews 1:8).


A scepter is a rod or staff borne in the hands of a bishop. It is a symbol of authority and power as the shepherd of the flock. Scepters may be tipped with a cross, an eagle, a dove or precious jewels. In today's Epistle, the scepter of God's kingdom in Christ (ADONAI, JEHOVAH), here on earth, as revealed in Jesus Christ, is the scepter of God's righteousness, the mind of the spirit  (Romans 8:1-4, Hebrews 1:7-8).


Now within witnessing paschal faith communities in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, the scepter of righteousness is a state of harmony and proper mental alignment, established in the consciousness of believers. Righteousness is the right use of our minds and our God-given attributes, in kingdom living here on earth. Being clothe in Christ's scepter of righteous as describe by Paul, within witnessing paschal faith communities, is believers casting out the mind of the flesh and clothing themselves in the mind and life of the spirit (Romans 1:12-17). 


Christ-centered righteousness, working in harmony with the Holy Spirit, brings forth forgiveness of sins and casting out the mind of the flesh. By clothing themselves in the mind of the spirit, believers experience the Christ-centered salvation, power and authority of the whole man - soul, mind, emotions, body and relationships - to practice kingdom living here on earth. In the mind of the spirit, the eternal and abundant life in Christ, can be realized, while here on earth.    


Christ as the Son of God, is the very likeness and image of the Godhead. This Only Begotten Son of God is the eternal Word in action, wisdom constitutive and comprehensive of all, and creative force in all persons and all things. In Christ, God governs righteously and enforces the righteous thought life and righteous behavior in mankind. Christ is true Son of the true Father, invisible of invisible, incorruptible of incorruptible, immortal of immortal, and eternal of eternal (Hebrews 1:5). 


Jesus Christ is the first born of the eternal Sons of God, in human flesh. In Jesus Christ as Messiah dwells the full incarnation and manifestation of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9). The scepter of Jesus Christ here on earth, is the scepter of God's righteousness. In the mind of the spirit, God's scepter of righteousness is revealed in the Christ-centered, Holy Spirit-based  preaching, healing and teaching of Jesus Christ. Christ's scepter of righteousness is revealed here on earth, in the incarnate priesthood of Christ as (ADONAI, JEHOVAH) in Jesus Christ and in the earthy shepherding of Jesus Christ, as Messiah (Hebrews 1:6). 


In the mind of the spirit, spiritually awake believers discern that wind and fire and other elements in nature are ministers of God. They are subject to the control of the Godhead in Christ-centered believers, who in the mind of the spirit, follow Jesus Christ in living the  Paschal Mystery. In the same way angels, as ministering spirits are also servant of God, here on earth (Hebrews 1:7). 

Down through the ages and generations, Christ-centered spiritually awake believers recognize the dominion and eternal reign of Christ, as the invisible and incarnate Logos in the New Testament and ADONAI and JEHOVAH in the Old Testament. Believers know that Christ's reign in Jesus Christ and in all believers in established, sustained and maintained in the mind of the spirit (Philippians 2:5). No human being is truly himself or human institution truly successful, without honoring Christ as Owner, Master and Lord. All rebellion against the incarnate Christ as Lord and Savior, and attempts to live outside of Christ's reign are sins against the Godhead. These sins are all centered in the inappropriate and erroneous dominion of the mind of the flesh (Romans 8:5-11, Hebrews 1:8).     

When following Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery, believers are admonished in today's Epistle to cast out the mind of the flesh and clothe themselves in the mind of the spirit (Mark 8:34, Romans 8:5-6, Philippians 2:5). Believers are reminded that Christ establishes God's kingdom on earth, through believers who discern, think, feel, speak and act in the mind of the spirit. The revelation, establishing and manifestation of the kingdom of God remain hidden, delayed and not manifested, when believers within witnessing paschal faith communities, refuse to clothe themselves in Christ's scepter of righteousness and choose to live their lives in the inappropriate dominion, condemnation, darkness and rebellion of mind of the flesh (Romans 1:1-11, Hebrews 1:9).    


Today's epistle Hebrews 1:1-12 was written to remove all false teaching, and misconception about the eternal Christ, as God's invisible image and likeness, in the spiritual body of Jesus Christ and all persons (Genesis 1:26-27). Christ as the eternal king of glory, came down from heaven, as the eternal, invisible Son of God. In the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ became fully incarnate in Jesus Christ as Messiah, in the virgin Mary's womb, to save mankind from bondage and slavery to sin, in the mind of the flesh. By repentance, faith, humility and obedience, all mankind can re-establish kingdom living here on earth, by following Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery, in the mind of the spirit  (Genesis 1:28-31, Matthew 6:7-13, Romans 8:12-17).    

