Shew me Thy Ways, O Lord

Psalm 25:4 “Shew me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths.”

Prayer, when we are led and taught of the Holy Spirit, is never selfish….

…when we ask for mercies for ourselves….we also are reminded and seek mercies for others, in situations like ourselves.

Jude 20-22 “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

And of some have compassion, making a difference:”

“Shew me Thy ways, O Lord”

“Your ways are so opposite mine….turn my eyes to see, in Your Word…and by Your Spirit, what Your way is.

And blessed Holy Spirit, sanctify my understanding, so that it will be enlightened to discern…for myself…..what You want me to do.” (Ephesians 1:17-18)

1 John 2:20 “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.”

“You are able to tell me what to do, You are able to show me what to do,….help me to “see” it,….and teach me to walk in it.”

Psalm 25:5 “Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day.”

“Lord, I am so backwards sometimes….I ask that You would take my hand, as if I was a little child, and lead me….not just in the path of truth, in general…..but lead me into Thy truth, for me.”

“Teach me, and make me teachable in the situations we are going in…for You are my salvation….save me from myself, the world, and the Adversary of my soul.

….I will wait all through the lighted times, and even though it seems to grow dark….I will wait for You.”

(The first mention of “teach” is God’s teaching…..He is speaking to Moses that He will teach him “what to say” [Exodus 4:12], and “what to do” [Exodus 4:15].

And five times in this Psalm, David speaks of God “teaching” those who want to be taught.

Psalm 25:4 “….teach me Thy paths.”

Psalm 25:5 “Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me…”

Psalm 25:8 “….will He teach sinners in the Way.”

Psalm 25:9 “…the meek will He teach His Way.”

(Meek means “seeing yourself as you are”…..not boastful, not timid, not pretending humility…..but as you truly are…honest)

Psalm 25:12 “What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall He teach in the way that He shall choose.”)

And what is our part in this teaching?

Psalms 25:15 “Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for He shall pluck my feet out of the net.”

To keep our eyes on Him…in trust…for He is a God of tender mercies:

Psalm 25:6 “Remember, O Lord, Thy tender mercies and Thy loving kindnesses; for they have been ever of old.”

God’s spiritual mercy is based upon the covenant with His Son, Jesus Christ.

God would be merciful, because Christ would become our Redeemer, Savior, and Intercessor.

And God’s heart is full of “tender mercies, and loving kindnesses” for those who turn to Him.

(Elisha Coles 1678). “Divine love is an eternal fountain that never stops running while a vessel is empty, or is capable of holding more;…

….and it stands open to all comers: therefore, come:…”

This is what David felt….God was full of mercy and loving kindness….therefore he pleaded to be taught of God….

…confessing his sins (verses 7, 11, 18)

….and trusting in “O my God”…..

…for He is “good and upright (righteous)” [verse 8].

(Psalm 25:24 “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant.”

This covenant is, of course, Salvation through Christ…..

….and it is more….for it is the secret workings of the Holy Spirit in those that are born again…working in them the blessedness of intimate communion,…showing them the traps ahead,….or by passing on to them the hope and grace needed. John 14:26, John 16:13–14)

David’s final prayer for himself, here, is:

Psalm 25:21 “Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on Thee.”

“I know I am not through this trial yet,…..but I also know that You will give me Your truth to guide me….let me hang on to it…

…and You have placed me into Your covenant….and You will preserve me….from sin, and my enemies……that I may do Your Will.”

And so David turns, in trust, from himself….to pray for all Israel, and their troubles….

…God, Who would save him, would save all His believers.

The Good Samaritan

We all know the story Jesus told here.

It was told to a man who wanted to “justify himself” or excuse himself from the responsibility of really fulfilling God’s law of love.

He wanted to talk of high things…

Luke 10:25-26 “And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tempted Him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

And He (Jesus) said unto him, What is written in the law? How readest thou?”

“What does the law say about what God requires of those that want to have a right relationship with Him?”

Luke 10:27-28 “And he (the lawyer) answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind;

And thy neighbor as thyself.

And He said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.”

(Now, I wasn’t there, but I imagine this lawyer,…..when he repeated what the law had to say…..did it in a droning, monotone voice…..after all he was just repeating what it said….it was not a Living Word….but what he had memorized…)

Yet….Jesus told him that if he did what he just said, he would have eternal life…

(You can not love God….in a half-hearted way….it does not work….something will overshadow your affection [if you can call it that], and it will be destroyed, or put aside….

…love of God is all consuming. True it may start out small….our hearts are often full of other things….but it will grow….all heart, all soul, all strength, all mind….all to Him, Who loved us fully.)

But this lawyer was quick to find an excuse: Who is my neighbor?

Luke 10:30 “And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which striped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.”

Now this poor man who was robbed, was only half dead, so there was hope for his recovery: If he could get some help.

Luke 10:31 “And by chance there came down a certain priest that way; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.”

This priest was no help. Although they were to offer sacrifices in the Temple; they were to also help the people draw near to God in understanding and praise.

