Our Place in the World

Romans 13:1 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”

This was written in a day when Rome and the Caesar’s ruled. Their reign was often terrible. The soldiers could be cruel, or kind. Their judges could imprison or set free, at a word.

Yet, as Christians, we are to respect authorities, because of their office. And be subject to them. (God always has His due order. Think of the chaos without the police, fire department, and government.)

1 Timothy 2:1-4 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercession, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

For kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty.

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

This is the secret for a quiet life: Prayer for all.

We should pray for our family, our city, the church on the earth,…..for our nation, and it’s leaders.

It is not because we believe, necessarily, in what they do; but rather it is what the Lord wants.

And when we pray, God hears.

Proverbs 21:1 “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will.”

The Lord can turn the heart of any ruler, politician, judge, etc. as He turns the rivers in there course; to do what ever He wants.

(There are times He allows rulers to go on in there wicked way; simply to increase their punishment, or to make the deliverance of His people from their hand even more amazing!)

Our place in the world is to be lights for Jesus Christ.

To shine God’s life in us.

To do this we are to pray for those we know, who are Christians; and those who have not yet come to Christ Jesus.

To seek the good of our family, neighbors, and city by prayer.

And to pray for our country.

That revival might come to our churches, schools, institutions that are suppose to do good; and to all….

To seek the good of all, in prayer; is a down payment on a peaceful life.

Keep Thy Heart

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

The heart in Scripture is the soul, or personality of the individual. It is what makes us, us.

It is made up of mind or thoughts; heart, or affections; and will, or the limited power we have to do.

If we are born again (the Bible was written for God’s people), then we are warned to “keep our hearts”.

We are not to let it wander around into things it should not go near.

We are told to hold it close to God, by the exercise of willing love.

(If you say you can not will love; I disagree.

If you are talking about the affections which fly here and there; no you can not do much with them, until they are brought into subjection to Christ Jesus.

But when we are born again, we are given power to exercise our will for God in a new way. The will becomes the holder of all precious materials for God. One of these is love. And as such, we will to love, what God loves.)

Then we will to stay close to the Altogether Lovely One, Jesus Christ.

We have become so surrounded by the World’s terms and definitions about them; that we have forgotten the reality of the power of God in our lives.

The world says love is an emotional response to someone or something.

God says love comes from Him, into our hearts, and is returned to Him by an act of our will.

1 John 4:16,19 “And we have known and believed the love God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

We love him, because He first loved us.”

Believe is another word, the World has misused. It says it is a action of the mind, which grasps the concept of something that has proved itself.

But God says it is an action of the will, whereby we place our whole being on Him, and His Word.

Mark 9:24 “And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”

This father willed to believe. Even praying Jesus to help his unbelief.

To believe is the action of faith.

And faith is placed within us by the Holy Spirit, when we come to Christ.

It works in us to believe: place our whole selves on Christ.

That is the action part, where we do His Will.

So we are told to “Keep our hearts” and we are to do this “with all diligence”.

It takes a lot of effort to keep our hearts close to Christ.

We have a tendency to “slide” away from Him. There are many temptations in this world.

Jeremiah 3:14 “Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord;…”

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.”

But, as we love Him, we grow stronger and stronger in that love. We are never out of danger, till we reach our home in heaven, but He has made a way of escape, even in the temptation:

1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

For out of it (our hearts- our souls) are the issues of life.

Issues, or the source of life.

When we are saved, we are given eternal life, which is a condition of life.

(It is not just to live forever. Everyone will live forever, someplace. The born again ones, in Heaven with God, in bliss. The lost, in the Lake of Fire, in torment.)

This condition of life is Christ’s Life within us by the Holy Spirit.

We are to hang on to Him. Steady ourselves with His Arm. (We need a lot of steadying)

And we are to use all the grace that He gives us, to keep hanging on to Him.

He never leaves us, but we often leave Him.

That is why hanging on, keeping our hearts for Him, is so important.

Love Him, for He loved you with an Everlasting Love.

Trust Him, for He is Faithful.

Believe, and Obey Him, for He leads us in the best way to go.

What Fruits do you bear?

Matthew 7:20 “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

Galatians 5:16-17 “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”

Once we are born again, and are given a new nature….a battle begins within us:

The old nature (our self-life), and our new nature (the life of God within us); start to battle back and forth for control of our actions, our thoughts, our emotions…

….which involve our reactions (how easy it is to do the things we have always done).

Frankly, we have lived in the soul’s sphere all our lives…..

