The Greatest Need for our day is a return to First Principles

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

The very first principle for all who would follow Jesus, is the message of the cross—your personal cross.

Luke 9:23 “And He said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

We will never have what Christ Jesus has for us in reality, unless we will deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him….

Bearing our cross to the place where we no longer resist His Will in anything….(This is not sinless perfection, but it is final obedience….you will obey what He wills.)

And He sits enthroned in our hearts, and lives.

What is our personal cross? This deals with our wills.

First, it is something you can say “no” to; for it is “whosoever will”, “ if any man will”.

Second, it is personal. My cross is not your cross, and visa-versa.

Third, it is any thing in God’s Will that crosses our wills; or brings up resentment and a feeling of wanting to run away from it.

[I usually feel a bristling in me. And as soon as I do, I know I need to talk to the Lord about this….

“I am not liking Your Will, for whatever reason, but I surrender right now, and ask that Your blessed Holy Spirit will help me, not just do this for Your sake, but change my attitude about it.”]

When we come to the willed decision that Christ is going to rule our lives; then Jesus calls us on to a more intimate calling:

Matthew 16:25 “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: And whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.”

This deals with our personality: that which is truly us.

You see, from children to grown-ups, we take on the mannerisms and habits and attitudes of the world around us.

What this call deals with is: Jesus freeing us from these entanglements; and giving us liberty to be us….the true us, He created.

He redeemed and saved us…not someone we think we would like to be like.

This is to “lose our lives in ourselves”.

We believe, our souls are the seat of our personality. We are unique, no two are exactly alike.

We believe also, that our souls are the most precious thing to God in all of His Creation….for Christ Jesus paid the Atonement price to save them.

When we are freed and under the liberty of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17-18), only then do we find our life in Christ.

As we continue to deny our self-life (our attitudes, our way of thinking things out, our affections, our reactions),…..so we may find our life in Christ.

Christ deals with us in His own way.

(I knew a child, that every time he became scared…..he would get angry. This was a “mechanism” he used, to cover his fear.

He would yell, he would stomp,….not for the reasons his parents thought, but because he was really scared.

Once they saw that, they were able to deal with him…..not as a brat, having a fit….but as a scared kid……trying to act tough. And that changed everything.)

You see it is only as we get past the “covers” of our attitudes,……that we can deal with the real issues.

Then our attitudes change.

We walk by faith and not by sight.

We “learn, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11). We learn discernment…what is good for us, and what is not.

And we gain confidence in our walk with God. We know…

Philippians 3:15 “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect (complete), be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.”

It is ever an onward walk with Christ….more and more of Him in us, freeing us from every sin and iniquity (anything unequal to your high calling in Christ Jesus)….

….till we are complete: there are no half measures with God.

Free from the bondage and influences of the world, and sin;

Obedient—having our obediences up-to-date;

Surrounded by His peace (Philippians 4:7), practically…..we are at peace with God, with the circumstances….and even, at peace with ourselves.

Rooted and grounded in His love (Ephesians 3:17).

He wants us to be fully free, and fully His.

Will we begin to “follow Him”, by denying ourselves and picking up our cross (those things of His Will that cross what we want,….how we think…..how we feel)…….till we no longer resist His Will in anything.

Then going on to lose “our life”, that we might truly be who He has created us to be….finding our life and purpose….in Christ Jesus.

The Lord’s Personal Prayer for His Believers

John 17:6 “I have manifested Thy name unto the men Thou gavest Me out of the world: Thine they were, and Thou gavest them to Me; and they have kept Thy word.”

They were still in the upper room where they had had the Last Supper.

Before they left to go to Gethsemane, Jesus “lifted up His eyes” and prayed to the Father for these gathered here. (Judas was gone)

He prays for them to be “kept”

(How much we need this; we are so weak and helpless against sin, self, the malice and temptations of the world, and the devil.):

First, they would be kept through the Word that He had spoken to them when He was on earth.

