Lukewarm

Our religion is heart religion….therefore the Lord always speaks to our hearts.

Revelation 3:16 “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, and I will spue thee out of My mouth.”

Lukewarm…or indifferent…..not caring one way or the other. It is hard to understand….but a believer can become indifferent to God.

When my husband first started this message….and read this verse….all of a sudden, he felt sick….like he was going to vomit.

The Lord showed him,….that is the way He feels about lukewarm believers….sick!

Sick enough to finally spue them out, if they will not repent…..to finally let them go…and let them lose the peace, joy, strength and help He would have given them…..to let them be repulsive to all.

Neither cold or hot….just sickening. Spue out means vomit….to spit it out!

If we were cold…He could just judge us for what we are.

If we were hot He could bless us for what we are.

Instead, we are just sickening…..lukewarm.

We are as Israel of old:

Isaiah 29:13 “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor Me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the precept of men:”

Israel had no new revelation, they had no real knowledge of Him.

Their fear was taught by man…by their precept.

They had enough light, they could have known their God…

…..but they have “removed their heart”…far from Me.

They did not want to know Him.

We can say the right things….we can do religious things…but if our hearts are not in them….we are lukewarm.

We can draw near to God with our lips….singing, the occasional “Praise God” in church, even testifying of God’s goodness to us (Luke 18:11)…

…but our hearts—though moved at times—is not fully in it.

We do not love our Lord. We may like what He does for us….but we do not love…Him.

“The lack of desire is the ill of all ills,

Through the dark pathway many thousands have trod,

The balsam, the wine of predestinate wills,

Is the jubilant pining and longing for God.”

Our hearts are made for God. He created our hearts to love Him.

And for each of the redeemed….He paid our debt….that we might draw near His heart.

If we are different then we were…..even from last year….it is by the power of God in our life and not by something we have done. He has led us through the circumstances….and brought us through.

“But their hearts had waxed gross and their ears were dull of hearing and their eyes have they closed.”

They had become indifferent to God.

It was not that Israel could not see, it was that they would not.

(The church, too, is robbed by servants who preach, or teach without this most personal knowledge.

2 Timothy 2:6 “The husbandman that laboreth must be first partaker of the fruits.”

The church can’t have what her husbandman won’t get in their experience.

The precepts of man are taught as God’s Word….and others teach truths that they personally know nothing of…..all they have is head knowledge.)

We often come to the place in our churches, that if we know about certain things….we are “good”….

….but knowledge of God is personal experience….you know a certain truth, because you have experienced that truth in your life.

(Years ago, I once heard about a lady who lent a woman her Bible in church. The woman was a guest and had not brought a Bible.

When the woman gave this lady back her Bible after the morning service, she asked….”I do not want to enter into your business, but there are marks in your Bible by some of the verses. T&T. And T. May I ask what these mean?”

The lady smiled, and said, “Oh, yes….the T&T, means “Tried and True”. The T, means “Tried”….I have yet to experience the True.

But I will….God is always faithful. Sometimes my patience wears thin….but then I look at all He has already done for me….and I will wait for Him.”)

What of us….are we experiencing His many promises to us?

If we are indifferent to His Will…..if we do not care to go along His Way….through the plains of ease and through the trials of today…..

…..our attitude will not change tomorrow….unless….

…He awakens us again to our danger.

And that is what He is doing in His most personal letter to this last church age….

Revelation 3:19 “As many as I love, I rebuke…”. I will speak through My Word, My Holy Spirit, My servants….and if you will not hear, then…

“….and chasten, be zealous therefore and repent.” To rebuke is to use words to awaken….to chasten is to use circumstances to awaken to our danger.

And our danger is real….for there are many things that will thrust themselves into our lives which will pull….jerk,….or beguile us away from our heart’s love and care.

And one of the worst….is….indifference.

We must want God’s Will done in our own life.

We must want the Lord to be testified to.

We must want Him to get the glory from my life.

Why? Because if the Holy Spirit dwells within us….He will give us this “want to”…..it is placed within us, and it grows as we yield to Him….into a zealous burning love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Are we lukewarm?…..then listen to Jesus rebuke, and repent….and allow the Holy Spirit to give you that zeal for Christ again.