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Paradise Regained In Living The Paschal Mystery

Reference Scripture: Romans 16:25-27, ‘Paul declares the Paschal Mystery’.

Key Verse: “Now to God, who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages” (Romans 16:25)

In Colossians 1:27, the apostle Paul proclaims the truth of the Paschal Mystery, "Christ in you, the hope of glory". Paul boldly declares the hidden truth of Christ's presence and paschal work in individual persons and within witnessing paschal faith communities, which have been hidden, down through the ages and generations. Paul assures us that in Jesus Christ as Messiah, these hidden truths of mankind actually dwelling in Paradise, the highest state of Christ consciousness here on earth, are now revealed and experienced as realities, in spiritually awake Jews and Gentiles (Romans 16:25-27). 


The hidden truth revealed in Paul's benediction is that Christ, as ADONAI /JEHOVAH, eternally dwells in the spiritual body of Jesus Christ and all persons. Repentance, seeking, serving and obeying Christ in all persons, remain the Godhead's established foundation and basis for mankind's past, present and future hope of forgiveness of sin, freedom from the bondage of sin, redemption, salvation and glory, while dwelling here on earth (Genesis 1:26-27, Romans 16:25a). The glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together, in the mind of the spirit (Isaiah 40.5).   

During the Advent season, Christ-centered, spiritually awake believers, in the mind of the spirit remember and celebrate the conception, birth and revelation of the initial aspects of the Paschal Mystery, in Jesus Christ, as Messiah. They seek and celebrate the fuller incarnation of the presence, redemptive work and manifestation of Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, in their lives, by remembering Mary, Jesus' mother and following Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery (Luke 1:46-55, 4:16-21, 9:23-24). According to Paul's Gospel, as revealed in Jesus Christ, the initial human mental alignment, incarnation and birth of Christ in human flesh occurred by the faith, surrender and obedience of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, in the Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 16:25a).   

In today epistle, the apostle Paul goes to great lengths to make all mankind aware that this mystery of Christ's indwelling, incarnation and birth in human flesh, through the spiritual body of every person, has been kept secret for ages and generations. These aspects of the Paschal Mystery were fully revealed in the incarnation and birth of Jesus Christ as Messiah, two thousand years ago. Because the religious leaders and authorities in Jesus' Jewish religion at that time, practiced their religion in the spiritual blindness of the mind of the flesh, they could not discern, and could not truly know who Jesus Christ was, even though he was born, grew up and lived as Messiah, in their midst and among them (John 1:26; Romans 8:1-11, 16:25b). In the mind of the flesh, these believers experienced Paradise Lost, even though Jesus Christ lived, worshipped, taught, and performed miracles, within their witnessing paschal faith community.  

In the mind of the spirit, the apostle Paul affirms that all mankind will discern that the Godhead mysteriously dwells in the spiritual body of not only ofJesus Christ but all persons as Christ, God's image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27, Colossians 1:24-29). Because of this fact, the Gospel of Christ, as revealed in Jesus Christ is universally applicable and can be effectively applied in very practical ways in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups. God requires Christ centered, repentance, faith, humility and obedience, in the mind of the spirit, when any human being chooses to follow Jesus Christ as Messiah in discerning and seeking the realization of this initial incarnation aspect of the Paschal Mystery, in one's own life (Romans 1:8-11, 16:26).

The bible declares that in Jesus Christ as Messiah, the Godhead's incarnate presence was initially revealed and fully manifested in human flesh. Under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, God's infinite wisdom, power and eternal glory in human flesh were fully manifested in Jesus Christ ( Luke 4:16-21, Colossians 2:9). In his faith, humility and obedience Jesus Christ revealed and fully manifested the Godhead's eternal reign in human flesh, while he dwelt among us and in our midst, in his physical body (John 5:19, 30; Romans 16:27). Christ-centered spiritually awake believers rejoice without shame, as they are now  beholding Christ appearing, mysteriously, in and through their spiritual bodies.

In today's epistle, the apostle Paul discusses God's universal plan of spiritual awakening, spiritual formation and spiritual regeneration in the hearts, minds and lives of repentant, humble and obedient believers, who choose to follow Jesus Christ, in living the Paschal Mystery, in the mind of the spirit. The miracle of being born form above always take place according to God's Metanoia Method, as revealed in Jesus Christ (Mark 1:14-15). The gospel of Christ, as revealed, taught and manifested in Jesus Christ, is God's universal Metanoia Method by which all mankind are delivered from bondage and slavery to sin and pass over into the paradise of the Godhead's freedom, love, glory, grace, truth and love in Christ. Paradise on earth is now being revealed, regained and fully manifested in mankind, in the mind of the spirit, when we steadfastly follow Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery ( Luke 9:21-27), Romans 8:1-11).
    