Yet he did not take the opportunity to at least see if there was anything he could do spiritually for the man.

After all the man was wounded, and maybe dying.

Instead, he walked to the other side of the road, and passed by.

Luke 10:32 “And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.”

This is worse: the Levite came to the man, looked on his misery, and said nothing. No comfort, or questions. He did not ask if he wanted him to contact his family, nothing.

He just left.

Levites were to help the people who came to the Temple in any way they could. They were the ones who could explain what God’s Word said for them to do, and would be the ones to help them. But there was no spirit or action of help here.

He came, looked at the man, and left. On the other side.

Luke 10:33 “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,”

Finally, some compassion! But wait! This was a Samaritan.

The Samaritans were half Jews, and as such, unclean to have fellowship with.

Some Samaritans resented this,…

..(and how many times have we not helped, when we could, because of some resentment to a person, or situation?)….

….but this man did not worry who the wounded man was. He just helped him.

And what help!

Luke 10:34-35 “And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him: and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.”

He bound up his wounds, taking his supplies to do so.

Taking time,….in a dangerous place (who knows whether the thieves would come back).

Then he placed him on his beast, which meant he walked…..and took him to a inn….and personally took care of him through the night.

He then gave the inn-keeper money: two days wages, to care for him.

And promised to pay any other fee for caring for this man, when he returned….which probably meant that he was a frequent traveler….and that the innkeeper trusted him.

The Samaritan did not know this man,…..and if they had met on the streets of Jerusalem before this incident, the wounded man would probably have not even looked his way.

Yet the Samaritan cared for him, as if he were a brother.

After telling this……Jesus turns to the lawyer, who wanted to justify himself:

Luke 10:36 “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?”

The question was meant to awaken his heart to his own responsibility…first to God, to do all the law where others were concerned….(and most of the law God laid down, was written to show respect, equality, and justice, to one another)…

….then to show brotherly kindness to others.

What would this lawyer, who knew the law, answer?

Luke 10:37 “And he (the lawyer) said, He that showed mercy on him….”

(Mercy here is kindness, brotherly kindness. So he gave the right answer.

But if that is the answer, what should he be doing!)

“…Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”

You see, it is not just what we say, as Christians, that makes a difference.

It is what we do.

The lawyer knew the words of the law….as words…..

….but the life of the law is love to God, and our neighbor…

(You can not love God….in a half-hearted way….it does not work….something will overshadow your affection [if you can call it that], and it will be destroyed, or put aside….

…love of God is all consuming. True it may start out small….our hearts are often full of other things….but it will grow….all heart, all soul, all strength, all mind….all to Him, Who loved us fully. Matthew 10:27)

Christ on the Isle of Patmos with John

Revelation 1:1-2 “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him,….and he sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John:

Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.”

The Apostle John was on the Isle of Patmos, sent there as punishment….exiled there to keep him away from continuing his ministry.

John was now old…..

….he had been a young man when Jesus called he and his brother James from the fishing boats of their father, to follow Him.

Being so young, Jesus had taken extra care of him,…..Peter, James and John were the three closest to Jesus….His inner circle.

John was the one who was leaning on Jesus shoulder at the Last Supper….who had asked Him,…..”who will betray You?” (John 13:21-26)

John, though he had run away with everyone else in the garden, when Jesus was taken;…..had come back to follow Jesus into the Hall where Jesus was being tried by the Sanhedrin. (John 18:15)

He was the only one of the apostles at the foot of the cross….(John 19:26-27)

The two terms found a lot in John’s gospel and his epistles are: Light, and Love. Light must be first….we must “see” the Lord, and then, we will love Him, and His Word.

But now, he was an old man…..having had a ministry with Peter (Acts 3:1, Acts 8:14-15), and with others…..writing letters, warning of apostasy from Christ (2 John 7)……and the rise of false “authorities” in the church. (3 John 9-10)

…..but then he was arrested, and exiled.

Here, he thought he would die….his public work for the Lord over with….

….but the Lord had other plans….

….manifesting to John some of His resurrection glory and Authority…for His church,…..and for the evil days ahead.

Revelation 1:9-10 “I John, who also am your bother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,”

Jesus voice always had authority….but, people were given the choice to receive it or not, when He was here.

But this Voice is speaking in a power not to be ignored….as a trumpet….

…to awaken His church to His Word (“Voice” here means to disclose or lighten. His Voice makes us see the truth.)

Revelation 1:11 “Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last:

and What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.”

John turned to see…”the Voice that spake with me.”

Here standing before him,…..an old, persecuted believer, thinking his work was over…….was Christ, pictured in His manifestive glory, as Ruler of His church.

He stands in the midst of seven candlesticks (each representing a church that was named…..and the seven church dispensations in the Church age)

The Church is to be lights to the world, and Christ is to be the Light within us:

Matthew 5:14-16 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Who John saw, was “the Son of Man”…..with the authority and power given to Him of His Father (Matthew 28:18)

(Revelation 1:13-16) He stands “…..clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the chest with a golden girdle (as the High Priest wore…He stands as our Mediator, 1 Timothy 2:5….interceding for us)

His head and HIs hairs were white as snow; (He is the Ancient of days, Pure and Lovely)

…His eyes were as a flame of fire; (His eyes see everything where His people are concerned…judging their sin,……and those that come against them.)

