The Healing of Ten Leper’s

Luke 17:11-12 “And it came to pass, as He went to Jerusalem, that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

And as He entered into a certain village, there met Him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:”

Jesus is in His last year of ministry, and He is going to Jerusalem, knowing full well what will happen there. (His betrayal, suffering, death, and resurrection)

But He did not just forget everything, or everyone along the way…no..He ministered till the end.

Luke 17:13 “And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”

So here He comes across ten lepers, all standing “afar off”….but crying out for help.

(It says “there met Him”, as if they knew He was going to pass this way, and waited to see Him)

Luke 17:14 “And when He saw them, He said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.”

Simple directions for their healing, if they follow them. And they did….and they were indeed healed, by obeying Jesus.

(Interesting fact: Leviticus 14:2 “This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing; he shall be brought unto the priest:”.

So their going to the priest was to fulfill the law, and by obeying Jesus, they were cleansed on the way.)

Luke 17:15-16 “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

And fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.”

Whether the other nine saw they were cleansed or not, right away, as this one did…..his “loud voice” would have told them…..but they did not turn around to give glory to God, or to thank the Lord Jesus.

No thanks is ever recorded from them. They obeyed and were healed from their leprosy…..without even a word of thanks.

(How do we react to the many blessings God gives us?)

But the one, a Samaritan, saw…returned to Jesus, praising God and giving thanks to Him…..and received further blessing.

Luke 17:19 “And He said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”

But why does Jesus say “thy faith hath made thee whole?” Wasn’t he healed already?

Because….

This healing was of the whole man…he was saved by faith in the Lord right then.

He was healed in his body, from the leprosy….when he obeyed Jesus.

And healed in mind and heart, by joyful thanksgiving…to God.

And healed in spirit, by salvation….when Jesus declared him whole!

Then he was given direction to return to his old life, in faith! “Go thy way…”

Amazing blessings…and that for the life ahead, because he came to Jesus in thanksgiving.

The ten knew God had healed them…..and their healing was enough for them, for that is all they wanted with Jesus.

(It was certainly a picture of the nation of Israel, and many; who wanted the things Jesus would do, but did not want Him)

(Are we crying out to Him for what He will do for us, and not who He is?)

But the Samaritan knew Jesus was the Son of God, and that He had healed him.

And he wanted….before anything else, to give Him thanks, for it.

We are told to:

1 Thessalonians 5:18-19 “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Quench not the Spirit.” (Don’t put out the fire of joy of the Spirit within you)

“For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.”

Are we fulfilling this part, of the will of God, in our lives?

The Ark of God

There are three Arks in scripture:

First:

Genesis 7:1 “And the Lord said unto Noah, come thou and all thy house into the Ark; for thee have I seen righteous before Me in this generation.”

Noah’ Ark proclaimed salvation from the wrath to come, upon the whole world, because of the wickedness and violence of man.

Genesis 6:5, 11 “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

The earth also was corrupt before God; and the earth was filled with violence.”

“Imagination” here means desires and plans….they were always planning some new way of hurting others, gaining from someone else, or destroying something.

Even the earth was becoming spoiled, and wasted.

[God had set a way to meet with Him, in sacrifice as Abel had (Genesis 4:4), but they had refused it.

God had warned Enoch, and he had been a preacher to his generation (Jude 14-15).

And when Enoch was translated…for he “walked with God, and was not, for God took him” (Genesis 5:24)….they knew what had happened…..but still resisted the Holy Spirit.]

Genesis 6:3 “And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.”

Twenty years later God called Noah to build an Ark…(he had found grace in the eyes of the Lord Genesis 6:8)….

[It is interesting to note: he “found grace”….had he considered to follow the world, yet was convicted of the Holy Spirit, and found grace?]

Noah built and preached for one hundred years to the mockers, and people who came to watch. (2 Peter 2:5, Hebrews 11:7)

He preached as he brought the animals….a miracle before the people, as well….yet they refused God’s Word.

The Ark was given as a beacon: a revelation to man that God was not mocked (Galatians 6:7-8)……

And a light…..He set a way of salvation, in the Ark, to the world from this destruction…..if they would turn, hear, and believe it.

The Ark saved all who entered into it…through rain, flood, and decay; yet all inside were safe…till they came out into a new, clean earth, one year, and two months later…(Genesis 8:13-17).

So our Great Ark, Jesus Christ is preached to a lost and dying world…Come and enter into life….in Him.

Acts 4:12 “Neither is their salvation in any other: for there is none other Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Second:

Exodus 2:3 “And when she could no longer hide him (Moses), she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s (Nile’s) bank.”

Moses’ ark of bulrushes…. to save one soul, from the most powerful man in the known world.

We need to first remember, that at that time, Pharaoh had planned to kill all the male Hebrew children, because the Israelites were multiplying…and he was afraid of an uprising.

They were often killed, by throwing them into the Nile.

