Manna,…or the old corn of the Land.

Joshua 5:11-12 “And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the marrow after the Passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the self same day.

And the manna ceased on the marrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.”

On this day the manna stopped. They did not need it any more. It had been God’s miraculous food for His people, in the wilderness. (Exodus16:14-16)

But now there was the old corn of the land, stored up from the harvest of the inhabitants.

When they entered Canaan, the people had fled into Jericho, and had left this supply of food behind.

Now Israel had a supply, not from heaven each morning…….but from their enemies.

Certainly, both supplies came from God:

One was directly from Him, each morning.

The other was a supply He gave from the land which they were entering.

I want to talk for a moment about the different ways God supplies our need…..both spiritual lessons and graces….and physical needs…..

….there is the “ordinary way”…from our jobs, or inheritances….these, though of course, supplied by God is not in a miraculous way.

….then there is the “surprise way”….where some gift or extra money or supplies are given for a specific time.

….then there is (and I think this is amazing!) the way God supplies our needs…through our very enemies.

How many times have we learned a lesson in courage, or peace, or strength…by our enemies?

Our God is an Almighty, and Wise God…..He knows when and where and what to “feed” us….and from what source!

These supplies were also different in the way they were presented to feed Israel.

The manna was on the ground, right outside the tents of each Israelite. So he could walk on it if he so chose.

This is a picture of Christ when He came in His humiliation as the Man Christ Jesus….He was presented in an earthly manner…..and many people “trod Him underfoot”.

John 6:33-35 “For the bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

Then said they unto Him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life; he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.”

He came, presented Himself as the Son of God, and was despised and trampled on, as often the manna was to Israel.

John 6:41-42 “The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am bread which came down from heaven.

And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?”

As the manna was given directly from heaven, but placed upon the ground round their tents for them to honor and receive,…..

…or to walk on…..

…..so Jesus Christ came to this earth to be received or rejected, as Savior to sinners.

The old corn of the land was discovered, as they came to possess their possessions in the Promised Land.

It was part of their inheritance,……and so they received it with thanksgiving.

This is like Christ being presented as Lord and Savior to a lost and dying world….

……after He had ascended into heaven again, receiving all power, and set down at the right hand of God, with all authority.

Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

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.”

(You must remember that the apostles began the work of the gospel to the world in Jerusalem, among the very ones who had crucified Jesus.

They preached Christ there, and on the first day of Pentecost three thousand were saved.

From Jerusalem, it was Judea, Samaria [the places Jesus had preached] and to the uttermost part of the world from there. [Acts 1:8])

Christ Jesus was presented to the lost world, and where He was received, there was thanksgiving.

Was their battles? Yes, in both cases:

Israel in Canaan….

…..the Gospel of Christ to the world.

(I do not believe there has never been a time when Christians have not been persecuted somewhere in the world…..for Christ’s sake….we should expect it….and not be caught off guard.)

Yet Christ is set before us as our inheritance;

He nourishes us; builds us up; and sustains us.

Let us give thanks for His Salvation, and all He has done for us….each day.

Christ is still the Bread of Life. He is still being presented to the world.

Both supplies of food represent Christ…..one sent from heaven to be presented to Israel, on the ground.

One sent by heaven through the very enemies they were to overcome, as they entered into their possessions in the Promised Land.

Let us praise God for all the ways He sees to us, to His Gospel, and to the honor of His Son.

“Praise Him, praise Him….sing of His excellent greatness:

Praise Him, praise Him! Ever in joyful song!”

Are we enjoying our portion?

Jesus Christ Stands Without the Church, Knocking

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

In the letters to the Churches in Revelation, Jesus is sending messages to instruct them about what they were facing in their times, and what they should about it.

The last one, Laodicea, was given more proof that He was speaking,….and more correction.

For He could not find anything to approve, in this Church.

Yet He also set one of the greatest rewards before them, “if” they would respond to His Voice.

Let us look at the proof He sent, of Who Spoke. He uses three Names: to none other Church He authorizes, like this one.

Revelation 3:14 “And unto the angel of the Church of Laodiceans write; these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.”

All of these Names are Christ’s.

