Let’s Talk Protection

Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren,  be strong in the Lord,  and in the power of his might.”

Our protection, as Christians, is in the Lord.

First,  in keeping us out of harms way.

We are to pray that He will guide us away from temptations…….and if we do not listen to Him and walk into them,….to deliver us from them.

Matthew 6:13 “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:  For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen”

He has the power to keep, and He has the power to deliver.  Let us pray that we will listen to His guidance, that we might be kept by Him.

Second, we are to put on our armor.

Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armor of God,  that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Wiles are tricks, and traps that the devil puts in front of us;  hoping we will fall into them.

The Armor consists of pieces of Spiritual Help which we are to use.  (Ephesians 6:14-18)

1. “Our loins girt about with truth”.      This was a very wide belt which surrounded the soldier.   It helped strength the back;  and the breastplate was attached to it.                  Truth is absolutely necessary:  we must have it, and believe it.    The truth about Christ Jesus, and His Word to us.   We must have it by faith, believing it by obedience, in our lives.

1.  “The breastplate of righteousness”.   This is Christ’s righteousness applied to us, before God;…….and our righteous acts (obedience to Him) that we do.   Our hearts…the things we love…are kept pure from the world’s attractions…..when we are sure we are born again and we are holding on to His Word, by obeying it.

1.  “Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace”.   We stand strong with Him,  when we are standing in His peace.   We are unmoved from our stand, by people, or circumstance.

1.   “The shield of faith”.   It was to be held where the need was:  over the head,  when our understanding is attacked by fiery darts.       In front to help with our emotions.     Everywhere, to fight off  unbelief, and fear.              1 John 1:4  “…this is the victory that overcometh the world,  even our faith.”

1. “The helmet of salvation”.   This protects our thoughts from the influence of the world’s attitudes.       The world is all out for itself.  Forget kindness, or good works;  look for what you can get out of it—nothing else.       These thoughts often trouble us,  for we are often in need.      But the helmet of salvation protects us;  making us realize the many blessings of God for us,  that we may be thankful to Him.

1. “The sword of the Spirit”.   The sword is the Word of God.   It is a Bible verse or short saying from the Word.      The Holy Spirit uses it in power, against our adversaries,    when we say it.

1. “All prayer and supplication”.    This is just what it says:  praying. (Supplication simply means seeking earnestly by prayer).      This comforts us,  for to talk with our Lord Jesus everyday,  is joy.   And prayer works….”…the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth  much.” (James 5:16)

Our protection is in the Lord.  We are to recognize that His saving us includes His saving us from our sins,….as well as many physical, mental, and emotional deliverances….as we stand with Him.

God our Father is our protection for He loves us with an everlasting love.

    Christ Jesus is our protection for He died for us to bring us into fellowship with Him, now, and forever in Heaven, which is our safety.

    The  Holy Spirit is our protection,  for it is by His guidance, and grace (the unmerited favor of power) within us, that we  are enabled, in our walk, from here to Heaven.

Thou Wilt 

Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,  whose mind is stayed on Thee:  because he trusteth in Thee.”

This peace is not the result of our self determination….trying to “be calm”,……but it is ministered to us by God.

Peace of mind  is freedom from anxiety,  worry,  fear,  and panic…

….God gives this to us, as we commit ourselves unto Him.

The word “mind” here is imagination….and how easily they can carry us away.

(A funny story:  when my daughter was small (about 35 years ago)….a member of our congregation gave us a old rooster they had to get rid of.  

       We braised it with vegetables….very tasty.   Evidently their family did not want to try and eat it.

       Well, when my daughter heard we were having rooster, she asked what it tasted like.

“Like chicken”, I said, not thinking anything about it.

“Yea, well somebody said rattlesnake taste like chicken (where she heard that, I have no idea!)….are we eating snake?”

“No, no” I said, laughing,  “a rooster is a boy chicken.”

“Oh….ok”……but she sure looked at it when it came on her plate.

We still laugh about….”Is this real chicken,chicken?”)