…His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; (As His walk here was in subjection and devotion to the Father, so He judges the walk of His people according to their subjection and devotion to Him.)

…His Voice as the sound of many waters. (No matter the languages used; if we are speaking His Word….He is speaking through them)

….in His right hand seven stars: (the completed number of those called to preach His Word to the churches: called “the messengers of the Lord of Hosts” Malachi 2:7)

…out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: (His Word is powerful,…”discerning thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12)

…His countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength.” (When it speaks of His face shining upon us; Numbers 6:24-26, Psalm 80:3; it means blessing to us.)

John sees Him, in His glory…..and “fell at His feet as dead”.

This was the same as Isaiah had (Isaiah 6:4-5), as Ezekiel had (Ezekiel 1:28), as Daniel had (Daniel 10:5-9)…….when we truly see the Lord in His power, we die to all our own “glory” or strength…

Revelation 1:17 “….and He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:”

(Any time in scripture that God says, “Fear not”….there is usually something to fear, though He has taken care of it….and we are to keep our eyes on Him, for that deliverance and help.)

“I am the first and the last”.

He was ruling before all things….and when time, itself is gone….He will be controlling all in eternity….

….He wanted His church to know His unlimited power.

Revelation 1:18 “I am He that liveth, and was dead, and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

When Christ Jesus fulfilled His the work the Father had sent Him to do…..all power for life was reestablished with Him by His resurrection from the dead….giving Him Victory over death and hell (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)

Revelation 1:19 “Write these things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;”

Here are the three divisions of the book:

“these things which thou hast seen”…..the sight of Jesus Christ, as Ruler and High Priest in the midst of His Church…..commanding, judging, and interceding for His Church.

“The things which are”….the Church age. (John was the only Apostle that died a natural death. The others were martyred for their faith in Christ.) The Church age was just really beginning, even now when John is old….and it has continued for two thousand years….

“The things which shall be hereafter”….after the Rapture of the Church out of the world (Revelation 4:1)……then the Tribulation Period.

(It is only seven years, but it will be a horrible period, full of death and judgements on a world that rejected God’s Son and His salvation…..

…..and who strived against God’s Holy Spirit [Genesis 6:3, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8 “…until He be taken out of the way.”

When the Holy Spirit leaves the world with the saints at the Rapture, the world will be dark indeed!].

The only merciful thing is the calling of the Jewish remnant to go out and preach the gospel….that Jesus Christ was, and is the Son of God which taketh away the sin of the world. The difference being: all who believe,…will seal their testimony with their blood. [Revelation 7:14]

As I said, it is the worst time the world has ever seen.)

John, saw all this….and was to write it down…sending it to the seven main churches….as a warning…..and into the Holy Scriptures for us.

As for John….he was commissioned again….a ministry of repair to the Churches….

Revelation 10:(8-10), 11 “And He said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.”

He was an old man, but he would do it….speaking God’s Word, and letting His Voice through His Word, call others.

For all of us, as Christians, the most blessed sight we can have is of Jesus Christ…..at the right hand of God,….for us.

1 John 4:17 “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgement: because as He is, so are we in this world.”

John was given new boldness….seeing Christ ruling and overruling in His Church.

1 John 5:20 “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”

Where are you in your work for Jesus?

Settle You

1 Peter 5:10 “But the God of all grace, Who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

Life is full of ups and downs,…..people who are friends and people who are enemies.

Yet the way of the Lord for you, is life. Life is not a dream, or an illusion of some feeling.

Though all of us have, one time or the other, followed illusions, mostly to our hurt.

The Lord gives us truth and reality.

We think of that as hard; but to yield to the truth is freedom.

Freedom from darkness or shadows, into light.

Freedom to know…….and move on.

Life in Christ is a action-packed adventure in reaching forth in faith; and then obtaining what you reach for.

Hebrew 11 is called the “faith chapter”.

Here is recorded a few of the Old Testament saints….in brief…of how they made it through……by faith they did what God called them to do.

Was it easy? No….

…Abel died for believeing God’s way of sacrifice (verse 4).

…Noah believed God, that something that had never happened before, was going to.(verse 7)

…Abraham left all he knew, and followed God, who called him to a place “not knowing whither he went.” (Verse8)

…Joseph believed God’s promise of bringing Israel out of Egypt (though they were well thought of and prosperous when Joseph lived)….and told them to take his bones to the promised land….rather having a place there, than in entombed in Egypt. (Verse 22)

….Moses, kept the Passover, believing God would save them, and deliver them from bondage. (Verse 28)

….the walls of Jericho fell down, because they believed God, and obeyed Him (verse 30)

…and many more that were not mentioned, except by their actions (verse33-38).

And this record of faith is ongoing….

Hebrews 11:39-40 “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: (of the Christ to come)

God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”

Faith and grace go together….one sees God, and believes Him…..the other empowers us to do what God says.

