The Comforter

John 14:16 “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever;”

When we are born again, the Holy Spirit comes within our spirits to live there. He is the Paraclete; which means, “to come under, to support”. He is our Comforter.

He places us in the family of God.

Galatians 4:5-7 “To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoptions of sons.

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Wherefore thou art no more servants, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

This He does, by giving us faith: the substance of things things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Plainly, by faith, the Holy Spirit makes God real to us, in our everyday life.

Ephesians 1:13, 17 “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also, after that ye have believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him:”

He is in our spirits, and turns the light on within us, so we can see the truth, and do it.

John 15:26 “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me.”

1 Peter 1:22 “Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:”

He speaks to us through the Word of God, and by working in us the knowledge of God’s Will for us.

John 14:26 “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

He empowers us, sanctifying us to God.

Ephesians 3:16”That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;”

2 Thessalonians 2:13 “But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”

He gives us the fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, and faith,

Meekness, temperance; against such there is no law.”

And as we yield to the Holy Spirit within, He works through us. (People will see a change; not in word only, but in our manner of life.)

Romans 8:13-14 “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

1 Thessalonians 1:5 “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sakes.”

When we sin, the Holy Spirit stays after us, showing it to us again and again.

If we grieve Him (Ephesians 4:30), He does not leave us, though He may withdraw the comforting feeling of His Presence; till we have sought forgiveness and cleansing.

1 John 1:7,9 “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

He teaches us to rejoice and give thanks.

1 Thessalonians 5:18-19 “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Quench not the Spirit.” (Don’t put out the fire of God burning within you by the Holy Spirit)

He teaches us how to pray.

Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which can not be uttered.”

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

As the Holy Spirit is in us, we have fellowship with other believers. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, and we are to love one another, as He loves us.

2 Corinthians 13:14 “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all.”

1 John 2:10 “He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.”

And we can be filled with the Holy Spirit, having the power of His influence within us (as as a man is under the influence of wine).

Ephesians 5:18 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”

We are filled by the Holy Spirit, to the degree we are empty of self-seeking.

Galatians 5:24-25 “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lust.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Matthew 16:24-25 “Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.”

The Holy Spirit was given us, that we will never be alone: Not spiritual orphans.

He comes to us, to hold us up, giving us joy and peace; and He supports us in God’s Will, giving us the faith to overcome.

True North

Proverbs 29:28 “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.

True north is the fixed point where the lines of longitude meet at the North Pole….somewhere out in the Arctic Sea. (The North Star is fixed over it, and was used for centuries.)

You can navigate with a compass, for short trips….

….but to navigate accurately for long trips over any time or distance, you have to ascertain True North.

So for the long distance trip….which is our life, we need to ascertain True North.

And just what is True North for our lives?

Just what should we use for the long journey of our lives?

For most people, our moral compass is True North….but for Christians, True North is

….that Jesus Christ is your Lord.

This is to ascertain True North. This is to have our guide till the end of our days.

The term “Lord” means many things to the people of the world…

….but what it means in the Bible, is “God, controller”.

Now when I say this, that does not mean He is just like a boss, to tell me what I need to do, so I can get the work done…..

But Lordship is in every area of my life,……He is in control of the circumstances I have been, am, and will come into.

I preach on Matthew 16:24 a lot,…..

…..which speaks of denying myself, picking up my cross, and following the Lord.

For it is the beginning decision in making Christ, Lord of my life.

And it is something we must continue to do while we are in the world, and surrounded by so many enemies.

Our example is Joshua…for the battle of Jericho.

Joshua had a big job. He was to take the children of Israel into Canaan….and win the inheritance God had given them….

….and the first battle was Jericho.

Joshua had done all he could…..where Jericho was concerned, so far….

…he had sent two men to spy out the city….and received their report:

Joshua 2:1, 23-24 “An Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho…

So the two men returned,….and came to Joshua…and told him all things….And they said unto Joshua, Truly the Lord hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.”

