An Offering of a Willing Heart.

Exodus 35:4-5 “And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing that the Lord commanded, saying,

Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the Lord; gold, and silver, and brass,”

The Tabernacle of the Lord was to be made. The very intricate pieces were to be done by those selected by God, and given the ability. (Exodus 35:30-35)

But before they could do the work, materials had to be gathered. And God did not require any to give; but it was to be an offering of a “willing heart”.

Exodus 35:21-22 “And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering to the work of the Tabernacle of the congregation, and for all His service, and for the holy garments.

And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought bracelets, and earring, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered, offered an earring of gold unto the Lord.”

Exodus 35:29 “The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all the manner of work, which the Lord had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.”

This was wonderful. But the example I want to speak about is:

Exodus 38:8 “And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the looking glasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the Tabernacle of the congregation.”

These woman had given before: bracelets, and earrings, gold and silver. Yet they continued coming to the door of the Tabernacle to see what else was needed.

Back in those days, looking glasses (mirrors) were not made of glass, but of brass. Highly polished brass. It was an art to make them and they were very valuable.

(Actually it was flattering to the faces, for it gave them a shine, and did not show up every flaw.

In 1 Corinthians 13:12, it says, “For now we see through a glass (looking glass) darkly, but then face to face: for I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

The apostle is saying, “Now you see yourself a little better than you are. You are not seeing clearly. You are also not seeing clearly the love God has for you, as you. But then, when you put away “childish things”, you will see yourself clearer, and God’s Amazing love for you, as you; a lot clearer, too.)

These women had gotten these looking glasses from the Egyptians [who were scrupulous about their looks], and had them stored in their treasures.

To be able to pull them out after journeying through the desert, and brush the sand out of your hair. To see how your face looks after a few years: this would have been a real treasure!

But, they saw the need for brass for the laver.

(the large basin with feet, which was filled with water. It was outside the Holy Place, in the court.

This is what the priests washed at after working at the altar with the sacrifices. They were to wash before going into the Holy Place, and eating the bread, or lighting the Lamp, or offering incense to God.)

These women saw the need, and brought something very personal, and very valuable to them. Their brazen looking glasses. Of all their treasures, these would have been something they would want to hold on to.

They came willingly and gave something which would have made them feel beautiful. So it was a matter of the heart, choosing God’s work, over their vanity.

Not such an easy choice at times.

Yet it was an offering of a willing heart from all of them; and God gave witness of their offering in His Word, as a testimony to their love.

The Lord has before Him books of all the deeds down through the centuries, of those that do something willingly, out of love to Him.

And here, He has written of these willing hearts.

(Malachi 3:16 “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name.”)

Is our service to the Lord, of a willing heart?

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 5:24-28 “And Jesus went with him, and much people followed him, and thronged him.

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 come up behind him and just touch His clothes.

She came, not just to see, or hear Him, but to be near enough to touch His clothes, to be healed.

She thought that if she could just touched 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 halted 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.

The Offerings of Sweet Savor

There were three “Sweet savor” offerings….and two offerings for sin and trespass….five offerings in all.

The sweet savor offerings are called a savor of rest. These were all burnt on the altar….showing that the sweetness would not be shown without the fire of trial, or suffering.

They are all “to God”, but one is also shared with the priests (and we are a holy priesthood, 1 Peter 2:5); and one is shared in fellowship with God and the priests and the people who sacrifice, Hebrews 10:24-25)

The offerings under the Law….all looked forward to the completeness of Christ’s offering….both to God, and for us.

They were like a shadow….Showing a form of the real…..but Christ’s sacrifice was real….for it was effectual for us….forever.

Hebrews 10:1 “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices, which they offered year by year continually, make the comers thereunto perfect.”

Hebrews 10:12, 14 “But this Man (Jesus), after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, set down on the right hand of God;

For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.”

Let us look at the “sweet savor” offerings:

The whole burnt offering:

Leviticus 1:3, 9 “If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will….

….and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord.”

Christ was the whole burnt offering….for He kept back nothing of the full price of redemption, for His own.

He paid every suffering for our sins.

But there is more to this sacrifice,…..

…….This sacrifice, speaks of the Lord Jesus fully giving to God, that glory and subjection, that He deserves.

He did it voluntarily….for the whole burnt offering was….

……”If any man of you….”. It was not a “must”, but a “If you will”.

Hebrews 10:7 “Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me) to do Thy will, O God.”

Christ’s was in complete subjection to God,…..

…..and by HIs sacrifice, He made us a way, that we might submit ourselves to God as well.

