The Work Goes On

Acts 5:12 “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.”

To be of “one accord” is to be in complete subjection to Christ Jesus. The accord is with Him. We “agree” with what He wants for us.

This is what they all were here.

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Ghost was given to the believers gathered in Jerusalem, as Jesus had told them to do. Many were saved under Peter’s message of:

Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

But as soon as there was a church, there was also opposition. (Our Adversary, the devil, seeks to wreak anything of God.)

Acts 5:17-18 “Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees) and were filled with indignation.

And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.”

Peter and John had been threatened before, and told by the religious rulers, not to preach in Jesus name.

(It is a Name at which every knee shall bow one day. Philippians 2:9-11)

But they continued to speak and preach in the Name of Jesus; for they told them “we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

So now they were put in prison.

Yet, The Lord sends His angel and delivers them.

Acts 5:19-20 “But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.”

A command was given them to go right back in the temple,…….right where these religious rulers would be able to find them,…..and preach “all the words of this life”.

What Jesus had taught, and how He had been crucified, and raised up the third day; to save all who would receive Him.

Acts 5:21-22, 25 “And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together,…and sent to the prison to have them brought.

But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison,…

Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.”

This was what the Lord wanted, both to encourage His disciples, and to awaken the religious rulers (if they would be awakened) to His Presence with His own, and the power of His Word.

When they were brought again from the temple to the council, the high priest asked them:

“Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name?”

Now, under the Old Testament Law, they should have obeyed the high priest; But…

Acts 5:29 “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”

Then Peter begins to preach to them:

(How many times have they heard? Yet Jesus Christ is presented again…how long-suffering He is, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9)

Acts 5:30-32 “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

(But you have to acknowledge you are a sinner)

And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him.”

Hearing this, the council “was cut to the heart”—simply they knew absolutely within themselves, that Jesus was God’s Son, and they were being offered forgiveness and a way to come to Him….again.

But they refused this mercy: “When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.” (Acts 5:33)

Yet one man, Gamaliel, stood up. He knew the Law, and trusted in the God of that Law.

He spoke of how God brings to nothing those who say they are something, when they are not.

He gave some examples, and concluded:

“Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” (Acts 5:35-39)

Very good advice….

Now I believe that each man knew they were fighting against God: had been and were.

So they agreed with Gamaliel, hoping to ease their guilty conscience.

What did they do? They could not kill them, or imprison them (if God wanted them out).

But they beat them, and threatened them again, not to speak in Jesus’s Name.

Acts 5:41-42 “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name.

And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”

These religious rulers could not stop the spread of the gospel….for the disciples had more than a knowledge of the truth of these things….they had fervent love for Jesus Christ.

Joy and rejoicing should be our heart’s reward for obedience. Courage and strength also come to those who obey Him.

Today the work goes on, as well.

Are we entering into our part?

Rain

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

Christ Jesus, when He comes to us by the influence of the Holy Spirit, is like a shower of rain, to a dry and thirsty ground.

When we are without Jesus in our lives, our hearts are hard, and nothing seems to soften them or make an impression on them.

Often when we fall into sin after becoming Christians, we can again become “hardened”. So we need to turn to Him again, and pray for showers of His mercy and grace to come to us, and soften our hearts.

Wherever Christ comes, the rain of the Holy Spirit and of grace, comes to our souls;…..and we are turned into a well watered land.

Fruitful and beautiful, for we drink Him in;…..and by His Spirit’s influence, we are changed little by little, into His character.

As rain is a free gift of God to the earth. To poor and rich alike, the rain falls.

So Christ is offered to all who will.

The rain is most necessary to all the parts of the plants: roots, trunk, branches, leaves, and blossom.

So Christ is necessary to every part of us: our understanding, our will, our emotions, and our memories.

He strengthens us in good things, and enlivens us as we grow.

He increases our peace, and love for Him and others.

He preserves us within, by His Spirit; and without, by HIs Word.

As rain sometimes comes amid thunderstorms, as well as the gentle warm rain; so Christ comes to us to warn us, as well as to encourage us.

As rain satisfies the dry earth, so Christ comes and satisfies us.

He gives us the fruit of His Spirit within us.

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

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

Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.”

If we follow on to know the Lord,…..He will come unto us as the rain, the former and latter rain, upon the dryness of our souls.