John 17:8 “For I have given unto them the words which Thou gavest Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I have come out from Thee, and they have believed that Thou didst send Me.”

Notice that they had “received” it. This is truly an amazing statement about these unlearned men.

Thousands had heard Jesus. But these men had received the words and message that He had given.

They received that He was the Son of God (Matthew 16:15–17).

They received the call that He gave them: Peter, Andrew, James and John from fishing boats; Matthew from collecting taxes; others from the lives they were living.

They received His corrections for their unbelief in the storm (Luke 8:23-25), and when they sought prestige for themselves….being above others. (Mark 10:35-37).

They had received His Words and by these Words of knowledge and guidance, they could be kept safe; when Jesus went back to heaven.

Second, they would be “kept” by God’s Name.

John 17:11 “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given to Me, that they may be one, as we are.”

When we are said to be under the Name of God, that means that He has declared that we are His, and by His authority, we are under His protection.

“That they may be one, as we are.”

That we may be one with The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; in peace, and love.

John 17:26 “And I have declared unto them Thy name, and will declare it; that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

What stronger bond, surrounding us, can we have, then that of love?

And that is the bond that Jesus prayed to the Father that they have. God’s bond of love would keep them.

Praise God, Jesus did not leave us out of this prayer:

John 17:20 “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word;”

He prayed for all who would believe the word that was preached and written by these disciples.

He prayed for us.

Next, Jesus would go to Gethsemane, and pray for Himself : “Father, not my will, but Thine be done.”

But, first He prayed for those who believed in Him…..and received His Word.

What a Lord and Savior we have!

He came for us,….lived a perfect life to honor His Father’s Will……He prayed for us….He died for our sins…..He arose to manifest the life we now can have in Him….and….

He is still praying for us before the Father…..with all Authority (Matthew 28:18)

1 Timothy 2:5 “For there is One God, and One Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus;”

Launch out into the Deep

Luke 5:4 “Now when He had left speaking, He said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.”

Here, the Lord is getting surrounded about with people , who want to hear more of what He was saying, by the lake of Gennesaret.

Two fishing ships were at hand, although the men were out of them, so Jesus enters into one of them and asked the owner, named Simon Peter, to:

Luke 5:3 “And He entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And He sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.”

There was some effort to this favor for Jesus, and now Jesus is going to do Simon a favor.

“Launch out into the deep, and let down your nests for a draught.”

Surprised, Simon, here, was trying to be polite; and gently tells Jesus that they had already done everything they could to get a catch of fishes.

After all, they were seasoned fishermen….

Luke 5:5 “And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all night, and have taken nothing: Nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.”

But he also added, “But at Thy word ”

Here is obedience.

Peter might not have agreed with the plan.

Might not have thought it would work;…..but he would do it anyway, for Jesus’ sake.

And should not we do the same….

Jesus had “borrowed” Peter’s ship, and now He would “pay” him for the use of it.

Luke 5:6-7″ And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.”

A net full of fishes,…..to the breaking point of the nets…..was what Jesus gave!

“Pressed down and running over” (Luke 6:38).

He spoke this command……..and He fulfilled His word to Peter, here.

But now, with the “payment” given,……Peter realizes this Jesus,……was who John the Baptist testified; “The Lamb of God”. (John 1:35-41).

That He was indeed the Christ.

Peter then fell down before Him…..

And cried “Depart from me for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

It is often true that when light breaks in on us, as to the reality of Jesus for ourselves (Who He is, His might, His grace),……we also get a view of the real us…”for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

Luke 5:8-9 “When Simon Peter saw it he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes that they had taken:”

“Lord” is the right title for Jesus.

And knowing Him this way, led Peter to leave all and follow Him.

Luke 5:10-11 “And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed Him.”

They forsook all and followed Him; leaving their father in the ship with the hired servants. (Mark 1:20).

Not alone, but seen to. But their place was now with the Lord.

Here they received the best gift–to be called to follow Jesus.