He is the Amen: He alone is the affirmation and confirmation of God. He declares God in all His perfections and purposes; and then proves that God is faithful in them.

So Christ is the Amen to Laodicea, who is so far from God, they didn’t recognize He wasn’t in their midst.

He is the Faithful and True Witness: This Church is on trial, and as such the Witness against them is not of the world, but Christ, Himself. He witnesses that He knows their hearts, and minds; and finds wretchedness, instead of holiness or zeal.

He is the Beginning of the Creation of God: From Eternity Past God the Father and God the Son made an Everlasting Covenant. This concerns Christ’s becoming the Man, Christ Jesus; and coming to the earth they would create, and saving a people for Christ’s Name sake.

So in the very beginning of thought concerning Creation, there was the Plan of Salvation:…..which first included the agreement of Christ to become our Redeemer by His Sacrifice;….and the agreement of God the Father to give Christ a people for a reward, because of His becoming the Man, Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him (that is us) endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

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 for ever and ever. Amen.”

This is Christ as the Beginning of The Creation of God.

Now these Names begin in manifesting God,…..and then go to witnessing against our lukewarmness,……then finally giving another invitation in His purpose and provision for these…..and us.

Christ gave ample proof that He was speaking. Then He moves on to the corrections:

Revelation 3:15-17 “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold or hot; I would that thou wert cold or hot.

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold or hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”

He corrects them, because they are lukewarm.

Now we think: Lukewarm isn’t so bad. We think it is just good enough to get us by.

But Christ does not think so…..

He died that we might be saved to the uttermost (Hebrews7:25).

Since they are not,…….and are not working to be,…(since they are so conceited as to be in “need of nothing” Revelation 3:17),….they will be spewed out of His mouth.

In other words Jesus Christ will vomit out these lukewarm Laodiceans.

How can He spew out a Christian? Who said they are true Christians…they are wretched,…..naked…and blind….

I personally believe, that for these Laodiceans who refuse to hear and obey the Voice of Jesus Christ, and repent; that the little bit of knowledge of salvation that they had will wither and die,…….the Holy Spirit will be grieved for they will not submit to Christ……and they will stand as rebels against God, instead of servants of Him.

They will be “spewed out” by their own choice in turning their backs on His offer of peace.

They will find, then, that His Salvation was not just a salvation from Hell, but from sin, (which they would not give up.).

And self, which is true liberty of spirit. To be saved from every proud, angry, bitter, and hateful attitude, which eats away at our souls.

He saves to the uttermost, He saves all of us–spirit, mind, heart, will and body; or nothing.

Now, it is true, we are often in need of correction; but it is how we take Christ’s correction, which shows true Salvation.

Do we “murmur and complain” continually; for the children of Israel did, and lost out. (Hebrews 3:10-11)

Or do we: “Come let us reason together” (Isaiah 1:18) with the Lord.

We will not always like what we hear from Jesus. How often did He rebuke His disciples?

But if we are going on with Him,……we will not lose out.

Jesus said this:

John 8:31-32 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

But Christ does not just correct, He gives life, to those who follow His way of life:

Revelation 3:18 ” I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear, and anoint thy eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”

Many people disagree with Christ here, and say He should not have said “buy of me”.

But, the articles He refers to, are those of righteousness. The righteousness which we are to do, not be. If we are truly born again, then we are righteous, because we are in Christ Jesus.

But we are also to do righteousness, because we have His Spirit within us, enabling and directing us.

The “gold, tried in the fire” speaks of God manifested in our life. We are to show forth our new nature, the nature of God, within us in our daily life.

We are to deny ourself and pick up our cross and follow Him into a life of Godliness. Receiving the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and using them.

If we don’t, we are refusing Him.

The “white raiment” is not His garment of purity applied to us…..but the purity of love and motive to the commands and word of Christ.

And the “eye salve” is honesty, which tears away the veil of our own conceit; so we see ourselves, the world, and our place in it clearly.

This, the Holy Spirit helps us with. We are such dishonest people without His help. But with His help, we see.

The means to get these is clear: “buy”. But with what do we buy?

It is obedience to the next verse, simply stated by Jesus:

Revelation 3:19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent.”

Repent…..be zealous and repent of our lukewarmness…and get boiling hot for Christ.