“Without us”……not complete without us…..in other words the Old Testament saints were the beginning of the exercise of faith….to their generations…

….and we in the New Testament are to continue to exercise……by our everyday lives,…calls,…and struggles….God’s faith and grace, to our generation…

….to complete the showing of provision through Christ Jesus.

To “settle you” is to put in order and establish yourself on a permanent foundation.

To let go of all the instability of emotions, worldly thinking, and willful behavior of children….and to “hear what Christ calls us to do….and do them”.

Matthew 7:24-25 “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who build his house upon a rock:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.”

Our foundation is Christ Jesus, and His Word. He is the Rock on which we can build our life.

To “settle” things, we need to bring them out into the light of God. We need to tell Him exactly what we think, and let Him tell us what He knows.

Then we can become grounded upon His Truth, upon Him for us.

David said that he poured out his complaint before the Lord:

Psalm 142:2-3a “I poured out my complaint before Him, I showed before Him my trouble.

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path…”

Why did he need to do this? He felt completely deserted by true friends. Only God could help.

Psalm 142:4-5 “I looked on my right hand and beheld, there was no man who would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.

I cried unto Thee, O Lord; I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.”

Peter wrote “settle you”; but he started the verse with: “The God of all grace”.

Grace is the unmerited favor of power…..and grace only comes from God.

Power to help us get honest with God.

Power to hear the truth.

Power to build on His Word to us.

And Freedom to enjoy the adventure ahead, with Him.

Therefore will the Lord wait

The term “therefore” suggests a reason…..God always has a reason when He waits to answer us.

Isaiah 30:18 “And therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgement: blessed are all they that wait for Him.”

The word “wait” is never a good term to us…..we want things now….or soon, very soon.

We think in terms of what we are praying for…..

But, in the Lord’s sight…..our waiting, is an experience in itself.

What will we do, if we have to wait on Him?

Matthew 15:21-22 “Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

And behold a woman of Canaan came out of the same coast, and cried unto Him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, Thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.”

Jesus had gone up into the northern coasts of Palestine….away from the Pharisees and scribes which say they want to honor God, yet tried to get around it (Matthew 15:1-9)……….when a woman came and cried for help for her daughter.

Now it says here she was a “woman of Canaan”

(She was probably a descendent of the Canaanites…..which should have been destroyed when Israel came in to possess their land almost nine hundred years before.

In Mark, she is called a Greek—Gentile, a Syrophoenician….conquests through the centuries, and intermarriages had given this Canaanite descendent, that nation.)

Matthew 15:23 “But He answered her not a word, and His disciples came and besought Him saying, Send her away, for she crieth after us.”

This woman is fervent in her request…..but Jesus waits…

She had cried for mercy to the Lord, Thou Son of David……but He would not speak to her….neither of mercy, nor would He send her away.

He was waiting….

This woman had no claim upon His mercy….period, full stop.

Mercy is the prerogative of the Almighty. It is the benevolence and kindness of God to sinners.

That He has chosen to give it, temporally to all….the sun, the rain, the growing season, etc….gives no sinful creature the right to claim it.

But she was asking a greater mercy……. for salvation for her daughter…..salvation from demon obsession. Grievous, to be sure.

She came to the right Person…..she understood His claim of Kingship, and she believed He was……..but she came asking for mercy on the grounds of His being the Messiah, the Son of David, to come…

…and for this Canaanite woman….that was not the way to come to Him.

Matthew 15:24 “But He answered and said, I am not sent, but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

He was saying…..”If you are coming to Me as Messiah…..I can not help you….for My work as The Son of David, the King to come…..is to Israel, alone.”

And He waited….

He had not spoken directly to her….but to His disciples….

…..but He had opened to her, if she was listening…..a door of opportunity.

No answer, yet….but something.

(How many times, have we missed opportunities from the Lord, to hear what is wrong in our prayers…..or what is missing?)

Matthew 15:25 “Then came she and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, help me.”

This was a big step forward, for now she came for mercy….on the right basis….that He is Lord….her Lord.

But still He waits…..

…testing, if the word “Lord” is truth to her.

Matthew 15:26-27 “But He answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.

And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from the Master’s table.”

I have put these two together….to me they always are, or should be…..

He finally answers her……not in the way she wants….but in a way to draw out from her…..if she really trusts Him as Lord…..faith in Him,….and His Will for her and her daughter.

….this is a big, big leap of faith…….”Truth, I am a dog……but even a crumb from Your table, Master, will be enough to satisfy a dog like me.”

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

Matthew 15:28 “Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”

Faith keeps God before our eyes….His love, His mercy, His truth, His power….and because she had faith in the Lord Jesus,…..she took her place at His feet and received the blessing she cried for.

In reality, we are all unworthy of the least of God’s mercies…..but praise God, they are not given because we are worthy….

….or because we “cry” for them….

….but because He is Merciful. Because He is all grace. Because He is worthy….as the Master of His own House….