Right place, God’s Will, our Surrender

Esther 5:1 “Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the kings house,…”

Obedience to a command from God, we often think, will turn out well….

Yet here, Esther, a Jewish woman, made queen in Persia, stands in a place of complete surrender….not to the command of God,….but to the Will of God.

You may say that there is no difference….but the Will of God transcends “good”, and “bad”.

It is what God intends done, how He intends done, and for the Purpose which pleases Him.

(As believers, we obey His commands or not; but we “fit into” His Will by surrender to Him….whatever happens.)

(Someone has written that God and prayer, is ever mentioned in this book…and it is true. These people, when they had the chance to return to Israel, and build lives in the land God gave them, refused….for they now had lives in Persia.

But equally true, is that wherever His people are….He has His eye on them.

He does not forget them, but brings His Will to pass,….even through them; and for them…..though it is not in the same personal way He does for those who gather close to Him.)

Background:

Persia had conquered Babylon and had given invitation “to all of a willing heart to return to Israel and build a house for God”, to do so.

They had, and God had helped them….though they had many enemies.

Yet, now, things are going to take a dramatic turn. Back in Persia…..

Two things happen: The king, Ahasuerus, wants a new queen….and a Jewish woman, Esther is picked as one of the choices.

And Haman, an Agagite (a descendent from a people who, since Israel came out of Egypt, have sought to destroy them….down through the generations Exodus 17:16)……this man comes to power, in the king’s court.

This is a battle brewing which is amazing to read…..for behind the scenes is God working His Will….even in the things which seem to work for His people’s hurt.

Esther is the niece of Mordecai. And when Esther is taken to court, Mordecai tells Esther not to lie about her heritage, but only to keep quiet about it.

Esther 2:17 “And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight…..so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen…”

And when she is chosen as queen, he warns her again, to hold her peace….at that time there was no danger….but soon enough, there will be.

He will be at the gate, sitting each day, if she needs to send a message to him.

(During this time, Mordecai has a chance to do the king some kindness: he overhears two men servants plotting the kings death…and he sends word to Esther. She tells the kings servants in Mordecai’s name, and they stop the assassination plot….and the deed is written in the Chronicles of the king Esther 2:21-23)

Esther 3:1-2 “After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman….the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.

And all the kings servants, that were with him in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman:…”

Here comes the trouble. Haman is promoted above everyone else! Exactly the kind of power this evil person would want. Real influence with the king, and in court….people bowing….this is the life.

But a man who sits at the gate…..and yes, this is Mordecai….does not bow to him.

Esther 3:2,5-6 “….but Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.

And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.

And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had showed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.”

What should he care?

But it infuriates him…..so much so, that he finds out that Mordecai is an Israelite….and he begins a plan….to destroy him and all his people—everywhere in the kingdom.

(As I said….the Agagite of the Amalekites, were sworn enemies of Israel…and he is taking vengeance, not just on Mordecai but on every last Israelite he can.)

Now, let me ask you….was it God’s Will that Mordecai not bow? Or just an occasion to the Adversary, the devil, to stir up trouble?

(True conviction is of the Holy Spirit…and if followed, will lead to more knowledge of God’s Will for ourselves…..but it must needs be followed through, no matter what it costs you.

Mordecai had the conviction for himself that he could not bow to an enemy of his people, so….he did not bow. But it could bring terrible trouble not just for him, but for his people.)

Haman now had to persuade the king to make a decree for all the Jews to be slain.

(It is interesting to note, that the decrees of the Medes and Persians were unbreakable…”altereth not” (Daniel 6:8)….but we will see how God changes what man decrees, and does all His Will.)

Haman goes to the king with a lie…”there is a people…their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them (put up with them)”. So Haman offers money to the king to pay for the cost of destroying them. The king believes Haman, and so the plan is made.

Then, Haman casts lots for the day of his vengeance…..

Esther 3:7 “In the first month,….they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month….”

…and when he does, he places his plans unwittingly under the Will of God….for the lot—like dice thrown in chance—is ruled by God. (Proverbs 16:33)

The slaughter was to be in the last month of the year, a whole year away.

It was then proclaimed through the nations under Persia….and when the Israelites heard it, they wept, and lay in sackcloth and ashes.