Now he had some information…..but he had not heard from God about this city….so…

…..he went out to reconnoiter the city….

It is interesting that Jericho….a walled, fortified city…..

….is the first battle that the Israelites were faced with!

(They say the the top of the wall was wide enough that two chariots could travel around it unhindered….people’s [Rahab’s Joshua 2:15] houses were in the wall, it was that wide.)

I believe it was to show to Israel…..and all the inhabitants of Canaan….that God is with Israel.

If it had been an easier battle (not that any they fought, were “easy”)….then Israel might begin to feel that…..”Yes!….we can do this!” And boast of their accomplishments.

Also, fear of God from the inhabitants……was one thing that would be on their side…..as long as they were on God’s side.

The Way God deals with things is always amazing…..and always for the best….

……although Joshua, looking at this towering fortress of a city…..might have had other thoughts…..

….but….though he was not sure what he would, or even could do against such a city…..

……he knew God had a plan….and he knew the fear of the Lord was already in the city.

This is True North….to do all we can do…..always looking up to the Lord….not to do the rest….no……but to be in charge….of me, first….then of everything else….leaving the details to Him.

When we do this, God bless us with encouragement, as He does Joshua, here:

Thinking on these things he sees a Man, with a sword drawn

Joshua 5:13-15 “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold there stood a Man over against him with His sword drawn in His hand: and Joshua went unto Him, and said unto Him, Art Thou for us, or for our adversaries?

And He said, Nay, but as Captain of the hosts of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto Him, What saith My Lord to His servant?

And the Captain of the Lord of hosts said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.”

Notice Joshua’s attitude in everything….

…he was busy looking over the city….although not looking at the problem….for he “lifted up his eyes and looked”….

….which meant he was looking up to God to hear what He had to say about Jericho…

….then when the Man appeared….he was not a slacker, but instantly challenged Him….”for us or for our adversaries?”…

….And when The Lord introduced Himself as Captain….Joshua “fell on his face” and worshipped….

….following that, with the complete subjection, by taking off his shoes before the Lord.

This Man is the Captain of the Lord’s hosts….Our Lord Jesus in human form……already having gone before in the battle….to see His Will and glory manifest…..

…….and now ready to give instructions and encouragement to His servant.

He is there to command the battle…..not just Joshua’s troops…..but the battle on both sides…..for He is the Lord of all.

Everything is under His control….every stone in that wall,…..every heart in that city….all is under His control.

(If you ask, If everyone is under His control, why then, did God let Achan sin? Joshua 7:1

And yes, “let” is the right word.

For God deals differently with those who are His…..

….He can make anyone do anything….but for those He has called to nearness to Him….He says “If any man will, let him”….”My son, give Me thine heart”……

….He wants our hearts to obey His commands….and that requires “will you?”.

And Achan would not.)

And this is what “Lord” means in the Bible…..He commands everything around us…..and with us…..as well as us.

Have we made Him Lord?

Our response should always be,…..worship!….

….and “What saith My Lord to His servant?”

Hebrews 2:10 “For it became Him, for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect (complete in the Father’s Will) through sufferings.”

God is the first and the last…….and as such, He worked out HIs Victory for our redemption, through the Captain of our salvation.

The battle for our inheritance is won, by our Lord Jesus Christ.

He has seen to it all….

…and now, He stands at the right hand of the Throne of God for us.

Let us fall before Him, and worship.

Let us subject ourselves to the Lord, and take the instruction He has for us….

…. as how to get our personal inheritance…those heavenly blessings He has in Christ (Ephesians 1:3)….into us.

For every battle….for every encounter….for everyday.

True North in our lives is making Christ Jesus….my Lord….in control of all in my life…..in charge of all, in my lifeare able to go the distance, without getting lost in the world of changing circumstances.

Paul’s Practical Preaching

Paul had begun this last bit of Romans, not with more doctrine, but with the practical.

How we are to live in this world, as Christians; belonging to Christ.

