Meditation Chip Brogden

December 5
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Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me."
-JOHN 17:24

You are called to be with Jesus. That is your calling. That is the
primary thing, the highest ministry. Going forth to preach or do
anything else is of secondary importance. We should be with Jesus;
after that, He might send us forth to preach. But before Jesus
said, "Go into all the world" He said, "Be with Me."

The call of the Lord is not more important than the Lord of the
call. The work of the Lord must not replace the Lord of the work.
No amount of ministering FOR the Lord will make up for a lack of
ministering TO the Lord. And knowing the Word of God does not
necessarily mean that we know the God of the Word.

Source: "The Church in the Wilderness" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/the-church-in-the-wilderness.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/december5.html

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THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.

©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
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December 4
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Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"Put on the armor of light... put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make
no provision for the flesh... put on the whole armor of God." -ROMANS
13:12,14; EPHESIANS 6:11

May I frankly say that anyone trusting in "spiritual armor" as a
thing in and of itself is going to fail miserably. Anyone relying
upon a faith-formula or a spiritual warfare method is going to see
both the formula and the method eventually meet with defeat. Why?
Because God has not given us a formula or a method: He has given us
His Son.

He does not give us a ritual or ceremony to follow, He says, "Put
on the Lord Jesus." Having the Lord Jesus, I have the Whole Armor
of God. It is not necessary to ask for each piece of armor, or to
confess anything, or to do anything. It is only necessary, having
put on the Whole Armor of God, to "stand therefore." It is only
necessary, having put on the Lord Jesus, to abide in Him.

Source: "Lord of All" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/lord-of-all.html

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http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/december4.html

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THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.

©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
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December 3
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Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be
glory forever. Amen." -ROMANS 11:36

The final word is: "Amen - may it be so, henceforth and forever."
We proclaim it, not to bring it forth (as if it depended upon our
confession), but to acknowledge it as a present reality which is
breaking forth upon all that stands in opposition to it, and to
establish once and for all that we have chosen - individually and
corporately - to align ourselves with God's Ultimate Purpose and
Will, making us co-workers together with Him towards the Goal of
CHRIST FILLING ALL THINGS.

He MUST increase, and all else MUST decrease (John 3:30). We can
observe this decrease taking place in the world around us, but we
should also be able to see that WE, the Self, is being decreased in
order to prepare us for the Kingdom in which it is no longer "I"
that live as a thing outside of Christ, but it is Christ Who lives
in me, conforming me to His image, and reproducing His character
and nature within me (Galatians 2:20).

Source: "The Irresistible Kingdom" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/the-irresistible-kingdom.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/december3.html

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THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.
©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
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December 2
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Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite
heart--these, O God, You will not despise." -PSALM 51:17

We must never seek the power of Pentecost without first tasting the
suffering of the Cross. The Cross is Power disguised in Weakness.
There is a saying, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely." We can
just as well say that spiritual power obtained apart from the
weakness of the Cross will corrupt also.

This is why the Lord leads us first to Calvary, then on to
Pentecost. We dare not bypass Calvary in our haste to experience
Pentecost.

Source: "Embrace the Cross" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/embrace-the-cross.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/december2.html

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THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.
©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
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December 1
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Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"We preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to
the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and
Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, because
the foolishness of God is wiser than men." -1 CORINTHIANS 1:23-25

There is tremendous power released in this Cross. Of course, this
heavenly power is disguised in earthly weakness, and so it appears
to be foolishness to those without understanding. Even Christians
often underestimate the comprehensiveness of its work, and mostly
think of the Cross in terms of their personal salvation. Certainly
that is part of the work of the Cross, but there is far more.

In the Cross we see all the "Kingdom Conundrums" gathered together
into one dramatic act. The Cross embodies the ultimate paradox of
spiritual life: that wisdom is revealed through foolishness; that
giving up is necessary in order to gain; that true strength is
found in the midst of weakness; that one must die before they can
truly live.