Exodus 1:22 “And Pharoah charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.”

So his mother made a ark of bulrushes, and sent him into the same river that the children had been drowned…hoping no one would hear his crying…and set his sister to watch out for him.

We know the rest: the daughter of Pharaoh saw the ark, and when she opened it….God moved her heart to have compassion on a child her father would have killed. (Exodus 2:5-6)

Moses was to grow up, and was called to be the leader of God’s People to deliver them from Pharaoh, and Egypt’s slavery, by obedience to God.

To lead them to the land promised Abraham and his children. (Hebrews 11:23-29)

[We, too, are like babes in this world of cruelty and anger, but kept safe in the arms of Jesus]

This Ark saved a single soul, and was a hiding place in the storm of fear, and death.

So Christ Jesus came to save all who would shelter in Him…”whosoever will” (John 3:16)

Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come.

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

1 Corinthians 15:55, 57 “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Third:

The Ark of the Covenant, which was to lead His people, and be the gathering place for the worship of God.

Exodus 25:10-11, 17-18, 21 “And they shall make an Ark of shittim wood:….

And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shall thou over lay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.

And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold:….And thou shalt make two cherubim of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.

And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the Ark; and in the Ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.”

It was the presence of God in the midst of His people. (The Tabernacle was actually set up in the middle of the camp…with three tribes on each side.)

Exodus 25:22 “And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the Ark of the testimony,…”

The Ark of the testimony was wood…a picture of Christ’s humanity; and overlaid within and without with gold….a picture of Christ’s Divinity, within and without…even when He was the Son of Man, He was the Son of God.

The mercy seat was all gold. It was the lid of the Ark.

It had two cherubim on it. One on each side, looking down to the center. Their wings covering them.

The center of the mercy seat was the place where all looked to pray….and where the blood of the atonement was poured out.

Leviticus 16:14, 30 “And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.

For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord.”

In the Ark, was the two tables of stone on which the Law had been inscribed, sheltered under the blood.

The Ark lead them from Sinai, to the Promised land:

Numbers 10:35-36 “And it came to pass, when the Ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, Lord, and let Thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate Thee flee before Thee.

And when it rested, he said, Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel.”

The Ark lead them through Jordon, and around Jericho to victory. (Joshua 3:11, Joshua 6:11)

And came to rest in Canaan, first in Shiloh; and then in Jerusalem, under king David, where all were to gather for worship at least seven times a year (the feast days).

All are a picture of Christ, and His work as Lord and Savior:

First, as a Light to the world……for all who will come and believe:

Acts 17:30-31 “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent:

Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead.”

Christ is presented as the Savior from sin…..if they will come to Him.

Second, as a Personal Lord and Savior:

Romans 5:8, 11 “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom we have now received the atonement

Third, as our Center and Guide:

He leads us through “rivers, battles, and gives us rest”:

Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye.”

Isaiah 43:2 “When thou passes through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

The Arks of the Old Testament showed what the Lord would do for all who came to Him, and put their trust in Him.

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.”

Are you sheltered in Christ Jesus? Are you following His guidance?

Gather Together, and know His Presence in the Midst

Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Here is the true definition of a local church…gathered together in His Name.

When we are drawn to a place of worship, (and we believe there should be the Word of God preached there), and know we are there because that is where the Lord wants to be…then you are gathered in His Name…and He is in the midst.

There is a special manifestation in the corporate ministry of the church…for there is power there, to the accomplishing of His purpose, through that group.

It is not “super” Christians, but just those gathered together to know and do His Will.

It is the combined power of few or many, wanting His Will, and listening for it.

Hebrews 10:22-25 “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for He is faithful that promised;

And let us consider one another to provoke (incite or encourage) unto love and to good works.

Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

(First a word about “backsliding”. It is a term you do not hear so much about these days….but it is a term which means “to retreat from”, or “to go back, with the determined effort not to go on with God”.

It is interesting to note, that it is a term used once in Proverbs as a warning; and all the other times, is in Hosea, the prophet to the ten tribes of Israel in it’s last days before their captivity…..

And Jeremiah, the prophet to Judah in it’s last days before their captivity.)

Years ago, when I had come back to God, and I was reinstated back into the church, I was in a evening service (and frankly I felt, I was totally out of place).

Me, with these godly people, seemed ridiculous.

I was there, and when the time for testimonies and confessions came, I felt like I should speak….but…again how I felt, stopped me.

The preacher, a good man, felt there was more was to be done, and started right then to give an altar call.

The Lord was dealing with me to stand and speak up….but also with others…teenagers who had been in the church…but had started to fall away.

No had seemed to notice these problems…..but the Spirit convicted many that night…about backsliding sins….

…(not as serious as mine)…but problems that could have pulled many of them from God.

For some it had started to, for others it was a coldness which had come into their lives…..by anxiety and worldliness.