Launch out into the deep. A simple command, simply followed; which led to becoming a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Lord Jesus also calls us to “Launch out” with Him in our everyday lives, to be obedient to Him.

We may not “agree” with the command;

or the timing;

Or maybe we think we have already done all we could:…..

but if we will obey Him, He will bless.

“They forsook all”; they had known Jesus before (as John 1:35-41 shows), but now their lives were at Jesus’ command.

What about us? Do we know Jesus, yet have not “launched out” with Him into true discipleship?

He calls, will we follow?

We are all called to “forsake all” in our old lives, and place Him first.

And with Him first, everything else is seen to.

Matthew 6:33. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Hear, O Lord

Psalms 27:7-8 “Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me and answer me.

When Thou saidst, Seek ye My face, my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.”

I love these verses…..

They speak so clearly as how we should pray…..what we should pray.

Some people struggle with “how” we should come to God. Should we kneel, or bow our head, or is it alright to pray walking or jogging.

I believe:

Reverence in our personal prayer times….kneeling, when we can.

Bowing our head (again, in reverence to Him), when praying with family, church, or friends.

Otherwise the “meeting-place” of us with God in prayer,……is in our hearts. We can pray….anywhere.

When God shows us our need, “seek ye My face”……then we should respond with that prayer….”Thy face, Lord, will I seek.”

When I pray, I often find a verse that the Lord has showed me, concerning what I am to pray about…….and use that as a start.

I start with what it says to me….and move outward, claiming it for others.

(One our “go-to” verses is:

1 John 5:14-15 “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His Will, He heareth us:

And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.”

To pray the Lord’s will is to open up for ourselves a lighted path…..it is to open the way to the Lord’s ear….it is to show Him how willing we are that His Will, not mine, be done.

It is to hear from our own lips the Will of God, and in prayer ask Him to perform it.)

Prayer is talking to God…..about our troubles, confession of sins, praise for mercies received, and seeking direction,…..seeking peace…..seeking the Lord’s face….to come into His presence, in a special way or time.

“Hear, O Lord”

If we expect to be heard…..we need to come as servants, wanting to really know what to do….and how He wants us to do it. He is Lord, and should be our Lord….in this situation.

If He is asking for us to pray….then He is asking us to agree with Him, and seek it from Him……

….Putting us in our place in the Battle which always rages between the Lord and our Adversary……

Most people do not realize that prayer is so hard, because it is so powerful.

In it, we are asking the Almighty God….to act on our behalf or someone else…..we are asking Him to speak….to move…..people’s hearts and lives;

To change circumstances, which are adverse to His Will;

To remove hinderances.

No wonder the Adversary of our souls, fights it so hard…….interfering in thoughts from yesterday, tomorrow, or next year.

(an old proverb says, “You can’t prevent birds from flying over your head…..but you can keep them from building nests in your hair.”)

1 Peter 1:13 “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Daniel is our example:

Daniel had been praying for a particular promise for the people, back in Israel….one which had been shown him from the Word of God:

Daniel 9:2-3 “….I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:”

Once Daniel knew the Lord’s Will concerning the time for restoration of Israel and Jerusalem……he prayed…..earnestly seeking God to do what He said.

And what did he pray? Confession, first….then claiming the promise, according to His righteousness and mercy.

Daniel 9:16-19 “O Lord, according to Thy righteousness, I beseech Thee, let Thine anger….be turned away…:

Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of Thy servant, and his supplications, and cause Thy face to shine upon Thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake.

O my God, incline Thine ear, and hear;…..for we do not present our supplications before Thee for our righteousness, but for Thy great mercies.

O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for Thine own sake, O my God: for Thy city and Thy people are called by Thy name.”

(I love Daniel’s prayer, here…..like Ezra and Nehemiah to come, they confess as representatives of the whole nation of Israel…their sin….praising God, that in His chastening and wrath….He remembered mercy to them. All three great prayer chapters are in the ninth chapter. And all are for the restoration of Israel to God’s Word….in their lives, in Israel, and in Jerusalem.)