The Family Prayer to our Father, God

Matthew 6:9 “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.”

Here Jesus is teaching His disciples how to pray. Showing them God, in a most tender aspect: Our Father.

Since He is God, He is Almighty. We do not come to One who can do nothing; but One who will see His Will done.

Since He is our Father, He looks on us in Christ, and He is concerned for our well-being more than we are.

We are to come as sons and daughters to God, our Father; for Christ Jesus has given all the born again ones, a place in the family of God.

We are joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17), and have received the Spirit of Adoption. (Romans 8:15-16)

As God is our Father, there is that special love relationship.

Jude 20-21 “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

Keep yourselves in the love of God, in other words:

Walk in the sunshine of His love.

When we pray “Our Father which art in heaven”,…….we know that the Great God is ready to give us an audience.

This raises our eyes to see Him above, and it raises our hearts from earth to heaven’s court.

We come before Him with our requests in full assurance that He will hear. That we can pour out our hearts before Him.

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

It is to a Divine Person we come.

One who has our best interests at heart.

And He, through Christ Jesus, has invited us to come, and come boldly, to His throne.

Boldly means that without fear we come close to God.

When we pray “Our Father which art in heaven”;…….we realize how elevated, and blessed we are,…..by His grace, given us.

How much we have,……because Christ Jesus is our Savior.

We also see that we are a member of a family. Fellow Christians are our Brothers and Sister in Christ…….for it is to “Our Father” we pray, and we are told we should love them, and pray for them.

He is in heaven, directing all things on earth. Nothing takes Him by surprise, and He has an answer for every situation.

Psalm 115:3, 16 “But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased.

The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lords: but the earth hath He given to the children of men.”

And we should pray for the glory of God’s Name. “Hallowed be Thy Name.”

Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

The glory of God is the ultimate end of everything.

Psalm 115:1 “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake.”

We are to seek the glory of God in every prayer and act. His Holiness is a beauty which makes the glory of the sun and stars, pale in comparison.

Imagine a world full of His Holiness (as it will be one day): full of compassion, and goodness. Full of joy and peace.

Sin has brought all the evils, sickness, and death with it.

But God’s Holiness has redeemed us from sin by His sending His son to die for our sins, and taking all the penalty of them from us.

Colossians 1:12-14 “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”

How easy it should be for us, as His beloved children, to pray and seek the glory of His Name, here on earth and in our lives. “Let Thy Name be magnified.”

A More Convenient Season

Acts 24:25 “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgement to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.”

Felix was the Roman governor of Israel. He lived in Caesarea, near the sea.

Paul had caused a riot in Jerusalem, when he preached that the gospel of Christ was given to the Gentiles also. (Acts 22:21-22). He had then been taken by Roman soldiers, and though there was no charge, he was kept in the jail house; because they did not know what to do with him. They were afraid to let him go, to cause another riot.

Normally they would never send a prisoner to the governor, except under extreme conditions: but this seemed to be one.

Paul’s nephew had come and told the Roman chief captain, of a plot to kill Paul, even under Roman guard. (Acts 23:16-22). This would have caused the captain a lot of trouble, maybe even death, so he sent Paul to Felix the governor, for review.

Felix had heard both sides of the accusation by the chief priests against Paul.

He understood that it was about this new way of religion; about Jesus Christ.

Realizing that there was really nothing to judge, Felix held off judgement.

He knew that Paul had done no harm, that it was really a matter of who believed what.

But he also wanted to pacify the chief priests; so he kept Paul in prison, but let him have visitors. (Acts 24:22-23)

On one occasion, he called for Paul to come and talk to him and his wife concerning the faith in Christ.

Acts 24:24-25 “And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgement to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.”

But when is a “convenient season” to be born again? When could be a better time, than now?

Was Felix afraid of believing in Christ because his wife was there? Or in front of his soldiers?

Or was it because he was “someone” of importance, and was afraid to submit to God?

Though Felix often heard Paul, the more convenient season never came.

Acts 24:26-27 “He (Felix) hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.”

How many times we have heard the gospel message: Christ Jesus came to earth to save sinners.