How often we “imagine” scenarios in our minds, with the knowledge we have….when what we need to do….is trust Jesus….

…..He knows everything…and is prepared for everything…..and will guide us, if we will let Him.

Trust is to hang on to.  

When our hearts are looking to Christ, and our minds are trusting Him for our lives…..we have peace.

It garrisons us…..like a fortress;  we are kept from the chaos of worry and from the desire to “do something”…..when we do not know what to do.

Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

For those that love God;….who are listening for His Voice,….when we are doing His Will….it brings peace to our lives, like nothing else.   

There is a settled rest within us…..no matter what is around us.

Isaiah 48:18 “O that thou hast harkened to My commandments!  Then had thy peace been as a river, and they righteousness as the waves of the sea:”

Our peace comes to us through Christ:

Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

“Thou wilt”.    God will….amazing promise…

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you,  My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Isaiah 26:3-4 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,  whose mind is stayed on Thee:  because he trusteth in Thee.

            Trust ye in the Lord forever:  for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.”

“Stayed” has the meaning of longevity…..it is a decision to keep before our thoughts…..this one particular thought…..”I am God’s, and He is here with me”

And this is personal.   “Thou wilt keep him….”

I love this verse in Psalms:

Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses:  but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”

Chariots and war horses lined up in battle make a grand sight….and many have trusted in them, only to be broken and defeated by God. 

(Pharaoh’s army at the Red Sea,  the five kings Joshua 10:11,  the siege of Samaria 2 Kings 7:4-7,  Singing instead of fighting 2 Chronicles 20:17,21-22, and others,….because they believed in God.)

But the Name of my God, if remembered (that Name suggesting all of His character and attributes)…..will stay our hearts and minds in the battles we face….today.

He will give us peace.

Do not sorrow….even as others

A little background is necessary:   

The Thessalonians were a strong and loving church.   They had been established by Paul under persecution….

….yet they manifested love to each other and all around them in Macedonia.

This is marvelous……the trials and persecution did not come between them and their Lord, but pushed them closer to Him.

Yet they had a sorrow.

     Paul had told them of the coming of Christ for His church…..that they were to watch for themselves……..so they would be ready for His return.

And they had…..they were faithful and watchful.

But some of those who had first believed had died….

…and those who were alive wondered about them.

Would they see Christ come for them?

Paul wrote back….giving the Word of the Lord for them…..a revelation from the Lord to Paul,  for all of us.

“Do not sorrow….even as others who have no hope.”

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain shall not prevent them which are asleep.

        For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

        Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

Though their bodies sleep in the earth….their souls are with Christ in heaven.

So that when He comes to rapture His church…..they will come with Him….and their bodies shall rise and come together with their souls…

…..and we,  who are alive shall be caught up to meet Him in the skies!

Notice,  the name Paul uses here….”the Lord”.   It was a favorite name of Paul…for remember when Christ Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus….he said…

….”Who art thou Lord?”,   And “Lord, what would you have me to do?”   

(In the name “Lord”,  is defined One who is Superior…..One who rules….One who can speak and it will be done.

And when we say “Lord”…..we should be acknowledging that Christ are these things to us….as Paul did)

Paul gave his life to the Lord that day…..and proclaimed His goodness and mercy from that day forth.

Notice also,   “The Lord, Himself shall descend from heaven”…..

….Christ Jesus will not send an angel….no, not even the highest form of angels to meet His beloved church when they come from their workplace of earth….

….but the Lord Himself shall come to meet us!

There will be a trumpet sound.

When God assembled the congregation of the children of Israel….there was a trumpet sound

Numbers 10:2-3 “Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them:  that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and or the journeying of the camps.

        And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.”

We shall all come…..assembling with the Lord….caught up to ever be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

We should not sorrow….as others that have no hope…..

Death can not separate us from the promises of God…..for Christ has overcome death,……as well as sin. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)

But we are to “watch”…..be ready…..be waiting….be awake.