What could be done?

But God is not upset…His plan is already in motion, although unseen.

Mordecai did not know what to do….but he showed the decree to Esther, and asked her to talk to the king. She was saddened, but she did not know what to do either.

Even she could not go into the king, unless she be called…..and she hadn’t for thirty days.

And if she did without being called she could be killed…..unless he would hold out his scepter to her.

Mordecai realizes this is why she was there….and even though she was afraid, he was faithful, and told her the truth (“speaking the truth in love” Ephesians 4:15):

Esther 4:13–14 “Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shall escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed:

And who knowest wither thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Now was the time, to stand up and be shown as an Israelite…no matter what the outcome for her or her people. Her duty was shown to her….now it was up to her.

(This is a word in due season… Proverbs 15:23. How many times, we too need a word given us, to remind us of Jesus’ Way for us)

Plainly, after hiding in the palace for some time, Esther did not want to show the king her people. If she was out of favor, she could do no good…for them or herself.

But Mordecai’s words brought her to see the situation clearly…..and her duty.

Mordecai believed that Israel would survive….somehow. He might die, and she might die….but deliverance would come;…..but he thought maybe Esther was “come into this position,….to do this very thing.”

Esther 4:15-16 “Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,

Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise: and so I will go into the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.”

This was not said in despair or passion, but in holy resolve to do her duty….no matter what happened to her.

And so she did her duty….she came into the court…..and was accepted by the king.

Esther 5:2 “And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the scepter.”

The king asks her, What is thy request?

Esther does not charge right into the matter, but….knowing the king,….she invites him and Haman to a banquet for the next two days, where she promised to tell the king what is on her mind….

They come to the first, and Haman is proud as a peacock in his privileged position;……bragging to all his family and friends.

In between the two days, the king can not sleep…..(and here is the amazing part):

The king hears in the Chronicles which are read to him,….(to help put him to sleep)…..about Mordecai’s saving him from assignation.

But what had been done for him, as a reward? Nothing…..so…

The next morning, Haman, so full of pride, comes into the king….wanting to talk of killing Mordecai, that very day….no waiting for the rest of the Israelites….he wanted his blood now.

But, he gets a surprise…the king wanted to honor Mordecai for saving him!

Esther 6:6, 10 “So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honor?

Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honor more than to myself?

Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew,….”

The very person Haman wanted dead, he had to help honor……this was not what he had planned….but God has more surprises for him.

In the second banquet, Esther tells the king of Haman’s plot to destroy her people….he listens to her, and ends in destroying Haman.

The enemy is destroyed, but what about the unchangable decree against the Israelites?

How will God take care of that?

Well, the king promotes Mordecai….telling him that the decree can not be altered…..

….but, he can do what he can…..

And God made a way: they made a second decree….so that the Israelites could destroy all those that would come against them…..signed by the king….backed up by the king.

and that sent fear into their enemies,….and stopped the massacre of the Israelites!

Against all odds….God saw to His people.

And the principle is the same for us.

How many times things seem impossible and against us, and Him….but He is working His Will….perhaps puffing up those proud rebels….just enough to destroy themselves.

Perhaps putting us in a place of duty, to do His Will,……speaking His Word faithfully.

Psalm 94:21-23 “They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.

But the Lord is my defense; and My God is the Rock of my refuge.

And He shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the Lord our God shall cut them off.”

God still sees to us….His Will is still being done.

Let us surrender to our part in it.

If any man Will

Will is the determining factor of our lives. But it is influenced by our reasoning (our minds), or by our wants (our hearts).

By our will, we push ahead to the next step, in our walk through our lives.

In the Natural man, this is all for himself. The attitude of the Natural man is to see to Number one.

Sad, because if they would but come to Christ, He would see to them.

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

In the Spiritual man (one who is born again, and yielding to the Holy Spirit within), our will is the power that helps us to do the Will of God in our lives.

We will with the Holy Spirit, and the grace of God comes to us, to do His will.

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

Every man will come to judgement before God.

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

Romans 3:19 “Now we know that what things so ever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”

Every man will come to judgement before God…….Every mouth will be stopped.

There will be no excuses why God’s Will for their life, was not done by them.