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God's Will For Believers In Living The Paschal Mystery

Reference Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, ‘The Apostle Paul’s final exhortation, benediction and prayer’.

Key Verse: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17).

Christ-centered spiritually awake believers seek is to live in the newness and fullness of this present life in Christ, in the mind of the spirit (Romans 8:1-11). These believers in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups patiently await the coming, revelation, incarnation and manifestation of Christ (ADONAI, Jehovah) in power and glory in their souls, hearts, minds, emotions and bodies, through their spiritual bodies. They seek the manifestation of the completion of God's purpose for the world as revealed in Jesus Christ, as Messiah.  

   

In today's Epistle 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, the apostle Paul exhorts believers who seek and follow Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery, to rejoice always, as they anticipate Christ's coming, not in weakness but in power, to make all things new. Paul urge them to pray without ceasing and steadfastly trust that in God's presence, all who have chosen to serve God, will grow in Christ's love, grace and truth, until they see Christ as he is (1 Thessalonians 5:16).

Paul assure these believers that Jesus Christ as Messiah, is faithful in revealing and fulfilling God's eternal plan of salvation for all mankind. God's promises of forgiveness of sins, redemption and abundant life are manifested and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. With Joy these spiritually awake believers await the coming and full revelation of Christ, the eternal judge both the living and the dead, as revealed in Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:17).      

Paul reminds believers that it is the will of God that they give thanks in all things and in all circumstances. Frequent practices of thanksgiving are encouraged, within witnessing paschal faith communities. Paul suggests that persistent attitudes of thankfulness are vital in Christ-centered spiritual awakening, spiritual formation and spiritual maturity, after resurrection from spiritual death, in Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:18).   

When living within Christ-centered, Holy Spirit-based witnessing faith communities, Paul cautions believers about the seriousness of committing sins against the Holy Spirit. In Mark 3:28-30 Jesus declared to religious leaders in his own religion, "Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven of their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never be forgiven, but is guilty of eternal sin - for they said the he (Jesus Christ) has an unclean spirit". Paul cautioned believers not to quench the Holy Spirit. He also advised them not to despise prophesies, spoken forth by believers within their witnessing paschal faith communities (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20).  

   

Paul reminded these believers that in the mind of the spirit, they should prove all things. It is the will of God that all believers should, cast out the mind of the flesh and hold fast to that which is good. Believers should, with God's help, shun and abstain from that with is evil (Romans 8:1-11, Philippians 4:8-9, 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).

   

In 1 Thessalonians 5:23 the apostle Paul prayed this prayer. "May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our our Lord, Jesus Christ". He reminds believers that God, who has called all mankind to repentance and faith in Christ, will bring peace, sanctification, soundness and blamelessness at the coming and revelation of Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:24) 

Are you seeking is to live in the newness and fullness of this present life, in Christ, within your witnessing paschal faith community? Are you by faith and with God's help, patiently awaiting the coming, revelation, incarnation and manifestation of Christ in power and glory in your life, and within your witnessing paschal faith community? Are you seeking the manifestation of the completion of God's purposes for the world, as revealed in Jesus Christ? 

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Repentance As Preparation For Living The Paschal Mystery

Scripture Text: 2 Peter 3:8-15a 'God's Promise of Christ's coming is sure'.

Key verses:
"The Lord is not slow about his promises, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).
"But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth where righteousness is at home" (2 Peter 3:13).


Today's Epistle 2 Peter 3:9 declares that the Lord (ADONAI) does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance and attain salvation. Repentance involves changing one's mind and outlook. It is seeing God, oneself, other persons, circumstances and conditions from God's point of view. Repentance means seeing our relationships with God and other people in an entirely new and divine perspective. Repentance is people turning from error to truth, from darkness to light, and from death to life.


From God's divine perspective, repentance is the human initiative of mental preparation which God requires for mankind to be delivered from slavery to sin and pass over into the freedom of God's love in Christ. The Godhead is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. The Godhead in eternal and changeless. God does not measure time as humans do. With the Godhead, there is no delay in the coming and revelation of Christ (ADONAI, JEHOVAH). The Godhead and the kingdom of heaven are forever within us, among us and in our midst  (Luke 17:20-21, 2 Peter 3:8)


Mankind's failure to discern and experience the revelation and coming of Christ is based on mankind's avoidance, denial and rejection of the eternal spiritual dimension of our human lives. In the mind of the flesh mankind cannot discern God's presence, faithfulness and promises. God therefore demands that all mankind repent from the mind of the flesh and clothe themselves in the mind of the spirit. The bible declared that in the mind of the flesh all human beings, traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups continue to suffer, perish, are destroyed and ultimately die (Romans 8:1-11). In the mind of the flesh, divine delays, God's long suffering and forbearance are misunderstood (2 Peter 3:9).