But all that came forward had heard the Lord’s voice to “Return unto Me.”

As many of them came forward, the preacher said that these were “good kids”, and he was right; yet the Spirit was drawing them….a lot of them.

I, too, went forward, and spoke:

I told about my backsliding sin, and how the Lord had got my attention and demanded my repentance….(He did not want to hear from me how I wanted to repent…no…I need to stop and get it out of my life, now.)

I told them how I did, right then…no more excuses. And how the Lord forgave me. Then I gave them the verses, He gave me:

1 Corinthians 1:18, 26-29 “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness, but unto us that are saved it is the power of God.

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

That no flesh should glory in His presence.”

It matters not who you are, or where you came from….but have you brought yourself to Christ’s cross, and received Christ as Lord and Savior?

Is His life, by the Holy Spirit, leading you? Or are you trying to lead Him?

There can be no fence sitting with God….you are either for Him, or against Him (Matthew 12:30)….we can not be ruled by two masters.

Matthew 6:24 “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye can not serve God and mammon.”

(Mammon, here speaks about the “wealth of the world”…any of it.)

True life in Christ is being born again, being saved from sin, the world, and self.

His life is being called to work as His servants, and to continue to stand with Him.

His life is hard times, and joyous times, of following Him. (mounting up as eagles, running, and walking. Isaiah 40:31)

Everything that comes to us, either will make us stronger in the faith, or make us step back, and retreat.

When faced with the thought of fighting giants to gain the Land, God brought them to…..many Israelites rebelled, and wanted to turn back…even to slavery in Egypt…

Numbers 13:31, 33 “But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers: and so we were in their sight.”

Numbers 14:4 “And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.”

But Joshua and Caleb saw Someone else: they saw the giants, they saw the battles ahead…..but they also saw the Lord, and that was enough for them.

Numbers 14:7-9 “and they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.

If the Lord delight in us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which flows with milk and honey.

Only rebel ye not against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.”

“They are bread for us”.

As we stand with the Lord, and have the victory in today…that will strengthen us for the next one.

Gather together, and know the Lord’s Presence in your assembling with other Christians.

Set things right with the Lord, and know His Power, there, and in your everyday battles, ahead.

The Test of Devotion/Where is the Lord God of Elijah?

2 Kings 2:1 “And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.”

Elijah was God’s Prophet. He had been called, when Israel was at one of it’s worst times.

He had proved that God was “the God”, before all Israel in a “showdown” with the four hundred priests of Baal, who were supported by Jezebel, the queen. (1 Kings 18:36-39)

His success there, thwarted the efforts of Jezebel to destroy the worship of God.

There were still those who were idol worshippers……but she could no longer kill, and torture those who believed in God, as she had before.

There had been a renewal of the worship of the Lord, because of Elijah.

But now it was time for Elijah to be taken to heaven. Years before, Elijah had been told to anoint Elisha as prophet, in his room. (1 Kings 19:16, 19-21)

And Elisha had been a servant to Elijah, as his helper, while his training had been going on. (Some say this took about ten years…for Elijah’s ministry went through Ahab’s reign into his son’s 2 Kings 1)

2 Kings 2:2 “And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Beth-el. And Elisha said unto him, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Beth-el.”

So Elijah and Elisha traveled from Gilgal to Beth-el together.

Elijah had asked Elisha to stay at Gilgal, but Elisha would not leave him. Where he went, his helper would go also.

Elisha knew that God was going to take Elijah, and he wanted to hear every instruction, every prayer, and every help he could, before that happened.

He also felt that being with him till the end was his duty.

That God would show him what to do nest, by it.

We have been called to follow Christ Jesus. Through His Word, He has shown us many things.

We know we are born again, but often, we are conscious of a lack of power in what we do….

How are we to do all we have been called to do? Of course, it is through the power of the Holy Spirit within….manifesting Himself through us….are we letting Him?

2 Kings 2:4 “And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.”

They travel on, together…they are traveling south and east…toward the starting place where Israel first came into the land of Canaan…to the River Jordan.

2 Kings 2:6 “ And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the Lord hath sent me unto Jordan. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.”

Stay here? Elijah asked, at both places…….But again came the reply, “I will not leave thee.”

Did Elisha know exactly what would happen?

I do not think so.

But, I believe, Elisha knew that the ministry of Elijah was ending…..and his, as God’s prophet to Israel, was beginning.

He knew that he would need to see the work Elijah started, done.

There were many who had come out of hiding, and now worship the Lord openly….but they needed instruction….so Elisha was to teach them.

God would part them….that was His Will……but Elisha would continue on as Elijah’s servant, and companion, till God did.

He would not leave him, till then.

2 Kings 2:7c-9 “…and they two stood by Jordan.

And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.

And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, that a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.”

Here Elisha sees once more the power of God Elijah received, and put to use.

And here, Elijah asks him “what shall I do for thee?”