But even here, He does not desert us. He goes on to call us with His arms of love outstretched:

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

This is a personal call, to individuals in the Church. To open their lives to His Voice, and let Him in, to lead them on, (yes, in correction and instruction), in fellowship with Him.

Promising one of the greatest rewards, “if we will”.

Revelation 3:21 “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”

We are to overcome everything which stands in the way of doing Christ’s Will for us.

His power is there for us: remember He saves to the uttermost, those who come to Him.

Christ requires not an answer of words, but of a life open to and receptive to Him.

We may not be the greatest Christians, but are we going on with Him? Or refusing His Voice?

He has made it clear what He will do. What will you do?

Through the Knowledge of Him

2 Peter 1:1-2 “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.”

How much we need grace (the unmerited favor of power), and peace in these days for our individual lives.

It is to be had, in Christ.

If you are born again, you have access to it by the Holy Spirit within.

But you get it “multiplied unto you”, through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.

(You will notice that our “faith” is through our Savior Jesus Christ; but the grace and peace multiplied is through Jesus our Lord. Is Jesus Christ Lord of your life?)

He is our Savior as we believe and receive Him, through the faith that is given us by the Holy Spirit. (John 1:12)

He is Lord,……..but He is only “our” Lord, by our submitting our wills to Him, in obedience.

And we only do this as we get to know Him…not just about Him….but know Him……and submit to His character through the Holy Spirit.

(That is His holiness and righteousness, as well as His love and mercy.)

2 Peter 1:3 “According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us unto glory and virtue:”

(“According as His divine power”; It is not according to my miserable ability. But according to His divine power. The limitless, and Almighty power of God.)

“Hath given” means they are given us in Christ Jesus. They are ours to have and use by the Holy Spirit within us. They are all the things we need to have Christ’s character formed in our everyday lives.

“All things” means all things.

Again, it is through the knowledge of Him.

How important it is that we know Christ, and continue to gain personal fellowship and knowledge of Him.

He has indeed called us to “glory and virtue”; to manifest His glory (His light and goodness), even here in these circumstances, and among the people we know.

And called us to the virtue of His Holy Spirit within us: The Artea of His power.

Artea means “force”. He is that force within us, “working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

(Praise God for this influence and prodding within us….leading us at times….pushing us at time….into the good for us.)

So we manifest His glory–the glory of His salvation, of His calling, of His love by the force of the Holy Spirit within our spirits; helping us to obey, and joy in it.

2 Peter 1:4 “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

Christ has given us promises….His Word to claim and obtain for ourselves…..they are ours,……but we must get them into our experience.

That is what obtain means; to get them for ourselves.

They are given to us, that you might have the character of Christ, and escape the corruptions (envy, anger, lying) that the world’s system lives in.

We each have our own lusts….things which have a hold on us…

(lust is…I want this…whatever this is….and I want it now)

Whether they be spiritual, mental, emotional, or physical; we lust after what we don’t have.

But the Lord Jesus Christ has liberty from them…..in Him.

When we make Christ Lord of our lives, and yield to His will and way for us.

And the way that happens is to : Know Christ more and more, for ourselves.

This not to know about Him (although that is not bad), but to know Him.

It is to know what He requires of me.

It is to know the force of the Holy Spirit , and how we are to yield to Him.

It is to know what He will do for me in the temptations, and trials that I go through.

It is to know Him. Through the Knowledge of Him, we multiply grace and peace…..and His character begins to be formed in us.

Do not sorrow….even as others

A little background is necessary:

The Thessalonians were a strong and loving church. They had been established by Paul under persecution….

….yet they manifested love to each other and all around them in Macedonia.

This is marvelous……the trials and persecution did not come between them and their Lord, but pushed them closer to Him.

Yet they had a sorrow.

Paul had told them of the coming of Christ for His church…..that they were to watch for themselves……..so they would be ready for His return.

And they had…..they were faithful and watchful.

But some of those who had first believed had died….

…and those who were alive wondered about them.

Would they see Christ come for them?

Paul wrote back….giving the Word of the Lord for them…..a revelation from the Lord to Paul, for all of us.

“Do not sorrow….even as others who have no hope.”