1 Thessalonians 5:5-6 “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day:  we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

        Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”

To be sober here is to refrain from selfish indulgences…..which hinder our readiness….and keep us looking other places than at Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 “But let us,  who are of the day,  be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.”

The armor spoken of here is only defensive….(in Ephesians 6:10-18 it is offensive as well)….

….it is speaking of guarding our inward life….

…..that we will be growing in grace….and ready for Christ’s coming.

The breastplate covers our heart and it’s affections.

The helmet covers our mind and it’s reasons and imaginations.

These are to be guarded if we are to walk in the Light.

And what is our armor here?    Faith is our foundation grace…..uniting us with Christ our Rock.

Love is our motive…..For we love Him, because He first loved us (1 John 4:19)

These….if we are using them…..guards our hearts.

Hope…..the confident expectation that God will do what He says…..guards out minds.

       Hope of salvation is the Holy Spirit reminding us that God is working all things to bring us to the fullness of our salvation…..within….and one day, with Him….as He has said.

It guards our thoughts.

1 Thessalonians 5:6 “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others;  but let us watch and be sober.”

We are not to sorrow as others who have no hope…..for our God has a plan and a purpose for each of us….

…He will come for us,…and we will rise to meet Him in the air.

We are to watch, using the means the Lord has provided (faith, love, and hope)…..in these dark times……so that our inner life will be kept for the joy and enjoyment of our Lord.

Heed my Reproof 

Proverbs 1:20-23 “Wisdom crieth without;  she uttereth her voice in the streets:

         She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates:  in the city she uttereth her words,  saying, 

         How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning,  and fools hate knowledge?

         Turn you at my reproof:  behold, I will pour out My Spirit unto you,  I will make known My Words unto you.”

If you will notice here in these verses,  Wisdom is seen as female….”she”.

This is important…..because it is to be us,  as God’s servants (no, not just His ministers, pastors, or teachers)…..but all of us as HIs church,  His believers,  who are crying out HIs Wisdom to all passerby’s.

(Now I am not advocating for preaching on street corners…..unless you are so called.     I am advocating for us to “send the light”…..to witness to others….to show the truth of God’s Word.)

     But it is a picture of God’s Wisdom being shared with all the others….

….in the streets,  in the work places,  in the place of courts and gatherings, and in the city….

….all that we come into contact with….to be “crying” to them to repent and come to God.

This is true Wisdom.

(It is interesting to note that there are two definitions for “crieth”,  in the Hebrew in these verses….

….the first “Wisdom crieth without” speaks for letting out a shout for joy!   Letting everyone know the good news.

The second….”She crieth in the chief places…”. Speaks of stopping someone to make sure they hear the invitation.)

“How long ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?”   These “simple ones” are those who refuse to go on with the Lord.

        They know “enough”.   They are “comfortable” in their lives with God….except God says that He has been calling them to go on with Him,  and they have refused.

“The scorners delight in their scorning”.   The scorners are they, who mock God’s Word…..who love to “poke holes” (or so they think) in the gospel.

        They work very hard at laughing at the call to repent.    They will not hear of their “sins”…..no,  they are eager to point out others “faults”, and call all believers hypocrites, as they slander them.

        The best illustration of scorners are those…..who seeing Noah build an ark on a hill…..came to hear him preach to repent and believe God….and went away laughing at that “crazy Noah”.

         At least,   until it started to rain.

“Fools hate knowledge”.     Fools say “no, God”. (Psalm 14:1)

          They refuse to hear, proclaiming the absence of Truth….and rejecting God, who is Truth.

          “A fool is he who through this life pursues the clouds he can not own…..and leaves a wealth of things undone…..his tomb a final stepping stone”

          When preaching on these verses, my husband used to quote this.

What emptiness and doom! What a life!    Wishing for things that can never be…..while the things they could have done,……were right before them….left undone.

But God’s call goes out to all of them…..”Heed My reproof”

       “Turn you at My reproof”.   

       And it goes out through us,  His believers.

