Glory to God in the Highest.

Luke 2:13-14 “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”

When it speaks of God’s glory in scriptures it means to manifest God’s Light and character to others. That is His glory; that others may know Him and His character.

Psalm 145:11-12 “They shall speak of the glory of the kingdom, and talk of Thy power;

To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom.”

It means to show God in His true beauty.

1 Chronicles 16:27, 29 “Glory and honor are in His presence; strength and gladness are in His place.

Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name: bring an offering, and come before Him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”

Christ did this in preeminence, for angels heralded God’s glory when Christ was born.

Simeon, a godly man, praised God for Christ:

Luke 2:30-32 “For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

A Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.”

And Paul shows that Christ Jesus came to do just that. He was to manifest God’s Light and character in the world: His glory.

Hebrews 1:2-3 “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, which He hath appointed heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds;

Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high;”

Jesus, at the end of His work here, said He had shown God’s glory on the earth:

John 17:4-5 “I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work that Thou gavest Me to do.

And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with thine own self with the glory that I had with Thee before the world was.”

And we, who are born again by His grace are to manifest His glory:

John 17:20-22 “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; (Jesus prayed for us here)

That they may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.

And the glory that Thou gavest Me I have given them, that they may be one, even as we are one:”

Ephesians 1:5-6, 12 “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us excepted in the Beloved:

That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.”

And we are to use the riches of His glory (the riches of His Light and character) by yielding to His life within us.

He will manifest His glory through us by His might:

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;”

Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Scripture says we are to do all to the glory of God.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 “Thus saith the Lord, let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgement, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whither therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

The angels heralded, “Glory to God in the highest”;

And we, too, are to herald His glory by word and deed, here in our earthly lives.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”

Liberty of the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

Liberty of Spirit is to have the ability and will, to do the Will of God, joyfully.

Philippians 2:12-13 “Wherefore, by beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling:

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

After being born again, we are called to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This calling is personal, between the Lord and you, and has nothing to do with your work for Him, or your witness of Him.

It is the beginning of a relationship.

How far you take this relationship, is as far as the Liberty of the Spirit is yours; for it is based on love, not duty.

It is true, that all those that belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, are called to obey Him.

Acts 5:32. “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.”

We stress obedience a lot for Christians, but this Liberty of Spirit is found in those that love Him.

When we are born again, the Spirit of God comes into our spirits and gives us light for darkness, and a love, however small, for God; not an anger toward Him.

The Spirit of God then uses the Word of God to awaken a desire within us to be holy.

There are two terms for holy in the Scriptures: Holy when it speaks of God is His Nature of Sinlessness, and Integrity.

Holy when it speaks of us as His followers, means that we are setting ourselves aside for His sacred use. He can use us as He will, for His honor and glory.

Holiness comes from the determined will of the believer, to be a vessel unto honor, meet for the Master’s use. (2 Timothy 2:21). This is not sinlessness, but constant communion with Him, who is Holiness.

This Liberty of the Spirit, is the same liberty you feel with your true friends. There is nothing you can not tell, or hear, that would effect your friendship. There is the feeling of acceptance, and power with them.

And the Holy Spirit empowers us in God’s Word, God’s Grace, and God’s Will.

Fear is dealt with.

Anger is defused.

Self-pity is turned from.

Power is given, from within us by the Holy Spirit; and received.

This is Liberty of the Spirit. And so much more; with that personal relationship with Him.

Do you want it?

The Power of the Word of God

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

This is a simple statement. Period. God does not need to prove anything….nor does He.

He simply speaks, commands, and calls.

He created the heaven and the earth.

Psalms 33:6-9 “By the Word of the Lord were the heavens formed, and all the hosts of them by the breath of His mouth.

He gathereth the waters of the sea together as a heap: He layeth up the depth in storehouses.

Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.”

The first creation was a beautiful place….but the sin of Lucifer entered and destroyed it’s beauty….it was now covered with darkness….no order..