They have a will, they could have exercised it for God. Did they?

Will God bring to mind the reasonings that they followed, rather than following God?

What reasons have influenced our lives?

Will He bring before them the emotions which lead them into the wrong paths, instead of following God’s ways?

Who or what takes first place in our affections?

And where do they lead us?

Paul says that God will work within us both to will…and to do; and he exhorts them to “work out their own salvation”.

Philippians 2:12 “Wherefore, my beloved, as he have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling:”

(Salvation as we know, is four fold:

Saved from the love of sin (conviction by the Holy Spirit).

Saved from the guilt of sin (being born again. John 3:3).

Saved from the power of sin (which is Sanctification, which is what Paul is talking about here).

And saved from the presence of sin (being taken to Heaven through death, or in the Rapture).

God does work within us, as we want His will.

He gives understanding to know His Will,……and He gives power to do His Will; as we will with Him.

This is to “work out” what God “works” in.

Man (and of course, women) have three faculties of the soul. Reasonings or mind, Affections or heart, and will.

God has placed within each person that desire for the things of eternity……That is our God consciousness.

That is the light that lighteth every man (John 1:9).

It is placed within us by the true Light, Christ Jesus; for He would not leave Himself without a witness in the man, that He created.

But it is what we do with that light, that makes us responsible to God.

Yield to it, and follow it, to know Christ as Lord and Savior?

Or refuse it, and follow our own ways?

Romans 1:19-20 “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”

All are without excuse before God……all we have to do, is come to Him and yield to Him.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this the whole duty of man.”

So you have a problem with God, and His ways? Then hear what He says to you about it:

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

“Talk to Me.” He says. “Give Me your reasons, lay them out before Me, and see if I will not forgive you from your sins, and make you clean.”

What will you will?

Abraham and the Great Sacrifice

(This is a “picture” of God’s great sacrifice of His beloved Son.

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.”)

Genesis 22:2 “And He said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, who thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.”

Abraham and Sarah finally had a son by a miracle. Sarah had been enabled by God to have Isaac. They both had been past age for child bearing, and Sarah had been barren, as well.

But God had given them Isaac. And now, some years later, God calls Abraham to sacrifice this well beloved son.

The obedience of Abraham is necessary for us to see.

We often hesitate, or try and get around what God wants (and yes, this happened to Abraham, too, especially in the early life with God.), but Abraham believes God’s word: that in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

Genesis 22:3. “And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place which God had told him.”

Abraham gets up early. Not eager to go; but eager to return, and that would not happen without going.

He takes two servants to keep the donkey that carried the wood, and to carry the fire in a container.

He and Isaac go. It is a three days journey to Mt. Moriah, where God has told him to take Isaac.

Three days to contemplate his failures: was this in consequence for his many failures?

Three days to look at the promised son, and remember the love he and his mother have for him.

Three days to remember his first step, first word, and the strong quiet young man he had become.

Three days to consider this command, and therefore the obedience was more reasonable and honorable.

What did they speak of? Of the promises of God, I believe, for Abraham was counting on God to fulfill His Word.

Hebrews 11:17-19 “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

Of whom it was said, that in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.”

They could have talked of the promise of the land in the future. The promise God had told him of future generations. And the promise that the coming Savior would come from them.

They come to the mountain, and Abraham leaves the servants with the donkey at the foot of the mountain and says:

Genesis 22:5 “And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again unto you.”

“We will come again”

To believe is to place the whole of our being upon the thing or person we say we believe in.

Abraham believed God. Isaac and he would come back down the mountain.

Abraham believed that God could raise Isaac from the dead.

So they climb up Mt. Moriah (in the New Testament, it is called Calvary), together.

Genesis 22:6-8 “And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.

And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father, and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is a lamb for a burnt offering?

And Abraham said, My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.”

“Together”, Abraham is trusting that God will bring Isaac back to life; and Isaac is trusting that God will supply the sacrifice.

Genesis 22:9 “And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.”

Abraham bound his sons hands; those that had been held out to him when he was learning to walk.

He bound his legs, and placed him on the wood. Perhaps taking a final kiss on the forehead of Isaac.

Let me mention here, that Isaac was a strong young man—not a child. If he had willed to, he could have resisted Abraham, anytime.