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain shall not prevent them which are asleep.

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

Though their bodies sleep in the earth….their souls are with Christ in heaven.

So that when He comes to rapture His church…..they will come with Him….and their bodies shall rise and come together with their souls…

…..and we, who are alive shall be caught up to meet Him in the skies!

Notice, the name Paul uses here….”the Lord”. It was a favorite name of Paul…for remember when Christ Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus….he said…

….”Who art thou Lord?”, And “Lord, what would you have me to do?”

(In the name “Lord”, is defined One who is Superior…..One who rules….One who can speak and it will be done.

And when we say “Lord”…..we should be acknowledging that Christ are these things to us….as Paul did)

Paul gave his life to the Lord that day…..and proclaimed His goodness and mercy from that day forth.

Notice also, “The Lord, Himself shall descend from heaven”…..

….Christ Jesus will not send an angel….no, not even the highest form of angels to meet His beloved church when they come from their workplace of earth….

….but the Lord Himself shall come to meet us!

There will be a trumpet sound.

When God assembled the congregation of the children of Israel….there was a trumpet sound

Numbers 10:2-3 “Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and or the journeying of the camps.

And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.”

We shall all come…..assembling with the Lord….caught up to ever be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

We should not sorrow….as others that have no hope…..

Death can not separate us from the promises of God…..for Christ has overcome death,……as well as sin. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)

But we are to “watch”…..be ready…..be waiting….be awake.

1 Thessalonians 5:5-6 “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”

To be sober here is to refrain from selfish indulgences…..which hinder our readiness….and keep us looking other places than at Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.”

The armor spoken of here is only defensive….(in Ephesians 6:10-18 it is offensive as well)….

….it is speaking of guarding our inward life….

…..that we will be growing in grace….and ready for Christ’s coming.

The breastplate covers our heart and it’s affections.

The helmet covers our mind and it’s reasons and imaginations.

These are to be guarded if we are to walk in the Light.

And what is our armor here? Faith is our foundation grace…..uniting us with Christ our Rock.

Love is our motive…..For we love Him, because He first loved us (1 John 4:19)

These….if we are using them…..guards our hearts.

Hope…..the confident expectation that God will do what He says…..guards out minds.

Hope of salvation is the Holy Spirit reminding us that God is working all things to bring us to the fullness of our salvation…..within….and one day, with Him….as He has said.

It guards our thoughts.

1 Thessalonians 5:6 “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”

We are not to sorrow as others who have no hope…..for our God has a plan and a purpose for each of us….

…He will come for us,…and we will rise to meet Him in the air.

We are to watch, using the means the Lord has provided (faith, love, and hope)…..in these dark times……so that our inner life will be kept for the joy and enjoyment of our Lord.

He Knows

2 Chronicles 6:30 “Then hear Thou from heaven Thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart Thou knowest; (for Thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men;)“

He knows us; will we seek Him out in all our ways?

As Christians, we should grab a hold of all of God’s Word to us;…….and of what He will do for us.

That He knows us, our feelings, our troubles, our situation, our plans; should be a fortress around us.

Psalm 44:21 “Shall not God search this out? For He knoweth the secrets of the heart.”

He Knows.

Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.”

2 Peter 2:9 “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations,….”

God knows everything about us. How great a comfort this would be, if we let it.

Job 23:10 “But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”

This says that the trials that come to us, are allowed by His hand, to bring us closer to Him.

If they are from our own folly and sin;…….then they are to bring us back to Him, and to His care.

Psalm 41:4 “I said, Lord, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against Thee.”

If they are sent from Him as a hurtle in our way;…..then He wants to show us, that He will supply the ability to jump it.

Psalm 18:29-30 “For by Thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.

As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried (tried and proved): He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him.”

But in some trials, He knows also how much we can grow, now: so….

Psalm 103:14 “ For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.”

John 16:12 “I have yet many things to say unto you (His disciples), but ye cannot bear them now.”

God knows, and He helps us to know ourselves:

Psalm 139:1-4 “O Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me.

Thou knowest my downsittings and my uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off.

Thou compasseth my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, Thou knowest it altogether.”

The psalmist saw that God knew, and saw everything about him!

It was a comfort that God saw him even in the womb,….and every time since.