There was the Meat (Meal) offering….

……which was another “offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord:”(Leviticus 2:2)

It was to be brought with frankincense (the spice of kings)…..and oil.

Leviticus 6:14-16 “And this is the law of the meat (meal) offering…

And he shall take of it his handful, of the flour of the meat offering, and of the oil thereof, and all the frankincense which is upon the meat offering, and shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savor, even the memorial of it, unto the Lord.

And the remainder thereof shall Aaron and his sons eat:….”

This sacrifice was first to be sacrificed to God….a handful, taken and placed upon the altar, with the frankincense and oil….

…..the rest to be given to the priests.

It was to be fine flour…..not the corse grind of regular bread, but finely ground….extra effort was to be made for this sacrifice.

This fine flour represented the beauty of the Lord Jesus to His Father……Jesus was God’s beloved Son.

Matthew 3:17 “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well-pleased.”

All the character and actions of Christ….pleased God, the Father.

He is well beloved in the eyes of His believers (“priests” 1 Peter 2:9) and we are to “feed” on Him, as our bread of life. (John 6:35)

The frankincense and the oil were given in this sacrifice……in recognition of Christ’s Kingship, and the fullness of the Holy Spirit (oil) on Him.

This was the only bloodless sacrifice, for it spoke of Christ’s Person—not His Work.

The peace offering…..

Leviticus 3:3-5 “And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering….the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,

And the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them,…

And Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt sacrifice….”

This is an amazing offering…..for it includes God, the priests, and the people bringing it.

The offering they were to bring,….they were to identify with it……placing their hand on the head of it. (Leviticus 3:2)

Then they were to burn part to God,…..

….give part of the sacrifice to the priest that was administering,……

…..and have a party with family and friends for vows, thanksgiving for birth’s, weddings, etc.

Christ has brought peace, by HIs sacrifice…..to those who believe on Him:

Ephesians 2:13, 17 “But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

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

We can now come, by that peace with God, having fellowship with Him…..and with our fellow believers. We are to rejoice in His Presence….”coming boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help” (Hebrews 4:16)

By the peace His sacrifice wins…..you may come before God in praise to Him, and the joyfulness of your heart…..for His wonderful gifts, to you.

These were all the “offerings of sweet savor unto the Lord”.

All of them showing that glory, that the trials and suffering of Christ, brought to God.

God is Holy….and without the sacrifices of Christ; He would have nothing to do with us….except judgement.

But Christ’s perfect sacrifice changed that….in several ways:

His coming to earth as Son of Man/Son of God, for us…….for we could do nothing to bring us near to God.

His life in subjection as a servant;….for we were rebels, fighting against God and His authority.

His prayers, and example of character and service;…..for we had only laws before….no living example of the beauty of those laws, lived out in life.

His sacrificial death….for by it, He gave us the privilege of becoming the children of God,….

….and. gave us the Holy Spirit whereby we are empowered to live for God,…

….and it gave us peace.

How full was Christ’s sacrifice….to God,…..and for us…

…no wonder they are called the “sweet savor” sacrifices!

Let us praise His beauty of Plan, Purpose, and Perseverance….till all was perfected….both for God, the Father….and us.

The Almighty

Job 5:17-18 “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

For He maketh sore, and bindeth up: He woundeth, and His hands make whole.”

Some of the times when I have know the most reality in my Christian experience, have been when I was corrected by the Lord.

It is amazing how He can get our attention about things….and how He speaks to us, to correct what is wrong….there is so much love there.

That He should bend down and bother with me at all…..is an amazing thing!

Happy indeed that He should end my rebellion against His Will!

To turn my:

…..”I do not want to”…

…..into…..

……”I want all You have for me. But there is within me that which will not let me respond. What You offer, is all I have ever hoped for…

….and yet…

…..I am unbending,….unless You bend me, Lord Jesus.

All my reasons against….all my plans of what should be….all my fears…all my thoughts that I can win an argument with God!…..all, are here within me….yet…

…yet, Your Word, and love can melt all of this, Lord….for what can stand before it?”

Job 5:18 “For He maketh sore, and bindeth up: He woundeth, and His hands make whole.”

The name for God, most found in Job, is Almighty!

I find that interesting….because of all the calamities which came to him….yet he did not stop calling God, Almighty….just because bad things happened.

(Thirty-one times…..more than in any other book….the Almighty is used here!)

Almighty means sufficient for anything…..all powerful….able to complete.

And certainly, our God is that!