…..He often waits to be gracious, to bring out from us, more faith, a subjection to truth, and a witness to others of His mercy.

Job 13:15 “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him:….”

(Many years ago, when I was a young man, I had “ran” away from God….He could not treat me the way He was! [So silly was I.]

I was dealt with, again, and again….and finally came back to Him….getting forgiven, and restored.

But my guilt was great….and I was depressed often.

One day, the battle for my very soul’s peace, raged….

….the devil’s accusations (all very true, but forgiven)….came to my mind, again and again.

…..and my attempts at standing in the forgiveness I had gotten were so feeble….

It was not going well, I felt bruised all over….and it seemed as if everything I said was beginning to sound worthless, even to me….

Again, I will say, we do not receive mercy, because we are worthy of it….or because we cry for it….but because He is the God of all Mercy….and bestows it at the right time….

I was just about to give up….when God sent me a mercy….in the form of this verse sounding in my ears like a joyful trumpet sound:

“Though He slay me, yet will I praise Thee…..”

Whatever was ahead for me….(no, I had not been called to preach yet)…I would praise Him for saving me…period, full-stop.

And the Adversary was gone….the battle over.)

God waits to be gracious for our good….although sometimes it does not feel that way.

Yet we must hang on to our faith…..let it guide us to Him as “Lord”; and take our place before Him, leaving the grace and mercy come….when He sends it.

Our Christian life: sometimes a swinging bridge.

Our Christians life is sometimes cruising along….no problems. Peace is our pillow and fellowship is easy.

Other times, it seems as if one trouble goes, and another pops it’s head up….bigger and louder than the last….

…so it was with Paul.

Acts 14:1, 3 “And it came to pass in Iconium, that they (Paul and Barnabas) went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.

Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of His grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.”

This is wonderful! Coming into the city, they told about Jesus Christ, and many believed….but then….

Acts 14:2,4 “But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

But the multitude of the city was divided:…”

When Christ comes there is always a separation. Those who receive Him, and those who don’t.

(As Moody said, “The whosoever wills, And the whosoever won’ts.)

Sometimes, from the unbelievers, there is “an assault”….whether by word, or action.

Sometimes there is just mocking.

Here, they were going to, “to use them despitefully, and to stone them.” (Acts 14:5)

So they left Iconium and went to Lystra and Derbe.

There they preached the gospel….

(You will notice, that whatever their situation….the gospel is always first.

Whether welcome, or persecution….they are there to tell about the Lord Jesus, and His Way of Salvation.)

Acts 14:8-10 “And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:

The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.”

A man, born disabled, who had never walked….heard Paul and believed on the Lord Jesus.

Paul saw his faith in Christ, and spoke to him,…..to in faith, obey the Lord’s Word….and stand.

And the man did,….and leaped, as well, proving the complete healing of his legs and feet!

Praise and amazement, pour forth for Paul and Barnabas, from the people around who saw this miracle!

The people think they are gods! And would have done sacrifice to them, had they allowed it!

(May I say, that miracles are to point any to Christ….not his servants.)

But Paul and Barnabas quickly spoke against it…..tearing their clothes (a sign of mourning and anguish)….and preached the Living God, to all who were come around them.

Acts 14:15, 18 “…..Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the Living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:…

And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.”

What an announcement of God’s power!…..and so many people hearing the gospel!

But a few days later:

Acts 14:19-20 “And there came hither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium (the place they wanted to stone Paul and Barnabas)

who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.”

Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.”

As long as Paul was alive, his work was to preach the gospel….and so he did…

Acts 14:21-22 “And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra (where he had been stoned), and to Iconium, and Antioch, (the places enemies had been sent out)

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

Paul’s testimony here, would have been invaluable. Here was the man, stoned….standing and continuing to preach and testify in the cities, to the people who persecuted him….yet he preached Christ, there, still.

Our Christian lives are full of blessings, and sufferings…..

….sometimes at the same time…..

But our object should always be Christ….

….whether we preach, teach, witness, or pray….

….we should manifest Christ….His gospel…..and His life, through us.

I started this with: Our Christian life: sometimes a swinging bridge.

Because if you have ever been on one,……you know that to cross the expanse….whether river, ravine, or between mountains,…..you want to walk slowly….taking each step as it comes….not looking down….but out.

This is your part….and you can not count on what others do.

(I have been on one where my brothers actually swung the bridge back and forth on purpose….yes, I thought I was going over….it was terrifying to me.)

But, we can not dictate other’s behavior…….hard lesson!

But continue to walk….each step….hanging hard on to God…..till we reach the other side.

Paul and Barnabas had a gospel to preach….each step they did as they were told….which did not exclude persecution….but simply gave more witness to “the Living God” which guides, protects, and empowers His servants.

Are we taking full advantage of our Living God? And His grace to us?

Job 5:19 “He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.”

(This was spoken to Job, who knew troubles….yet understood “the evil” comes to our hearts, from our wrong attitude to the troubles….not from the troubles themselves.)

We are assured of His presence in all the troubles……and His deliverance (personally, within ourselves……or from the circumstances) will come….at His time…and through the means He sees fit.