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Born of a virgin, born under the law to redeem us; that we might receive the adoption of sons. (Galatians 4:4-5)

We are to believe and receive Him into our hearts and lives.

John 1:12 “But as many as receive Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:”

We have heard, let us also confess Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Romans 10:8-9,13 “For what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

For Felix, the convenient season never came. He left: afraid to confess Christ, afraid to let Paul go, afraid to anger the chief priests.

Have we received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? Have we come to that convenient season to believe?

Obedience

John 14:15 “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.”

Obedience is more than simply receiving guidance and instruction; and doing it.

(In the Greek, it means willingly doing what we have been told. Obedience is always a matter of the heart’s actions.)

It is a recognition that we are the creature….and He is the Creator, Who has the right to do what He will with His own. (Matthew 20:15)

It is the act of acknowledgement: We acknowledge we have heard His Voice to us….and yield to that Voice.

It is the act of a learner to His Master-Teacher: learning discipline, and seeing what God is showing me, in this obedience.

Obedience is the act of submission. We may not see the logic of the command, but we believe and trust in the God of the command.

And obedience is worship…..counting the Lord Jesus Christ worthy of our all.

(It is interesting to note, that Jesus, Himself, only used the word “obey”, once, and then He was speaking about our faith, and the removal of hinderances:

Luke 17:6 “And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto the sycamine tree, be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea, and it should obey you.”)

He used the word believe, in it’s forms ( believed, believest, believeth, believing) eighty-four times.

Jesus came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21), and He presented Himself, and His call was….come unto Me:

John 6:40 “And this is the Will of Him that sent Me, that every man that seeth the Son and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him at the last day.”

Only after His resurrection, in power, did He command His disciples “Go ye…and teach all nations,…..teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen”. (Matthew 28:19-20)

They were to teach all men to “observe” His commandments and Word.

“Observe” means to guard with the eye upon, so as not to lose it.

They were to teach this reverence of Christ’s Word, so that the believers would guard them; in their hearts and lives.

It was only after the Holy Spirit was given…..the power of God within us to do; that Peter, at the beginning of his ministry, boldly said:

Acts 5:30-32 “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, Whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

And we are His witnesses of these things: and so is also the Holy Ghost, Whom God hath given to them that obey Him.”

And then they went out from Jerusalem, to preach the gospel throughout the world.

And at the end:

1 Peter 1:13-15 “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

But as He which hath called you is Holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;”

Paul at the beginning of Romans (the most comprehensive declaration of what God has done, and purposed since the beginning, for those that would believe on Him.)

Romans 1:1, 5 “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.

By Whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience of the faith unto all nations, for His name:”

The grace and the apostleship authority, was given to Paul, to preach “obedience to the faith” of Christ,…..wherever he went.

And at the end of Romans, Paul prays:

Romans 16:25-27 “Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

But now is made manifest, by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the Everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.”

Paul preached Jesus Christ, and Him crucified, risen, and sitting at the right hand of God……and that those who have faith in Him, should obey Him, as Lord and Savior.

We believe on the Lord Jesus Christ…..and then, by the Holy Spirit and the gift of faith,….we obey His Word to us…..and live to please Him, Who gave so much for us.

“If ye love Me, keep My commandments.”

Psalm 136: A psalm of praise for the Lord’s Mercy

Psalm 136:1 “O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.”

In this Psalm, every verse ends with the phrase, “for His mercy endureth forever”.

“Endureth” means that it is established and stands fast. God’s mercy for us has been established in eternity past….and will stand fast….immovable for us throughout eternity future.

He is the God of gods, the Lord of lords, Who alone does great wonders.

Whose wisdom made the heavens, stretched out the earth above the waters.

Who made the sun to rule by day, and the moon and stars to rule by night.

Who redeemed Israel from Egypt,…protecting under Blood, their firstborn; while slaying the firstborn of Egypt.

Who brought them through, dry shod, the Red Sea.

Yet slew Pharaoh’s army when they followed, bringing the same Sea to drown them.

Who lead them through the wilderness, bringing them into the Promised land.

All these things are the marvelous works He has done….

….but then,…. the personal memory of God for “us”….the personal pronoun.

Who remembered, and remembers “us” now (for it is in a continuing sense)…..and here it takes a personal turn.