Source: "Embrace the Cross" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/embrace-the-cross.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/december1.html

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THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.
©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
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November 30
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Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some
evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of
the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body
of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of
the stature of the fullness of Christ." -EPHESIANS 4:11-13

Each of these ministry functions fulfill different roles, but their
purpose is the same, and that is, to bring ALL of us into that same
fullness, that same spiritual maturity, that same experiential
knowing, which the elders themselves enjoy. Thus, He gives SOME,
till we ALL... SOME, till we ALL... SOME, till we ALL. Do you see this?
And He will continue to give SOME till we ALL. Once He has ALL then
the work is complete and these ministries will no longer be needed.
Until then they ARE needed, and they are critical to God's Purpose.

Source: "The Church in the Wilderness" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/the-church-in-the-wilderness.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november30.html

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THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.

©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
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November 29
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Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"In due season we shall reap..." -GALATIANS 6:9

The good news is that even if the Ekklesia has been underground, it
is still growing and developing. When the season is right it will
burst forth and once again those who have eyes to see will indeed
discern the blade, the head, and the full grain in the head. In
fact the blades have already broken ground in several places and we
are even beginning to see some grain taking shape. If you have
traced the recovery of the Heavenly Order so far then you know
there have been many obstacles and hindrances to God's Will over
the last six thousand years or so of the history of mankind.

So far God has defeated everything that rose up to challenge His
Purpose in Christ. Not only has He defeated it, but He has actually
used evil to bring about good and further increase His Son. The
Scriptures provide us with every expectation and assurance that God
will continue to do the same with our generation. He is very much
an active part of world affairs, whether they be secular or sacred.

Source: "The Irresistible Kingdom" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/the-irresistible-kingdom.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november29.html

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THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.

©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
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November 28
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Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has
blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in
Christ." -EPHESIANS 1:3

Most Christians are taught to approach God and seek these things
when they are conscious of some lack. Eventually we must learn that
we have everything in Christ already. That thing called "patience"
that we are so diligently seeking is not a thing at all, it is
Christ. "Victory" is no longer a "thing," it is a Man.

And so it is with everything else we need. What a difference it
makes to realize that He HAS (past tense) blessed us already - not
with three or five or twenty blessings - but with EVERY spiritual
blessing. However many there may be, we have them all. Where and
how has He done this? Thank God, it was done the moment we received
Christ and entered into Him as our All in All. God would have us
seek Him first, and not His things. To Him there is no "thing," for
they are all summed up into Christ.

Source: "Lord of All" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/lord-of-all.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november28.html

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THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.
©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
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November 27
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Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"God does not live in temples made by man." -ACTS 17:24 ESV

We are not zealous for the establishment of any earthly nation, but
for a heavenly nation of kings and priests (Revelation 5:10). We
are not praying for the building of a physical temple, but a
spiritual temple, a house of living stones, of which Jesus Christ
is the Cornerstone, Builder and Architect. We are not looking for
the appearance of an earthly Messiah, but a Heavenly Messiah, Who
is building His Ekklesia upon the earth; we are not of the earth.
This is not our home, for we are from above. Though in the world,
we are not of it. We will not eat its meat or drink its wine, and
we will not bow down to its idols. Though we live in the shadow of
Babylon, we are not afraid of its fiery furnace or its den of
lions, for our God is able to deliver us.

The heavens do rule. We affirm it boldly and confidently,
regardless of appearances to the contrary. The Kingdom, the Power,
and the Glory belongs to God (Matthew 6:13) - not man, not the
devil, not the nations of this world.

Source: "The Irresistible Kingdom" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/the-irresistible-kingdom.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november27.html

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THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.
©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
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November 26
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Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." -JOHN 17:17

I am frequently asked how do we partake of this fullness? How do we
walk in it? What practical application exists for living according
to this Truth? We see what God says, but we also see our situation.
We see Jesus, but we also see ourselves. God says we are complete
in Him, but we say we are incomplete. God says we are blessed with
every spiritual blessing in Christ, but we say we still need this
or that. What is the problem here? Is it not a glaring discrepancy
between what God says and what we say? Whose word is more reliable?

Source: "Lord of All" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/lord-of-all.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november26.html

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THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.

©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Share this message with your friends!

November 25
INFINITE SUPPLY
Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"In [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
-COLOSSIANS 2:3

It is not that God desires to give us revelation into the many
things, but for us to have the Revelation of Jesus Christ. By
apprehending Him we will subsequently gain insight in those
"things."

To seek revelation into the "things" apart from the Revelation of
Christ fails to give Christ the preeminence. We dare not circumvent
the knowledge of Him in the pursuit of "things," even spiritual
things, for they are all summed up into Him.