Genesis 1:2-3 “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”

But God’s Voice spoke….”Let there be light”……there was light.

God purposed this earth….and us….and would not let this rebellion put an end to His purpose……”and He commanded….and it stood fast.”

His Purpose continued….there was nothing He was not prepared for.

Psalm 18:30 “As for God, His Way is perfect: the Word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler (shield) to all those that trust in Him.”

Have we found His Word to be the purifier of our minds and hearts? For that is what “tried” means…..to be purified like silver.

Psalm 138:3 “In the day when I cried Thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.”

His Word corrects and instructs…..His Word encourages and comforts us…..His Word brings knowledge, and through His Spirit, understanding.

John 1:1, 14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

His Word is truth.

Ephesians 4:21 “If so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:”

Have you heard Him? Has He spoken His truth into your heart?

Our example of the power of His Word, is Lazarus:

John 11:43 “And when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.”

This is Jesus, raising Lazarus from the dead.

Jesus had waited two days after hearing that His friend was sick…..

John 11:3 “Therefore his sisters sent unto Him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick.”

He had done that,….knowing that Lazarus would die,…..so that God’s purpose would be shown…….a manifestation of the power of His Word.

John 11:14-15 “Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.”

He had healed the sick, cast out demons, and done many wonderful works…..so much so that even the men present said….

“Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have cause that even this man should not have died?” (John 11:37)

They believed….but only up to a point. They believed He could have done something….if Lazarus was sick….if Jesus had been there.

They called Him….”this man”…..not Christ, “the anointed”…..or the Messiah…..or even Rabbi.

They saw Him come out of obscurity…..preaching “the kingdom of God is at hand”……

……He had come in “power”…..healing the sick, feeding the multitudes, giving the blind, sight.

But now, the power of Him, through His authoritative Word, will be shown…over life and death.

All He had to do was say the Word….and it was done….Lazarus was free from death….by His Word…..”Lazarus, come forth.”

But then Jesus said,…

John 11:44 “And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.”

Lazarus was raised, but not freed from the grave cloth bond……till, Jesus spoke again,…

…this time in a command to others (whether His disciples or others)..”Loose him, and let him go”.

Christ Jesus, has spoken to His church the same way:

“I have raised up all who will believe in Me…now you need to loose them and let them go, by the preaching of My word.”

There are things Jesus does by His Word alone…..and then there are things He commands others to do…..by His authority….with His Word.

Only Jesus Christ can free them from the death of sin, and give liberty to the captives….

….yet in this work He calls His church to join Him.

We can not bring them from death to life….He does that.

But we can loose them from he grave-clothes of the world….by His Word.

The Lord has shown us God’s heart…..for He sent His Son to seek and to save all who are lost.

Let us speak His word faithfully….

…..the Lord will save….

…..for no Word that He speaks will return to Him void.

Isaiah 55:10-11 “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater.

So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

Simeon, and Anna

God prepares hearts…….to see and receive His blessed Son……sometimes years ahead…..leading them to worship and joy.

Luke 2:25-26 “And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”

Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus had come to Jerusalem eight days after his birth…..that they might offer Him unto the Lord…..by an offering told in the law(Exodus 22:29)…..and give the offering of purification. (Leviticus 12:2-8)

They had come to the Temple,….and the Holy Spirit had led Simeon to be there, as well…..when he saw them….he went over and….

Luke 2:28-32 “Then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

Lord, now lettest Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy Word:

For mine eyes have seen Thine Salvation,

Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

A Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.”

How lovingly and tenderly does Simeon pick up His Lord…..”and blessed God”….

Simeon praised God’s goodness in letting him see His Son….for being faithful to His promise to him.

He praised God for His Salvation….wrapped up in this little baby.

He praised God for the Purpose of His Salvation….both to the Gentiles and Israel.

And in this praise Simeon prophesied of the Way of salvation….

…..”before the face of all people”….

……Christ was raised between earth and heaven, outside the city….on a hill…..before all the people, from all over, which came to the Passover!