In Romans 12:1-2, Paul shows that presenting your bodies to God, and refusing to be conformed to the world, will strengthen you to find and do the will of God in your life.

Romans 12:3 “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

Paul was saying that God has given every man, by His Holy Spirit, a “measure” of faith and grace.

(We can, as Peter said in 2 Peter 1:5 “…add to your faith…”. This will increase our measure, so we “grow in grace”. We learn to use what we have, by the Holy Spirit’s instruction, and are given more.)

Our “measure” is given to us; so we should not be proud that we know something, but instead, we should use that measure of faith to:

Romans 12:6-18: “…according to the grace that is given…” we are to do the work God has given us to do.

Let love be true, and not phony:….turn away from evil……love the good.

Be kind to one another,…..preferring the fellowship of believers.

Working hard to do our job, because we serve the Lord in it.

Yield to the joy of the Spirit, and be steadfast in the trials of the day.

Pray always.

Minister to the needs of others, as you are told: both spiritual and temporal.

Bless those who seek our hurt. Do not seek revenge.

Be honest. And try and live at peace with all men.

How can we do these things?

They seem impossible!

And in our own strength, they are.

But God has given, with the measure of our faith….a Leader to show us how and when to do….but also to give us the grace and inclination to do….He has given us His Holy Spirit.

We must go back to:

Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, wholly, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”

You see, it all starts with giving ourselves to God. It says “bodies”, here; to illustrate how we need to yield to the Holy Spirit, completely.

The Lord Jesus was given a body to come to earth and suffer and die, and be raised again…..in His body.

But the Holy Ghost, the Comforter,…..has come to earth, without a body….but instead to indwell and empower our bodies (which include our spirit, soul, and body).

Paul is saying here, that we are to “present”…..which in the Greek means to “stand by, to be at hand, to offer something intangible (our friendship, ourselves)” to God the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit will then take our offering, and work with us to perform the will of God, and to mold us into the likeness of Christ’s character.

Our hands need to be His; not doing things which they should not.

Our feet need to be His; not going places we should stay out of.

Our mouths need to be His; not saying unkind things or lying.

We could go on,……but you see the reason Paul said this.

We need to give ourselves, inside and out, to the Holy Spirit; so we are no longer under our own management….but fully yielded to Him.

But thankfully when we do: we are “transformed” (changed) in motive ,…..in the inner most thoughts and attitudes of my being.

And then given power to “prove” His Will…..by doing it, in the circumstances of my life, day by day.

How good and acceptable it is in our lives!

He wants us to get “our measure” of all we need,…..to live the life He has for us.

A life of goodness and power.

Will we present our bodies to Him?

The Rich Ruler

Mark 10:17 “And when He(Jesus) was gone forth into the way, there came one running and kneeled to Him, and asked Him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

Here is a man seeking eternal life (In Luke 18:18 he is called a ruler). And he comes to the right place: to Jesus….and he calls Him a name of respect for His work…..”Good Master”.

But…..respect for Him is not enough if this man really wants eternal life…….so Jesus first points this young man to God.

Mark 10:18 “And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou Me good? There is none good but one, that is, God.”

He was showing this seeker that eternal life, does not come through following a certain set of rules.

But eternal life comes by receiving, and following Him. Through the Son of God, Who was right before him.

If He was good, and none was good but God: then He was God (which He was).

But since this rich ruler was asking what he should do, Jesus also stresses…..what He always points to…….honoring God’s Word.

God’s Word has been given to guide men to God and His life.

Jesus was drawing out of this man what his heart was really like, for it is only as we see our real need, that it can be met.

Mark 10:19 “Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor thy father and thy mother.”

Jesus quotes the second half of the Ten Commandments. The part that deals with our relations with people.

(The first half deals with honoring God, and not worshipping idols, not taking the Lord’s name in vain, and the Sabbath rest, to honor God’s works)

Mark 10:20 “And he answered and said unto Him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.”

This young man falls short of getting what Jesus is really telling him. Standing right before him was God’s Way of Salvation, in His Son; yet this ruler is intent on finding something to do.

