The Brazen Laver

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

And one of the examples of this, is:

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

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

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

The brazen Laver was made for cleansing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

They and their decedents, were priests from then on.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Holy Place signified fellowship with God:

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

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

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

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

All showed forth fellowship with God.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Water is also to invigorate.

And the Word of God gives us comfort and refreshing.

It revives our spirits.

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

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

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

Philemon

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

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

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

His name was Onesimus.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The grace of equality.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is what Paul wanted:

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

The Lord Jesus said:

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

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

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

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

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

Sneaky Sins

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

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

Sleeping when we should watch:

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

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

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

(Notice all the “little”s, here.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

Resentment:

Anger is a sin you can easily recognize…..

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

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

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

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

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

Pride….

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To refuse correction:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Worry….

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

…of any time we feel further away from Christ…

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

(To see, we need both sight and light)

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

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

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

If He is guiding….follow Him.

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

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

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

Trials of Faith

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

First, that never helps…..

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That will glorify Me.

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

And instead they fell asleep.

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

He asks us the same thing:

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

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

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.