And “hath redeemed us”….

Psalm 136:23-24 “Who remembered us in our low estate: for His mercy endureth forever:

And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for His mercy endureth forever.”

It is good to see and acknowledge…to praise and extoll God for Who He is, and what He has done.

But it is better to know God’s mercy personally……that He remembers me, or us. And redeems us.

How often we are in need of His mercy.

Mercy is God’s kindness to sinners.

There is temporal mercy: He sends the rain on the just and unjust. (Matthew 5:45)

And there is Spiritual mercy, which is only found in Christ Jesus, for ”us”.

This redemption is personal Salvation, guidance, and victory.

Let us acknowledge Who God is, and praise Him for it.

But let us make sure we have a personal interest in Christ Jesus, that He is our Redeemer.

We are ever in His memory…ever before His eyes.

2 Timothy 1:9-10 “Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began;

But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:”

This seal of mercy is set on all the circumstances, people, and paths that comes to “us”: “His mercy endureth forever.”

His mercy reaches us where we are.

His mercy leads us out of bondage.

His mercy delivers us and gives us the promises.

His mercy remembers us, and in Christ Jesus, our Lord, brings us before His throne to get what we need.

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

How much He has for us, if we will but come to Him and get it, and then with the help of the Holy Spirit within, use it.

Perfection for a Christian

Hebrews 13: 20-21. “Now the God of Peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.

Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Only God is Divine, and Sinless.

But He calls us to be “perfect”, which in the Bible means that we are to attain to that which you were brought into being for.

We are to fulfill the Purpose of God for our lives; we are to be complete.

How can this be done?

“..through the blood of the everlasting covenant.”

Or “…through Jesus Christ;..”

You see, God made a covenant with His Son Jesus Christ, before He created the earth.

It basically was a promise on both sides, which said:

God, the Son would become the Man Christ Jesus and come to earth, live a perfect and sinless life, and then die on the cross; taking all our sins on Him.

So that whosoever would come to Him to be saved from their sin, could be saved.

God, the Father would raise up Jesus from the dead, in the tomb. He would reward His Son with a people that would love Him. God the Father would draw them to Christ, conform them to His beloved Son; and take them home to heaven when they died.

(Salvation in the Bible is: justification and sanctification and glorification.

Justification is a legal term, and means that Jesus made peace with God, by taking our punishment on Himself….and we are made not guilty before God, and more, we are made positively righteous in Him. [Romans 5:1]

Sanctification is the setting aside ourselves to God in a practical sense. We receive from Him, by the Holy Spirit, power to be free from besetting sins, habits, and the corruptions of the world….spiritual liberty and grace (ability) to be all He has for us. [2 Corinthians 3:17-18]

Glorification is the Lord taking us home and changing our corruptible bodies into incorruptible, for the life we will have with Him in Heaven. [1 Corinthians 15:52-54])

When we are saved, Jesus becomes our Shepherd. And by His guidance and strength; we are lead through this life.

He makes us “perfect” by leading us in and out of many situations where we are to help, pray, speak about Him, or lend a hand.

These situations mold us and shape us into His likeness….we are complete in Him.

As we follow Him, and are obedient to what He wants us to do……becoming and receiving through these situations all He has for us; then we have attained to the Purpose for which He created us.

This is Bible perfection for a Christian. To see all the “good works” done….in you and through you.

I have “good works” in quotes, because there are so many ideas about the words.

When the Bible speaks of good works, it means anything the Lord wants you to do. Whether that is a lot or a little, what ever His will is, those are the good works He has for you.

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained (made full provision for) that we should walk in them.”

(It is ever a “walk” with the Lord, in scripture)

And Jesus never leaves us. He has sent His Holy Spirit within each Christian to encourage them, strengthen them, and guide them into the life He has for each of them.

Let us follow on to perfection: to do God’s Purpose for our lives, everyday with Him.

Have you Settled Things with God?

In the garden of Getheseme, Christ Jesus “settled” with God that He would finish the work.

Matthew 26:38-40 “Then saith he (Jesus) unto them, my soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.

And he cometh unto the disciples and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?”

How much it hurt Him, that He was the only one praying….at such a time as this.