…we think things out….

…we react from our emotions…

…we will to do what we want, if we are not stopped by some outside force.

This has been our life.

And our self-life does not stop wanting to “tell us what to do”, after we are born again.

James 4:1 “From whence comes wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?”

(Lust is: I want this, and I want this now….whether in thought, or action.)

Ephesians 5:24 “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”

“Crucified” has to do with the cross….our cross, which Jesus invites us to “deny ourselves, and pick up”. (Matthew 16:24)

Our souls must be brought into subjection to the new nature….which is from God…by our wills, willing with God.

Philippians 2:12 “Wherefore, my 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:”

And in this, God requires us to submit to the inworking of the Holy Spirit…..Who guides us into righteousness, and works within us to will after God’s good pleasure.

Philippians 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”

It is yielding, again and again….to the Holy Spirit….till it becomes the heart-beat of our lives, to yield.

For it starts as a matter of the will, willing….and becomes a matter of the whole being….mind, heart and will…giving place to the blessed Holy Spirit.

This yielding, works new characteristics within us, to replace the old attitudes and actions which we set aside.

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

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

Now these set forth what the Holy Spirit will work within us….

…and He begins with love.

I think this is most blessed, because in ourselves, we love the wrong things.

But in Christ, we are taught the important things of life….and learn to will to love them.

(I have said this before, that “agape”, or Christian love is not emotion…although certainly we feel it.

But it is the willed tendency of the heart to devote ourselves to Christ Jesus.

Jesus Christ always forces a choice of the will….

…..never does He say, “Well, if you feel like it….you should follow Me.” Or. “If you think this is a good idea, then follow Me.”

No, it is…..”If any man, woman, boy, or girl will,…then follow Me.”)

So, when we are born again, the Holy Spirit shows us the beauty of Christ, and says, “Will you love Him?”

When we will, then the Holy Spirit opens up our hearts to receive….and to give love…”agape”….both to Christ and to our fellow Christians.

He places it within us, and says….”work it out”….obey Him.

Then there is joy: joy is the felt presence of God in my life….it comes in any circumstances…and lifts us up, to the fullness of life, in Him…at that time.

Then there is peace. Peace gives rest….and rest of soul (mind, heart, and will) is strength, for it gives us knowledge that God is our Fortress….now. (Philippians 4:7, Psalm 18:1-2)

Then there is long-suffering…waiting for others, remembering how God has waited for us.

gentleness,….being kind.

goodness,…acting right toward others.

faith,…keeping God in front of us in all circumstances.

temperance,….even tempered.

meekness….seeing ourselves the way we are before God.

…all of these characteristics of Christ are worked within our personalities by us yielding to the Holy Spirit within.

They build on one another….each supplying in our personalities a strength….so that we can use all the grace God gives.

Are we bearing these fruits?

Martha

Luke 10:38 “Now it came to pass, as they went, that He entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house.”

She did not just listen as He went by….but she welcomed the Lord into her house as well.

She, Lazarus, and Mary all lived together in Bethany.

Martha was probably the one who ran the house….keeping it, and seeing to their food.

When Jesus came to Bethany; Martha welcomed Him into their home….

….this was a happy occasion, and she went about trying to get everything just right, so that she could enjoy His company.

Lazarus sat with the disciples, and Mary, Martha’s sister, came and sat at Jesus feet to listen to His Word.

Martha was trying to get things done….

It was not that she did not want to hear the Lord….but she had let the desire to serve the Lord weigh her down….

…..so that instead of enjoying the time He was there….she became “cumbered”. (This is a term that means something she is dragging around, a weight.)

Then, she began to wonder why Mary was not helping…..which led her to complain to the Lord….about His actions!

How one thing leads to another!

Luke 10:39-40 “And she had a sister called Mary, which also say at Jesus’ feet, and heard His word.

But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said, Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.”

How like Martha we are!

She began by wanting fellowship with Jesus….so much so she invited Him to come to her house.

Then, she let “things” build up in her thoughts….

“I should really do something special….He is so great a person.”

“I really need to hurry….He is already speaking to the others.”

“If only Mary would help me….I could be in there too.”

“Why isn’t the Lord saying anything to her,….so I could hear what He is saying, too?”

These are the “imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Our thoughts run away….going from one thing to another….and before you know it….we are accusing the Lord of not caring about us!

Luke 10:41-42 “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful (full of care) and troubled about many things (and they are just things):

But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Notice, how Jesus gently corrects this lovely woman: “Martha, Martha”….saying her name twice to get her attention.