“I have kept them all. Yet, I know I do not have eternal life by doing what I am doing. So, what more can I do. What don’t I have?”

Instead of asking, “what more can I do?”…….he should have been asking, “Can I come after You? For only You can lead me into eternal life.”

Mark 10:21 “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

Jesus loved him. Jesus could look into every heart and He knew that this man really wanted Eternal life.

But Jesus also saw the problem. He had given this man the part of the law which dealt with people, for a reason.

The problem was: his riches and possessions.

They had his heart all tied up. Nothing could get in, he was so full of them.

So the answer was: give away to other people your possessions. Free up your heart from the grip of them, and come and follow Me.

This man had followed the Law: he had not taken from any one, whether by false accusation, or theft. He had not committed adultery. He had honored his father and mother.

But he was very rich—he had “great possessions”.

Let me make this point very plain……..Jesus was not bargaining with this man.

He was telling him what hindered his heart from finding eternal life.

Mark 10:22 “And he (the ruler) was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.”

Whether this man ever did what Jesus said,……or whether he let eternal life go, to hang onto his riches;…….he went away.

He turned from the Person Who was the answer; and went away; for his possessions actually possessed him.

Mark 10:23-25 “And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto His disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

And the disciples were astonished at His words, but Jesus answereth them again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

Jesus is saying,……that it is very hard for people who have “trusted” in other things,……to let go of them,……and “Come and take up the cross, and follow Me”.

It is Jesus that saves,……not Jesus and…

But you have to let go of what you are hanging on to,….to take hold on Christ.

“Who then can be saved?” His disciples asked.

Mark 10:27 “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With man it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”

Again Jesus points to God,…..and God’s only Way of Salvation in His Son, Jesus Christ.

God knows every heart…..and how to free every heart from all that would keep it from eternal life….but we must come to Christ.

I hope this rich ruler came back and received eternal life by Jesus Christ; but the answer is the same today for everyone who seeks true life:

“Come unto the Lord Jesus for eternal life…….and take up your cross, and follow Him.”

For only in Him is eternal life.

John 17:3 “And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom Thou hast sent.”

Blessed

Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.”

Blessed means twice your happiest moment!

And we are blessed the nearer we come to Christ Jesus our Lord.

But this “nearer” is of the heart and will, not just of word.

Mark 5:24 “And Jesus went with him, and much people followed him, and thronged him.”

Here are many who want to be “near” Jesus…..but for what reason?

Mark 5:25-28 “And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched His garment.

For she said, If I may but touch His clothes, I shall be made whole.”

Here was a woman in need.

She had done all she could, and gone to others who did all they could; but she was none better, but worse.

Hearing of Jesus (all the great miracles He had done, and the many He had healed), she came after Him.

Seeing the crowd (for they all were pushing to be around Him), she thought she would sneak up behind Him, and just touch His clothes.

She came, not just to see, or hear Him,….she was not curious about Jesus…..

…..but, by faith she came near…… to touch His clothes,….to be healed.

She thought that if she could just touch the hem of His garment (Matthew 9:21), she would be made whole.

So she came, pushed forward, and leaned down and touched the hem of His garment. (Some say, that she was crawling through the crowd to get to Him)

Mark 5:29 “And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.”

(Luke 8:44 “immediately her issue of blood stanched.”)

Finally, wellness!

She touched His garment, and she felt the fountain of blood dry up, and that she was made whole. She was overcome with joy and wonder!

But then she heard Jesus say:

Mark 5:30 “And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of Him, turned Him about in the press, and said, Who touched My clothes?”

I want to take a moment here, and point out exactly what the disciples are going to say:

There are many who are “touching” Him. There is a large crowd, pushing to be around Him.

(It is an interesting point that none of them were healed.)

But the Lord knows those who really come to Him in faith…….and they will always be blessed.

Mark 5:31-32 “And His disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched Me?

And He looked round about to see her that had done this thing.”