Simeon showed that Christ was presented as God’s Glory….to Israel…..

(Luke 2:14 and the angels praise…..”Glory to God in the highest…”

Wise men coming and telling all, in Jerusalem, of the Star which announced the King’s birth Matthew 2:1-3.

The miracles, again and again…how glorious they all were.

The prophesy of Christ coming in as King to Jerusalem…..and He did. Zechariah 9:9).

And Simeon showed that Christ would be presented to the Gentiles…..as Light….(Matthew 4:15-16, John 8:12, Acts 26:17-18)

And then he turned to Mary and Joseph….

Luke 2:34-35 “And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary His mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

(Yea, a sword shall pass through thine own soul also;) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

God sent His Beloved Son to save all who would come to the the Light….

….many will rise to be joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17)…

…and many will fall…rebelling against their King…and Lord….and destroy themselves in the process. (Mark 12:1-9)

“That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed”. It is our hearts, God wants…..will we give them?

Luke 2:36-38 “And there was one Anna, a prophetess,…..of the tribe of Asher: she was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity.

And she was a widow of about four score and four years, which departed not from the Temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”

Anna, who was at least in her nineties, came into the part of the Temple that Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and Simeon were.

Hearing what Simeon said…..she rejoiced.

How much joy the birth of Jesus gave those “who looked for redemption”…in Israel.

She had not departed from the Temple for years, after she became a widow,….but stayed…..feeling her work to serve God was to fast and pray…..night and day.

(Night is first….probably her best time to pray…..for few would be around)

But with the knowledge that Redemption, in the Person of this baby was come….she told everyone that she knew,…..that was waiting for Him.

Even as a babe, Christ Jesus separated men and women into two groups…..those who wanted their King….and His kingdom, to come to them….

….and those to whom the news of Christ made no impact….except to interfere with their lives……they did not care that the King had come (Luke 19:14, 27)

To these two, Simeon and Anna,……Christ was the One they had been praying, and looking for…..Emmanuel….God with us….

……and here He was, a baby, in His mother’s arms.

How amazing!

God deserved all praise,….from all….

….yet being wise in the Holy Ghost……they told only those who were looking and waiting for Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah, to come.

Christ Jesus came a baby, born in a manger…..for there was no room in the inn….

Heralded by angels….seen and recognized by shepherds,

By wise men from a far country,…

…Simeon and Anna…..

……and those unnamed, but known of God, which looked for the Christ to come.

Let us rejoice at His birth…..and what it means for us.

(Notice the names of Christ spoken here:

Consolation: 2 Thessalonians 2:16 “Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God even our Father which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace.”

Salvation: Matthew 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.”

Light: Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my Light and my Salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

The Glory: Psalm 24:7 “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in.”

Redemption: 1 Corinthians 1:30 “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”

Redemption is to be bought back….bought back from sin, and death, from Satan’s power, and the world.

He is all these, and more, to those who receive Him.)

Are we staying in the middle of the Way?

Proverbs 30:7-9 “Two things have I required of Thee; deny me them not before I die:

Remove far from me vanity and lies; Give me neither poverty or riches, feed me with food convenient for me:

Lest I be full, and deny Thee, and say, Who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”

This “middle of the Way”, comes from my reading Pilgrims Progress.

It is when Christian is hurrying up the hill of Difficulty, and it is growing dark….that he sees two lions; one on either side of the Way!

This sight frightens and stops Christian for a moment…..till the Porter of the House Beautiful (the local Church), calls out to him:

“Can’t you see they are chained….they can only come so far into the Way. You will be safe….as long as you stay in the middle of the Way.”

And how often it is the same for us…..when circumstances frighten….because we were not prepared,….

…..or we have expected,…..since we have “climbed this hill of Difficulty”,…..that things will be easy…..

We get frightened….then stop.

It is good the Lord often calls out to us, through the Word, or a message, or a fellow Christian…..that we may see that the lions are chained.