Source: "Lord of All" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/lord-of-all.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november25.html

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THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.

©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Share this message with your friends!
November 24
INFINITE SUPPLY
Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"We were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as
Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life." -ROMANS 6:4

The Cross is the means by which God reduces us to Christ, that we
may be raised to new Life. What cannot be accomplished in a
lifetime of self-effort is easily accomplished in God through the
Cross.

We may take many shortcuts along the way and attempt to escape the
inevitable, but the day we cease striving and meekly accept the
Cross we find everything is done for us.


Source: "Embrace the Cross" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/embrace-the-cross.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november24.html

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THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.

©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Share this message with your friends!

November 23
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Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." -1
CORINTHIANS 1:27 ESV

The Wisdom of God teaches us differently. This Wisdom tells us that
the weak things are chosen to overcome the strong things, and power
works concurrently with weakness.

God desires to give you power, but that power only comes through
weakness. Any power not obtained through weakness is illegitimate,
no matter how spiritual it appears. The only legitimate power is
granted to those who have been made weak. Power is birthed in
weakness. Many exude a certain "power," but there is not the
corresponding weakness. Hence, the power only gives them an
occasion for boasting. To remedy this, God has ordained that all
who would have His power must first be weakened and made empty - we
refer to this as being "broken." The purpose of weakness and
suffering is to open the way for His Power. The instrument God uses
to weaken us is the Cross. Therefore, the Cross is power through
weakness.


Source: "Embrace the Cross" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/embrace-the-cross.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november23.html

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THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.

©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Share this message with your friends!

November 22
INFINITE SUPPLY
Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"The anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and
you do not need that anyone teach you." -1 JOHN 2:27

It was God who gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and
teachers to His Ekklesia, to encourage, edify, and establish all of
us deeper into Christ. Can the Holy Spirit in John contradict the
Holy Spirit in Paul? By no means.

What then? John was the sole survivor of the first twelve apostles,
and now he is very old. Naturally he is concerned with the welfare
of the Ekklesia after his death. So God comforts John, and then
John comforts us, with this truth: even if we do not have access to
the apostle, or prophet, or evangelist, or pastor and teacher, we
are still instructed inwardly. The Ekklesia that Jesus is building
is not dependent upon the great men or women of God. We are
grateful to the ministry gifts when we have them, but we are not
dependent upon them for our Life. The Life is greater than the
ministers through which it may be ministered.

Source: "The Church in the Wilderness" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/the-church-in-the-wilderness.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november22.html

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THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.

©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Share this message with your friends!

November 21
INFINITE SUPPLY
Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"I die daily." -1 CORINTHIANS 15:31

Paul might have buckled under the pressure. He certainly grew
weary. He certainly was misunderstood, rejected, and persecuted. He
suffered so much. What kept him going? Verse 29 of Colossians 1
says, "To this end I labor, striving according to His working which
works in me mightily." He labors, and he strives. That's the way
Paul was. Laboring and striving, even when he was laboring and
striving for the wrong things, he was absolutely dedicated to the
mission. But there is something more extraordinary at work in Paul,
something more than sheer willpower or determination.

I tell you willpower will only take you so far. Willpower is
overrated. We need something else, something supernatural,
something that does not rely upon my limited willpower. What was
it? "I strive according to HIS WORKING which works in me mightily."
It was not the strength of Paul, but the strength of Christ in
Paul, and through this Christ, Paul said, "I can do all things"
(Philippians 4:13). All things!

Source: "The Church in the Wilderness" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/the-church-in-the-wilderness.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november21.html

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THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.
©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Share this message with your friends!
November 20
INFINITE SUPPLY
Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has
fixed by His own authority. -Acts 1:7 ESV

They had asked, "Lord, will You at this time restore the Kingdom to
Israel?" The response from Jesus is anticlimactic to the impatient.
The King will not be forced, or rushed, or pushed into action.
Jesus said, "It is not for you to know the times and the seasons."

The Kingdom of God is progressive - growing up from a single seed
into an abundant tree with many branches and much fruit. Those
seedlings were just freshly planted in eleven men and they would
not come to maturity all at once but over the course of many
seasons of increase and decrease. We cannot speculate as to when He
will return in the power and glory of His Kingdom. We must "watch
therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the
Son of Man is coming."