But he did not……which is a picture of the willingness of God’s Son, Jesus Christ to do all His Father’s Will….even unto the death of the cross.

Genesis 22:10 “And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.”

Abraham begins to do exactly what God told him….

He does not hurry, nor delay, to sacrifice his well beloved son.

Sacrifice means: to place on an altar, with the intent of giving all to God, whither by knife, or fire, or other means.

When you place it on the altar, it is dead to you.

Genesis 22:11 “And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.”

The angel calls Abraham twice, to make sure he got Abraham’s attention.

God had wanted to test Abraham’s devotion to Him, by his obedience to Him.

Genesis 22:12-13 “And he said, Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything to him: for I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from Me.

And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns; And Abraham went and took the ram; and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.”

The test was done. God had provided the sacrifice.

Genesis 22:14. “And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.”

Jehovah-jireh means in the mount of the Lord it shall be seen to, or provided for.

God did provide the true sacrifice through His Son, Christ Jesus; to take away the sins of the world.

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

God, the Father, sacrificed His well beloved Son that we might be provided for.

We might be provided salvation: full and free.

We might be provided His Holy Spirit: and all the power and guidance He brings us.

We might be provided a place with Him forever.

Let us praise His Holy Name for all He has given us in His Son…..even the trials He leads us through, to manifest Himself in us.

A New Nature

Perhaps a explanation of what the term “nature” means, would be helpful:

Nature is the inclination of the heart and mind, and the characteristics of that creature.

As man, our nature comes from Adam, our first parent.

As born again man, our new nature comes from Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Romans 5:12 “Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”

When Adam sinned, death passed to his children…..spiritual death, which is separation from God, and physical death…to those of his nature: to all men.

For we are all Adam’s children, and all have his nature, or characteristics.

(Mark 7:20-23)

God in all His Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, made a way for us to be justified before God, and saved from our sins; for He loved us.

1 John 4:9 “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”

That way was for God’s Son, Jesus Christ, to come to earth and live a perfect life; then become obedient unto death, and pay the price for our sins; be raised the third day and make a way for our eternal life.

This He did. A way, then, was opened up for life, His life (nature) to pass on to His children, to those who have received Him.

Those who are born again.

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:”

Ephesians 2:1 “And you hath He quickened (gave life) who were dead in trespasses and sins;”

The Holy Spirit, Who abides with us forever, imparts Christ’s nature to us, giving us faith.

Romans 5:18-19 “Therefore as by the offense of one judgement came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of One the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous.”

We are made righteous: Think of it! Sinners made righteous, or not guilty before a Holy God!

By the merits of Jesus Christ, who sought us, and saved us from our sin!

Romans 4:7 “Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered.”

But this is not all. Jesus Christ gives His new nature, His inclination and character; so that we may walk in light all our days.

1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

We were in darkness, fear, and anger; now we are in light, and can have joy and peace.

Ephesians 5:8-9 “ For we were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)”

His new nature within us gives us access to come to God as our Father, receiving all the Father has for us, as His children; through the merits of Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”

“Spiritual blessings in Christ”……but the wonderful thing is….that we are “in Christ”….

Ephesians 2:6 “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”

We are in Christ, and He is in us.

In Christ we have access to all the heavenly blessings God has for us

So all that the Father has set aside for us….can be in us, and for us….here and now; because we are “in Christ Jesus” and He is in us.

His new nature within us, implanted by the Holy Spirit, gives us the graces and the power to use them that we need.

To love Him.

To grow in grace.

To know His will.

To be empowered to do His will.

To obtain the many promises He has for us.

New Life is not just receiving Heaven; but receiving His new nature and becoming all we can be, to His praise and glory.

Ephesians 1:17-20 “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you….

The Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him:

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;

That ye may know what is the hope of His calling,

And what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

And what is the exceeding greatness of His power in us-ward who believe,….

According to the working of His mighty power which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places,”

He has this for us…wisdom, revelation by knowing Jesus more, understanding, hope, spiritual riches, power in us….that same power that raised Jesus from the dead….working in us….

To raise us up in our everyday struggles and trials.

Let us praise our Lord for what He has for us….and more….let us use it.

As Christians, What are we to seek First?

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

We are to seek His kingdom, first. It is a kingdom which comes within each of us. He will surely see to us.