(How grateful to the Lord Jesus for this!)

These verses are some I love. They set the goal of my life on the right footing.

Giving God charge of what is in store for me….and petitioning (“required” here means “earnestly beseeching”) our Lord, that He keep us “in the middle of the Way.”

“Remove me far from vanity and lies”. “Far from”, is where we all should want to be, from the useless things of this world,….and that is what “vanity” is.

And from lies…..lies that I want to believe….or that are spread abroad about others, or me.

Our Lord taught us to pray: (Matthew 6:13) “And lead us not into temptation”…..for He has made a way to escape, if we will seek it (1 Corinthians 10:13)……but when I fall into it…….

…..”but deliver us from evil”…..the evil one, the devil, and his tricks…..and the evil of coming under the influence of my fall.

Let me…

Not be rich….either in money, prestige, or success….so I won’t get proud and begin to think I do not need the Lord. (Luke 12:16-21)

Not be poor….either in money, friends, or spiritual experience….so I won’t envy others…..or be angry with You, Lord, and “take the name of my God in vain”.

This “take the name of my God in vain” (and notice is it “my God”)……does not mean swearing…..

……but in the Hebrew, means: “accusing God of not being what His Name says He is”. To accuse God’s mercy and love, of being false.

He is Merciful, Righteous, Glorious, Gracious, full of loving-kindness, and peace.

But when circumstances grow difficult…..trials come…..and we seem quite unable to meet them….we are poor, then….

…do we still feel the same way, toward the Lord?

My husband had taught a study on Galatians, and then began Philippians, once,……when our son….who was little at the time….

….said, Dad, I like this study better than that other one.

….Really, why?

…..Because this one has happy people in it…the other one didn’t.

And he was right, though I had not seen it before,….like that…..

The Galatians were trying so hard to be superior Christians…..and had gotten tricked into thinking their own works…following the law…..would add to their value to the Lord. (Galatians 1:6-8)

The Philippians, on the other hand,

(and I recommend, if you have not read it lately, to do so again! Nine times, more than any other book in the New Testament, “rejoice” is used. Six times “joy” is used.)

They were being persecuted, [Philippians 1:28-30],….yet only sought to be steadfast to the Lord Jesus Christ…..and they were joyful in it!

They were a poor church, yet sent an offering to Paul for his needs. (Philippians 4:15)

What a difference in the two books!

Listen to the epistle the Apostle wrote:

Philippians 1:9 “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;”

Philippians 1:25-26 “And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.”

Philippians 3:1 “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord…..”

He tells them of the way he has walked….what the Lord has shown him:

Philippians 3:13-14 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”

Paul loves them dearly, writing:

Philippians 4:1 “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.”

And then, in this epistle, he clearly speaks of true contentment:

Philippians 4:11-12 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

This is the same thing the writer of Proverbs was writing about…..but Paul adds a blessed reality of how we can do this:

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Let us take His strength in righteousness, joy and peace…..and be content.

Here is the secret of contentment…..of being neither rich or poor…..but staying in the middle of the Way……

….”through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Our Way is before us,…..our life is always a next step with Jesus Christ.

Let us “stay in the middle of the Way”……

…..the lions are chained, though they roar, and frighten….

…..stay with Him, and let Him give us the strength for what is ahead.

When the fullness of the time was come…

Galatians 4:4 “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law,”

The whole work of creation is for one purpose….to manifest the Son….to bring about the fulfillment of the Everlasting Covenant.

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.”

(It is interesting that this Covenant is so explicitly set forth here in Hebrews….certainly the writer is writing the Church in Jerusalem….showing that the sacrifice of Christ was and is the means for the perfecting of the believers….both Jew and Gentile.)

1 Timothy 2:5-6 There is One God, and One Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus;

Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

When the Godhead first decided to Create….They saw by their Omniscience, the rebellion of Lucifer, who became Satan, fighting against all things of God.

They saw the fall of man, and all the evil that man opens his heart to.