I do not know the circumstances you are going through…..but I know they will change….whether today or tomorrow….life, our Christian life, is always a walk forward….yet always in God’s hands.

The Knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord

Philippians 3:8 “Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them by dung, that I may win Christ,”

As the eye beholds an object, an image of it is introduced and impressed upon our minds. It becomes a part of our memory.

So, the eye of faith, as it looks and beholds Christ, than an image of Him is formed in our souls.

His image is formed on our minds….we think of Him, often.

Formed on our hearts….our affections are moved toward Him.

Formed on our wills….we want to will after Him.

The knowledge of God we are talking about is the personal knowledge of fellowship and communion between our soul and the Lord Christ.

(Our soul is made of three parts of our personality: our minds, our hearts, and our wills.

The way we think, our emotional make-up, and our determined actions.)

Faith always shows us God….and so, through the light of the Scriptures—His Word,….and by the Spirit, we are able to take what is communicated to us by faith, and “see” God.

This is not imagination……but faith, giving us the substance of what we believe.

Faith shows us Christ…..and when Christ is seen….change comes to our lives.

2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image (character) from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

(Notice this is all about “the Lord”….my Lord)

Faith has so great an influence on us, that it changes the heart’s desire into the same image (character) of Christ.

Let’s look at a few examples in the faith chapter: Hebrews 11.

There was Abraham and his call….

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

There was Moses and his leaving the riches and power of this world…

Hebrews 11:24-26 “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaohs’ daughter;

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.”

Then there was Rehab, giving up all she knew, to believe and stand with God’s people…..

Hebrew 11:31 “By faith the harlot Rehab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.”

You see faith shows us Christ….and He leads us out of what would hold us back,…from ourselves or the world……and leads us on with Him.

He is the goal….and also the great apprehender:

Philippians 3:12 “Not as though I had already attained, neither were already perfect (complete): but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”

Christ, sending forth His faith into our hearts by the Holy Spirit…..apprehends…gets hold of us (praise God that it is His holding us, that is the power…..for if we got to heaven by us holding Christ….we would never make it)…..

….constraining us by His love,…..wooing us by His Spirit to keep coming to Him….and teaching us by His Word, how to do His Will.

He apprehends us….and gives us the desire to, as Paul, to follow after to get what He has for us.

Paul said, “I pursue with vigor”.

[As the Song of Solomon says:

Song of Solomon 1:2 “Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth: for Thy love is better than wine.”

First, His love is shown….we follow after with our hearts.

Song of Solomon 1:3 “Because of the savor of Thy good ointments Thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love Thee.”

Then, His Name is shown and all it means to us…..and we follow after with our minds. (“Because” is reasonable knowledge)

Song of Solomon 1:4 “Draw me, we will run after Thee: the King hath brought me into His Chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in Thee, we will remember Thy love more than wine: the upright love Thee.”

Then our wills are drawn to run after the King in our wills….to make a determined decision to yield to His rule…….and to receive the intimate knowledge of His peace and joy in the Spirit (wine).]

I pursue with vigor…..I want Him….more and more of Him….this is the exercise of rejoicing in God,…..

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

It is an exercise, because all our soul’s faculties are involved:

To rejoice, we must will it……for it is God’s Will that we rejoice in Him.

Our minds must understand He is all good……then we are enlightened to rejoice, now.

Our hearts, then will look to Christ Jesus, and rejoice…..in Him.

That is why, rejoicing is always…..in the Lord.

The Adversary, the devil…often tells us that we can not rejoice in what we have…..because we do not have what we should have.

Or that rejoicing in the good things now, is not necessary….because there are always greater things coming.

But the Holy Spirit will teach us, by faith,……to exercise our minds, hearts, and wills to receive the tranquility of Spirit,…..the foundation of a mind stayed on God,…..and willed determination to follow after….to pursue with vigor….to exercise rejoicing in my Lord.

The Path of the Just

Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”

When the sun first begins to break, the sky begins to be light. Then the sun comes up, and in the east, the light comes streaming.

But there are shadows, for the light shows all that stands in the way of complete light.

Song of Solomon 4:6 “Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.”

Until the day break, and the shadows flee away. When the shadows are gone, then there is nothing between us and the Son of God, our Light source.

Our Lord, here, is inviting us to come with Him further into the Light of His love, so even the shadows “flee” away.

Now shadows are not the thing itself, but the impress of it. But it is in darkness.

What this means is that the sin itself has been taken care of:

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.”

But the influence of the sin, or the resentment because of the consequences of the sin are still there.

These are the shadows.

They are darkness, but not the substance of sin.

Many people are confused about this.

They think that if the sin is confessed, and they know they are forgiven; then all the other emotions concerning the sin, are gone to.

Suppose you have a habit of lying: you have hurt your family, people at work, etc. by your habit.

Then you are given real light about this, and you confess it.

(Perhaps you say, why would we need light about lying. Surely everyone knows it’s wrong.

Maybe they know in a general sense, but the offense of lying when it lays upon my personal heart, is an eye opener.)