He had told them of the circumstances to come…..perhaps they thought “surely not tonight”….

….He had told them to pray….yet for grief….they slept instead….leaving Him alone in this duty.

…He had told them of the betrayal and denial to come….yet they did not pray, even for those things….instead, they closed their eyes to these things…and then slept.

Yet it was there, praying alone….that our Lord Jesus settled with the Father, all that was to come….and the how it was to come.

A settled mind is looking ahead in hope…..a settled heart is looking ahead in believing obedience to the One Who can bring us through.

And so it was at Getheseme for Christ….and so it can be for us, too.

What are you going through….or what it ahead?

Our Heavenly Father knows, and is ready to give the settled peace and hope of mind, and heart.

The life our Lord Jesus lived was not a easy one. Holy and undefiled, He lived in a world which was corrupt, perverted, and in bondage.

But in the garden, Jesus was to face the hardest battle. Alone, He struggled with the upcoming pain, and humiliation (imagine having the power to destroy, or even change the mind of those who arrested and tried Him; yet having to be silent in defense.)

John 19:10-11 “Then sayest Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.”

He struggled with the fact that Judas betrayed Him, and His disciples couldn’t stay awake.

He struggled with the fact that the very people He came, in love, to; had rejected Him and His Word about the Kingdom of God.

He struggled, knowing the beatings, both by Romans, and Israelites, He would be subject to; the crown of thorns being pushed into His head in cruel mockery. He was a King, but refused to show it.

He struggled most: with the awful fact that on the cross He would be deserted by His Father, who had always been with Him:

For all our wicked sin, was placed upon Him; as our substitute. All God’s wrath, which should have been placed upon our heads for our sins, was placed on His.

Yet at Gethesemne, He settled the matter. He had come to do these very things, so He willed to do them;…..He came to the place of wanting to go through them for His Father’s sake…..and for ours. (Hebrews 12:2)

So it was settled there, that He would do them. For they were the Father’s Will. And that is what He wanted.

And He did all His Father’s Will, even unto death.

So we must “settle it”, that we will stand in the place God has for us, and do His Will.

1Peter 5:10 “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

Grace is the unmerited favor of power; His power within us. It is ability to do, as an old Christian once said….God’s ability in and through us.

He will help us, by His grace.

He is the God of all grace, so He has enough for us.

He can help us in suffering: to endure, making us “perfect”, which means complete.

He can stablish, giving us the firm foundation of His love, and peace in all the circumstances of our lives.(And how much we need His peace in our days!)

He can strengthen us, for out of weakness we can be made strong, to will and to do His will.

He can “settle” us; which is to make the way for the rest of our lives into a path that is plainly seen, and give us power to walk in it,……and to want to walk in it “for His sake”.

Christ settled things in the Garden; the fear and amazement was there. All that came after, was just the doing.

We, too, can settle things with God; so that we can do His Will, without fear, by grace;…..in confidence, that He will be with us, and that He will empower us by His grace for all that we face.

But, because of Jesus’s atonement; we will never be alone. Amazing grace and love!

He will always be with us;…..in, and through us in everything in our lives.

Have you settled things with God?

True North on the Compass of Your Life.

Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

There is, on the compass, a magnetic north, which is not true North.

You can navigate with this, for short trips.

But when you have long trips over any length of time or of distance; you must be able to ascertain True North, or you will be off your point of destination, miles and miles.

We should all have a goal to which we are headed in life; and a way of getting there, which is not going to lead us astray.

That goal keeps our eyes focused on the real purpose of our existence.

As Christians, our purpose of life, should come from the Lord:

Ephesians 2:10. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

We are “created in Christ Jesus” or born again; for a purpose.

Our purpose is to “walk” in the good works God appoints us, as individual Christians, to do.

We all have the “work” of manifesting Jesus Christ in our life. His character should shine through us; His peace, His gentleness, His love, and His determination to do the Father’s Will.

So what is the True North in this walk?

It is making Jesus Christ, Lord of your life, so that you will know what to do, and will be empowered to do, by His life, within you.

Making Him Lord means that we are His servants; obeying Him.

We are His disciples; learning from Him and teaching what we have learned.