In the mind of the spirit however, mankind discerns God's faithfulness and the truth of God's word. In the mid of the spirit, believers experience God's sure promise of mankind's salvation, as proclaimed and revealed in Jesus Christ. In the mind of the  spirit, the  Man of Lawlessness is revealed, cast down and destroyed. The end times, the day of the Lord and the coming of Christ are all revealed and experienced in the spiritually awake believer, as thief in the night. These mysterious paschal experiences are often sudden, unexpected, and unexplainable, but always very real. They are frequently discerned as unitive experiences (Romans 8:12-17, 2 Peter 3:10).


In today's epistle, the apostle Paul outlines the faith, mindsets, attitudes and actions which Christ-centered, Holy Spirit-based believers should have, within witnessing paschal faith communities, in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, throughout our planet earth? By steadfastly following Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery in the mind of the spirit, believers discern the need to practice daily repentance, not only for forgiveness of sins, but for spiritual formation and growth in righteousness. In the power of the Holy Spirit they are able to conduct their lives in holiness, godliness and peace, as they await and facilitate the coming, incarnation and manifestation of Christ in their personal lives, witnessing faith communities and throughout our planet (Romans 8:18-29,  Peter 3:11-12).  


By embracing life on earth in the mind of the spirit, these believers enter and dwell in new heavens and the new earth. Jesus declared that God's kingdom promises are fulfilled and inhabited by those who practice Christ-centered righteousness, agape love, compassion, mercy, civility, grace, peace and truth. Through the indwelling presence and power of the incarnate Godhead, believer seek to be morally, ethically and spiritually perfect (Matthew 6:33, 2 Peter 3:13).


Are you ready, willing and prepared to practice the repentance which God requires for salvation and kingdom living among all mankind, here on earth? Will you follow Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery, in the mind of the spirit, by casting down inappropriate left brain hemisphere dominion? Will you practice kingdom living, within witnessing paschal faith community here on earth, in the mind of the spirit, by embracing and daily practical application of appropriate right brain hemisphere dominion, in your personal and community life and relationships?


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Called And Fully Equipped To Live The Paschal Mystery

1 Corinthians 1:1-9, 'Called, enriched and fully equipped for the revelation of Christ'

In today's epistle 1 Corinthians 1:9, the apostle Paul focuses on the mysteries of Christ's (ADONAI'S) first and second coming in human flesh. Proper mental alignment and receptivity are need for human beings to experience the incarnation and manifestation of the Godhead, which Jesus Christ knew and proclaimed as Messiah (Colossians 2:6-15). Christ-centered, Holy Spirit-based spiritual awakening is the key to following Jesus Christ in living this Paschal Mystery. Christ (ADONAI) must be central and preeminent in these believers' identification and use of their talents, virtues and spiritual gifts, within witnessing paschal faith communities.


Witnessing paschal faith communities are groups of people in all the world traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, who share the same universal, Christ-centered, Holy Spirit-based faith, which Jesus Christ proclaimed, taught and modeled as Messiah. Like Jesus Christ, they seek to pass over from life on earth in the mind of the flesh, into the new and glorified life in the Godhead, in the mind of the spirit, while in our present physical bodies. These believers therefore choose to follow Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery.

Christ (ADONAI), the invisible, spiritual image and likeness of God, in the spiritual body of Jesus Christ and all persons is the center of authority, worship, service, identity, faith and fellowship within witnessing paschal faith communities. Christ is their center of power, mission, vision and unity. They experience, proclaim and share God's grace, truth, love, good and peace in and through Christ, in the spiritual body of Jesus Christ and all persons (Genesis 1:26-31, 1 Corinthians 1:1-2).


Within witnessing paschal faith communities, believers seek and serve Christ (ADONAI) in all persons and love their neighbors as themselves. Spiritually awake believers seek, serve and dwell in the mind of the spirit. Their focus is on the things of God and heavenly things (Luke 17:20-21). Spiritually asleep, spiritually blind and spiritually deaf believers on the other hand seek, serve and dwell in the mind of the flesh. Their focus is unfortunately and inappropriately on the things of men and earthly things (Mark 8:31-33, John 18:33-38). Christ's coming, revelation, incarnation and manifestation as Master, Lord and Owner of their destiny and lives, remains the central focus of the witness, sufficiency and proclamation within witnessing paschal faith communities (1 Corinthians 1:3-8).


Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life, within witnessing paschal faith communities (John 14:1-6). As Messiah, Jesus Christ revealed God's appeal and empowerment of all mankind to correctly use the talents, virtues and gifts, which God has given us. The awesome challenge and opportunity which believers in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups have within witnessing paschal faith communities, are to develop mindsets and practices which reflect balanced left brain hemisphere and right brain hemisphere thinking, teaching and behavior in all relationships.

These believers teach and share their sacred texts, holy writing and oracles in literal, metaphorical, metaphysical and mystical designs, interpretations and daily practical applications. They strive for justice and peace among all people. They respect the dignity and uniqueness of every human being. They stress the practices of civility, inclusiveness, honesty, integrity, fairness and self-sacrifice in their daily livers and relationships (1 Corinthians 1:9).

Is Christ (ADONAI) the center of your life as a believer? Is your witnessing faith community focused on being a paschal community? Does your witnessing faith community seek and serve Christ in all persons? 

Is Jesus Christ the way, the truth and the life, within your witnessing faith community?

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Believers' Positions And Living The Paschal Mystery

Reference Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23, 'Believers' positions in Christ' (ADONAI)'


In today's Epistle, Ephesians 1:15-23, the apostle Paul describes believers' different standings and positions with the Godhead, based on their faith in Jesus Christ.  Believers, who choose to live in the mind of the spirit, share with Jesus Christ the mystery, joy and privilege of actually entering and dwelling in God's presence, while here on earth. In the mind of the spirit by faith, they choose to following Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery. Paul prays that in the mind of the spirit, all people will share with Jesus Christ the spiritual blessings and divine inheritance, which God prepared for all mankind, before the foundation of the world.

As a devout, well trained and committed leader and teacher in his own Jewish religion, the apostle Paul knew and could share in this letter, what it truly means to have faith in Jesus Christ. As Saul, in the mind of the flesh, he aggressively rejected and sought to destroy those who believed in and followed Jesus Christ as Messiah, who he only heard about, but never met personally. After his encounter with the risen Christ (ADONAI), and his conversion on the way to Damascus, as Paul in the mind of the spirit, he steadfastly sought to lead both Jews and Gentiles to Christ (ADONAI), as revealed in Jesus Christ (John 14:1-7, Acts 9:1-9, Romans 8:1-39). To Paul these believers in Ephesus who he loved and prayed for, knew and chose to follow Jesus Christ as Messiah, in the mind of the spirit (Ephesians 1:15-16).


In the mind of the spirit, Paul prayed that the indwelling Christ (ADONAI), would give these believers the full wisdom, revelation, enlightenment and spiritual knowledge, which he gained and shared with them about Jesus Christ. In that way they would know the eternal hope to which they are called to follow Jesus Christ, in living the Paschal Mystery, in the mind of the spirit. He therefore prayed that in the mind of the spirit, they would know the spiritual riches and glory of their divine inheritance as saints, now living within witnessing paschal faith communities, here on earth (Luke 17:20-21, Ephesians 1:17-18).


Paul knew and experienced that in the mind of the flesh, the believer's faith and hope in Jesus Christ are limited, erroneous and grossly distorted. In the mind of the spirit however, Paul knew and experienced the awesome height, width, depth, and breath of the believer faith and hope in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:1-4, 1 Corinthians 2: 6-16, Colossians 1:26-27). Paul therefore prayed that in the mind of the spirit, their faith and hope in Jesus Christ would be based on the presence, power and working of Christ (ADONAI), as incarnate Savior, Lord, Owner and Master not only within their personal lives, but also within and throughout their witnessing paschal faith community (Luke 17:20-21, Ephesians 1:19).


Jesus Christ in his life, passion, death, glorification, resurrection and ascension revealed the preeminence and dominion of the indwelling and incarnate Christ (ADONAI) in human flesh. As Messiah, Jesus taught and revealed the new and glorified human life with the Godhead, here on earth, in the mind of the spirit. Jesus Christ is now fully elevated and exalted to heavenly place within the Godhead. Paul declares that in Jesus Christ as Messiah, the Godhead revealed and manifested this awesome power to transform every human life, from bondage and slavery to sin and spiritual death, into the freedom, love, grace and truth of the Godhead, the spiritually resurrected life in Christ, while living in our present human flesh. To the spiritually awake believer, resurrection from spiritual death into spiritual life, spiritual awakening, and spiritual formation are critical and vital born from above human experiences, when following Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery (John 3:1-21, Ephesians 1:20-23).