She was still focused on things….

….”Look at Me, Martha….Listen to Me, Martha….you are getting all worked up about things….

…but Mary has seen that the important thing about having Me in your house….that is to hear Me….

….this I will not take away from her…..but instead invite you to come and join us.”

Jesus loved Martha. Martha was a true believer.

John 11:5 “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.”

They were true friends and disciples of the Lord.

(In fact the last week of Jesus life was spent going from their house in Bethany, to Jerusalem, during the day, to teach in the Temple….and back to their house at night.)

When Lazarus got sick….Martha and Mary could think of nothing….but taking their concern to Jesus:

John 11:1, 3 “Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

Therefore his sisters sent unto Him (Jesus), saying, Lord, behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick.”

Jesus was beyond the Jordan River (where John the Baptist had begun his ministry John 10:40) in Bethabara.

But when Jesus heard of Lazarus’ illness…..He did nothing….yet.

John 11:6 “When He had heard therefore that he was sick, He abode two days still in the same place where He was.”

During these two days, Lazarus dies….then it was time to go, so Jesus says:

John 11:7 “Then after that saith to His disciples, Let us go into Judea again.”

It was a journey of several days to Bethany….so when He gets there, Lazarus is dead for four days (John 11:39)….and there is a crowd of mourners which were there to grieve with Martha and Mary.

Leaving all….Martha, as soon as she hears Jesus is coming….goes to meet Him. (John 11:20)

Notice the faith of this woman:

John 11:21-22 “Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

But I know, that even now, whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God, God will give it Thee.”

Answering this kind of faith, Jesus says, “Thy brother shall rise again.”

He was telling her what He was going to do….

She declares her faith in God’s Word….”I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

And then Jesus reveals to this dear woman one of His names: “I am the Resurrection and the Life”.

John 11:25-26 “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

Jesus was speaking directly to her faith….Lazarus will be resurrected because of his belief in Me…..and you, who believe in Me will also have this everlasting life….

….do you believe, Martha?

John 11:27 “She saith unto Him, Yea, Lord: I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.”

This is an amazing testimony….”I believe Thou art the Christ….and I am leaving all into your hands….do as Thou wilt.”

She goes gets Mary; and she and Mary, come to see Jesus. They are followed by the mourners….

And they take Him to where Lazarus is, and He tells them to take away the stone….

Martha speaks up about how long he has been dead, and that he would stink….

…one of the laws of Moses said (Numbers 19:11-16):

Numbers 19:16 “And whosoever toucheth…..a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.”

She did not want defilement to come upon Him, or those there….

…but Jesus reminds her

(how gently He rebukes those that believe in Him, to hang on to His Word to them).

John 11:40 “Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?”

Then, when they remove the stone off the grave….He prays, looking up (John 11:41-42):

“Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me.

And I knew that Thou hearest Me always: but because of the people that stand by I said it, that they may believe that Thou hast sent Me.”

Jesus could pray silently….but He prayed out loud, for a testimony for the people that were there. He was God’s Son.

(We could say grace silently, but often pray out loud for a testimony to the people around. Not to correct, but to testify that we belong to the Lord.)

Then, as God’s Son….Jesus commanded Lazarus….

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

No one had to touch him, or bring him out to Jesus…..Christ’s very voice commanded life, and it was done.

(This was a revelation, to those there, that Christ had power over death…..yet the folly of sin made the Pharisees and chief priest believe they could destroy Him and His kingdom. How sin blinds and deceives!)

And Lazarus came forth…still bound with the grave clothes of death….but very much alive. (John 11:44)

Then Jesus said, “Loose him, and let him go.”

(And isn’t this what Jesus speaks to our death and sins, for us)

Martha had great faith…..

…she sometimes let herself get burdened with “things”….but she received the gentle rebuke of her Lord, and trusted in Him as the Son of God.

(Her faith led her to be the only woman to declare that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of God”.

Peter had (Matthew 16:16), and many believed on Him…..but Martha was the only woman who scripture shows to have made this public confession.)

Jesus loved Martha….

…He had fellowship and friendship in her house,

…He corrected her gently….yet every time He did, she gladly responded with more faith, and trust.

…He gave to her one of His names.

…It was for this family, that He showed His power over death.

Are we like Martha….growing in our love and testimony to the Lord Jesus Christ, even through rebukes, and sorrow?

Occupy Till I Come

Luke 19:12-13 “He (Jesus) said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.”