There is a lot of back and forth in Job….everyone’s opinion and knowledge….and Job’s complaint….yet in the end….the Lord spoke…

….and Job humbled himself in awe, and love of the Almighty.

God certainly did correct Job….to make him more than he was….”wounded, and made whole”….(Job 42:6 “Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”)

Job 42:10, 12 “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning:…”

But the Almighty works in our life, as well…….to complete the work of sanctification within us.

2 Corinthians 6:17-18 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

He corrects us to make us wholly His…..in practical living:

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.”

“Blameless” has to do with the fact of knowledge. To know to do well,….and not do it….makes you blameworthy.

To know to do well….and do it, even unperfectly, makes you blameless.

God is saying, “I will help you to know what to do…..and help you to do it……as you set yourself aside to Me.”

For this is what Job did…..he argued with God about “things”….but in the end….Job was God’s servant….and would always be so.

At the beginning of Job,…even after tragedy and loss, pain and suffering….Job blessed the Lord….

….”the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:23)

….(Job 2:10) “…shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.”

Through the trial….the argument about things that were happening to him,….was never about God’s right to do,…

….but about Job’s desire to know what God knows….

…And at the end, Job bowed again….in newer understanding and subjection, and humbled himself to God….and God’s Will….in faith…

…whether he understood it or not.

As Christians, we are called to go through many trials of our faith….to bring us through them, to the other side…

James 1:2-3 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers (different kinds) temptations (trials);

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”

Someone has said, that we are not really learning anything from the trial….if we can not find joy from God, in it.

(Joy comes from the Holy Spirit within….it is the Presence of God in my life….and has nothing to do with circumstances, or people, or anything but God and me. Joy lifts us up out of ourselves, that we might view God, more.)

James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.”

The Almighty did for Job….and He will for us as well,….if we will yield to, and listen to Him.

Remember Lot’s Wife

Luke 17:32 “Remember Lot’s wife.”

Why would our Lord want us to remember Lot’s wife?

Because looking back is a trap we should not fall into.

The story:

Lot lived in Sodom. Sodom and Gomorrah were situated in a beautiful valley; full of lush pastures, and full rivers. They were rich cities, and Lot and his family had moved there to enjoy all they had to offer. But…

But they were also wicked places. Terrible sexual practices were carried out in the city, and all of them were allowed on any who would venture in. They were also idolatrous people; so bad that “the cry of them is great before the face of the Lord”.

God sent angels to Lot, so that he and his familxy, could escape the coming destruction.

Genesis 19:12-13 “And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any beside? Son-in-law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of the place:

For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it.”

Well, Lot told his family,…..but no one would listen to him; “he seemed as one that mocked”. (Genesis 19:14).

They thought he was joking.

After all, Lot lived in Sodom; had been there quite a while, surely this was not going to happen.

Beside, when was the last time Lot talked about God? He must be joking.

When the next morning came, the angels said:

Genesis 19:15 “And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.”

It was time to go, but he hesitated.

Hesitation is such an easy thing for us to do.

We wait, a moment or so,…….wishing things were different;……and by doing so, lose the joy in doing the Lord’s Will, in what is next.

In mercy the Lord had His angels take hold on their hands and guide them out of the city.

Genesis 19:16-17 “And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand and upon the hand of his wife and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful to him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.

And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.”

Standing outside the city the angels warn them not to look back, but to keep moving forward.

God was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, for their awful sin, before it corrupted more of the world.

They started to go to a little city, at the far end of the plain. And when they got there, two things happened:

The Lord did destroy the cities with fire,…utterly.

And Lot’s wife looked back.

Genesis 19:24, 26 “Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven;”

“But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.”

But why did she look back at such destruction?

She did not want to leave that life. They were pretty well-to-do. They had a standing in the city, for Lot had a position of judge; for he sat in the gate, as judge.

Even though it was a wicked place, she enjoyed the life of “being somebody”…..and she did not want to leave it.

She did not want to go on, to what she did not know. She did not trust the Lord.

No! She only wanted what she had.

So she looked back, and was turned into a pillar of salt.

But why salt? As a warning….For salt is suppose to preserve.

She should have preserved her family in the belief of the true God….and kept looking forward.

But, she got wrapped up in the things of this life,…..and she began to love them too much….she expected that it would continue….so she gave herself over to them…..and it cost her, her life.

Even though she felt like this,…..(and I want to stress this!)…..if she had simply obeyed God’s Word,….she would have been delivered.

But…she didn’t.

How much our unbelief takes away from us.