Do you believe in and follow Jesus Christ as Messiah, in the mind of the flesh or the mind of the spirit? Are you like Jesus Christ, willing to embrace and love equally and gently guide and nurture as brothers and sisters in Christ, those believers within your witnessing paschal faith community, who choose to follow Jesus Christ in the mind of the flesh (Matthew 16:21-28)? Have you in the mind of the spirit, entered into and chosen to experience the heavenly placed in Christ, while in your present physical body? Are you willing to leave the past, present, future and final judgment of yourself and other persons in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups to Christ (ADONAI), in the spiritual body of all persons?


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Living The Paschal Mystery As Children Of Light

Reference Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, 'Living as children of light'

Key verse: For you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not the night or the darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:5). 


Like Jesus Christ, the apostle Paul in today's epistle, discerned that believers who embrace Jesus Christ as Messiah, Savior and Lord, may choose to dwell in the mind of the spirit or dwell in the mind of the flesh, as active members within witnessing paschal faith communities. Believers who followers Jesus Christ in the mind of the Spirit are described as the children of the light and children of the day. Believers who chose to follow Jesus Christ in the mind of the flesh are called the children of the darkness and the children of night (Matthew 5:13-16, Romans 8:12-17, 1 Thessalonians 5:5).
 
Christ-centered, Holy Spirit-based, followers of Jesus Christ have discovered that, spiritual awakening, the day of the Lord and the second coming of Christ (ADONAI), each come to believers as a thief in the night. In the believers life,  spiritual warfare and casting out the mind of the flesh are often experienced like the labor pains, which come on a pregnant woman, just before she delivers her baby. By dwelling in the mind of the flesh, believers block their preparation, readiness and receptiveness for spiritual awakening after resurrection from spiritual death (Romans 8:1-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3).


The apostle Paul in today's epistle, admonishes believers in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethic and secular groups, who choose to follow Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery to be vigilant. He encourages them to reject the mind of the flesh and embrace the mind of the spirit. In the mind of the spirit, spiritually awake brethren realize deliverance from slavery to sin and the confusion of spiritual darkness. In the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ-centered spiritual mindedness believers experience spiritual discernment, spiritual enlightenment and spiritual formation, within witnessing community (1 Thessalonians 5:4-5).


In the mind of the spirit these believers are watchful and sober. In the power of the Holy Spirit, they are empowered to cast aside the mind and works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). As children of light, in the mind of the spirit, spiritually awake believers put on the mind of Christ, and manifest the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-26, 1 Thessalonians 5:6-7).


While living within witnesses paschal faith communities, believers do experience spiritual warfare. As children of the day, Paul therefore admonishes all believes to dwell in the spirit and put on the whole armor of God. He encourages believers to put on the breastplate of faith and love. He admonishes them to put on the helmet of salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:8-9, Ephesians 6:10-20).


In his life, passion, death, glorification and ascension, Jesus Christ as Messiah passed over from life on earth in the mind of the flesh, into a new and glorified life with the Godhead, in the mind of the spirit, here on earth. Today's epistle provides assurance, comfort and edification for Christ-centered, spiritual awake believers, who follow Jesus Christ in living this Paschal Mystery, in the mind of the spirit. Whether physically alive or physically dead, these believers have discerned they forever dwell in the presence of the Godhead, through Christ (ADONAI), in their spiritual bodies (1 Thessalonians 5:10-11).

How is your witnessing paschal faith community living, declaring and sharing spiritual awakening, the Day of the Lord and Christ's second coming? Are you in the mind of the spirit, following Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery? Are you realizing the awesome possibilities of Christ's (ADONAI'S) sovereign reign as indwelling, Lord, Master and Owner of your life?

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Sharing Christ's Glorious Reign In Living The Paschal Mystery

Scripture text: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 'The believer's assurance in Christ'.


Key Verse: For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so through Jesus, God will bring with him, those who have died (1 Thessalonians 4:14).

The central work the Godhead sent Jesus Christ, the Son of Man as Messiah to do on earth was to teach, reveal, prepare and guide all mankind into reclaiming our lost divine heritage of kingdom living, in and through repentance, faith and the incarnation of Christ (Genesis 1:26-31, Matthew 18:10-14, Mark 1:14-15). Through his temptation in the wilderness, works, passion and death here on earth, Jesus Christ claimed victory over life on earth in slavery to sin, in the mind of the flesh (Matthew 4:1-11, John 11:25-26). Through his resurrection and ascension Jesus Christ entered into a new and glorified life with the Godhead, thus revealing, proclaiming and reclaiming mankind's lost divine heritage in Christ, in the mind of the spirit (John 14:5-7).