This nobleman gives ten servants, one pound each….ten pounds; to use while he was away.

Of course Jesus is giving this story about His going back to heaven after being raised again; and the ministry He gives His servants here.

“Occupy till I come” is a merchandise term.

It is to use what we have, or what we have been given(as in a loan),….to get more,….just as in a business.

But the thought here, is that you are gaining for Someone else.

As Christians, we are not our own. We have been bought and redeemed with the high price of Jesus blood. (1 Peter 1:18-19)

And we are given His life and power by the Holy Spirit within. He enables us with His grace.

This is the “pound” we are all given as His servants: His faith and grace.

The work is all to be done, as servants of our Lord Jesus Christ, out of love to Him.

So how do we “gain” to show our love to Christ?

He has given us faith by the Holy Spirit when we were born again. This faith shows us Christ, so that we can follow Him:

Jesus was obedient to the Father’s Will; so we must be obedient to His Will for us.

He was kind and merciful; so we must show that same kindness and mercy to others.

Jesus was a fighter for the Father’s Way; not holding on to the traditions, when they conflicted with the spirit of God’s laws (example: healing the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath. The Pharisees and scribes said it was “work”. God said it was mercy. Matthew 12:10-13)

He did not turn from the Way to the cross, though it meant He would go through betrayal, shame, cruelty,……and defilement under our sin.

He went and paid the penalty for sin, that we might be the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

We are to use that faith and gain with it:

(2 Peter 1:5-8)

We are to gain (in Peter it says “add to”) with our faith,…..virtue, first.

This virtue in the Greek is, “Artea”, or power by the Holy Spirit.

The first thing God teaches us is that we are now given power to do, say, and stand, by the Holy Spirit. (It is quite a wonderful thing to realize that God’s Spirit is helping me , now, in this situation of my life!)

The second thing we gain is knowledge. We can not be around Someone, and not come to know Him better.

And as we know Jesus better, we learn more about ourselves; both successes and failures show us, us.

The third thing we gain is temperance. This is to be even-tempered. You learn to not let things “get” to you. To see them as the Lord sees them.

The fourth things is patience. How much in this hurry, hurry world we need this.

Patience with others, and with ourselves. (We do not get discouraged, when in patience, we wait on the Lord, to work things out.)

Godliness comes next: this is growing up into Christ, and taking on the “family of God” resemblance.

Brotherly kindness has to do with our Christian brothers and sisters. (Yes, they can be trying; but with the Holy Spirit’s enabling, we can be considerate and respectful to them,…..even if they are not to us.)

And Charity, or love. And this is to show the same love to others as Christ does to us.

These are the things we are to gain by the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives….as these servants gained with their “pound” for their nobleman master.

Luke 19:15-16 “And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.”

This servant had yielded to the Holy Spirit and done all he could for His lovely and blessed Lord.

(It is not counting souls won, or jobs done; but the diligent effort of a life lived to God’s glory.)

Luke 19:18 “And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.”

This servant had difficulties.

His gain had been smaller,……maybe because of doubts and cares which hindered him at the first;……but he had finally overcome by the faith given him, and he had gained five times more than he had been given!

Luke 19:20-21 “And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin;

For I feared thee, because you art an austere man: and takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou did not sow.”

What!! This servant did not gain anything!

His dishonor was because of the wrong thoughts about the Lord.

He thought that if he did what he was told and tried to gain with the pound he had been given, he might lose it.

He thought that he was better off just forgetting about it….till he could give it back……because the Lord was a very severe, and demanding God.

The Lord would have what he gave….he could not complain….

But this was not what the Lord had wanted for the man.

He wanted this man to use the “pound” (which is the power of the Holy Spirit within), and “gain” in his heart love, peace, and joy in the fellowship with Himself.

This is gaining for the Lord; for we are His inheritance.(Ephesians 1:18)

Luke 19:22 “But he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:”

Sadly the Lord of this man judges him……..according to what that man had wanted to believe about the Lord.

For you see, by the next question, the Lord shows that any gain would have been blessed.

Luke 19:23 “Wherefore thou gavest not my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury (interest)?”

What the Lord was really asking this man, was:

Why did you not show some interest in My gift of the Holy Spirit?

You grieved My Holy Spirit by your not wanting my gift;

So, since you never really had it; you will never have it.

Luke 19:24, 26 “And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.

For I say unto you, that unto everyone which hath, shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.”