But, no matter who goes by on the street, work place, or anywhere…..God’s reproof…..God’s call to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ….goes forth in Wisdom….

…..as we show His light and Word, in our lives and words.

For if they will “turn”…..God would pour out His Spirit in faith, grace, salvation and sanctification.     

        God would make known to them His Words of life.   

        If they will do it…..He would “pour out”……that is abundantly meet the need….

……His Spirit unto them.

Are we ready to manifest God’s Wisdom…..and shout out with joy…..and give the invitation to those we come into contact with…..His Word,  His Gospel.

Acts 17:30-31 “….but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

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

Christ is coming again,….have we given the message,   we have been given to share?

Stand ye in the Ways

Jeremiah 6:16 “Thus saith the Lord,  Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths,  where is the good way,  and walk therein,  and ye shall find rest for your souls.     But they said,   We will not walk therein.”

Jeremiah was called to a time,  like ours,  where much religion was going on;  but very little true obedience to God.   They had all the outward trappings and show…….but none of the devotion to God and His commandments.

Under King Josiah, who was a godly king;   Jeremiah was given the job of going about Judah and instructing the people in the laws of God.  This was important….to know the Word of God….what it says and what He promises those who turn to Him and obey Him.

Many did not want to hear, for they had been influenced by the idolatrous nations round about them;  and refused subjection to the Lord, although they went along with the outward ceremony….along with worshipping idols.

Jeremiah 2:13 “For my people have committed two evils;  they have forsaken me the fountain of living water, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.”

Then he was told to go to Jerusalem and preach there…telling the people what God would do, if they would repent and turn back in obedience to Him.

He would forgive and help them:

Jeremiah 7:5-7″For if ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor;

               If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow,  and shed not innocent blood in this place,  neither walk after other gods to your hurt:

              Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever.”

For what God wanted of His people was that they obey Him, from the heart.

“Stand ye in the ways”.        

In the Hebrew,  means “Get up and do it”

Start actively seeking My ways.    

If you just do this seeking, you are returning to your God and honoring Him.   

This I will count,….and will honor you,  in return.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,  saith the Lord,  thoughts of peace, and not of evil,  to give you an expected end.

                    Then shall ye call upon Me,  and ye shall go and pray unto Me,  and I will hearken unto you.

                     And ye shall seek Me,  and find Me,  when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.

                     And I will be found of you, saith the Lord:….”

And ask for the old paths:   The  path of obedience to His Word,….which leads us to straighten out our lives before Him.

God has made a way to return to Him…..take it.

(How was it with those who came before us?  

Those that martyred their lives for God and his gospel?  From the apostles to our forefathers?

How did they attain to what they had?

Through the Holy Spirit’s enabling, and the Word of God to them.

We must seek out the truth of the Scriptures for ourselves:   What does it say to me?

For now?  For my calling and ministry?  And yield to the Holy Spirit within!)

As Jeremiah said to Judah:

Jeremiah 7:23 “But this thing commanded I them, saying,    Obey My voice, and I will be your God,  and ye shall be My people:    and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.”

Obey My voice….and I will be your God….and ye shall be My people.

(This is an amazing promise…..the Almighty, Eternal, Personal God will be my God…..me,  who am one of how many millions?….

….me, who have fought against Him?…

….me,  who can do nothing for God…

Yet,  me, whom He loved enough to save me,….I shall be His….

….and that means He will “see to” me….spiritually, physically, and emotionally….

….amazing promise!)

Jesus said the same thing when  He was talking to His disciples, before He went to the cross.

John 15:10″ If ye keep My commandments,  ye shall abide in My love;  even as I have kept My Father’s commandments,  and abide in His love.”

Though there were failures,…….His disciples did keep His commandments….and they stirred the whole world, for Christ Jesus.

If we get our life in order before Him, and honor Him in this,……He will honor our obedience, in our everyday life.

God speaks through His Word:  whether read,  preached, or spoken by His inner Voice, by the Holy Spirit.

Hear Him,  and return to the ways of peace,…..knowing His presence with you,……and for you,……everyday.