But even though you have confessed your sin, and asked God to cleanse you from the desire and habit of lying;…..the reason for it is still there to face everyday…..the desire to look better than you are….

…and that “shadow” needs to be dealt with.

These are the shadows, the image of the sin, though not the sin.

The trouble with Shadows is that the influence of our Adversary, the Devil can be felt through them.

But how do we deal with shadows?

First, it is the work of the Spirit of God within you to show you light. Light to see and deal with the attitudes surrounding the sin.

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

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

There is putting behind,…..and there is reaching forth.

This requires us to be in subjection to the Holy Spirit, for He asks you to be obedient to the Light He gives in these matters.

These shadows that remain, are shadows only; but they are there and the influence of the the Adversary can be felt through them.

They are there because of the choices we have made, true; but we can also make choices which remove them, by coming more into the Light.

Shadows do not exist in light

Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”

We are to go to the high noon of Light with Christ Jesus. Many choose, instead to stay in the shadowy existence of the fear of the truth.

But don’t.

God’s Light shows truth, yes, and when we see the reasons of our actions, it gives us the ability to deal with what is really behind the: “why we did what we did”.

Let’s face it, we all have reasons we act the way we do. But have you dealt with the reasons? Or just the actions?

True Light; the Light of Life, deals with both. It frees you from both the sin and the reason of the sin.

And gives you joy.

John 16:24 “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

Joy is one of the grandest attributes of God, Himself.

Joy is not dependent upon the people or events around me.(That is happiness, which has to do with how things or people treat us.)

Joy springs from the presence of God in my life, for He is the abundant power of good, and peace.

In this, we know the purifying of the Holy Spirit, assuring me that I am right with God.

I am made right with others,

And, importantly, I know that I all is well between me and myself.

(How many things come from the disappointment we have about ourselves? How many times have we hated what we have done, but refused to look at it? How many times have we hidden our hurt behind a phony face of ridicule?)

These all can be brought out into the Light; and put behind us. We can be free from them.

The Joy of the Lord can become a force in my life.

It is a great light, illuminating the whole of my being; dispelling the darkness, and despair that dominates so often. He has it for us, in His Light.

The Day of the Lord

Amos 5:18 “Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord! to what end is it for you? The day of the Lord is darkness, and not light.”

Amos was from Judah, who was sent by God up to the northern kingdom of Israel….to preach against their sin….giving them time to repent and turn back to God.

(Judah was made up of the tribes of Judah, and Benjamin. Whereas, Israel was made up of the other ten tribes)

Amos 5:6-7 “Seek the Lord, and ye shall live; lest He break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel. (Bethel was one of the places they had put a golden calf….calling it the Lord.)

Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth,”

The Israelites at this time were very prosperous….so much so, that they were known for their large and fancy sacrifices,….although God did not accept them.

Amos 4:1-2 “Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, (they were herdsmen, known for their beautiful and fat cows), which are in the mountains of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.

The Lord God hath sworn by His holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that He will take you away with hooks, and your prosperity with fishhooks.”

God would rather that they taken their sacrifices…..down the street to the poor….for He was not pleased with the sacrifices of thieves.

Amos 5:11-12 “Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat;…

For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate (the place of the city court) from their right.”

Amos was sent toward the end of Jeroboam’s reign…..within thirty years, all Israel was killed or carried away captive….for refusing to hear God’s warnings, through His prophets…

You think…..thirty years!….they had plenty of time to hear God’s Word…..to repent….to change their ways….

….and so have we, had….are we hearing what the Lord is telling us?

2 Kings 17:13-14 “Yet the Lord testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep My commandments and My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers…..

Notwithstanding, they would not hear, but hardened their necks….”

Revelation 3:18-19 “I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich;….

(The pure “gold” of God’s life in my life….no dross of self-glory to dull or tarnish it)

…and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;….

(He clothes us with His righteousness, which empowers us to do the righteous acts we are to be walking in….with Him. Ephesians 2:10, 1 John 3:10…..and if we are not walking in them?….we are naked.)

….and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see.

(The eye salve of honesty with God).

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”

He loves us…..so He rebukes….speaks first;……then chastens….so we will awaken to what He is showing us.

But as I said, Israel was very prosperous…..living it up….believing the bigger the sacrifice….the bigger the blessing….

….when what God wanted, was righteousness.

He wanted His people to act according to His commandments of righteousness, brotherly kindness, and mercy.

Amos 5:22, 24 “Though ye offer Me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.

But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.”

This is what they should have been doing…..judgement, the knowledge of what is good in God’s sight, and wrong to Him.

This should have been as the rain on a thirsty ground….being right in their actions, to all people—rich and poor.

And righteousness should have been flowing out, so that all Israel would have been cleansed and turning to God.

About that time….the phrase: the day of the Lord, was given.

It has to do with the day that the Lord will come and deliver Israel from their enemies….in the last days. (The tribulation period)

But many appropriated it to any time of trouble….believing that since they were God’s chosen people, that God would have to honor His promises………forgetting God’s commandments….as though they could ignore those.