Source: "The Irresistible Kingdom" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/the-irresistible-kingdom.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november20.html

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THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.
©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Share this message with your friends!

November 19
INFINITE SUPPLY
Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"All of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with
humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the
humble.'" -1 PETER 5:5

The single requirement for grace is humility. But what is grace?
Grace is more than just a theological term used to describe how we
are saved. Grace is the power of God at work in my life to do what
cannot be done in my own strength. Grace is energizing and
proactive. When I have reached the end of myself then Grace Himself
takes over and does what I am unable to do. In the first place,
what I cannot do is save myself, and so I trust in the Grace of
God, Jesus Christ, to save me.

But Grace will not only bring me through the Gate; He will bring me
down the Path. Grace does not just get me started in the right
direction, but goes along with me every step of the way. For Grace
is a Man!

Source: "Embrace the Cross" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/embrace-the-cross.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november19.html

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THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.


©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Share this message with your friends!
November 18
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Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ
and Him crucified." -1 CORINTHIANS 2:2

We can quote these teachings of Jesus, seek to imitate Him as our
Example, strive to walk the narrow Way, and even accomplish many
good deeds in His Name. But apart from the Cross these activities
are wood, hay and stubble.

In calling us to come back to the Cross, God is asking us to lay
down our lives and embrace the Wisdom of death, burial,
resurrection, and ascension in order to live as sons and daughters
within the Kingdom of God. Apart from the Cross we can neither
enter the Kingdom nor live in the Spirit, no matter how great the
desire. For apart from the Cross, we do not know what it is to turn
the other cheek, to go the extra mile, to love our enemies, to pray
for those who persecute us. Apart from the Cross, we do not know
what it is to submit to the will of God, accept suffering, and cast
ourselves upon Him. Apart from the Cross, we do not know what
Resurrection is.

Source: "Lord of All" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/lord-of-all.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november18.html

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THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.
©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Share this message with your friends!

November 17
INFINITE SUPPLY
Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ
and Him crucified." -1 CORINTHIANS 2:2

We can quote these teachings of Jesus, seek to imitate Him as our
Example, strive to walk the narrow Way, and even accomplish many
good deeds in His Name. But apart from the Cross these activities
are wood, hay and stubble.

In calling us to come back to the Cross, God is asking us to lay
down our lives and embrace the Wisdom of death, burial,
resurrection, and ascension in order to live as sons and daughters
within the Kingdom of God. Apart from the Cross we can neither
enter the Kingdom nor live in the Spirit, no matter how great the
desire. For apart from the Cross, we do not know what it is to turn
the other cheek, to go the extra mile, to love our enemies, to pray
for those who persecute us. Apart from the Cross, we do not know
what it is to submit to the will of God, accept suffering, and cast
ourselves upon Him. Apart from the Cross, we do not know what
Resurrection is.

Source: "Embrace the Cross" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/embrace-the-cross.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november17.html

---------
THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.

©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Share this message with your friends!

November 16
INFINITE SUPPLY
Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"When it pleased God... to reveal His Son in me...I did not immediately
confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those
who were apostles before me." -GALATIANS 1:15-17

Paul did not seek credentials, ordination, or affiliation with a
human organization. He did not wait for anyone to confirm the call
on his life. He did not seek for hands to be laid on him. Preaching
the gospel of Jesus Christ was renegade enough, but to preach the
gospel to the Gentiles was a departure from the norm for the
Christians at that time. It would later prove to be quite
controversial and divisive. Prudence would dictate that it would be
better to check with the other apostles and get their opinion and
feedback before striking out in a new direction. Yet, Paul says
once he obtained revelation he had no need to confer with flesh and
blood.

Why? Because he was a maverick, an independent spirit, a rebel? No,
it is only because the Revelation of Jesus is sufficient guidance.
Flesh and blood cannot add to or take away from the Revelation.

Source: "Lord of All" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/lord-of-all.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november16.html

---------
THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.
©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Share this message with your friends!

November 15
INFINITE SUPPLY
Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now
Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But
what do You say?" -JOHN 8:4,5

Legally they were on solid ground. But to her accusers, Jesus
replied, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at
her first." And when they all left, being convicted by their own
conscience, He said to the woman: "Neither do I condemn you. Go,
and sin no more" (John 8:12). We must conclude that however good
the Law was, it did not represent God's highest, or God's best.