There are many who want to appear as the Lord’s servants, which never really love Him, or receive Him into their hearts and lives. (John 1:12)

They want to look good, but never honor the Lord in their hearts. They really hate the thought of doing anything for the Lord Jesus Christ!

This man was one of these; and he was seen at last for what he was.

He was not judged by anyone else, but the Lord judged him according to the man’s own thoughts.

We are told by the Lord to use His gift of faith by the Holy Spirit and gain joy and peace in believing.

In every gain we make in our lives, we rejoice the Lord’s heart….and “gain” for Him.

“Occupy till I come.”

Isaiah 43:21 “This people have I formed for Myself; they shall show forth My praise.”

“Formed” means to mold, as a Potter does the clay…by squeezing, and shaping according to his plan.

So God is saying, here, that He, as the Divine Potter, has molded us that we might perform the purpose for which we were created.

A water pot is for carrying water….a flower pot is for the displaying of beauty….etc.

Every person saved….is saved for a reason.

Not just for heaven…..yes, Jesus Christ wants us to be with Him forever, and has prepared a place with Him in heaven…

…but the preparation….or the molding of us for our Purpose….is here.

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

If we could “go down to the Potter’s house” with Jeremiah….and watch the Divine Potter form a vessel on the wheel (Jeremiah 18:2)….what would we want Him to make?

I would ask you….what do you want Him to form you into?

You see there is creation….and there is forming:

Isaiah 42:1 “But now thus saith the Lord, that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.”

Jacob, the schemer was born….he was the second twin…always behind his brother in his father’s eyes….but not God’s.

God purposed him to have the blessing of the covenant….and be formed into Israel….

…and after years of Jacob planning and scheming to work things out….God spoke, wrestled, and worked on Jacob with His Word, and circumstances….till Israel was formed.

We are who God has created us to be by birth…..we have no choice in this….our parents, our home life, our place of birth…

Romans 9:19 “Thou wilt say, then unto me, Why doeth He yet find fault? For Who hath resisted His Will?”

Who had any say in what He created us to be? Why then does He require obedience? He made me this way….He could have made me different….

Romans 9:20 “Nay, but O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, Why hast Thou made me thus?”

“Why has Thou made me this way?”

Down through the centuries mankind has asked God this…

Adam blamed God for his fall….”the woman Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me to eat”….(Genesis 3:12)

….”You gave her to me…..and she gave me the fruit to eat…so it is Your fault.”

This is a favorite rebellion….one, the Adversary of our souls, the devil, uses.

Why did You give me this situation?

Why did You permit this to happen, when You could have stopped it?

When, what He wants, is that we will with Him to “stop it”……and be formed more into His character.

Why does God create us the way we are? To show forth His praise.

(It is interesting to note, that when it spoke of “pots” in the Old Testament, that a lot of the references were for the Temple…and it’s use.)

We are created….and formed by Him….for He has a good reason….even though we may not know what it is.

When the Potter molds a vessel….the clay is made pliable by mixing in water with it….it is really kneaded in; for it has to become pliable, and smooth…

….all the hard lumps removed.

Then it is placed on a wheel….and formed by the hands of the Potter.

The wheel turning fast or slow….that is up to the Potter.

But the “forming” is not given up on….till it is done.

The Potter does not take it off the wheel, and say….”I will finish this tomorrow or next week”….for the clay would become too hard to mold….and the vessel would be worthless.

Isaiah 64:8 “But now, O Lord, Thou art our Father, we are the clay, and Thou our potter, and we all are the work of Thy hand.”

We started with “this people have I formed for Myself”.

Romans 9:21 “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?”

Of course He does…..so why are we so discontented with His plan?

I believe the reason is……the plans we will not let go of.

Romans 9:22-23 “What if God, willing to show His wrath, and to make His power known, endured with much long suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

And that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore prepared unto glory.”

By the process of molding, the Lord is able to show the thought of His mind, and make known the desire of His Will.

He molds us by circumstances…..this is a hard one….for we would rather He change the circumstances….but He wants to change us, and give us victory in them.

He molds us by Scripture….as we read His Word….the Holy Spirit opens our minds and hearts to receive the power and blessing of it.

He molds us by His love….how many times when I have been angry, that He would remind me of His merciful love to me….and I would deny my anger….for His sake.

He uses every day things to bring us to the place that we are: “a vessel unto honor….meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21)

He has an end in view….with much to be accomplished, along the way.