How many of us have tripped and fallen here?

Wishing for…..something,…..instead of taking the next step with Jesus.

Matthew 5:13 “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt hath lost it’s savor: wherewith it shall be salted? It is therefore good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

Jesus says: Remember Lot’s wife.

Some times it is hard to go forward: very hard.

But we need to remember that God always has our best interests on His heart.

God does all things in mercy to His people.

We need to receive it, and go along with Him.

Paul said:

“…Forgetting what is 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 3:13-14)

We are called to take each step with Him; that is all.

That will save us from the destruction that is in this world, all around us….

And He often takes our hand, when we hesitate, and even helps us do that.

We just need to believe and obey Him.

Remember Lot’s wife.

A New Thing

Isaiah 43:19 “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Of course these verses apply to Israel….but once I was praying about something, and the Lord showed me this verse.

I needed a “new thing” right about then….a “new way” in my wilderness….

(Notice….”it shall spring forth”. I love the Lord’s Words! Right when we see a wilderness, or a desert…..He shall make things “spring forth”….like the seed coming into a plant; like the blossoms on a fruit tree! All the things….the new things of life! God-given life to us!)

Isaiah 43:18 “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.”

They are back in the past….if confessed and forgiven….forget them…

….and get on with the Lord’s Will for our lives….now.

He showed me that I should commit each day into His hand….asking His Will done in it….with me.

Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

We should live each day as if it were our most important time.

I have often gone through a month….thinking of an important date, at the end of the month….when each day, should have been my concern.

The past we can do nothing about….

….the future we do not have….but we can live today for Christ Jesus, giving Him our time, and efforts….to honor Him.

And we should seek His blessing, guidance and supply, for this day.

It really is, our most important time.

How many of us seek His blessing for each day…..true we are grateful for the blessings that come…..health, encouragements, helps.

But the blessing He wants us to experience is…..the blessing of knowing His Will is done by us,…..the rest and joy it brings.

If we are to truly “apply ourselves to wisdom”….it will be on a daily basis….with the Lord.

(Wisdom is God’s Light to show us the practical use of knowledge. We may know certain facts…..even Bible facts; but are at a loss to be able to use them in my situation. Wisdom lights things up, practically,…..it shows us how to take what we know….and get the job done.

James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.)

“I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert”. This is God speaking….He, will “make a way”….

The wilderness in scripture is a place of trials, and discipline.

When the children of Israel needed water….water was given from a Rock (Exodus 17:6)

When the children of Israel needed food….manna was given…along with instruction as how to use it. (Exodus 16:12-16)

When they needed deliverance from attack….instructions were given for Moses and Joshua. Moses to lift up the rod (prayer)….and Joshua to fight with the men. (Exodus 17:10-11)

The cloud during the day….and the light at night never left them…but they were told to follow it. (Exodus 13:21-22)

The lessons varied….they were to learn that God will supply, when there is no supply…

….To learn to be a warrior and leader….

….To learn that they are not alone, or abandoned….no matter the correction.

The wilderness is often compared to our spiritual journey here:

Psalm 68:7 “O God, when Thou wentest forth before Thy people, when Thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah.

It was God’s “march”…..a ordered set of circumstances which led them through trials…..to prepare them for the step ahead….and their life ahead.

(Some failed….because of unbelief (Hebrews 3:19)……

….some learned….the generation which were children when they came from Egypt…went in and took the land (Joshua 24:31)

…and those that learned, reaped the benefits of God’s training.)

But the most important thing for us to remember is……no matter the trial they went through:…..God provided.

He made a way in the wilderness….and rivers in the desert….and He will do the same for us.

Perhaps today is the time to turn your back on the past….not to look to tomorrow……but to see today….and what your God would have you to learn, to do, to see, to know, to share…with Him…..today.

1 Peter 1:6-8 “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

Whom having not seen, ye love; in Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”

There is a “new thing” He wants to do, in us…..for us…..through us…

Will we let Him give us wisdom for today, and walk in His light, in that way He is making for us?

The Joy of Repentance

Luke 15:7 “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”

Repentance is a change in my mind, heart’s love, and direction of my life. It effects my whole being.

And as God’s children, we are to repent, often. And the first step in repentance is….coming to Christ in honesty.

This verse has to do with the sheep that was lost…..being found.

Luke 15:4-5 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders rejoicing.”

Sheep are stubborn animals. They can be follow you like a pet….or determine to go somewhere they should not…

They are weak animals….unable to run very fast….or to save themselves from their fierce enemies.