And what happened, when Daniel prayed (how long he prayed this prayer or other’s like it, it does not say…a day, a week,….but…)?

Daniel 9:21-23 “Yea, while I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am come forth to give thee skill and understanding.

At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.”

Our prayers, matter…..to God. This is His means of bringing certain things to pass….we ask for them.

Nothing takes the place of obedience (if you are a child of God),…..nothing…..but to pray is the first sign of an obedient heart….the seeking of His Will…..and asking Him to perform it….through you, or others.

New Testament example:

Herod (all of which were bad), saw the church growing, and arrested James the brother of Peter….and beheaded him.

He saw that it pleased the ruling religious body, so he arrested Peter and put him in prison….for the same death.

Acts 12:5 “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”

They were praying day and night for God to do something to save Peter….

Acts 12:6-7 “And when Herod would have brought him forth (to behead him), the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains:…..

And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side (had to wake him up!), and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.”

The angel wakes him up…..the chains fall off, and the angel guides him through the prison, across the Romans walled fortress, to the gate, separating it from the city…..which opens before Peter.

The angel then guides him toward the right street and departed from him.

Peter then went to the house of Mary the mother of John Mark….and knocked.

(It is interesting to note that when the maid heard it was Peter, she went and told those gathered to pray inside….they did not believer her……

…..this is just like us, so many times with out prayers…..we often pray, wanting God to hear us….but not believing, as we should, that He does.)

Acts 12:16-17 “But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door;…

But he, beckoning unto them with his hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go show these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.”

Prayer is God’s means of accomplishing certain things…..

….and He blesses it.

In the last days of this year…..let us make sure our confessions are up-to-date….and let us seek to know His promise for the days, and months ahead….

….that we might ask for it,……and have His blessing in us…..for us…..and for the church.

Missing the Mark

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

We are all sinners. Sinners by chance, and by choice.

To sin means to “miss the mark”…..we have missed the mark for the purpose of God for our lives.

Revelation 4:11 “Thou art Worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.”

God has a purpose for each of us…..not just a work or ministry….but real meaning for our days, here…..personally.

I have found that one day can be just like another….one week like last week….and so on; until time has passed, and we look back, wondering what we have accomplished….

One day, we will go before the Lord Jesus, as we are……and then our work that we have accomplished toward being conformed to His image (character), will be rewarded.

Sin is our desire to rule ourselves….to have the final say, in the way things are going to go, in our lives.

To say who will be in our lives,……and their importance.

To say or decide our place….

….when in reality, the only decision left man, after choosing sin……is “whosoever will, may come” (Revelation 22:17)….to Christ, or not.

It started with the temptation of the devil, “…and ye shall be as gods…”.

When in reality, they became like the beasts of the field….relying more on “instinct”, then on faith.

(Running away from God when they knew they were naked, instead of toward Him for forgiveness; which faith would have lead them to do.)

The purpose of God for us is to know Him, Whom to know aright is to have eternal life:

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

And in that knowledge, and eternal life (which is a condition of life, here and now, as well as in heaven, for ever);

John 1:12 “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:”

We can “abide” in Him, again……we can become…..in His Purpose…..all He wanted for us at the beginning…..the glory, the place with Him, the Will of the Almighty, worked in us and through us forever.

John 17:23 “I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be perfect in One; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me.”

Let’s stop missing the mark for our lives…..today, tonight, tomorrow….and on through this next year and until we stand in His Presence.

Let us seek His Pleasure….determination for us…..Let Him rule in us.

Appointed

Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement:”

By God’s appointment, every life shall end in fire:

For the Christian, it is the purifying fire of the Bema of Christ, before the eternity of Heaven.(1 Corinthians 3:13-15)

For the unsaved, it is ultimately the Lake of Fire. (Revelation 20:15).