That “end” is:

Jeremiah 29:11 “And I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

The Brazen Laver

It is the maintaining of fellowship with Christ, that we wish to speak of.

And one of the examples of this, is:

Exodus 30:18-20 “Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.

For Aaron and his sons shall wash there hands and there feet thereat:

When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the Lord:”

The brazen Laver was made for cleansing.

It was set just outside the door of the Holy Place, in the court of the tabernacle. This was in the natural sunlight.

Both the priests, and people could be in this court; but the people could not minister at the altar or the laver; only the priests could.

When Aaron and his sons were given for the service of the priesthood, they were brought to the laver and given a bath by Moses; once.

Exodus 29:4, 9 “And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall wash them with water.

And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.”

This pictures our regeneration; when we are born again. It was never repeated.

They and their decedents, were priests from then on.

So with us. When we are born again, we are forever His children.

1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light:”

But as priests, they would minister, by sacrifice, at the brazen altar. There, the sacrifices for sin and peace would be given.

Their hands would be bloody, and their feet would be dirty from walking on the bare ground.

So, they were commanded to come to the Laver to wash both their hands and feet, before they went into the Holy Place to burn incense at the golden altar, or light the lamp (M’nourah).

This, they were to do every time they went into the Holy Place.

The Holy Place signified fellowship with God:

the golden altar and the burning incense showed the prayer which ascends to God

(the fire to burn came from the brazen altar everyday, tying Christ sacrifice and our prayers together)…..

…the table of shewbread,eaten “before the Lord” showed forth the sufficiency of God for all our needs….

…and the lampstand showed forth God as the only light for our work.

All showed forth fellowship with God.

But before they could go in and have this fellowship, they must wash at the brazen laver.

As Christians, we need daily cleansing from the defilements of the way, if we are to maintain fellowship with God.

In our walk, we constantly have dealings with those who are dead in trespasses and sins;……and their influence defiles us.

(You can not go very many places without hearing cursing, filthy references, or anger. How much anger is about.)

In honesty, we are also aware of the blemishes of our service (which speak of our hands), and the failures of our walk (our feet).

We obey; but we often hesitate. (as though we were ashamed of Christ)

Or we don’t do what God wants us to do, as He wants. (We have good reasons, we think.)

These do not interfere with our standing as Christians. We are still born again.

But it does interfere with our communion and fellowship, with God. (For every time we step back from God, we are further away from His help)

Ephesians 5:26 “That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.”

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The Laver, like everything else in the Tabernacle speaks of Christ’s sufficiency to meet our every need; for the priests could not enter the Holy Place, without washing there.

The Laver was there, but they had to wash in the water that it provided.

Christ Jesus has made a way for us to come and wash, and be cleansed according to His Word.

Do we want that fellowship and communion which enlivens us? Will we go to the Word of God and judge our ways before Him?

1 Corinthians 11:31 “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.”

Water is also to invigorate.

And the Word of God gives us comfort and refreshing.

It revives our spirits.

It makes us feel whole, and clean again. Ready for the next moment, the next day.

Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

He offers His life “freely”, to us…..will we come and be cleansed and have that light and fellowship He has for us, today?

Philemon

Philemon is a private letter sent by Paul to a householder and friend….a brother in Christ…one, it is suggested, that was won to Christ by Paul.

Philemon 19 “….albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.”

The subject is one of Philemon’s servants….who had run away from his work, and run far away, to Rome.

His name was Onesimus.

(It does not say, exactly, what Onesimus did or took when he left….but the letter suggests that he wronged Philemon in some way.

Philemon 18-19 “If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee aught, put that on mine account. I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it:…”)

There in Rome, Onesimus had heard Paul preach and had been converted. (Philemon 15-16)

After his conversion, he has become a faithful friend and servant to Paul….running errands, and giving his testimony and witness to others.

(1 Thessalonians 4:7, 9 “All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you….with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you….”)

Onesimus was changed by the new life of Christ within….becoming a “beloved brother”.

But the letter is not called Onesimus…..but Philemon; for the real meat of the letter is with this man,…..and what Paul was showing him….

Philemon is a Christian….he has a church in his house….most likely of friends and servants; meeting together to worship.

He is also one which has been a good witness of Christ Jesus…..and sent goods to the saints abroad….(Philemon 5)

But, let’s face it, it is not easy to receive one who has treated you badly…..or forgive them…which would put this “run-away” on a totally different status.

Also, now, Onesimus is beloved of Paul….and one who had done works for God.