They saw the necessity for the flood….giving grace to Noah and saving him in the Ark.

They saw the call of Abram and the establishing of the Jewish Nation….all their obediences and failures….right up to the time of:

Luke 2:1, 3-7 “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.”

(God put out a decree long before this….that all these things should be!)

“And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she would be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

(Is there “room” in our lives for the Christ of God?)

The Godhead saw all this, along with the obediences and failures of the church…..yet decided to create….

And the beginning of that creation, was the Everlasting Covenant.

This covenant was established on an Eternal Foundation….the saving of a people for His Name’s sake.

“Through the blood of the Everlasting Covenant”.

1 Peter 1:19-20 “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.”

Christ agreed to come as man….made of a woman….as scripture said.

He would be…”very God of very God, and very man of very man”

He would be born under the law….and fulfill that law perfectly….

….so that He would be a perfect sacrifice…”without blemish and without spot:”

He would die as a substitute for us…..taking our sin upon Him….

…and God would raise Him up….accepting His sacrifice.

God, the Father, agreed to give Him a people….draw them to Christ to be saved,….place His Holy Spirit within them to be with them…..and bring them safely home to Heaven, even through battles and failures.

Everything before Christ’s birth was in anticipation of it….preparing a people to believe and trust.

Everything after Christ’s birth was to manifest the Promise fulfilled….preparing a people to believe and trust.

What kind of love would make God the Son, come and place His whole being, as a helpless baby, in the hands of men?

What kind of trust would make the Son of God give Himself up to the hatred of the rulers, the mob of people, the mocking of soldiers, and the pain and separation of the cross….to please His Father’s Will….and give us salvation?

The fullness of the time….is not just a clever phrase…..it is Christ manifested in the flesh for us. (1 Timothy 3:16)

God fulfilled His promise of a Savior…..in His time, and His Way.

Galatians 4:4-7 “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

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

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

And now the fullness of times has come for you.

If you have not received Him…..will you open your heart to Him now, and be born again?

Romans 10:9-10 “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 with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

As joint heirs of Christ, will you be found faithful to that which He has called you to fulfill?

Will we receive that love God has for us…..that peace which will establish us…..in order to complete the work….”make you perfect in every good work to do His will”?

God’s Will will be done…..will we yield to our part of it?

God always has a Witness to Himself….He always has a Remnant.

I have always been amazed at God’s Witness.

Even in the worst of times, He has had a sanctified witness to Himself….in the places and circumstances where they would be heard,…… if any have ears to hear,…and believe.

Samaria, the capitol of Israel, is being besieged by the king of Syria….and because no one could come in or out….there was famine:

2 Kings 6:25 “And there was a great famine in Samaria; and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass’s head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver,….”

It had gotten so bad, they were eating the dead,….boiling the flesh off, rather than starve.

The situation was hopeless….as far as sight was concerned.

But, as usual, they had forgotten God….

….but not Elisha, the prophet….for he was in the city, too.

He was gathered with the (spiritual) elders of the city….waiting upon the Lord.

(This is an amazing thing….the Lord putting Elisha in the very same circumstances…..for God could have sent him away from this place, but God had him there….gathering the spiritual of the city, to pray with him.)

Now the king, becoming angry….sent a messenger to kill Elisha….and the king followed behind….wanting to see it.

The king could have gone to Elisha, before this…..and asked him to ask God to do something….

….but instead, the king blamed Elisha….because he did not do “something” without him having to come to him and ask.

(Are we this way with God, not willing to seek Him and His Will for us?

Going through things we do not need to, because we refuse to humble ourselves?)

The king did not want to humble himself and ask….therefore Elisha waited….

(This is a sad commentary on authorities which will not seek God….

….the people suffer, while they refuse to humble themselves at God’s correction)

But now the wait was over….the king’s foot is at the door where Elisha is…..

….he is finally in the right place, even though it is for the murder of the very man he needs,….. to speak to God for the city.

But before he can carry out his will….God speaks through Elisha.