Since God knew him; he understood that God would not lose him in the crowd. God would not forget him.

God would not leave him, even because of his sin;…..but lead him like a child with His hand:

Psalm 139:10 “Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me.”

And so he praised Him for His thoughts of him:

Psalm 139:17 “How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!”

God knows us, what we need (both spiritually and physically),…….and the way we will grow closer to Him.

(For each of us there is a way. Some need more attention here, and others need more attention there. Each child of God is seen to according to that need).

This should be a safe place to rest, in every situation: I may not know; but God does…and He will surely lead me on.

Luke 12:30-32 “For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Let us seek after Him, that knows; and rest in His will and Word.

Tabitha/Dorcas

Acts 9:36-38 “Now there was in Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did.

And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.

….and the disciples heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.”

Notice two things: she was a disciple….a believer and follower of Jesus Christ.

Whether she had be saved before the Lord’s death….or after, in the outflowing of the giving of the Holy Spirit to the church….it does not say.

But she was living proof of what Jesus said,….

John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give unto you. That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

….for she loved God, and others in word and action….doing all she could for those who had no one to care for them…..the widows.

(Widows were often destitute….unless they had children who would care for them, as well as their own families.)

Acts 9:39 “Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.”

Second, she had two names…..one Hebrew, and one Greek. Both mean “gazelle, or beautiful”.

She had two names, I believe, because she ministered to any and all widows.

As a believer….she had not confined her ministry to the Hebrew widows but to others as well.

She made coats and garments for these…..things of her own hands….not a penny here, or there as if they were beggars…..but providing coverings for the cold nights, and garments for dignity.

(As Christians, we too, should provide for those we minister to…..we should cover them by our prayers, and seek for their good….not just outward, but inward blessing.)

Peter, who had just healed a man in the neighboring city (Acts 9:34 “…Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.”)…

…… was hurriedly called to come to see if he could do anything for Tabitha.

Peter had healed…….this would be resurrection from the dead in Jesus Name. Was it possible?

Peter comes, as he is called, and goes in…..not stopping to admire her good works….or grieve with their loss….

….he knew what he had to do….and did it….according to the Lord’s Will.

Acts 9:40-41 “But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body (she is still dead, at this point)

said, Tabitha, arise.

And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.”

Jesus had brought back to life, several, when He was here…..but no one had been risen from the dead since the Holy Spirit had been given on the day of Pentecost.

Yet, praying in the Name of Jesus Christ, Peter then speaks the same word as Jesus did to the ruler’s daughter (Luke 8:54-55)…”Arise”.

Because of this, there was not only joy in those widows and the believers there…..but this was a witness to Jesus Christ throughout the city…..

Acts 9:42 “And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.”

We think that this happened because she was so good…..

….but it happened because those around her sought for her…..the Lord’s Will.

They might not have believed that their prayers alone would have brought her back to life…..but they believed that Peter would know what to do….so…

They called for Peter…..and Peter did just that….the Lord’s Will.

What of us?

Are we hesitating to seek in prayer, because we are not very important?

Then let us call for the One we know will do what is right…and seek His Will done in every situation.

We will be what we will to be:

Romans 6:16 “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whither of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

Will is our whole being active. Our minds are in it, our emotions are there, and our wills are the force within each person, which says, “I will do this.”

In this verse, “yield” is the action word.

Here, in Romans (Romans 6:13,16,19) it means: “to be at hand or ready to aid”.

It is a picture of a servant who is at the side of the master, ready to assist in any way.

(As David’s servants said to him,…

2 Samuel 15:15 “And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.”)

For as Christians, we have our blessed new nature which was placed within us at new birth. But we also have our old nature which would led us away from God. That makes the struggle (Galatians 5:16-17) we often feel within ourselves.

We forget, sometimes, that we are servants. (Some people think that they can rule their own destiny, but it is a false premise.)

We are all ruled by something, or Someone. For Christians, we should be ruled by Jesus Christ: His Will and His Word.

And this is what Paul is setting forth here:

We are servants of sin,….we choose some sort of sin,….and are under the power of that sin.

Or,

We are servants of righteousness,…..choosing to be obedient to the new life,……Christ’s life within.