Without hesitation, Elisha asks for a double portion of the power of God.

Why a double portion?

He felt that he needed more of that power of the Holy Spirit, to help him finish the work Elijah had started.

It is one thing to begin following the Lord….it is another to persevere through testing and trials….so…

If Israel was to be guided according to the Word of God, then Elisha would need double the power that Elijah had been given.

It is one thing to show God, as “the God”; as Elijah had.

But to guide the believers of God, into the life which they ought to have, stay with them, or visit them, to help them again and again.

This was Elisha’s ministry.

He felt that such a work, would need great power. The enemies of God were still at work. Idolatry was always a problem.

Elisha felt, if he was to serve acceptably as God’s Prophet, he would need much of the Holy Spirit.

2 Kings 2:10 “And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.”

Now if Elijah had said this at the first, we could understand Elisha’s sticking close to him.

But that was not the reason for him staying with Elijah.

His devotion was to the man who lead him into a deeper knowledge of God.

Elijah had taught Elisha many things, shared his experiences, and manifested to Elisha the great faithfulness of God to His people.

Now it was time for Elisha to do the same with the sons of the prophets (groups of believers which met together in various cities), and with Israel.

Elijah’s ministry would now be passed on to Elisha, to be finished.

2 Kings 2:11-13 “And it came to pass, as they went on, and talked that, Behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went by a whirlwind into heaven.

And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My Father, My Father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them into two pieces.

He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;”

Going on, walking and talking, as they had done so many times; God parted them, with a chariot of fire and horses of fire.

Elijah was taken up to heaven, without seeing death, and Elisha saw him no more.

Elisha then tore his outer clothes in two pieces, to show he was no longer just Elisha…..and he picked up the mantle Elijah had dropped (which had been cast upon him when Elijah had called him. 1 Kings 19:19).

He was now Prophet in Elijah’s place.

2 Kings 2:13-14 “He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of the Jordan;

And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said,

Where is the Lord God of Elijah? And when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: And Elisha went over.”

He asked, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?”…..are you with me as You were with Elijah?

He had received a double portion of the Holy Spirit which had been on Elijah.

He was now to finish the work of leading the believers of God, in Israel, on to a more full, and joyful life with God….even in these trying times.

In his ministry, Elisha dealt with kings, captains, and those which would be kings.

But his ministry mainly centered around the circuit he walked with his servants, to preach and instruct those that believed in God and stayed true to Him.

From Gilgal, to Mt. Carmel, to Samaria, to Beth-el, and around, Elisha went delivering the message of God; saving such as came to seek God’s help, and leading others to a fuller knowledge of God.

Elisha died an old man….ministering till the last to those who came to him. (2 Kings 13:13-21)

We, too, have a ministry for which we should seek the empowering of the Holy Spirit.

He is in us, if we are born again; but to have His power in our lives, we need to submit to Him.

The condition of Elisha receiving the double portion, was that he stay with Elijah to the end, and see him go.

So we, too, need to “stay with” the Holy Spirit, by obeying what we have been given to do, removing all that hinders His influence within us, and standing in the place Christ Jesus won for us in His Victory on the Cross.

Where is the Lord God of Elijah? He is the same, yesterday, and today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:8-9b “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace;…”

He is ever ready to give power to the faint, and to them that have not might, He increases strength. (Isaiah 40:29)

But it is as we “stay with”, and yield to the Holy Spirit within.

Forgive

Forgive in Scripture, in the Greek, means: to send away whole.

Plainly, sin and offenses leave “holes” in our lives; so to forgive, is to make each place healed….as though there was no hurt. (It does not take away the knowledge of the offense….but the wound is healed.)

Matthew 18:21 “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?”

Jesus had been talking about people offending children, and other people. As He said, “it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!” (Mat. 18:7)

In that light, Peter asks the Lord, how many times should he forgive an offending brother?

Jesus then sets down a clear statement about how we are to forgive.

Matthew 18:22 “Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, until seventy times seven.”

I don’t know what Peter thought of this number…..but I would have thought, “How am I to keep count? I’ll never remember what number I am at.”

But that was the point: we are to forgive, and to forgive, and to forgive, without trying to count to a certain point, because God forgives us and our offenses to Him, without measure.

Matthew 18:23 “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.”

This begins a parable which shows the willingness of God the Father to forgive us.

And that He requires that same willingness within us, for those who sin against us.

Matthew 18:24. “And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.”

Here is a huge debt! This is a picture of the debt of sin we all have. (Romans 3:23)

Matthew 18:25 “But for as much as he had not to pay, (and none of us could pay the debt we owe to God), he commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.”

What was to be done?

To get as much from the investment in this man, this king would have to sell the man and his family, into slavery; and confiscate all that he had, to be auctioned off.

Matthew 18:26-27 “The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

Then the Lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.”

Sometimes we think that we can earn God’s approval by doing better, by becoming religious, or by good works.