It is a reign of Grace.

God is the God of all grace, and He gives us what we need.

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

Grace is the unmerited favor of power. The grace of God is manifold (1 Peter 4:10), which means that God’s power is shown many ways:

By grace are ye saved

Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men,”

Also by grace, we live for Christ Jesus. (Remember it is His power that enables us to do.)

2 Corinthians 12:9 “And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of God may rest upon me.”

Hebrews 12:28 “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which can not be moved, let us have (hold on to) grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:”

By grace we are kept, or upheld by His power within us, so we continue to the end.

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

By grace we are made strong for the work before us.

2 Timothy 2:1 “Thou therefore my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

By grace we show to others, what God has done for us.

Example: Paul’s own testimony.

1 Timothy 1:12-14, 16 “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern for them which should hereafter believe on Him to everlasting life.”

Paul, who persecuted the church, putting some to death by his witness against them, received mercy, and grace.

He said, “..the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”

For such a sinner (he calls himself the chiefest of sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15), great grace was needed to bring him to the mercy of salvation.

And Who does he praise for this grace?

1 Timothy 1:17 “Now unto the King eternal immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever, Amen.”

Now unto the King—my King, Paul says, be honor and praise forever.

As Christians, we should seek His kingdom to come within ourselves, first; and praise our King for all He has done, by grace, for us.

Are we using the grace Christ Jesus has for us, today?

The Means of Victory: Pray, Believe and Praise

2 Chronicles 20:1 “It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.”

Now Jehoshaphat was a godly king of Judah.

And so when he heard of their coming to war with them, he feared; but sought the Lord.

2 Chronicles 20:3 “ And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.”

He knew that his small country could not stand against the superior numbers and warriors of these three nations.

But He knew God could save them.

2 Chronicles 20:6, 12 “And said, O Lord God of our fathers, art thou not God in heaven? And rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? And in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?

O our God, wilt thou not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.”

As they were praying and seeking God’s help; the Holy Spirit gave them direction through one of the appointed singers, that stood seeking God.

(2Chronicles 20:15-17) “….Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

Tomorrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.

Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.”

They knew they would have to go out and face the enemy; but the Lord said He would be with them, and fight for them.

They all started worshipping, and thanking God for it!

2 Chronicles 20:20-21 “And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness…: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah,…; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for His mercy endureth forever.”

Notice Jehoshaphat did not stay in Jerusalem, but led his people.

Also notice, when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers. They all wanted to praise God, even before the actual victory.

And what was the battle?

It was the Lord’s. For He caused two of the armies to unite against the third army; destroying it.

Then God caused those enemies that were left, to turn on each other!

2 Chronicles 20:22-23 “And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord sent ambushments against…which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of mount Seir, everyone helped to destroy another.”

Judah did not have to fight at all!

2 Chronicles 20:24 “And when Judah came toward the watchtower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, Behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.”

Four days later, after taking the spoil of the armies that came to destroy them, they gathered in the same Valley.

They renamed it “Berachah”,….or Blessing.

2 Chronicles 20:26-28 “And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the Lord:…

Then they returned,…to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies.

And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the Lord.”

Jehoshaphat was a godly king, but even godly people have enemies.

So God was sought after for His help,…..and He was found of them.

We, too, can seek the Lord and His help when we are in fear of being overcome.

Whether by enemies, troubles, or fear itself.

We are to pray, looking to Him for the help.

We are to believe Him.

And we are to praise Him for the help He sends. Whatever way He sends it.

He is the means of Victory in our lives; and He has appointed prayer and belief and praise to go before us into the battles we fight.

God is Light

From the first few verses of the Bible to the last chapter, the Bible shows that God is Light. (Genesis 1:3, Revelation 22:5)

Spiritual Light is the manifestation of God. Whether it comes to a person, a people, or a church; when Light comes, God is shown in His grace and power. And when light comes, darkness flees.

Genesis l:2-3 “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”

When all was darkness and chaos; the Spirit of God moved, or brooded on the waters which covered the earth.

Then God said, Let there be light. That was all that was needed. He spoke, and it was done.

Light came, darkness departed.

Later He made a great light, the sun to rule over the day; and He made a lesser light, the moon, to rule over the night. (Genesis 1:16).