It shames the king….but it is the saving of the city.

2 Kings 7:1 “Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.”

And it happens…..just as Elisha says….

(It is an interesting story….

That very night, four lepers who are outside the city….go out to the Syrian camp….”if they die by famine, or by Syrian…what is the difference”.

But they find that the Syrians have fled,….having heard noises which they thought were an army.

They were so terrified by the noice….which God has done….that they left all their food, clothes, and loot!

The lepers tell the watchman, who tells the king, who sends to see if it is true….and what God has said through Elisha, comes to pass)

2 Kings 7:16 “And the people whet out and spoiled the tents of the Syrians, so a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the Lord.”

How easy it is for God to work,…..when we seek His Will!

Many years later:

When Nebuchadnezzar had come to Jerusalem and carried away captives….the best of the young men….educated, and well spoken…

….Daniel was one of these….he was called to make this Gentile king aware of God…and His claims on all people…even monarchs.

Daniel was in the palace of Babylon.

Still, there were many left in Judah.

Jeremiah was one of these….called to make God’s people, aware of God’s claims.

If they would submit….God would keep them in the land.

But if they refused…and sought out others to deliver…..then some would surely be destroyed…and the rest, carried away captive.

Jeremiah was in Jerusalem.

And then, when Nebuchadnezzar came the second time and took the carpenters, and workman away….Ezekiel was among them….called to make God’s captive people aware of God’s claims…even in Babylon.

Ezekiel was in the work camps of Babylon.

God’s Witness was a complete one….so was the revelation to these men of the sin of Israel….

Jeremiah 2:11, 13 “Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? But My people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.

For My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water.”

After so many times of deliverance, so many times of power, so many times of God manifesting His Presence…..yet they “have forsaken Me”.

Again and again, these three,….in different places, under different circumstances….stood with God…and declared His Will.

Some believed….some refused. But they were faithful….in their place….to the people they were called to.

God always has a remnant of believers…..always has a witness…..because our God is Able.

When Christ came to earth….it was not to the Sanhedrin that the angels came….but to Shepherds,….who having heard….went to see…

….and having seen Jesus….

….went away rejoicing and “made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child” (Luke 2:17).

God always has His remnant…..

and today……that could be me….it could be you.

Are we ready to speak His word faithfully….in the place we are called….to the people we are called to?

The Way of the Righteous

Psalm 1:6 “For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”

Psalm 119:133 “Order my steps in Thy Word: and let not mine iniquities have dominion over me.”

This is the way of the righteous, that we should walk in it.

Hebrew 4:13 “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”

If we would come to God with the full realization that this is true; we would all get honest with Him more easily.

In our souls, God sees all…all our doubts, troubles, desires, plans, everything.

And He wants everyone of His beloved children to come to Him, with this full realization.

Hebrew 4:12 “For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

You know how you read a verse, and it is just like God is speaking to you about what you have been thinking or praying about?

How quick it opens up to you, the Light of God!

But notice it “divides” the soul and spirit: It shows you what is the Lord’s will (spirit) and what is yours (soul).

It gets into the very “nitty gritty” of every plan (joints and marrow).

And it discerns our thoughts (those that come and go) and intentions (those that stay and are considered) of the heart.

It is the “heart” here, because to be right with God is a matter of the heart.

In all of our thoughts and intentions, how our heart is before God, is shown.

(In scripture, our hearts are the treasury of understanding…..and the source of whatever affects us.

Matthew 12:35 “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.”)

As Christians, our failures and our sins are fearful; and should be overcome by the faith of Christ and the Holy Spirit’s power…..

But where the heart is concerned, it is our attitude to these that matter.

Are we repentant, or just sad because we are not as good as we thought?

Are we seeing them as the Lord sees our sin, and backsliding;…..or are we flying through our confessions to Him, with half-hearted effort?

I believe it takes the power of the Holy Spirit, working in us, for us to get honest; and see things as He sees them.