But the only means whereby our debts are removed before God…..is His forgiveness.

But God, through Christ Jesus, does forgive our debts.

And how should we act, because He has forgiven us?

We should forgive those that trespass against us.

If you read the rest of the parable, you will find this forgiven servant, went out from where he might have been put in slavery…….and finding a fellow servant which owed him money (a very small amount compared to the amount he was forgiven).

What did he do to this fellow servant?

Matthew 18:28-30 “…he laid hands on him, and took by the throat, saying, Pay me what thou owest.

And his fellow servant….besought him, saying, Have patience with me and I will pay thee all.

And he would not: but…cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.”

What?!

What unkindness, and ingratitude for the forgiveness he had received!

Did he think he merited to be forgiven? And others did not?

The fellow servant’s debt was small in comparison to his, and he did not need that money to repay his own debt…..Should he not have forgiven freely, as he was freely forgiven?

(Yet how many times we act the same way to our brothers and sisters in Christ. We get angry and say things. We ask forgiveness and it comes…..but when others say something about us? Do we forgive?)

But the Lord found out what he had done. It saddened Him to hear.

Calling the servant back, he required at his hand the same treatment he gave his fellow servant.

Why?……because he had not “compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee.”(Matthew 18:33)

Jesus was stressing to His disciples the importance of not offending each other…..and if the offense has come:

to forgive, as our Father in Heaven has forgiven us.

Much blessing is given those to do forgive (hard as it seems at the time).

And much sadness and depression comes to those who do not.

Forgive, as I forgive you, Jesus said. And joy and blessing will follow.

Mark:

2 Timothy 4:11 “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”

It was not always so. Mark the writer of the Gospel of Mark, was first named in:

Acts 12:12 “And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.”

He was a believer, young and right in the middle of things from the first.

The verses where he is first mentioned, was where Herod began a persecution against the church.

James was taken and killed by the sword. (Acts 12:1-2). And Peter was taken, and put in prison.

But Peter, was kicked awake by an angel, and brought out of prison (Acts 12:6-11).

Then he found his way to Mary’s house, a Christian who had kept a prayer meeting going for his release.

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

And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; for many were gathered together praying.”

Mary was John Mark’s mother, and Mark saw many wonderful things in those early days.

But his personal faith was not so strong. (Which suggests that seeing miracles, or great spiritual acts does not always increase faith…by themselves.)

Paul and Barnabas had John Mark for their helper, when they went out on their first missionary journey.

Acts 13:5 “And when they were come to Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.”

But as they went on in their missionary journey; John Mark became frightened and decided to go back from the work, to Jerusalem, where he thought he would be safe.

Acts 13:13 “Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.”

Paul and Barnabas continued their journey, experiencing many wonderful and terrible things (this missionary journey was where Paul was stoned: Acts 14:19).

But no John Mark.

After the first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas went up to Jerusalem to speak about the growing problem of Judiazers.

(Those that taught they could not be saved except they follow the Law, as well.)

Acts 15:1 “And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”

Paul and Barnabas were sent by the brethren to go to Jerusalem, and having spoken about what the Holy Spirit was doing among the Gentiles…..it was determined that God had received the Gentiles…

so they made the decision to admit them, without making them follow the Law.

John Mark must have come with the men which came back to the church at Antioch, for he is Barnabas’ nephew.

Some while later, Paul and Barnabas begin to talk of visiting the churches they had preached to before (Acts 15:36)

But before they get started, “a contention”.

Acts 15:37-38 “And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

But Paul thought not good to take with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia and went not with them to the work.”

You will notice the terms the Holy Spirit uses here:

Barnabas “determined”.

Paul “thought not good”.

John Mark was Barnabas’ nephew, and he would want to give him another chance to do what he should have.

But his “determined”, meant, he already had his mind made up.

He was going to do this. No matter what anyone said….this is never a good attitude.

Paul “thought it not good”. He was looking at the churches.

How would it appear to them, to have someone who would not hazard his life for Christ to come and minister to them?

These churches had begun to experience persecutions……how could Mark stand before them?

Now notice the Holy Spirit’s terms for the results of this “contention”.

Acts 15:39-40 “And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.”

Barnabas “took”. His mind had become hard, unmoving on this point; this was what he was going to do.

Paul “chose”. Thinking what should be best for Christ’s work.

Barnabas took off with Mark. It seems as if the Holy Spirit is emphasizing his willfulness. What a shame! You never hear of Barnabas’ work in the Scriptures again.

Paul chose, having the recommendation of the brethren, unto the grace of God.

Two different choices…two different ways.

But what about Mark?

Was there really a second chance for him? Of course….with the Lord, in His Way, there is always a way of forgiveness and restoration.

Some say that under the hand of Peter, he grew up into Christ.

For he was Peter’s helper.

1 Peter 5:13 “The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.”

Some say the Gospel of Mark is actually Mark, writing it for Peter.