And the way to choose His life, or righteousness; is to yield.

We yield to obedience to Him.

We must ask ourselves: Is Jesus Christ really necessary to me? Or could I get along without Him in my life?

Jesus Christ could change anything! But He desires most to change us into His likeness, and character.

He has given us our wills, and He has chosen that we must “yield” or be ready to give Him all the aid He requires to bring His Will to pass in, by and through me.

He would have us to be His servants and become the persons He will mold us into.

He wants heart-servants. Those that love Him.

Those that love to be with Him, in fellowship and in the work. (For He has a work of witness for all of us).

And to do this, we must exercise our wills, and yield.

Empty your Hands

What is that in thine hand?

Have you ever considered what hinders you from doing the work, the Lord wants you to do?

Are you hanging on to something that you need to let go of?

Exodus 4:2 “And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.”

Moses had been a prince of Egypt, a defender of his brethren, a fugitive, and a shepherd.

But now he was called of God to go and bring out the Israelites from slavery, to take them to the promised land of Canaan.

But how was he going to do this?

The Lord first called him, then showed him one of the means he was to use, to do the work….his shepherd’s rod.

Of course, this rod was not the only means, Moses used to deliver the children of Israel out of Egypt.

But it was in his hand at the time God called him.

Exodus 4:3-5 “And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.

And the Lord said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand:

That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared into thee.”

God chose to sanctify the rod for His work: so it was given to Moses for a means of deliverance for the children of Israel.

I remember how often, as a child, a older person would tell me to “empty my hands, so you can pick up that other thing.”

Here, the Lord is telling Moses that it is time to let go of the life he had in Midian, and to do the next work….His work of deliverance.

Now we can not fill our hands with God’s work, if we will not empty them of other things.

Exodus 4:21 “And the Lord said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.”

“Which I have put in thine hand.”

Only the things God puts in our hands are for His work.

Sometimes they are for a specific work and then to be laid aside. Sometimes they are for our whole life work.

The means are all at God’s disposal, not ours.

Our job is to empty our hands, and fill them with what He puts there.

One of the means we are always to use is His Word. It is always right at hand, and it is for our instruction in righteousness.

2 Timothy 3:16-17. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

Another means we are to use is grace. Grace is the unmerited favor of power.

(We think of grace as a New Testament word…but it was first used when God chose Noah to save those who would believe God, from the flood to come. Genesis 6:8)

Zechariah 4:7 “Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, Grace unto it.”

(Whatever “mountains” of difficulties are before us; it is God’s grace that can overcome against them.)

Power for what we need in this circumstance. Given by God at the time we need it, as we ask for it. (Hebrews 4:16).

Grace can be strength, courage, words, and /or whatever we need at the time.

2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”

Faith is another means we have. Faith is given to us at new birth; and increased as we follow after Christ in believing obedience. It is to be used: (“I believe, help my unbelief”. Mark 9:23-24).

The means for God’s Work, are God’s.

Our job is to empty our hands, and fill them with what He puts there.

The issues of our lives

Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

This is one of my husband’s favorite verses…..for it shows the importance of mastering our hearts…..by giving them to the Lord….and working to keep them there.

How many times have we “put our all” on the altar….and then shortly removed some of it.

The heart in scripture is the soul….made up of our thoughts, emotions, and will.

In our “hearts” lies all that we have become….and is the source of all that affects our life and character.

“The issues of life” are those things that count for time and eternity.

They are what we think is important….what we put first….what we guard.

Now to speak of issues, we must consider…..who we are? And where are we going….and what we were brought into being for?

As Christians, we need to remember that we do not belong to this world,…..we are pilgrims and strangers here…..passing through to heaven.

So the issues of our lives must be looking forward to eternity….What would my Lord want for me, and by me?

Remember Abraham and the testimony he had before God:

Hebrews 11:8 “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whether he went.”

As born again ones, we have been called to go out of this world’s system and influence…..following the leading of Christ Jesus, (in the world but not of it)….not always knowing what is next….but following Him.

Hebrews 11:9 “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:”

Abraham did not possess the land that God gave him, yet…..but lived in it, giving a testimony throughout: “thou art a mighty prince among us” (Genesis 23:4-6).