Jesus represents the holiness and purity of the Law but emphasized
the part that had been too long overlooked: grace and humility. He
came to address the deeper issues of the heart, and in so doing,
showed us what God really intended from the beginning. He did not
destroy the Law, He superseded the Law! Thus He fulfilled the
spirit of the Law - even if it sometimes appeared as if He did not
follow the letter of the Law.

Source: "The Irresistible Kingdom" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/the-irresistible-kingdom.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november15.html

---------
THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.
©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Share this message with your friends!
November 14
INFINITE SUPPLY
Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"The Most High rules in the kingdoms of men." -DANIEL 4:17

Christ is increasing and filling all things. Have you seen this? If
you have, then embrace it, submit to it, cooperate with it, be in
harmony with it, order your life around it, demonstrate it to the
world around you, and pray for its fulfillment.

Get aligned with something and Someone higher and greater than
yourself. For when you see God's Purpose, and you adjust your life
according to that Purpose, and you consistently pray for the
fulfillment of that Purpose, then His Purpose cannot be stopped;
His Will cannot be frustrated; His Kingdom cannot be defeated.
Heaven singles you out and Hell trembles with fear. You just became
undefeatable! You just joined the Remnant.

Source: "The Irresistible Kingdom" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/the-irresistible-kingdom.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november14.html

---------
THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.
©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Share this message with your friends!

November 13
INFINITE SUPPLY
Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in
Christ Jesus." -PHILIPPIANS 3:14

God has a purpose for the universe: that in all things Christ would
have the preeminence. This is the Heavenly Bullseye. Since you,
dear reader, are part of the universe, you are one of those "all
things." So this purpose includes you.

Actually, this is the same purpose He had in mind for Adam: that
Christ would have the preeminence in him. But Adam chose an
independent path and failed to give Christ the preeminence. He took
the preeminence for himself. Adam missed the mark, which is a life
submitted to, and totally dependent upon, God.

Source: "The Irresistible Kingdom" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/the-irresistible-kingdom.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november13.html

---------
THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.

©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Share this message with your friends!

November 12
INFINITE SUPPLY
Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus
is the Son of God?" -1 JOHN 5:5

The Lord's answer to a state of decline is to reveal Himself and
His eternal purpose. Once the Lord has established for Himself a
people that will represent His interests, then He will move
immediately to secure, protect, establish, and strengthen the
Remnant. Here is what I want us to see. When we align ourselves
with God's Thought, with God's Kingdom, and with God's Will in
Christ, we are invincible.

Source: "The Irresistible Kingdom" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/the-irresistible-kingdom.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november12.html

---------
THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.
©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Share this message with your friends!
November 11
INFINITE SUPPLY
Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat.
And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name
written which no one knows except him who receives it." -REVELATION
2:17

The manna is HIDDEN and the name is SECRET. The Lord is doing a
work, but that work is, for the most part, hidden and secret. If we
are always looking for something out in the open and in plain view
then we will miss the deeper workings of God below the surface.

Source: "The Irresistible Kingdom" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/the-irresistible-kingdom.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november11.html

---------
THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.

©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Share this message with your friends!

November 10
INFINITE SUPPLY
Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"God resists the proud." -JAMES 4:6

Our automatic assumption is that anything which resists us or
hinders us is of satanic origin. Yet we learn from James 4:6 that
there is Someone Else who can resist us. There is Another Who
carefully watches what we do, and frequently hinders us from making
progress. It comes as a shock and surprise to some Christians to
see one day that God, not the devil, is resisting them. The Lord
Himself resists us, closes doors, causes things to be unfruitful,
and spoils all our plans. How so? Because "God resists the proud."

This resistance from God is insurmountable. It is a fearful thing
to fight the Lord. We spend most of our lives wrestling with God
instead of cooperating with God, and in the end we have nothing to
show for it. So much time and effort is wasted because we proceed
in our own, stubborn way. We attribute all difficulties to the
devil, or to other people, or our circumstances, or our
environment, and fail to recognize that the Lord Himself is
resisting us.

Source: "Embrace the Cross" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/embrace-the-cross.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november10.html

---------
THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.
©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Share this message with your friends!