[Matthew 25:41 “Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”

Notice: God made the Lake of Fire for the devil and his angels. Not man. Man chooses to rebel against his Maker, and refuses the only Savior.]

God has appointed this day: it is not for anyone to know.

Acts 1:7 “And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power.”

But it is put into God’s appointment book; it will happen.

As Job said:

Job 23:13-14 “But He is in one mind and who can turn Him? And what His soul desireth, even that He doeth.

For He performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with Him.”

God performs the thing appointed. For every Christian, this is a blessed fact.

Every trial, every person, every circumstance which is in the path I am to take, following Him, is appointed for us.

1 Thessalonians 3:3 “That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereinto.”

So because God has appointed this day; He would have us receive the reward and crown He has for us.

In that day: He will purify us with fire. Today: He wants to purify us by trials.

Faith must be tried to show us that it is there, and how much we have. That is the way we learn what God will do for us.

Micah 6:8-9 “He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

The Lord’s voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see Thy name: hear ye the rod, and Who hath appointed it.”

[The rod here is the same as “Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23). They are given the Shepherd, both to correct the sheep and protect them.]

Our path is one in which we deal with ourselves, and others. We ask for mercy, and deal with others in mercy.

We ask for forgiveness, and forgive others.

We ask for help, and pray for help for others. (Giving it in comfort, and encouragement, as we can)

Our path is one which follows our Lord,………”to walk humbly with our God”, in the many “appointments” He has made for us.

We agree with Him in this path, leaning on Him and His Word to us, to see us through in safety.

And in joy. [And if the joy is not there, we are not really agreeing with Him, but “putting up” with Him]

He has appointed for me, and for you. Let us receive a full reward (2 John 8), and enter into all He has for us: both here, and there.

How did we get here?

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

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

God’s purpose for the earth has to do with Christ and His glory….before times eternal God the Father made the Everlasting Covenant with His Son.

God the Father would draw a people to His Son, if……

……Jesus would come to earth and live a perfect life…..in this wicked world…..and if you read about the world, Jesus lived in…it was a desperate and despicable place.

It was as if the devil knew the Son of God was coming, and wanted to make it impossible to live a perfect life.

And then die a perfect sacrifice….He would receive the reward of His labors…..us. (Isaiah 53:10. Think of how marvelous a thought that is!)

In Bethlehem, He was born…..but promise concerning His birth began, right as soon as sin enter the world, through Adam. The promise of a Savior, to save us from our sin. Hallelujah!

Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between thee (the devil) and the woman, and between thy seed and her Seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

Jesus Christ who came to save the world from sin, would be born of a woman.

Christ would bruise the devil’s head (on the cross when Jesus said “it is finished”, the victory over sin and death was won)

The devil would bruise Christ ‘s heel (the mocking, beatings, the betrayal)

Abraham was chosen to be the one who God spoke to next, about His beloved Son:

Genesis 17:7 “And I will establish My covenant between me and thee and thy Seed after thee in their generations for a everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy Seed after thee.”

Seed not seeds

Galatians 3:16 “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He saith not, and to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy Seed, which is Christ.”

Under Jacob (and he was a schemer, but he really did want the spiritual blessing…..the birthright….which was to have the Christ come through his line. Genesis 25:31-33)

In Jacob’s last blessing for his sons, God made known in prophesy that Judah would be the tribe from which Christ would come.

Genesis 49:10 “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be.”

This prophesy continued until David….then God added more information…..Christ would come as King through David’s line:

2 Samuel 7:25-26 “And now, O Lord God, the word that Thou has spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as Thou hast said.

And let Thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The Lord of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of Thy servant David be established before Thee.”

Matthew 1:1 “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.”

The line is set….but one more promise:

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

A virgin…..a total miracle will take place in the womb of a woman….whose known no man……and He will be the Son of God placed within her.

This was the last promise….until….

Luke 1:26-27, 31-32, 35 “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His Father David:

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Although God had chosen Mary, it was still up to Mary to choose God.