They need a Shepherd….leading, and protecting them; yet often, go away from the Shepherd….and get hurt.

But in this parable, this sheep is “gone away”….is lost……and knows it.

Some sheep, try and find their own way home….but this, too, is “our own way”….and it does not work.

And some cry out….till the Shepherd who is looking for them….hears and comes to deliver.

Now we could speculate as to how that sheep got lost…..whether it wandered off, when the others were resting in pasture….wanting to see what is over there.

Or whether he was lost by staying back away from the rest of the flock…and especially from the Shepherd;….

How the sheep was lost is a matter of individual sins…….and for everyone of us, it is different…..and yet, the same……it is “our own way”…….for we are that sheep:

Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

1 Peter 2:25 “For ye were as sheep going astray, but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”

Psalm 119:176 “I have gone astray like a lost sheep: seek thy servant; for I do not forget Thy commandments.”

But we did not stay lost…..the Shepherd found us…..for He went after us….and found us.

Ezekiel 34:11 “For thus saith the Lord God; behold, I, even I, will both search My sheep, and seek them out.”

The Lord is ever the One to seek for us.

We are lost….we may know it and may cry out for it…..but it is the Lord, our Shepherd, that seeks and finds us.

Repentance is the change of mind, heart, and will.

You change your mind about sin…..and God.

Once God was your enemy (Romans 8:7)….

Someone Who seemed to make demands with out any pity (Ephesians 2:2-3)…

….but now you see that it is sin that is making the demands….and demanding more and more…..

……it is taking over your personality. What was…”I will try it…just once”…..becomes a need….then a ruler.

Whereas, God is standing ready to deliver….if we will see the truth and repent….or change our mind (and God helps us, if we will come to Him)….and receive Him (John 1:12)

You change your heart’s love of sin.

And this comes as the sin gets less “something to get by with”………and becomes a burden…a weight which can not be shrugged off.

You change your will.

(Our will is our active part of us. In our minds we imagine….our hearts yearn or lust….but our wills activate us.)

When we will not to sin….we are turning from it…..

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

Acts 2:37-39 “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

Acts 20:21 “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Repentance leads to joy….God’s joy over your salvation….and our joy in Christ.

Romans 5:10-11 “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son; much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom we have now received the atonement.”

We are like sheep, who have gone astray….to “my own way”…..yet Christ came to “seek and to save them that are lost” (Luke 19:10).

And when He found us….He picked us up out of our sin….placed us upon His shoulders (the place of strength)….and brought us into His fold…..where He leads us day by day.

John 10:11, 27-28 “I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.”

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me:

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.”

As sheep, we are often wandering…..but thankfully we have our Shepherd….Who comes after us…..leading us again in repentance….

….and into joy.

Thou Wilt

Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.”

This peace is not the result of our self determination….trying to “be calm”,……but it is ministered to us by God.

Peace of mind is freedom from anxiety, worry, fear, and panic…

….God gives this to us, as we commit ourselves unto Him.

The word “mind” here is imagination….and how easily they can carry us away.

(A funny story: when my daughter was small (about 35 years ago)….a member of our congregation gave us a old rooster they had to get rid of. (We braised it with vegetables….very tasty. Evidently their family did not want to try and eat it.)

Well, when my daughter heard we were having rooster, she asked what it tasted like.

“Like chicken”, I said, not thinking anything about it.

“Yea, well somebody said rattlesnake taste like chicken (where she heard that, I have no idea!)….are we eating snake?”

“No, no” I said, laughing, “a rooster is a boy chicken.”

“Oh….ok”……but she sure looked at it when it came on her plate.

We still laugh about….”Is this real chicken,chicken?”)

How often we “imagine” scenarios in our minds, with the knowledge we have….when what we need to do….is trust Jesus….

…..He knows everything…and is prepared for everything…..and will guide us, if we will let Him.

Trust is to hang on to.

When our hearts are looking to Christ, and our minds are trusting Him for our lives…..we have peace.

It garrisons us…..like a fortress; we are kept from the chaos of worry and from the desire to “do something”…..when we do not know what to do.

Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

For those that love God;….who are listening for His Voice,….when we are doing His Will….it brings peace to our lives, like nothing else.

There is a settled rest within us…..no matter what is around us.

Isaiah 48:18 “O that thou hast harkened to My commandments! Then had thy peace been as a river, and they righteousness as the waves of the sea:”

Our peace comes to us through Christ:

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

“Thou wilt”.

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Isaiah 26:3-4 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.

Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.”