By following Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery, Christ-centered believers in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, in the mind of the spirit, have the  blessed hope and assurance of the same new and glorified life in the Godhead, here on earth that Jesus lived (Matthew 16:24). In this present earthly life, in the mind of the spirit, spiritually awake believers are being delivered from slavery to sin, in the mind of the flesh. They are experiencing the mysterious resurrection of the indwelling Christ, God's image and likeness (ADONAI), in and through their spiritual bodies (Colossians 1:26-29). Through faith and repentance, in the mind of the spirit, they are passing over into the freedom, truth, grace and glory of God's love in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13).  

   
Christ-centered, spiritually awake believers actually base their faith in their experience of rebirth from spiritual death, and their new life in Christ, in the actual life, passion, death, resurrection, ascension and promise of the second coming of Jesus Christ, as Messiah. The believer's eternal assurance and experience in this present life, of deliverance from hopelessness and slavery to sin in the mind of the flesh, is greater realized as believers progressively awake from spiritual sleep, spiritual blindness, spiritual deafness and hard heartedness. In the mind of the spirit, believers gradually discern and experience what Jesus explained to Nicodemus about being born from above (John 3:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 4:14).


Through repentance, faith in Christ (ADONAI) and following Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery, spiritually awake believers realize they now have eternal and abundant life in Christ. They discern and actually enter into the spiritual kingdom of heaven, which Jesus declared is in our midst, among us and within every person (Luke 17:20-21). Spiritually awake believers experience the descent of Christ (ADONAI) from heaven, with a loud cry and summons. They hear the shout of their archangel and the trumpet sound of God, in and through their spiritual bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:15-16).


In the mind of the spirit, spiritual awake believers in all tradition, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups discern and experience their total dependance on and unity with the Godhead, Jesus Christ and one another in Christ (ADONAI) (John 5:19, 30; John 10:30). They know that spiritual awake believers who have died physically, continue to share and continue to take their appropriate place in kingdom living on earth and in heaven. Paul therefore urges all believers to encourage, comfort and support each other with these words of truth (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18).

Do you believe that Jesus Christ is Messiah, sent by the Godhead, to seek and save that which was lost (Matthew 18:11)? Do you believe Jesus Christ has taught and revealed the way, the truth and the life of kingdom living here on earth (Matthew 6:9-10, John 14:6)? Is Christ (ADONAI) now reigning as Lord, Master and Owner in your life? Are you, in the mind of the spirit, following Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery (Romans 8:1-11)?

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Christ-centered Love In Sharing The Paschal Mystery

Scripture Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, 'Paul's love and witness within paschal faith community'.


In today's Epistle 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, the apostle Paul declares his sincere desire to follow Jesus Christ as Messiah, in living the Paschal Mystery. After his dramatic encounter and transformation with the Glorified Christ (ADONAI) on the way to Damascus, Paul taught and modeled agape love, self-sacrifice and sincere service for the sake of the Gospel of Christ (Acts 9:3-7). By embracing and facilitating the death of the mind of the flesh in his life, Paul experienced spiritual resurrection, spiritual awakening and Christ-centered formation. In the mind of the spirit, he developed great power and zeal for the salvation and Christ-centered formation of souls. Paul's life manifested God's grace and brotherly love within the Thessalonian witnessing paschal faith community (Thessalonians 2:9).

Paul's evangelistic and pastoral ministries involved steadfast spiritual labors and travail for the deliverance and liberation of souls from slavery to the sins of the mind of the flesh. In the midst of their generous giving however, Paul ministry remained self- supported. He zealously labored day and night to lead this witnessing paschal faith community, to deeper personal and collective encounters with the indwelling Christ (ADONAI), through their spiritual bodies (Colossians 1:24-29, Thessalonians 2:9).


Before his conversion, Paul was a good example of great zeal for religion believed, taught and practiced in the mind of the flesh. He wanted to punish and destroy those believers in his religion, who chose to follow Jesus Christ, and live their lives in the mind of the of the spirit. With greater zeal, Paul's affirmation, proclamation and practical application of the gospel of Christ after his conversion and transformation were blameless and pleasing to God.  His message, ministry, behavior and life continue provide excellent examples for believers in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, who choose to follow Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery (1 Thessalonians 2:10).


Paul exhorted the Thessalonians in ways to avoid and shun various forms of evil. He taught then how to choose between truth and error. His teaching of the Gospel as the Paschal Mystery provided true comfort for these believers in the midst of their persecution and suffering. In the mind of the spirit Paul proclaimed, affirm and manifested  the presence, power and work of the Holy Spirit and Christ (ADONAI) within and through his and their spiritual bodies. In the power of the Holy Spirit, they were faithful in offering true and laudable service to God and one another (1 Thessalonians 2:11).