Whether that is true, Mark was restored to a work, for the Lord.

He grew up, and began to understand the true value of the life in Christ Jesus, no matter what the place or circumstances.

For it is not just miracles, and signs; but life, real life in our spirits, souls (personalities), and bodies.

Paul wrote later of Mark:

Colossians 4:10″Aristarchus my fellow prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom you received commandment: if he come unto you receive him:)

2 Timothy 4:11 “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”

Mark has become “profitable”….a vessel meet for the Master’s use (2 Timothy 2:20-21)

Later Paul writes about bishops:

1 Timothy 3:6-7 “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

He also wrote:

1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation (everyday actions), in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

We are to keep growing by yielding to the Holy Spirit, in encouragement, correction, and guidance.

We will never have sinless perfection…but we can be forgiven…grow…and go on with Christ.

Mark did.

Partakers of His Holiness

Hebrews 12:10 “For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.”

Let us consider “Holiness”, for there is a lot of confusion about this word.

Holiness when it speaks about God, is His sinlessness.

This attribute is the beauty and perfection of all His attributes, which are many. He is Good, Mighty, Powerful, Merciful, full of Grace, Purposeful, Wise, and much more.

But Holiness is the greatest attribute, for His purity of thought, will, and action is wonderful.

(Imagine a God who was wicked, or greedy, or impure. What a hell, created beings would be placed in, under him.)

But holiness, when it speaks about Christians, is when we willingly place ourselves at God’s disposal; to do with us as He wills.

To send us where He wills. And to give us the circumstances of our lives, as He wills.

(In essence, it is the same as sanctification. Holiness is the noun; sanctification is the process of getting there.)

So when it says “that we might be partakers of His holiness”…..it means that we, by the Holy Spirit within, begin to experience God’s love of purity.

We begin to seek how to please Him, by the obedience of life and heart.

This is a process, which begins at new birth, and continues on, throughout our Spiritual lives.

When we fall down, He will correct us, and we get back up, to walk with Him.

Hebrews 12:11 “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grieveous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

It is for our profit…..that we might have the freedom of a life, lived in fellowship with Him.

Fellowship is what God wants to share with us.

(We go from the fellowship of children, knowing mostly His love and care….

to the fellowship of disciples, learning His ways and commands for “me”….

to the fellowship of friends, walking and sharing all He has for us….

and it continues on, and will forever!)

The Lord showed me this, very clearly once:

Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for my own sake, and will not remember thy sins.”

I was an alcoholic. And when I became born again, He removed the desire for the drink.

Praying about the great and wonderful grace He had given me….

…He said, “I didn’t pick you up out of the gutter, so you could be….”somebody”.

I picked you up, and cleaned you up, so that I could have fellowship with you.”

This was all for His own sake: And I praises Him for it!

Hebrews 12:12-13 “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.”

Lift up the hands which hang down. Tired? Are you weary in well doing?

Then raise up your hands in thanksgiving and praise….

Remember the many mercies He has given you, and begin there.

Ephesians 5:19-20 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in you heart to the Lord;

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”

Then the present gifts of grace and peace will come to mind, and thank Him for them.

And most of all remember to thank Him for Who He is to you. Savior, Friend, Comforter, and King.

(Don’t you feel your heart being lifted, even now?)

And the feeble knees. Those things which should be holding you steady, are feeling weak?

Strengthen them by determining to stand in your place (not someone else’s place… being like someone else never make you strong) as He has shown you.

(Sometimes it takes great determination to overcome the fear; but if you will determine, He will give you power to overcome.

And if you do not know: will to know and He will show you. John 7:17. “…he shall know of the doctrine, or will…”)

And make straight paths for your feet.

If you have been “wobbling” back and forth from the world’s plans,….to God’s will…….Stop!

(“A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:8)

Has your experience been like the ship in a storm: up, one minute; and down the next?

He has stability and established strength for you (1 Peter 5:10). You can make straight paths for your feet.

This is to set in order before Him the purpose we were created for; and the means, or way that you should take.

Seek the Lord for just what you should do, each day.

Well, you say, I have to go to work, or school. Or today I do the laundry, or visit Aunt Mary.

What it means is that we are to bring all our plans for each day to Him, and seek guidance from Him for them….what ever they are.

It is not just where we go, but in the attitude we take with us.

I have visited many people, not because they were nice, or even because they wanted to see me….

But I went, because the Lord wanted me to.

Simple as that. And then, it was according to God’s Will. The Lord’s blessing could attend it.

I have gone to my job, with the same attitude; Because the Lord told me, I was not there as men pleasers; but “I serve the Lord Christ.”

Colossians 3:23-24 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

This is to make straight paths for your feet. You will not stumble or fall, if you follow your Master, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Where He leads, He has gone before. When He stops us; it is so we will not fall off a cliff (even if we can not see it).