Amos 5:18-19 “Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord! To what end is it for you? The day of the Lord is darkness, and not light.

As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall and a serpent bit him.”

He was telling them that to claim His protection, while refusing Him…..was ridiculous!

They talk of worshipping God, but it was a god of their own imagination…..not Him.

They were not walking in Light….but darkness, and self-deception.

God told them, if the “day of the Lord” came to them,…as they were, now…..He would not see them as His people, but as enemies….

They would feel as though a lion was chasing them…..so they run the other way, expecting relief…..when a bear would meet them.

So they run into the house….ahhh, safe….and put their hand on the wall for support….when a serpent would bite them.

How this should have shown them, that God will not be used….

…..He is God….His promises and commands go together….and they were to “seek Him”.

Amos 5:8 “Seek Him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The Lord is His name:”

There were a few, that listened to Amos….but most were swayed by their prosperity…..

……how could God be angry with us, when we are so successful?

And so they refused His rebuke…..to awaken them.

And what is the Lord saying to His church…..even while standing outside of it?

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, (Look and really see)

I stand at the door, and knock:

(This is certainly the door of the Laodicean church….and is also the door of every believer’s heart)

if any man hear my voice,

(He is speaking….through His Word, through His Spirit, through His preachers, and teachers…to any who will hear HIs rebuke and call)

and open the door,

(this is to open the door of our life….and to be receptive to Him…to His commands, as well as His promises)

I will come into him,

(It has often been said that the door latch is on the inside….we must open up to Him…..but, though we have been cold, or lukewarm and miserable, poor, blind…….He will come in to us, in authority and power…….when we open to Him.)

and sup with him, and he with Me.

(This is the fellowship, which dining together means….remember the “come and dine”……Jesus call to His disciples after His resurrection….and the restoration of Peter, after His denial. John 21:12-19)

Through the years, there has been a lot of controversy over “the day of the Lord”….

I believe we should look for Him….His Rapture certainly could come at any time….but the most important thing I need to see, is:

Am I ready to stand before Him? Have I done His commands, as well as seek His promises?

Do I love Him? Or just what He gives?

Today, He is still speaking, calling us to awaken to His Voice,….and His counsel…..will we?

Standing before the God Who is there.

Romans 11:29 “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”

If the Lord has ever called you to a ministry or work (we call it work, because so many people feel “ministry” is only for preachers), He has not changed His mind concerning you.

Our whole existence should be: to will to please our Lord, as His creature and servant.

As creatures, we are responsible for all He has given us.

Who I am and what I am, rests with the God before Whom I stand.

I can not make myself what I am not; nor can I excuse myself for what I have been.

But I can give myself over to the molding of the Holy Spirit within, and do God’s Will in obedience, now.

He will work within the increase of faith, hope, peace, and joy that I need, as I yield to Him.

It is: I stand, as His servant, before Him in each situation.

It is not as someone else, or someone I might be someday, but who I am, using the faith that God has given me, now.

Example:

Acts 3:1-2 “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them which entered into the temple;”

Peter and John, had been filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

But they were still Peter and John.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit, is to be filled to the capacity in your soul at that time, to receive the rule and power of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit never interferes with you being you, in your personality, but only guides you away from sin, and into knowledge of God’s Will.

Then He gives grace or the empowerment to do God’s Will. (We still have to use it)

Peter and John were going along to prayer service, when they see this lame man.

He sat at the gate of the temple to beg alms.

He saw Peter and John, and as usual, he asked them for some money.

Acts 3:4 “And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.”

The lame man saw nothing different in them, for he expected some small change, as others gave him.

But Peter wanted to direct his eyes away from the coin, to what he said. For he knew that the Lord wanted to heal him. (“Fastening” here, means looking with a purpose in mind.)

Acts 3:6-8 “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.”

Notice Peter said, “such as I have give I thee”. What did he have?

He had the knowledge of Jesus Christ and of the power of His name.

For Jesus Christ can change men’s lives.

And Peter knew the Lord’s Will, and used what he had, to obey.

Notice also, he took him by the hand. Peter did not wait for the man to believe, but “lifted him up” in faith, himself.

And God did the rest: “his feet and ankle bones received strength” to walk and leap.

Then faith in the man caught up and he did not run home; but went into the temple to praise God.

If you read further, you will see how God used this to enable Peter to preach about Christ to others. Many believed. (Acts 4:4)

(Yes, they were put in “hold” for a night, but even that gave them the opportunity to preach in Jesus Name to the rulers, elders, and scribes.

They were threatened, but told the council, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”)

After such an experience, Peter and John went back to the company of believers and told what had happened.

All the gathered believers, prayed for boldness to “speak Thy word”.

Acts 4:31 “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”

Here they were filled to the greater capacity in their souls. They had a larger capacity because of what they had done, and they needed more of His help.

And He gave it.

Standing before the God Who is there, is simply being His obedient servant;…….and receiving and using the faith and help, He gives.

When we go on in this way,…..more grace and help, is given, as we need it.