He wanted us to show His Way, by the lights….they would “rule”.

When God gives us guidance or a revelation of Himself….He calls it light.

When man was created, God breathed into him the breath of life, which is the Holy Spirit, and man became a living soul, with the Light of the Holy Spirit within. Man was spirit, soul, and body.

At the fall, the Holy Spirit left them because of sin; but the consciousness of God, or the “light that lighteth every man”, remained. (John 1:9).

Man was still spirit, soul, and body; only without the Holy Spirit within him, giving him Spiritual Life. He was spiritually dead. (Ephesians 2:1-3)

Whenever He dealt with anyone, He would offer them light…..light to bring them closer to Him.

He gave the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of light by night, to lead the children of Israel all the way to the Land of Promise.

Exodus 13:21 “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night.”

That light separated them from the forces of Pharaoh’s armies at the Red Sea Exodus 14:19-20 “And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went before their face, and stood behind them:

And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all night.”

The call to Israel was to obey, and “walk in the light”.

Isaiah 2:5 “O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.”

David’s psalms are full of the love of God’s light to him.

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?”

Psalm 37:5-6 “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgement as the noonday.”

God gives light to anyone, the moment they hear and turn to Him.

Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

God shows it to be as the dawning light, which keeps rising as we follow Him, till it is at high noon.

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

There are often shadows, and things that we let get in the way of the light, but as we follow and obey the Lord, we will come to high noon….where there is nothing between us and the Lord.

Jesus Christ was the Light

John 8:12 “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

And calls us to be lights, by His life in us, in this world.

Matthew 5:16 “Let your lights so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Spiritual Light is the manifestation of God. And think of it, He gives it to us!

When Light is shown, we are given knowledge of God, and what He would have us to do, or how to do.

And with the light, power to do, is given.

We are called to come to the light; and as Christians we are able to walk in the light.

Ephesians 5:8 “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light;”

1 John 1:7 “For if we walk in the light, as He is in the Light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

What a great privilege it is to have God’s Light shining in us and for us. To know His will, and do it.

For with the Light, comes grace (ability) to do.

Terrible will be the day when those who have rejected the Light, will be judged.

Jude 13 “Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.”

There will be no light in the lake of fire; only darkness, and torment.

But that is not what God’s wants……..He would have all come to the Light of Himself, and live in the sunlight of His love.

Enjoying His fellowship and growing in the knowledge of Him, day by day, till we reach heaven.

1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a 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:”

Behold I stand at the door, and Knock.

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

This is Jesus, standing outside the door of the Laodicean Church, knocking.

He is Standing, so our Faithful Lord is showing that He is ready to do, for the church. But He is outside, not inside, where He should be.

So, He speaks. He lets His Voice be heard.

But it is to the individuals inside the church that He speaks.

“If any man (that is woman, boy and girl, as well) will hear My voice and open the door”.

It is never to a particular building, that Jesus speaks; but to particular people.

Those that will “hear Him”.

There are many noises, and “voices” in this world.

They are all making demands on us: our emotions, our thoughts, and our time.

His Voice is the still, small voice in our hearts, calling us to “open to Him”. (1 Kings 19:11-12)

And what “door” are we to open to Him?

The door to our lives……our everyday lives.

This is to Christians, so the Lord Jesus is in our hearts; but He is calling us to let Him in every part of our lives.

When we get up,….He is there.

As we go out to jobs, school, doctor’s visits, wherever;…..He is there.

If we have sleepless nights,…..He is there.

Open to Me.

Open to fellowship. “Let us sup together”.

In Bible times, you never ate with an enemy, but only with friends, family, or to honor a guest.

This call to “sup”, means to let Him in your life as family. Let Him sit at your table and talk with you.

Let Him lead you into all His Will for you……at work, or relaxation, with friends, or wherever you go….open to Him there.

It is a life open to and receptive to Him.

Do you want Him more than you have Him now?

Then open to Jesus. He waits at the door of your life, for you to answer His call to you. To open every part of your life to Him.

Come in , come in, dear Lord Jesus; and let us have fellowship. You lead, and I will follow. I open my life to You. A life open to and receptive to You. Thank You, Thank you, dear Jesus, for standing and waiting for me.