Of course, she did….

Luke 1:38 “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it unto me according to Thy Word. And the angel departed from her.”

The title of this is……How did we get here?

How did a sinful world get a Savior, and King?

It was all planned for us in eternity past…..a Savior and King…..and as the years rolled down the promise was added to,…..some believed, some did not.

It is the same to day.

Some believe the testimony of His Word, and others do not…..

But it is certain I am in the time and place that the Lord wants me…..and so for you.

Out of all the world of men, God called Abraham

Out of two brothers God chose Jacob

Out of twelve brothers God chose Judah

Out of many thousands of virgins in Israel….at the time of Roman rule….He chose Mary.

And Jesus plainly says “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you (made provision for), that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you.” (John 15:16)

He chose us, made provision for us, and called us……now, like Mary, we need to choose God….His Son, His Lordship, His Will and Way.

Jacob’s Wrestling with the Lord

Genesis 32:24 “And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.”

Jacob was coming home to Canaan. He had been told of God:

Genesis 31:13 “I am the God of Beth-el, where thou anointest the pillar, and where thou vowest a vow unto Me: now, arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.”

So he was coming home, with his wives, sons and substance………But also with a guilty conscience. He had tricked his father into giving him……the younger son, the blessing, instead of Esau.

God had wanted him to have it, but Jacob and his mother schemed to get it; instead of waiting for God’s way.

Now he was coming back into the land, and Esau, his brother, would surely hear of it, and seek to kill him, as he had often promised he would. (Genesis 27:41)

What could he do? When he first set foot into the land again, angels met him.

Most believe these “hosts of angels”, were positioned one in the back of his family, and one before.

(The Lord does that to us, as well. We may not see them, but:

Psalm 34:7 “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.”)

Genesis 32:1-2 “And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.

And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s hosts: and he called the name of the place Mahanaim.”

Jacob took this as a sign that God would protect him, and so sent word to Esau that he was back in the land.

“…thy servant Jacob…I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.” (Genesis 32:4-5)

Perhaps time had softened his hate.

But then he got word that Esau was coming to meet him—that wasn’t bad—but with four hundred men! (Genesis 32:6)

That sounded like an army; and Jacob was fearful…very fearful.

(I use the term fearful, because fear strikes at the heart of every person. You may be scared in a moment…jump in panic; but fear is often an attack against the Word of God, as it was here.)

Jacob became so fearful, he began to rely upon his schemes again.

First, he divided the people into two bands. If Esau would destroy the first, maybe he will spare the next.

Then, he prayed. (Genesis 32:9-12)

This should have been first…but Jacob schemes before he trusts, yet God is merciful. The Lord told him to come back to the land, would He desert him?

Jacob prays to God on the basis of the covenant God made with Abraham, and his Seed.(Christ)

(So, too, we pray on the basis of the covenant God made with Christ, for us)

Jacob reminds God of what He said to do, of His own Word, which is what we should do. Jacob tells Him he has obeyed.

He tells God, he is not worthy of the least of His mercies and of the goodness God has already shown him.

Then he prays for deliverance, reminding the Lord of His promise where his children are concerned.

This was a wonderful prayer, but it seems as though Jacob’s fears were not removed, for….

he started to think….hmmm….I can send a present to Esau. Maybe that will appease him.

So off he goes, scheming. He starts picking out this and that; sending it on to Esau with shepherds, with the words: “A present….Jacob is behind us, but here is a present for my lord Esau”. (Very flattering; at least Jacob hopes so)

Then he sends his family over the brook; so that there would be that between Esau and them.

He was alone then, on this side of the brook.

And then…..

Genesis 32:24 “And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.”

We are not shown how this “man” came, or what they said to each other for most of the night.

Those are things between the Lord and Jacob; for this “Man” was a theophanic manifestation of the Son of God.

Genesis 32:25-26 “And when He saw that He prevailed not against him, He touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as He wrestled with him.

And He said, Let me go, for the day breaketh.