Jesus was not looking for those who follow for position, or for curiosity, or to see the next greatest thing.

He was looking for her, who had come to Him, believing that He could meet her desperate need.

That is faith.

And faith in Jesus,….always brings us “near” in heart, and will.

And again, faith in Jesus will always be blessed.

Although right now she is afraid, she does not run away, or try and hide in the crowd: but came, again, in honesty, and told Him all.

Mark 5:33 ” But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before Him, and told Him all the truth.”

She did not know what He would do. He might revoke His healing. He might be angry at the way she had been healed.

She does not know; she fears and trembles:…..but she comes to Him, and tells Him all the truth.

She should not have feared; the One who heals, saves.

The One who saves, receives us again and again, despite our weakness.

And so He does here.

Mark 5:34 “And He said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace (always a sign from God that she is saved), and be whole of thy plague.”

The Lord always rewards faith. His first thought is, for her peace with Him (salvation); then He doubles the healing by speaking, “be whole of thy plague.”

He heals body, soul and spirit. He heals mind, heart and will.

Blessed is twice happy; and she was. Both saved and healed, because she came to Him; first in secret faith, and then in honesty.

Her faith was given the healing that she sought.

Her honesty was given blessing; To be brought near to Jesus in Salvation, and to be made whole.

(The God of peace will sanctify us wholly: body, soul and spirit:

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, and who makes their hope in the Lord.

It is in our coming to Jesus Christ, that we are blessed. We shall be satisfied as we abide with Him.

Who can turn God from His Purpose?

Isaiah 14:24 “The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:”

Can anyone win an argument with God?

Is there any Christian that believes that they can have the last word with God?

These might seem like odd questions….after all we believe in the Sovereignty of God….

…..to accept the Sovereignty of God is to take our place as His creatures…..before the Creator…..and agree that He can do what He will with His own.

Do we?

Hear the Word of the Lord…

Isaiah 14:27 “For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it?….”

(Who shall break God’s purpose….who can set it aside?

None.)

“…..And His hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?”

(When He is ready to judge…..or ready to bless…..who will be able to stop Him?)

Romans 8:35, 37-39 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Do we believe this for ourselves? I see it quoted….and hear it,…often..but do we believe it?

If God has saved you…..He will not give up on you….

Psalm 138:8 “The Lord will perfect (complete) that which concerneth me: Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever: forsake not the works of Thine own hands.”

(He may leave us in our sins for a while, because we are slow to leave them……to show us the terrible defilement of them.

He may be silent…..making us feel His absence [even though He never really leaves us].

He may use circumstances to awaken or correct us….

….but everything He does…..is to bring us to Himself….the only place of safety….because He loves us.

Hebrews 12:5-6 “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children,

My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou are rebuked of Him:

For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son who He recieveth.”)

The same principle of God’s faithfulness to us…..to see us complete in Him….

…is spoken of by the Apostle Paul:

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Faithful is He that calleth you, Who also will do it.”

(When we consider that Paul was a Persecutor, and a blasphemer, yet found mercy from our Lord Jesus Christ….

….who then became persecuted, and slandered,…for Christ’s sake…..gladly!

He was someone who could say that Jesus will “sanctify you wholly”…..

….for Christ did this for Paul.)

Wherever we are at in our spiritual growth…

(and if you are born again….you are called to “grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” 2 Peter 3:18)

….there is more. As long as you live….He has more for you to accomplish….to experience with Him.

Who can know all of His mercy….or grace….or blessings?

Are there not people you know, who do not know Him…..or who have “fallen” on hard times, as the prodigal?

Then let us seek His purpose for them….by prayer, and witness.

And in doing so….let us remind ourselves of His great patience, mercy, and love to us.

The mercy of God finds us wallowing in the muck and mire of the world….and shines a light on Christ.

The grace of God brings us out of the muck and mire of the world….in Christ’s power and gives us joy.

The patience of God works His Will in us….HIs character in us….and His love in us.

Amazing God we serve.