We, too, should live as priests and princes of God here…..seeking the good of our fellow Christians,….and as much as we can…the good of all.

Hebrews 11:10 “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

Here is the choice verse:

Abraham looked for a city which hath foundations…..for he knew that everything in this world was sinking sand (Matthew 7:24-27)

He looked and lived each day……by faith…..

….keeping his eye on the promises, and what he should obtain now….and then…..for his place in the inheritance he would have in eternity future.

We are called to do the same…..this world is a snare, and the influence of it corrupts and poisons our souls….

….so we are to “leave it alone”…..

Colossians 2:8, 20-22 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ (free with Him) from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

(Touch not; taste not; handle not; which all are to perish with the using;)….

Rudiments is to fall into line with the thinking and the ranks of others, of the world.

We are not to do this….

….but what we are to do, is…..by faith…..keep our eye on the promises He has given…..for now, and eternity…….and walk each day in His Will for now.

The issues of life…..which come from our hearts….how can we rule them?

By giving….and keep giving our hearts and lives to the only One who can keep us by His faith.

Christ Jesus made us free…..free to be all that He wills us to be.

To have all that He promises….now and in eternity.

To know….by faith….the foundation beneath us is sure…..for it is Christ, Himself.

Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

To keep with all diligence means,…..above all that we guard….guard your heart for God.

And Yet There is Room

Luke 14:22 “And the servant said, Lord, it is done as Thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ, when He was here on earth, was zealous in His Work,…..so that all would hear the invitation to the Kingdom.

He traveled all over Judea, even ministering to the Samaritans and a Phonecian woman…..delivering from disease and oppression.

The main theme of the messages: The kingdom of heaven is at hand….in the presence of the King, Jesus Christ. “Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy ladened” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Matthew 4:17 “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

He healed many: the blind, saw….the lepers, cleansed….the lame, walked….and the wandering multitude were fed.

They heard again and again His Word…they praised Him for His Works…..they followed Him for what He would give….and sought Him out, for miracles.

The years He went to the feast of Passover:

The first …He drove out the buyer and sellers from the temple. (John 2:13-16). “And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not My Father’s house a house of merchandise.”

This was a command from the King….one they refused, for two years later:

The last Passover, He drove out the buyers and sellers, again. (Matthew 21:12-13) “And He said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.”

Having refused His authority and blessing…….this time He quotes the scripture they said they believed….to honor His Father.

Everywhere He went……and when He sent His disciples out, the message was the same: the Kingdom of God is at hand……the people were going to have to make a decision about the King.

Luke 10:1-2, 9 “After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself would come.

Therefore said He unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of harvest, that He would send forth laborers into His harvest.

And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The Kingdom of God is nigh unto you.”

(During the three years of ministry, Jesus gave two parables of a great supper….one in the personal sense in Luke 14, and the other before multitudes in the temple, a few days before they took Him in Matthew 22.)

Jesus was often invited to homes….several of them, Pharisee’s homes:

In Luke, someone had said, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

Which prompted Jesus to tell the parable of “a certain man” who made a great supper. The man invited many, but when it was time to come, they all made an excuse to refuse to come.

(How many times do we feel we will do anything for God,….but when it comes time to do…..do we do?)

Jesus tells that this “certain man”, after His invitation was rejected, said….”Forget these who gave an excuse…….go out and get all those who are poor, and lame, and blind”. (This certainly describes each of us without Jesus)

And yet the servant came back and said….

Luke 14:22-23 “And the servant said, Lord, it is done as Thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

And the Lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that My house may be filled.”

“Compel” here means to make them come in. Now this is what the Holy Spirit will do in the individual,…..as we, the servants….go out and give out the gospel.

(Yes, I was one of those “compelled” by the Holy Spirit. In my younger days, I was not going in His Way….as a matter of fact I had made a decision to leave the church and “do my own thing”. But, Hallelujah, God had other plans. And He would not let me go, and be lost!)

And now, Jesus has given us the charge to:

Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

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.”

As Christ’s followers we are to deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him, personally. Growing in grace from here, to heaven.

As His disciples, we are to share our knowledge of our King, inviting all who will to enter into the kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Are we ready to do the work…..in Word and action….that He wants us to do today?