He was being sent back to ask forgiveness of him (Philemon)….and to speak to the church in his house of Paul….that, too, puts him on a totally different status.

Paul, considering this good man, sends Onesimus back, with this letter….so that Philemon might forgive him…..in person….and grow in grace, and character.

The grace of equality.

Before God, Philemon and Onesimus were brothers in Christ. One was not more loved than the other. This is a hard lesson to learn…..for we are usually quite competitive when it comes to God’s blessing and the respect of others.

And Paul wanted Philemon to have the the character of God….rejoicing over a rebel, returned to God…

….(think the Father with the prodigal running to kiss and restore him….Luke 15:20-22…

….and not the elder brother’s attitude, which was full of anger that the Prodigal got forgiven….so much so, that he would not enter into the rejoicing….even complained of his “service”……which was ridiculous, because he was the owner of all…Luke 15:28-31)

You see, Onesimus still belonged to Philemon…..it was his right to do what he wanted…

….Paul wanted Philemon to know that Onesimus was his, legally…..but was also his brother in Christ. (Philemon 15-16)

Philemon 6 “That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”

By forgiving Onesimus, Philemon might grow in faith and love, in himself….and his witness to his church will become more effectual.

(It is one thing to show mercy, or send goods or money to someone who is far away…..but have them stand in your face,….and forgive someone who wronged you….and let them take a prominent role in the church;…..is sometimes quite different.)

Philemon 8-9 “Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

(Paul would rather have kept Onesimus with him, for he was a help….but…he would not use his authority and seek to keep him, without Philemon’s blessing)

Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now as also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.”

Paul was writing as a friend, a fellow believer…..not in his authority to do this….but beseeching, as a fellow Christian…..for Philemon’s sake.

You see this is the meat…..Paul was not just an advocate for Onesimus…..but for Philemon, as well.

Wanting,…for love’s sake,….to do the best thing for him….and that was to guide him into true forgiveness…..and joy of any circumstances which honor and glorify God….even with a former rebellious servant.

Philemon 14 “But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.”

Here is the crux of our forgiveness…..is it willingly…..for Christ’s sake?

Philemon 17, 20 “If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.”

This is what Paul wanted:

Joy, in knowing that these two Christian brothers had been reconciled in the Lord….this was more important to Paul….even in prison, needing the help….than anything else.

The Lord Jesus said:

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

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

This kind of love, is always in the Lord….it goes beyond hurt, loss, boundaries of place or title….It is as Jesus loved us.

Philemon 21 “Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do more than I say.”

Let us have this testimony, as well….that we will be obedient….and more so….we will rejoice in it.

Sneaky Sins

I call this “sneaky sins” because these sins creep in with other things…..

…sort of behind them…and become a snare to us.

Sleeping when we should watch:

You could have gone through a trial….been watchful….then it is over, and you just want to rest….a little…

Proverbs 6:10 “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

So shall thy poverty come as one that traveleth, and thy want as an armed man.”

(Notice all the “little”s, here.)

sleeping,……when we should be alert and working for Christ.

It may come from over confidence in our position, or what we know,……

…..or it may come from fear; it is better to close our eyes and wait the battle out.

Anyway…..the “rest” we seek, becomes sleep…..

We are not going on with God, here…..only agreeing to go on.

There are several examples of this rest turned into sleep….

David “rested” at Jerusalem, when he should have been at the head of his army…..and grievously sinned with Bathsheba. That sleep cost him a great deal….all through the rest of his life.

The disciples slept for sorrow…..and ran when they arrested Jesus and took Him away.

Ephesians 5:14, 16 “Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

Resentment:

Anger is a sin you can easily recognize…..

…..but resentment is that whispering voice which reminds you of the hurt you experienced a day, a week, a year ago…or longer…anytime you are around this person, or remember it.

Resentment says: “I don’t know how you can put up with them…..after what they did.”

Frankly, we should not be “putting up with” anyone…..we should be forgiving them….even if they never asked us, or admitted their wrong.

“Putting up with” is the attitude of the world…..a sort of superior, “I am better than you”, looking at people…..especially those you do not want to be around.

Hebrews 12:15 “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”

Pride….

In the Bible, pride is never in a good sense.

Pride means “arrogance, swelling, ornament”. It is that which we put up for all to see….to make us more than we are…better than another.

…..whether ability, or looks, or intelligence…..those things are not us….they are part of our make-up, which God gave us….

….but our character/soul is the real us….that which is developed by choosing God’s Will…or ours….