The Holy Spirit will remind us, convict us, and then lead us to Christ: Who forgives us (1 John 1:9-10)……but it is His Way of removing the defilement of the conscience, so we can feel refreshed and clean in His love.

And be ready to move on with Him in the next step of our lives.

Psalms 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

We all need to get honest before Him, and let Him do the searching….this is important….

It is not us (for we are apt to think we know the reason for this action or that response) but it is His searching; and us listening, to His Word to us….that makes our way light.

If He shows us things….He will make it clear….this is always between the Lord and us.

Let us walk in the Light of His Word; in the way of the righteous.

The Wedding Supper of the Lamb

Revelation 19:7 “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.”

This is the marriage between Christ and His church. It will be at the end of the Tribulation Period, and the guests will be those of Israel which will be brought in to belief in Christ, during this period.

Matthew 22:2 “The Kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son.”

The Gospel of Matthew is written especially to the Jew…..showing that Christ was the King of the Jews.

But first, they rejected His forerunner, John the Baptist, then they rejected Him.

He had come in to Jerusalem….presenting Himself as their Messiah should….”Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.” (Matthew 21:5, Zechariah 9:9)

Now, in this parable, you see Jesus speaking to those who were even at that time rejecting Him….so it is not surprising that Jesus speaks of the kingdom of heaven.

The kingdom of heaven speaks of this present Church age….we are His heavenly citizens….and not that kingdom which is yet to come.

Matthew 22:3 “And sent forth His servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.”

It was common in those days, to send two invitations:

The first was sent weeks before the time, so that all would set aside that special time for the Supper.

The second was given, when the king would send a servant to each one, to escort them to the Supper.

And there are two calls to the Gospel….

….the general call which goes out to everyone. Many hear and in curiosity, agree….in principal to a Savior….but never are born again, or experience any real change in their lives…

….most of these, are like those invited to this Supper….they agree at first, but then reject the life…..acting as though Christ can not satisfy….

…..when it actually, they have never come and really had His life.

And the effectual call which is heard by the elect who are born again, and go on to a complete salvation.

For it makes demands on our life, and effects a real change in our life.

Matthew 22:4-5 “Again, He sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:”

You will notice that all these reasons are personal reasons….personal choices.

Not…”I am sick and can not come”……But…

…. I choose to go, and do this….rather than come to Your call.

We receive Christ Jesus, personally…..or reject Him personally.

Matthew 22:6 “And the remnant took His servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.”

This the Pharisees and rulers did to Jesus….and to the church after the giving of the Spirit.

But it is also what we can expect….from those who refuse to honor the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 4:12-14)

Matthew 22:7 “But when the King heard thereof, He was wroth: and He sent forth His armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.”

Surely this happened to Jerusalem under Titus, when the city was destroyed….but it will also happen when each person who has rejected Christ will stand before God,….have his life reviewed….and then they will be cast into the Lake of fire…….. for rejecting Christ Jesus, Who offered salvation to them.

Matthew 22:8-10 “Then saith He to His servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

Go ye Therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.”

Finally, the guests to honor the King’s Son are assembled….

….how?

From the highways….those that pass by.

Isaiah 35:8 “And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not error therein.”

Matthew 22:11-13 “And when the King came in to see the guests, He saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

And He saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

Then said the King to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; they shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

When you had an audience with a king, a proper garment was provided, so that the man would be without excuse….for he had refused it.

This “wedding garment” is, no doubt, the righteousness of Christ imputed to all who receive Him by faith.

This man rejected that righteousness of Christ….seeking to serve God with his own righteousness….”for all our righteousness is a filthy rags”….

….and therefore, was himself rejected.

“He was speechless” (Romans 3:19-20)

The outer darkness! We often picture Hell or the Lake of fire all lit up…..but it is darkness itself…..as Jude says, “…the blackness of darkness forever.” (Jude 13)

Imagine torment (there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth)… in complete darkness…forever.

There will yet be the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.