And we are His friends, walking with Him through this world, to the next.

John 7:17 “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whither it be of God, or whither I speak of myself.”

Hosea 6:3 “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.”

As certain as this old earth keeps turning, there will be sunrise tomorrow.

You may not be able to see it, for there may be clouds and the day dark and dreary; but the sun will be there.

This says that we can rest easy in Christ; we can expect Him to show us His Way for us, and for Him to give us His blessings (the former and latter rains), in the time we need them.

It also encourages us, to continue to follow Him.

Psalm 42:8 “Yet the Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.”

Psalm 37:40 “And the Lord will help them, and deliver them: He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.”

He knows where we should be, and how we are to get there.

In life, in attitudes, and in troubles; with Him as our Lord and Savior; we shall know.

Our whole life is a journey.

(I used to tell a friend, life is an adventure. They thought of “lions” and “tigers”; and they were not happy about the thought. But I think of going with a Great Guide into a world that changes all the time….and to me, that is an adventure.)

It is a journey of a life time.

And, lets face it, we need help; we need a guide, who loves us, to get us to the end.

We are to “walk” from here to heaven, with Christ Jesus.

That is a daily walk with Him.

That is how we grow to know Him more.

True North on the compass of our lives, is to make Him Lord of our lives.

Then we will see His Purpose for our lives, done.

Then we will get to the end in peace.

Are we inclining our ears toward God?

Jeremiah 35:15 “I have sent also unto you all My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying,

Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers;

but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto Me.”

Jeremiah is the book where this phrase is used most….eight times the Lord says this to HIs people….”incline your ears” toward Him….to hear.

Jeremiah preached to Judah for over forty years….the Words of God….saying again and again…..”Hear”….(used over forty times).

(This is amazingly helpful…..especially for those who say they can not “hear” God’s Word….they do not understand it.

For, if we will but incline our ears….really try and understand…yielding to the Holy Spirit’s convictions….

….then, God will give us understanding….will give us “hearing ears”.

We should not say, “Oh well, I can not get this,…God should make this easy….I’ll forget it for now,”…..

…..come to Him, and He will give you ears that hear what He is saying.

Proverbs 20:12 “The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them.”)

To incline our ears, is to lean toward the one we want to listen to….so we will be able to catch every word.

Some incline to the world’s words and opinions…..philosophy or what they think is “right, or fair”….

….but as Christians, we should incline our ears to hear God and His Word.

Proverbs 21:2-3 “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.

To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”

Isaiah 55:3 “Incline your ear, and come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David”.

To hear in the scriptures, denotes the desire to do what you hear….that is why you are listening….to really hear, and do.

Isaiah 55:6-7 “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near:

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”

Mercy is that kindness to sinners….and abundant pardon is forgiveness of sins and a right relationship with Him…everyday.

How long have we had the Bible? The Scriptures being read, and shared, and preached, and taught?

(My husband and I often, as we are riding in the car….start quoting verses….as best we can. It is amazing how many of them are brought back to mind….and sometimes the ones you think you know the best,…..not so much!

Not only is it fun, but it encourages the memory in praising God for HIs mercies, and care!)

Jesus Christ said, when He was here….”He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Luke 8:8)

Are your ears hearing? Are you wanting to hear what Jesus says to you?

For this is “to incline your ears”….to really want to hear.

Give up your fear….your own way…and hear.

Yield to the Holy Spirit within, and you will be given understanding….so we can do what He is telling us.

Luke 8:18 “Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.”

Here is the crux of the matter: Do you have the desire to hear the Lord for yourself?

“For whosoever hath”….if you have this desire…….”to him shall be given”

The Lord always looks on the heart of each person.

Who do we want to hear?

Isaiah 57:14 “And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of My people.”

What stumblingblock is in our way? At what are we “stumbling” when we read HIs Word?

Isaiah 57:15 “For thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place,….”

(Of course God is high and lifted up…..He dwells on high, seeing to all HIs Purpose….but, also…)

“….with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

Humble means lowly,…seeing our position before God as it really is.

Contrite means bruised, crushed….seeing what sin has done or will do, to me.

But God will revive….will make alive!…to nourish…to preserve…quicken, repair…to be whole. (God never does anything by halves).