Let us yield to His purpose (which includes correction and blessing)…..His call for today….His leading, even though we do not know the Way….and His love for ourselves, and others.

To Count the Cost

Luke 14:28 “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”

Luke 14:31 “Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?”

The Lord told His disciples that they were to count the cost of service, and following Him.

He gave two examples…..one of building,…and one of warfare.

We are to do both.

If we follow Christ, we will be in a battle against the wiles of the Devil. The Adversary will seek to dissuade us, by fear. Or seek to destroy us, if we stand with Christ.

If we follow Christ, we are to build.

First we are to build our house upon the Rock of Christ and His Word.

Then we are to add to the building of the Church. From the foundation to the roof, we are to build up His Church, by edification (teaching); exhortation (to wake up) and comfort.

1 Corinthians 3:10 “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.”

We are to count the cost, because to stand with Jesus in this world, will cause us to be mocked, hated, ridiculed, and left out of a lot of what the world has.

You sit down and count the cost. And He says to do it first.

To run after Christ emotionally, will play out. (Emotions do)

To run after Christ mentally, will lead you to reasons, and when reasons run out, so do you.

To run after Christ willfully, will lead you to count the cost for yourself, and choose.

Christ wants you to run after Him willfully; eyes wide open, to what is ahead.

He has a great life for all who follow Him:

…..here on earth: peace, and joy in Christ Jesus,….even amid the trouble this life gives,…

(and He always tells His disciples that there will be trouble).

There in Heaven: face to face with Christ; which makes heaven, heaven.

Luke 14:33 “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”

“Forsaketh” here means to bid adieu, to depart from, to leave.

We are to count the cost of giving up all that we have, for the life Christ has for us.

That way you know, if there is something in your life that you refuse to give up, even for Christ’s sake.

That is what counting the cost means. Christ requires of His servants, that they should obey Him, and His words to Him.

It costs everyone the same amount: everything.

Jesus did not seek to persuade men to follow Him with false promises.

He spoke plainly, that to follow Him was the most costly of decisions, for it meant putting Him above everything and everyone else in our lives.

Luke 14:25-26 “And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”

Multitudes were following Christ, but instead of encouraging them, He put a hurtle in front of them.

Why?

Because the only reason to follow Christ, was love to Him. If you love Him, no cost is too much.

He was saying:

“To follow Me, means that the affections you feel for everything else, even yourself, will be like hatred in comparison to the love you have to Me.”

Are you a disciple of Christ Jesus? Have you counted the cost?

Adam

Romans 5:18-19 “Therefore, as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of One the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous.”

The “corruption” (2 Peter 1:4) that we inherit from our first parents, is a great evil….for it is the source of all our personal sins.

We choose our personal sins….but the internal corruption (nature of sin) came through Adam.

Adam was made in the image of God…..and God pronounced him “very good”(Genesis 1:31).

Adam was indwelt by the Holy Spirit….and fully capable, by the Holy Spirit’s enabling to discharge his responsibility to God.

God made Adam upright (Ecclesiastes 7:29)…..which means that Adam had intelligence, and purity.

His body was strong and sound.

His soul was focused on the will of God.

His spirit was enlightened by the Spirit of God.

His circumstances were wonderful…..living in a beautiful garden….where God had made him ruler, under Him (Genesis 1:26) of all things….animals included.

He had everything he needed, and wanted…..

….and there was only one thing in which God tested his faithfulness….and obedience….

…..The tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

That was the only requirement from Adam….he was not to eat of it.

Therefore the test for Adam….was whether he would change his glorious life with God….

….for a life of independence from his Creator.

To do so…..(and God told him so Genesis 2:16-17)…..would be rebellion of the worst kind….

….for it would be…..trying to be like God Himself….

…..trying to throw God off His throne….and be god over himself….to choose to have, what God said he should not have.

Would he try and be independent of God…..to puff up himself….by an act of disobedience to God?