And the church, which is His Bride….will be there….and it will be grand and glorious.

Revelation 19:6-8 “….Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.”

“Righteousness of saints” is righteous acts…acts of obediences to Christ.

How would we appear if we were called tonight?

What would we look like for Eternity?

The days draw close….when time for change will be over…all will be settled for time and eternity.

Now is the compelling time….the time to go out into the highways and “bid them to the marriage”.

What will we do with our opportunity for service?

Will you speak for the King?

Will you pass that tract?

Will you invite them to “sup” with Him? (Revelation 3:20)

For…unto us…

Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”

Twice here in this verse alone, the prophet tells all who will hear, that it is “unto us”. The message of Christ is always personal…

….first He is seen as a child….in His humiliation. Leaving heaven to come here, as a babe….placing Himself into His Father’s hands for everything….being born of a woman,…born under the law, to honor it and fulfill it…honoring His Father in it. (Galatians 4:4-5)

Then He is seen as a Son, given……”unto us”…..(Matthew 3:16-17)…..

…He was “given”…..presented unto us as the Son of God, the Son of man….coming to manifest His Father’s Will toward us: in life, and in sacrifice for our sins….(again, “given”; as a sacrifice was)

The government of all is upon His shoulder: It was always so, for He is the Creator and Sustainer of all. (Psalm 24:1-2)

But in a new way,…..after His birth, life, sacrifice, and resurrection…….

…….the government is upon His shoulder,…..for God has given all authority and power into His hands, for the accomplishing of the complete Purpose for mankind:

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

1 Corinthians 15:24-25 “Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule, and all authority, and power.

For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet.”

And His name shall be called:

Wonderful….. “singularly marvelous”

Of course it should, for He was wonderful to do the Will of the Father, and come to earth to save me.

He is wonderful in all the long-suffering mercy and grace He pours upon us, by His merits….giving us His presence, HIs peace, and joy.

He will be wonderful in that day when He comes and takes the Kingdom of this world to Himself….making it a Kingdom of peace. (Isaiah 9:7)

And finally establishing the Eternal Kingdom for ever.

Counselor….

He knows the eternal counsels of the Godhead….and brings them to pass…..

Isaiah 46:10 “Declaring the end from the beginning; and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.”

He “worketh all things after the counsel of His Will” where our salvation is concerned. (Ephesians 1:11)

And as our personal Counselor (Psalm 16:7)…..He gives us the way to overcome…(Revelation 3:18)…in these last days.

The mighty God….

Psalm 24:8 “Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.”

His strength of character, and His strength of purpose….for He went through everything to accomplish completely the salvation of His people….defeating sin, and death

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The everlasting Father….

He is God….the Trinity…..One with the Father, and the Holy Spirit….there is no separation, but in their offices to His people.

John 14:9 “….he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father;…”

John 10:30 “I and My Father are one.”

The Prince of Peace….

He was always Peace….in Him was no strife, ever…..eternal peace was His character.

Even now He brings peace to all who receive Him…….by His salvation, and by His Spirit….

Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

Ephesians 2:14,17 “For He is our peace, Who hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”

One day….the whole of creation will know His peace….under His Kingdom…..

Hosea 2:18 “And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely

Isaiah 11:6 “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion shall eat straw like the ox.”

On a night full of the light of stars…..shepherds watched over their flocks…..and saw the dazzling light from a angel…..

……then they went and saw a greater Light….born “unto you”…

Luke 2:9-11 “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:15-17 “…Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.”

We think of this as the beginning…..when this was the center of all the Purpose of God.

From eternity past….God thought of us and our Salvation…..making a Covenant…a plan….a Purpose for each of us.

When we were born again,….we began our journey in that Purpose…..a Purpose which flowed from before times eternal (1 Timothy 1:9)……unto us…..through Christ Jesus.

And His Purpose flows on…..till all that He has said will be…..will be….with us….and all who will receive the Lord Jesus, Who was born….unto us.

As the multitude of heavenly hosts said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”