Are we inclining our ears toward God and what He is saying to us?

There is so much at stake…..let us…”hear and your soul shall live”.

Daniel in the lion’s den

Daniel 6:16-17 “Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, He will deliver thee.
And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.”

That Daniel entered the lion’s den, willingly (Daniel 6:10),.....because he would not give up prayer for God’s people in Jerusalem and Judah.....is an amazing witness of the power of God,.....in Daniel’s courage concerning HIs Word (1 Kings 8:46-49).......and in his belief in prayer to God!

(And this is a lesson we all need to learn. If God has placed a person/people, or place, or church upon our hearts for prayer……we need to be faithful in fulfilling our duty to God in it….claiming the promise He gives)

I also want to mention the witness of Daniel’s life beforehand. For we can not pass through the things of tomorrow, without going through the trials and things of today with God. Daniel, since first being taken to Babylon,....chose to stand with God and His Words....even though it put him at odds with those in authority there. He chose to seek God and the good of others....even the heathen king and those around him....though his life was often in danger for speaking what God wanted. Daniel was serving a heathen king. He was in a place of power and position.....and I might add, that most in these positions, embezzled some money from the kingdom. This is what made the king love Daniel so....he was faithful in keeping all the accounts:

Daniel 6:2, 4 “And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.
Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.”

So when the king, at the mouth of the lion’s den, said…..”thy God whom thou servest continually…”
…this faithfulness to the duty the king gave him, was what he meant. The king knew Daniel was faithful to God in all things. In the things which were personal....and the things of his homeland, Judah....and the things of the kingdom of Darius, money included.

(This is amazing! What does our everyday life show others?)

But now Daniel is in a lion’s den….”cast into the den of lions”.
(Daniel was an old man by this time….he had come to Babylon when he was a youth….and had served Nebuchadnezzar for years….through to the Medes and Persians attacking and taking the city. Darius was set upon the throne and Daniel served him for years.) But now, because of the trickery of others, the king has given in to vanity....and Daniel pays the price. He is brought and thrown in with lions. I do not know the eating habits of lions.....but they do attack and kill anything which intrudes into their den....and these lions were often starved ...or just fed enough...in case of an enemy which needed to be destroyed in a brutal fashion for an example to others, was cast in. And I do not think Daniel knew what was going to happen....his confidence and trust, was in the Lord to do what was best.....

Daniel 6:19-22 “Then the king arose very early….and went in haste to the den of lions.
…he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel:….O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
Then said Daniel….O king live for ever. (The usual greeting to the king)
My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me:…”

I will pause in this last verse, and say: Hallelujah! Both men rejoiced in the goodness and mercy of God.

“….forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.” Daniel had a whole night of praying and waiting before the Lord.....among lions....and God had revealed that Daniel’s prayers for Judah were right,....done for the glory of God, and the good of his people. And, though the enemies of the kingdom were usually cast into this den....Daniel had not done anything to hurt the kingdom of Darius...to deserve this at his hand.

Though the right way is often persecuted….God is the justifier of all motives and actions.
He weighs our thoughts and intents of our hearts….and that of our persecutor’s. And, of course, there is one other thing to mention concerning that lion’s den.....perhaps the most important....especially for Daniel (or anyone who has to face the viciousness of any enemy)....

….and that is that….God was with Him.
God had sent His angel to shut the lions mouths…..God was there in the darkness in a peace and Presence that Daniel knew.
What a wonderful promise to us…..especially when we face things alone!

Daniel 6:23 “Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.”

We know that to believe is to put the whole weight of our lives upon. Daniel did that….”he believed in his God.”

What of us? To believe is a continuing journey. We know Christ Jesus, and believe…and are saved.
We come to know more of Christ….and believe and by faith live a life which is….in the world, but not of it….”…and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”

I have never been in a lion’s den. I have never been betrayed by people I have worked for as desperately as this. But I am not Daniel....I am me....with the problems, trials, and enemies that God has placed in my way. It is how I witness to Him in the way He has given me....that will make the history of my life a glory, for Him.

And it is the same for all of us: we have our own trials….and “lions” to face…..
…but God is with us. Let us believe on Him….and in His Word….and pray like we do.