November 9
INFINITE SUPPLY
Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him..." -MARK 3:14

The first order of business was not the preaching or the sending
forth; it was simply being with Jesus. During those times of being
alone and apart with Christ He revealed Himself to them in a deep
way. They walked with Him, watched Him, and listened to Him for
three and a half years. Just as importantly, they learned to walk
with each other. They learned how to serve one another in love.
When Jesus finally did send them forth to preach they actually had
something worth sharing and worth listening to.

Your primary calling as a disciple is to BE with Jesus, because
that is how you LEARN OF HIM. It is not learning about the
Christian faith - that is a thing. It is not learning about Bible
doctrine - that is a thing. It is not learning about Christian
things or religious things or spiritual things. It is not learning
about the Bible. It's not even learning ABOUT Jesus, it is learning
OF Jesus FROM Jesus.

Source: "The Church in the Wilderness" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/the-church-in-the-wilderness.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november9.html

---------

THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.
©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Share this message with your friends!

November 8
INFINITE SUPPLY
Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"We have left all and followed You." -MARK 10:28

Here is a golden truth: if He possesses all that YOU have, then you
will possess all that HE has. Allow that truth to sink into your
heart. Breathe it in and out. Let the Holy Spirit soak it into the
pores of your soul and you will not be able to contain His joy and
peace emanating from you. You will start giving things up that
before you would have never let go. You will gladly relinquish
everything.

Source: "Lord of All" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/lord-of-all.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november8.html

---------
THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.
©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Share this message with your friends!

November 7
INFINITE SUPPLY
Today's Message from Chip Brogden
"I know Whom I have believed." -2 TIMOTHY 1:12

A certain brother was always emphatic about what he believed until
someone with equal or greater argument confronted him. This
occurred one day when someone pointed out several supposed "errors"
in the Bible. This caused the brother to be very alarmed. He went
to an elderly sister and informed her of these alleged errors and
wanted to know her opinion. She simply stated that the knowledge of
God did not depend upon the answering of these questions.

He thought, perhaps not to you, but to me it is important! So he
spent the next year investigating what this other person had told
him and found it to be untrue. But, had he simply known God He
would not have found it necessary to study the whole thing and
reason it out. The elderly sister was right, the knowledge of God
did not depend upon the answering of those questions. If you know
Who, knowing what and why become less significant.

Source: "Lord of All" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/lord-of-all.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november7.html

---------
THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.

©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Share this message with your friends!

November 6
INFINITE SUPPLY
Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"He, the Spirit of truth... will guide you into all truth." -JOHN
16:13

To choose the Truth is to want the Truth at all costs, even if it
means sacrificing everything I have believed up until now,
challenging all my paradigms, questioning all my teachers,
examining everything I have ever experienced.

Of course our first decision about Truth is based upon Who Jesus
is. With that question settled many Christians are content, but
Truth is living. Truth will continue to reveal Himself to us and
around us for as long as we will allow it. What, after all, is
Wisdom? Wisdom is the ability to see things from heaven's, and thus
God's, perspective. Daily we must choose between ignorant bliss or
seeing things as God sees them. It is a daily choice. You cannot be
told, you have to see it for yourself.

Source: "Lord of All" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/lord-of-all.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november6.html

---------
THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.
©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Share this message with your friends!

November 5
INFINITE SUPPLY
Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and
love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the
other." -MATTHEW 6:24

The context of this passage is talking about mammon (the love of,
and the endless pursuit of, wealth). But the principle applies to
everything else. There can only be one master in your life. You can
only serve one thing at a time. You are not free to do as you
please. Even if you say you serve no one, you are still serving
Self. So which will it be? Jesus says if you love Him then you will
hate everything else. What does that mean?

It means that you will allow nothing and no one to take the place
of the One you love - not for a day, not for an hour, not for a
minute. If our love for the Lord is strong then we will learn to
hate everything which competes against Him. We will despise
anything that seeks to hinder our relationship with Christ.

Source: "Embrace the Cross" by Chip Brogden
http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/embrace-the-cross.html

Share your comments:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/daily/november5.html

---------
THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST is dedicated to your spiritual growth and
maturity through Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Scripture-based
discipleship that focuses on relationship, not religion. To find
out more about us, visit http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org.
©2012 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Share this message with your friends!