And he said, I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.”

But why did the Lord wrestle with Jacob all night? Why didn’t He just touch him right away?

Because He wanted to bring Jacob to a point of recognized weakness. To a place where Jacob’s strength and schemes were seen as the Lord sees them: useless.

And this takes time.

And Jacob kept wrestling, and kept wrestling, to gain the victory.

(But, thankfully, he was not the one who gained the victory.)

When it was almost sunrise, the Lord touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh; and he fell! But Jacob kept clinging to the Lord…he did not let Him go.

Yet he still did not say anything, till the Lord said, “Let me go…”.

Here was the real test:

At the end of a battle, we might be willing for it to be over; but Jacob knew Who the “Man” was.

By now Jacob knew if he was to get what he needed for himself and for the future, he must get the Lord’s blessing.

(And do we know this for ourselves? “It is not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts” [Zechariah 4:6]. It is often not until we know our own powerlessness, that we seek to hang on to the Lord, for His blessing…..but this takes time.)

Jacob, still clinging, says, “I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.”

Genesis 32:27-28 “And He said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.

And He said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Isra-el: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.”

Jacob (supplanter, contender) who had schemed and planned; was to become Isra-el (God commands or prevails).

Jacob was to be a prince or a delegated authority of God’s Name,……but only in his recognized weakness.

(Paul wrote of the same thing: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

Isra-el was to be his new name. (When the first part of a name is combined with “El” or God, then the doer in the name is always God. [Daniel…God judgeth; Gabriel…God is my strength, etc.])

So now Jacob was to stop scheming; and let God command or prevail in him and for him.

This did not always happen: read Jacob/Israel’s life and you will see from now on, the two names still apply.

But God had brought him into a new way of life, and God would prevail.

It is natural for us to work out, for ourselves, the plans of our lives. We often feel very capable to do so: God gave us a brain…right?

But God, in patience and longsuffering, deals with us (wrestles?) to bring us to the place where we are clinging to Him, alone.

Esau came (with the four hundred men) but when he saw Jacob, he ran and hugged and kissed him! (Genesis 33:4)

When God prevails in us;……He will prevail for us. His Word is ever true…we need to claim it.

His power is never limited.

His blessings are only waiting for us to cling to Him.

Bless the Lord

Psalm 103:20, 22 “Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.”

And how can we bless the Lord?

Certainly with praise for all the things He has done for us.

But also by doing His commandments, as we hear the voice of His Word to us.

The Lord Jesus Christ is a King now, ruling in the circumstances of everyone’s life, whether they know it or not.

As Christians, we have the privilege of submitting to the kingdom of Christ as our king, now, and being a conductor of His power.

Obedience is required of every child of God. Believing, joyful Obedience comes easily, when He is the object of our love.

(It is only when we let another take His place in our lives, that our joy is put out)

We will never have sinless perfection. But we can will with the Lord, as we walk along with Him; and be a blessing to Him.

And He can use us to be a blessing to others.

Pray for one another.

Encourage each other.

Speak of Christ, the great Shepherd of our soul. (How much we need His care for us)

As we do these things, we bless the Lord, for He loves His children and wants to see them peaceful and joyful. (And we can’t be, when we are far from Him)

We are to seek to know and do His Will for ourselves.

John 14:15 “If ye love Me, keep my commandments.”

Titus 2:13-14 “Looking for the blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

Then we can, “Bless the Lord, O my soul.”

Simeon, and Anna

God prepares hearts…….sometimes in years past…..to see and receive His blessed Son……leading them to worship and joy in their hearts to Him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

For mine eyes have seen Thine Salvation,

Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And then he turned to Mary and Joseph….

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hearing what Simeon said…..she rejoiced.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How amazing!

God deserved all praise,….from all….

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

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

Heralded by angels….seen and recognized by shepherds,

By wise men from a far country,…

…Simeon and Anna…..

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

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

(Notice the names of Christ spoken here:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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