(I am asking all of these in questions…..for, as Christians, with the Holy Spirit within us….we are presented with the same questions:

Will we throw off our subjection to Christ….to choose what God says we should not have….and lose His blessing?

Will we be faithful and obedient…..or rebel against His Word and Will?

This is our life:

We have been given the Holy Spirit….and the garden of our soul’s to “dress and keep” for Him.

We have been given dominion…..under Christ….to rule ourselves in our circumstances…..to live the life of faith, which sees God first….but are we doing so…..in practical life?

Have we sought out the tree of the knowledge of good and evil…..and thought about “tasting” it’s fruit again?)

Had Adam continued to be faithful to His Creator and God….by refusing to eat of the tree of good and evil….even though Eve offered it to him….

….he would have remained as ruler in Eden….

……instead he sentenced all future generations to sin, illness, death.

He “fell”…..it is a term used for being on a high plan……and tumbling down to the very bottom….Hell.

Adam looked at the fruit in Eve’s hand…..and was not ignorant of the consequences.

God had told him death would be his reward for such willful rebellion.

Adam knew what death was…..it was the opposite of life with God….

…but he chose to be independent of God….to close His eyes to God’s Word….

….which had always been a source of comfort, and goodness to him….

…..and when he did….he sinned….and he lost the Holy Spirit….

….and his spirit became darkened.

He lost his dominion over anything….and became a scared creature hiding in the trees….grabbing anything to cover themselves from the eyes of He Who sees everything.

Spiritual death came instantly…..physical death came years later…..but Adam died everyday he remained.

Adam was prominent in the first three chapters….but after he was driven out of Eden….he was named in only three instances….

….for the birth of Cain….so like his father…a murderer….

….and for the birth of Seth….from which Christ came…

….and to tell of the years of his life….”and he died” (Genesis 5:1-5)

Adam, though he was made upright….was given a nature that could turn from God and by choice….change his glory to shame.

Adam’s sons and daughters….all of humanity….also has a choice to make:

God, or the knowledge of good and evil?

(If you thought I was going to say: heaven or hell…..not so.

Though God tells of those as the final places of residence for all of Adam’s children…….yet, God never speaks of our chose…..in those terms.

He speaks in the terms: Life or Death?

You see, we can come to Christ Jesus, and receive His life…..Eternal life:

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

Or,…..we can refuse His Word, and rebel against Christ Jesus, and die:

John 3:16,18 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed int he name of the only begotten Son of God.”)

Adam existed nine hundred and thirty years….almost a millennial…..but he never really “lived” after sinning.

He was the father of all humanity….but condemned each and everyone….

…..to sin: hurt….illness….death.

Sin is a great evil…..all humanity was damned for it.

Yet Christ’s righteousness is a great blessing….for all who believe on Him are saved for it.

Luke 19:10 “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

What will we choose?

God’s life through Christ Jesus the Lord?

Or….

A life of existence only, without God….and death?

Are we hiding behind our Wall, because we are afraid of the next step?

Song of Solomon 2:8-9 “The voice of my beloved! Behold, He cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.

My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, He standeth behind our wall, He looketh forth at the windows, showing Himself through the lattice.”

As we go on with God, we come to many places where we are given difficult problems to overcome….some harder than others.

Some are mountains of difficulty….impossible things for us, in our own strength, to overcome….

And some hills….not impossible, but hard going.

But, these are the experiences the Lord often calls us to. Not alone,…..but with Him. That is what is set forth in these verses.

The Lord is seen as a Roe or a Young Hart….ever vigorous, and ever victorious leaping over any obstacle for us,…..calling us…on with Him.

Seen through a window, with lattice over it. We know it is the Lord, for we heard His voice…went to the window, to see Him….but He is outside, ready to go on….but we are still behind our wall.

Song of Solomon 2:10 “My Beloved spake and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.”

This is personal…”said unto me”. He is not calling His church, but “His love, His fair one”; His personal call to you…..to come away.

But from what are we to come away?

We are to “come away” from “our wall”; for He has come and found that we are behind a wall.