Yield to the Holy Spirit’s impressions within, and Christ’s guidance in His Word to us; and be “partakers of His Holiness”.

Isaiah 30:21 “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the Way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”

His Voice is in our ears, if we want to hear…

This way leads to joy,…and usefulness.

Ye are the Salt of the Earth

Salt, in scripture, is the preserving power of active righteousness, and grace.

Salt preserves whatever it is in. It keeps it from becoming putrid and rancid. It kills the germs which would destroy it.

So salt, as Jesus talks about here, is the grace which always seeks the right way of acting and doing. It preserves us from the corrupt policies of the world, and the rotten attitudes and opinions from within ourselves.

It keeps us set aside to God, and His will for us.

In the narrow way, we are helped and maintained by the preserving power of salt.(The empowering of grace, which supports our obedience, each day)

Matthew 5:13 “Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt hath lost it’s savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and be trodden under foot of men.”

(Salt works its way into things. If you salt meat on the outside, and let it set; that salt will work its way into the meat, and season all of it.)

Like salt on meat, so the “salt” of active obedience, and grace works its way into our hearts, cleansing and purifying us; so that we can have that strengthening fellowship with our Lord Jesus, that we need.

Every sacrifice in the Tabernacle, was to be offered with salt. The nature of man is corrupt; and so it must be “salted”, so the sacrifice unto God would be acceptable.

(Romans 12:1-2). For the salting showed the Covenant of God, who set aside a people to be His, in righteousness, and holiness. The salt symbolized this.

The salt for the sacrifice was provided by money which all the people gave. It showed that fellowship with their Holy God, was to be enjoyed, and preserved by the obedience of all the people.

Leviticus 2:13 “And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the Covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thy offerings thou shalt offer salt.”

The salt of grace tests everyone.

Mark 9:49-50 “For everyone shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltiness, wherewith shall ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another. ”

Either it will preserve us from the uncleanliness of the world, the flesh, and the devil;

Or our sins will be a fire within us. For the pleasures we secretly desire, and won’t put away; will burn us up.

Salt is good. For all who use it. Grace is the unmerited favor of the power of God in a Christian’s life.

Are we putting to use, the “salty” nature of grace for ourselves?

Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

We are to “season” our conversations with the knowledge of Christ, and grace. We are to use wisdom and grace to answer every man that asks us of the hope that is within us, with meekness and fear.(1 Peter 3:15)

Ephesians 3:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

Salt is good. It preserves our hearts, and tongues. Let us use the salt of grace, and have fellowship with Christ Jesus in all we do.

Let us be the salt of the earth, helping to preserve those we come into contact with; by showing forth the righteousness of Christ.

Keep the Garden of our Souls

Genesis 2:15 “And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.”

In the beginning, God placed man in a beautiful garden, to dress and keep it.

After the fall of man, when he was chased out of Eden for his sin; he was given another garden to keep: The garden of our souls.

Our souls are our minds, hearts, and wills….our personalities.

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

Is our soul-garden producing fruit? Or is it full of thorns and briers?

Hebrews 6:7-8 “For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, recieveth the blessing from God:

But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.”

Here is the complaint of many workers of God…they have been busy keeping a watch for other souls (by prayers, and the Word)….

but often forget the one thing needful for themselves…..fellowship and communion with Jesus Christ.

The Lord Jesus, when He was here on earth, gave a parable about a certain fig tree:

Luke 13:6–9 “He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.

Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years have I came seeking fruit on this fig tree and found none: cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground?

And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I dig about it, and dung it:

And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that Thou shalt cut it down.”

Yes, He was speaking about Israel here….yet the meaning is true for all who are not bearing fruit.

(For you see, we all bear fruit, if we have His Spirit and faith within)

The Father is telling His gardener, Jesus Christ, to get rid of this plant. I’ll plant something else….it is no good.

But Jesus says, Father Lord, let Me dig about it…..give them more of the influence of the Spirit, and more Light.

Let Me fertilize it by showing more of My Word. I will cause an awakening to come, and see if they will respond and yield.

If they yield and obey Me; and bear fruit (the fruit of the Spirit [Galatians 5:22-23] within)…..all will be well.

If not, then they are in Your hands to trim, or cut off any excess; or remove it altogether.

But how do we keep our souls? How do we bear fruit?

It comes, in yielding to the life within. Yeilding is to come over to Their side.

God places His life within us by His Holy Spirit, and gives us faith.

Faith is an active ingredient….It works, and never stops working in us…to keep us grounded in Him.

By faith we believe…(Hebrews 11:3)

By adding to our faith, by the promises God gives us, we receive much more….(2 Peter 1:5-8)

By faith we overcome…(1 John 5:4)

By faith we remove the mountains of problems and anxiety….(Matthew 17:20)

It is our shield against the fiery accusations of the devil….(Ephesians 6:16)

We are sanctified by faith…(Acts 26:18)

Christ Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith.

Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

He works within us….and around us in our circumstances…..and for us….to bring us into His presence with praise.

Let us learn to yield to Him, in His Word, His Spirit, and His light.

Jude 20-21 “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.”

What grows in the garden of your soul?

Jude 24-25 “Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.

A New Way

Joshua 3:4 “Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: Come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which you must go: For ye have not passed this way heretofore.”

“You have not passed this Way, before.”

The Israelites were crossing Jordan to obtain their inheritance as God’s people.

They were to keep in their sight the Ark of God, which was way out front, for that would lead them right.

There would be battles, some miraculous, others hard fought. (Jericho—Joshua 6:20; the forced march to Gibeon—Joshua 10:9-10)

There would be failures, and repentance’s. (Achan’s theft—Joshua 7:10-11)

There would be those who did not want to leave the safety of the camp, to go into their own territory. (Joshua 18:3-4)

And mostly there would be God, always present, guiding and leading….first, by Joshua.

Then by the Law and priests.

Then by their own love of God……if they would continue in it.

We have not passed this Way before. We are entering into new territory, new promises.

There is new ground to walk, new heights to be gained.

[Once I was taking one of my prayer walks, and I was praying about some things the Lord had been dealing with me about….when the Lord showed me that I had finally got these things into my life.

(Sometimes, when you have been working at something for a while, as I had, we need to see just how far we have come….it is a great feeling to know you have got further with the Lord.)

Wow! I felt on top of the heights! And the Lord let me feel that for awhile as I praised Him for bringing me through.

Then it was like He nudged me, and said, “But up there is where we are going”……and as though the fog lifted before me, I saw a mountain, very high, and a pinnacle there.

Yes, I had finally gotten this habit taken care of, but there was so much more to have in Christ….and He wanted me to know the….’where “we” are going’.

There had been joy before, but now there was joy poured forth. I felt empowered to leap mountains.

I have found, since then, the way up, is difficult….but He has been with me. And He has always been my greatest joy.]

“You have not passed this Way, before.”

Our inheritance is in what we become, by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

And the calling and ministries He has given us.

It is the fruit of the Spirit within. As we bare this fruit within, we conqueror our souls.

Christ has saved them…now we are to possess them and give them back to Him, in love, joy, peace, etc.

Luke 21:19 “In your patience possess ye your souls.”

In other words, have your mind, heart and will under subjection to God,….so no matter what is going on around you, you will be kept and steady in the storm.

The Holy Spirit uses His Word to guide us into bearing these fruits; having what the Lord has for us….within us…and then through us.

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

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

Love: The Spirit first makes sure, you know, you are loved of God. (1 John 4:19)

Then He implants love within you, for the Lord, and His people. He leads you into desiring Him, in all His attributes.

Joy: This is a choice fruit….for it is the lifting up of our hearts and minds, no matter what is going on. It is of the Lord, and not circumstances…and it can not be “worked up”, but it is a gift from our most Joyous God. (It makes us like cream….always rising to the top)

Peace: This places us firmly on the only solid ground…the Rock of Christ…and keeps us there. The wind, storm, and enemies below may threaten….but can not move us off our Rock. (Philippians 4:7)

Long-suffering: This is “putting up with” people for Christ’s sake. Giving them another chance. In the Greek it means, “long enduring temper” or patience.

Gentleness: Being as kind to others, as Christ has been to you.

(We know a “yeller”. When this person would get frustrated or upset, their voice would get louder and louder. Not screaming or horrible words, but loud. It took a long time for the Holy Spirit to work this in that person’s life. And as they say, Keeps working in me.)

Goodness: This comes from the “good works” we are to do as His workmanship…”created in Christ Jesus unto good works…”(Ephesians 2:10).

We are to be useful: to our family, our church, and others. (Romans 15:14)

Faith: This is a gift from God to us, that we might know Him, and this we are to do…using our faith, we are to increase our knowledge of the Lord by believing.

(Matthew 9:28-29 “And when He was come into the house, the blind men came to Him: and Jesus said unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto Him, Yea, Lord.

Then touched He their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it done unto you.”

We are to increase our faith by believing Him, in all situations.)

Meekness: This is becoming humble…letting the Lord have all the glory, and letting Him exalt you, when He thinks it is good.

[It is interesting to note, that as we go on with the Lord, we become more focused on giving Him all the praise…for we realize, after dealing with us so tirelessly, He deserves more than we can ever give.]

James 4:6 “But He giveth more grace, wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

Temperance: Self-control, or to have the mastery over yourself.

And this leads us back to:

“In your patience possess ye your souls.”

God wants us to obtain all the promises, all the gifts, all the fruits…..all…everything that He has for us, in and by the Holy Spirit within.

He uses every situation, everyday to lead us forth to new things.

Will we be lead out, and follow Him?…..”for ye have not passed this way, before”.