“Stayed” has the meaning of longevity…..it is a decision to keep before our thoughts…..this one particular thought…..”I am God’s, and He is here with me”

And this is personal. “Thou wilt keep him….”

I love this verse in Psalms:

Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”

Chariots and war horses lined up in battle make a grand sight….and many have trusted in them, only to be broken and defeated by God.

(Pharaoh’s army at the Red Sea, the five kings Joshua 10:11, the siege of Samaria 2 Kings 7:4-7, Singing instead of fighting 2 Chronicles 20:17,21-22, and others,….because they believed in God.)

But the Name of my God, if remembered (that Name suggesting all of His character and attributes)…..will stay our hearts and minds in the battles we face….today.

He will give us peace.

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

We shall know…..if we follow on to know.

Do you want to know the Lord, more?

Isaiah 54:13 “And all Thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of Thy children.”

Do you want to be taught of Him?

(God does not yield to experimentation….He does not say….”try Me, and see whether I am God.”

No, He states….”I am God,….believe Me.”

Isaiah 40:28-29 “Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of His understanding.

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.”

To know God, is to have a more personal relationship with Him.

Let me ask you…..do you talk with Him, everyday…..bringing both your sins for confession (1 John 1:9), and your deliverances and victories to Him, in praise?)

“His going forth”

This speaks of His Purpose…….which is ever going forward….

……..though we may not see it clearly……..yet,…

His going forth in His Word (Isaiah 55:11);…..His going forth by His Spirit (Romans 8:13-15);……His going forth in battle for us (Ephesians 6:10).

“And He comes unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rains on the earth.”

Rain speaks of His temporal mercies…..for He sends “rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45)

These latter and former rains were essential for a good harvest in Israel.

The latter rains in March-May, when the crop was coming to fruition….to give the best harvest.

The former rains in October-December, when the crops were first planted….to give them the best start.

And this was by the mercy of God.

Hosea was calling God’s people to know Him…..God was giving them a chance to rekindle the fire of zeal…but not in sacrifices…..but in fellowship and relationship.

Hosea 6:4 “O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? For your goodness is as the morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.”

The morning cloud and early dew promise much for the crops and vineyards…..they look real good…..but deliver little.

For as soon as the sun comes up…..they disappear…no rain then….the dew gone, and the plants drying out.

They gave no lasting benefit.

So were the changes of Ephraim (one name for Israel, the northern kingdom) and Judah.

They showed promise of repentance….they became very religious….but it was not a lasting change of the heart.

Hosea 6:5 “Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth: and thy judgements are as the light that goeth forth.”

The Lord sought to restore them….that is why Hosea, and other prophets were sent…..to speak His Words to them….if they will hear, and follow Him again. He sent judgements to show light on their sins.

“Then shall they know, if they follow on to know…”

The sacrifices were only as good as the hearts that brought them.”

Hosea 6:6 “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”

“I desired mercy”…..”mercy” here is a word which speaks of affection and loyalty under the covenant.

And this affection and love is for both God, and all the sons of the covenant.

This is what He wanted of them,…..to get their hearts right with Him…..and with their brothers.

“And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings”.

For them to really know their God…..that is what He has always wanted….not just from Israel…..but down through the ages in His church.

For His people to know Him…..

……..and that can not be done without fellowship….and following after.

To worship Him in Spirit and in truth….this He wants from all His people….heart worship.

And worship is worthyship…..counting the Lord worthy of our all.

He seeks this from us, today.

And He is still calling,……all who will, to……

(Hosea 6:1-3):

“Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for He hath torn, and He will lead us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up.”

(How often He had to stand by and let their enemies hurt them….to wake them up to their sin!

Isaiah 54:7-8 “For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies shall I gather thee.

In a little wrath I hid My face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith Lord thy Redeemer.”)

“After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight.”

(Some, (I do) see the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ here…and all that it gives us. Promised so many times to those who would know Him!)

“Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning, and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain and former rain upon the earth.”

To follow on…..because He is going on…..will we go with Him?

As sure as the light in the sky tomorrow….His going forth for us, in His Purpose is prepared and ready.

And He shall…..He shall come unto us in mercy….if we follow on with Him……we will begin to have all that He has Purposed for us.

One day He will come to judge the earth….but today He still calls in mercy….

…..are we hearing Him?

Empty your Hands

What is that in thine hand?

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

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

Or are you hanging on to “the rod” , which will never be used for God, till you give it to God?

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

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

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

But how was he going to do this?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Which I have put in thine hand.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The means for God’s Work, are God’s.

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