I believe that this “wall” is our spiritual experience up-to-date. It separates us from the world….but, when we continue to stay behind it, it can also separate us from going on with the Lord.

(It is wonderful to know how far we have come with Jesus; we can rejoice in what we have! But He is calling us on,…..to keep going with Him)

It is safe, here. I know I am saved….I go to church…I love the Lord.

I see those mountains up ahead…and they are too much for me.

I see those hills,…and when I think I could, maybe, go out and walk them….I worry about….what if I fall?

But Jesus calls again.

He has already shown me that He is able to surmount any of the obstacles that stand in our way…..He leaps mountains, and skips hills…..and He is asking me to do the same….in His strength, with Him.

Song of Solomon 2:11-14 “For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle(dove) is heard in our land;

The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, My love, My fair one, and come away.

O My dove, that art in the clefts of the Rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let Me see thy countenance, let Me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.”

The Lord shows that the winter conditions of the soul are past (I have heard His voice)…..new life is springing up (my heart is moved to answer His call)……now is the time to arise, and leave the good that I have, for the better He calls me to…..with Him.

What is this next step He is calling us to?

I know He is calling me to come out completely…to be seen as His, even in the difficult and impossible times of my life….to trust His might.

I know He is calling me to speak to Him more,…..and of Him.

Jesus calls us:

“Arise, My love, My fair one, My dove, and come away. Don’t be afraid, but come out from behind our wall,….trust Me, and come with Me.”

Let us Come Boldly to the Throne of Grace.

Hebrews 4:14-16 “Seeing then we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

For we have not a high priest which can not be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

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

This is written to Christians:

As a child of the our Heavenly Father, we are to come boldly to His Throne, that we may obtain (get into our experience) mercy, and find the grace we need to help.

Mercy shows the inclination of God to relieve the misery of fallen men and women.

His Sovereign mercy is to His elect (the born again ones).

It is reserved for the heirs of Salvation, which is passed on to them through Christ Jesus, their Mediator. He appears before God the Father for us.

These Sovereign mercies, are more than the temporal mercies He gives to all men.

Matthew 5:45 “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

God’s temporal mercies include, as the verse says: sun, rain, ground which produces food, and companions. These are for everyone, no matter whether they are good or evil.

But for His own children; God gives mercy which transforms the heart of the individual, and enriches their lives in spiritual blessings.

Ephesians 2:4-5 “But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us,

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are ye saved);”

It is mercy that quickened us to life in Christ when they were dead in sins.

Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

It is mercy that saves us.

1 Peter 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,”

His abundant mercy gives us an inheritance, which is reserved, just for us, in heaven.

2 Corinthians 1:3 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;”

Unto His own children, God is the Father of Mercies.

Time would fail us, if each Christian would tell of His preserving, supplying, pardoning, and sustaining mercy to them, for we are called the “vessels of mercy”.(Romans 9:23)

God would…..if we would yield to Him…..fill us up with His great mercy. Full and overflowing.

This is the mercy God gives from His throne of grace.

And “grace to help in time of need.”

This grace is enabling grace.

Grace to do what needs to be done. And we are to come boldly to God’s throne to receive it.

We are invited to come, on the merits of our Mediator, Christ Jesus.

And invited to bring our requests for mercy and our needs,……to be supplied by grace.

When you think of the Almighty and His Power: He can do anything.

He is Creator. He created the worlds, and heaven of heavens.

As David prays: “Create in me a clean heart, O God:”. So God creates within us, by the Holy Spirit, new desires, new hopes, new goals.

He is the Sustainer. Which means He will keep us from trouble by guidance;…….and if we fall into trouble He will lead us out, and uphold us through it.

He sustains us in His Word, and by His Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.”

He is the Rock on which we should build our lives.

Our circumstances change often. But His love, mercy and grace never does.

We fall,….or fail often.

But He never fails us,….let us keep coming to Him.

Let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace to obtain mercy, and find grace to help us……..in this time of need.