…..and for a Christian, we are to have the character of Christ….so that He may have the glory in all things.

1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

Like Eve, we are often tempted to pride (Genesis 3:5-6)…..to be “like” someone else…

….When God wants us to be us….sanctified to Him….but always us.

Lying… God is the God of Truth. (John 1:17)

The best example of lying, to me, is Peter….

Matthew 26:69-70, 74 “Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying. Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

(Maybe Peter thought, “This was a half-lie,….not really denying knowing Jesus…..just not knowing what she said…”)

Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.”

Peter got himself into this lie, by being in the wrong place….with the wrong people….

We are to get honest with ourselves…..and get honest in our dealings with God, and with others….and of course, the Holy Spirit helps us to do that.

Colossians 3:9 “Lie not one to another, seeing ye have put off the old man with his deeds;”

James 3:14 “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.”

To refuse correction:

The Lord corrects us as His children….often many times,…to show us how to act.

But when we refuse His correction….we are double sinning…for we are not just refusing His Word,….which is terrible….but we are refusing Him.

Proverbs 13:13 “Whoso despiseth the Word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.”

Proverbs 15:10, 32 “Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the Way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.”

Hebrews 12:5 “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him:”

Worry….

We often let our concern for something or someone (which might be of God….to pray for)……become worry. (This usually happens when we do not pray, but think about the problem)

Worry is to let something in between us and God’s Word.

It is to let emotion or reasons, wear away our peace….then our trust….then it effects our belief in the Lord.

Psalm 37:1, 3 “Fret not thyself because of evildoers,….

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”

Luke 8:14 “And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”

I called this “sneaky sins”, because for the most part we are not aware they are sins…..until they have a hold on us, or have led us into a fall.

There used to be a saying…..I like it, because it is practical….

“Anything which disturbs our peace in Jesus, should be dealt with right away.”

We sometimes are unaware of the way we are walking…..everything seems fine.

But we should be aware of any dimming of our light…

…of any time we feel further away from Christ…

Luke 11:34 “The light of the body is the eye:…

(To see, we need both sight and light)

….therefore when thine eye is single, they whole body also is full of light;

(“Single” means keeping our eye on One….the Lord Jesus Christ)…”

That is what we need to do….Keep our eyes on Him:

If He is guiding….follow Him.

If He is awakening us….let us rouse ourselves to the work.

If He is correcting…looking at Him, Who loves us….we will yield more easily.

In His light, we will recognize these “sneaky sins”…..and be free of them.

Trials of Faith

1 Peter 4:12-13 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

There are trials of faith which we just have to go through. They are sent to help us to grow stronger in faith; to learn joy in trouble; to realize the power of peace—His peace in it all.

Thank goodness, we do not go through any trial alone. For Christ Jesus is with us, guiding, strengthening, and encouraging us; as we walk through them with Him.

There are also trials which come upon us…..which we have brought on ourselves.

Let’s face it, we often “stick our foot in our mouths” and say things which are wrong….or at the wrong time (I am guilty of this a lot….you want to help…so you jump in….where only God should be speaking.)

We speak or act in anger (and have you ever noticed how much anger is around any more?), and why?

First, that never helps…..

James 1:20 “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”

Second, we lose the opportunity to say…..what really needs to be said.

Sometimes the Lord uses these trials to remind us of these things we have put off…….so they can be confessed, and taken care of….done.

And then there are “fiery trials” which come upon us because we are Christians—we belong to Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 4:14, 16 “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you; on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”

Peter knew about being ashamed of Christ….he had missed the blessing of standing with Christ in suffering…..when Jesus was taken in the garden…

He had tried to defend with a sword…thinking that was what he should do…but instead….Jesus had corrected him….”My Father’s Will….that I will do….no matter what.”

John 18:10-11 “Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear….

The said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword in the sheath: the cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?”

The sword was not the way to help Jesus, here…..Peter should have just stood with Him…..that is what Jesus wanted…

….And it is the same with us….Christ Jesus wants us to stand with Him in every trial.

And that is what He says: Stand with me, and go through these trials, with Me at your side, to show to the world that you trust Me.

That will glorify Me.

Do you remember when Jesus asked His disciples in the garden to watch with Him? (Mark 14:33-34, 37-38)

And instead they fell asleep.

He came and asked, “Could you not stay with me one hour?”

He asks us the same thing:

Stand with me in a world that does not believe in Me,…

…..and if that brings ridicule, or persecution;……still stand with Me, and I will stand with you, in peace, strength, and guidance.