Because Paul and these believers walked by faith and not by sight, they experienced deliverance from slavery to sin.  In the mind of the spirit they realized rest for their souls in the midst of persecution. In the power of the Holy Spirit they lived Christ-centered lives, bearing the fruit of the spirit. Their daily Christ-centered walk involved steadfastly followed Jesus Christ and Paul in living the Paschal Mystery, and revealing God's kingdom and glory, on earth as it is in heaven (1 Thessalonians 2:12).


Because they believed, embraced and appropriated Paul's message of the Gospel of Christ as the authentic Word of God, their lives revealed God's heavenly promises. They took the Gospel as the Word in their hearts, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, their lives manifested the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-26). Paul gave unceasing praise and thanks to God because these believers received and demonstrated the truth of the magnificent promises found in the word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13). 


The universal Gospel of Christ, as revealed in the life, teaching and ministry of Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul, can be taught, understood and applied in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, in the mind of the spirit (John 3:14-18, Colossians 1:26-29). Deliverance from slavery to sin and passing over into the freedom, love and abundant life of God, are available to all person through repentance and faith in Christ (ADONAI), in the spiritual body all persons. Are you willing to embrace the authentic of the Gospel of Christ and follow Jesus Christ and Paul in living the Paschal Mystery, here on earth, in the mind of the spirit?

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Effective stewardship Of The Gospel In Living The Paschal Mystery

Scripture Reference: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, 'Paul's stewardship of the Gospel of Christ'. 


In the midst of suffering and imprisonment, the apostle Paul maintained his integrity and faithfulness in declaring the Gospel of Christ. He sought to please only God and reveal the truth of mankind's redemption, to all mankind. To Paul suffering for the sake of the Gospel of Christ did not produce fear. Suffering actually engendered Christ-centered honesty, clarity and Holy Spirit-based boldness.

To Paul the Church in Thessalonica was a model witnessing paschal faith community.  They embraced, taught and modeled the Gospel of Christ with clarity, confidence and steadfast faith. As proof of their faith, these Christ-centered believers manifested the fruit of the spirit in their daily lives and relationships (Galatians 1:22-26, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2).


These Christ-centered spiritually awake brethren were faithful stewards of the Paschal Mystery. In the mind of the spirit, they followed Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul is seeking, worshipping and serving Christ, ADONAI, in the spiritual body of Jesus Christ, as Messiah, and in the spiritual body of all persons. They not only suffered, but they actually embraced, allowed and facilitated death of the mind of the flesh, in their hearts, minds and lives for the sake of Christ, and the sake of the Gospel of Christ. In the mind of the spirit, they followed Jesus Christ and Paul in living the Paschal Mystery (1 Thessalonians 2: 1-2).

Paul's proclamation of the Gospel of Christ to the Thessalonians was not contaminated with the deceit and divisiveness of the mind of the flesh. Paul experienced radical transformation, resurrection from spiritual death and conversion on the road to Damascus. In Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, Paul realized what it meant to have a clean heart. He had no guile and contempt for others who also shared their understanding and experience of the Gospel of Christ (1 Thessalonians 2:3).

The effective and true stewardship of Paul and these Thessalonian believers of the Gospel of Christ was pleasing to God. In the mind of the spirit, their affirmations of the Gospel were not based in empty human flattery, but in Christ-centered, Holy Spirit-based integrity. In the midst of suffering and persecution, they sought no earthly honor or human glory. Their witness manifested their perseverance, caring, courage, true faith and dependence on God (1 Thessalonians 2:4-6).

Gentleness and solicitude characterized their dialogue and sharing within their witnessing paschal faith community. Through God's grace, agape love and self-sacrifice, these believers cast down and cast out the inappropriate and destructive dominion of the mind of the flesh. In the mind of the spirit they showed great zeal and enthusiasm, as they experience the deliverance of their souls, hearts, minds and lives from slavery to sin. Their lives manifested the fact that they were passing over into the freedom, love and glory of God, through the indwelling and incarnation of Christ (ADONAI) in their lives, through their spiritual bodies (I Thessalonians 2:7-8).


How does the effectiveness, gentleness, integrity and Christ-centered stewardship of the Gospel, within your witnessing faith community, compare with that of these Thessalonian believers? Have you personally experienced a Christ-centered spiritual awakening from the spiritual death of the mind of the flesh, in your own life? Are you now discerning and actually experiencing the joy and new life of being born from above, as you follow Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul in living the Paschal Mystery?

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