Continue,  continue.

John 8:31-32 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him,  If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed;

      And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

To continue….to stay, be present, abide.

Here Jesus was in the treasury of the Temple,….He had forgiven the woman taken in adultery….and said that He was the Light of the world….and spoken of His Father, as HIs witness, always with Him….and that He was doing those things that please the Father.

John 8:30 “As He spake these words, many believed on Him.”

Wonderful….but Jesus would lead them on with Him….so He said….

“If ye continue in My word….”

Belief is the putting of my self,  onto Christ….but it is only the beginning.

     There is so much more to following Christ.   We must come under subjection to His Word…then we will know the truth of things in our lives….and be free from the world and the constraints of sin!   

Example:

The potter and the clay.   (The Lord and us)

      First, the potter chooses the clay….there are various kinds of clay, for various uses….so a clay is chosen….and placed in a bowl with water.   

      For next, the clay has to be made pliable in the water…..worked, so that there are no hard lumps…..no unyielding places.

      Then, the clay is placed on the wheel…..finally we are going to be made into a useable vessel for the Master!

       And the potter pushes and shapes…..letting the wheel turn….some places need more water applied…..some need a rougher hand to form…..

       Then….we are done, right?   

       No….now we need to be fired…..the soft and pliable clay needs to be hardened to stand, or continue.    We could never hold water, or things without being fired just right.

       Then, for some vessels….the work is done….they are used.    For others there is the painting and glazing….and firing; and glazing and firing again.

All,  so that we may be a useable vessel, meet for the Master’s use.   

Will we continue?

Our Lord Jesus says:   “Continue in My word…then you will know the truth…and the truth shall make you free.”

Truth is of primary importance…..it leads us out of darkness into God’s light, for God is Truth.  He keeps us from evil and error….and shows the way we should go.    It frees us from all other ways, attitudes, and the opinion of the times….for it anchors us in God.

So Jesus says in….John 15:9 “As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you:  continue ye in My love.”

     This was spoken to His disciples….those who had stayed with Him for three years…they had continued in His word….now, for the trials ahead….continue in My love.   Know it,…hold on to the truth of it,…shelter under it.

In Acts, Paul encourages those Jewish believers, to continue in the grace of God…..not in the traditions of the Law.(Acts 13:43)

In Colossians, Paul stresses that true reconciliation is in Christ.  

(In Colossians,  Christ is set before us as the object of our hearts. The Spirit of God is only mentioned once.)

      It is His work in the cross,  in a double sense:  atonement for our sin….and the power of grace conquering the heart!

      Therefore,  Paul says to “Continue in the faith…grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel….”.   “To present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight:”.  (Colossians 1:22-23)

In the practical part of Colossians, where home life, and job life are discussed…..we are told to:

Colossians 4:2 “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;”

      Continue to pray for the work…..ours, and our church and pastor….and watch….expecting His answer….both in His Word, and in the lives of others.

       (I have come to see the value of the family altar.   Having prayers at the start of the day with family members, for the things going on today….a song and prayers.)

Paul,  at the end of his life, writing Timothy, who was a young man when Paul took him as a helper…..yet had grown into a Pastor and godly man….so  Paul says to him…

….I am going to die,  I have finished my course…..now you continue yours and follow the Word….continue to grow, and finish the work you have to do.

2 Timothy 3:14-15 “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

       And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

Continue in the Word…..you have grown from it…..continue in it.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

       That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

         The Lord Jesus comforted by His Word, 

…..and rebuked the “little faith” of His disciples….and the hard-hearted of the Pharisees….

…..and instructed and led His own…..even to restoring Peter after the resurrection….

…..telling them and us:

    “…All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.

     Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

     Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Let us continue in His Word, His love, His faith and grace, till we too, finish our course.

An Expected End 

Jeremiah. 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,  saith the Lord,  thoughts of peace and not of evil,  to give you an expected end.”

This expected end here, is “the thing that the Lord longs for”.

This expected end is to hear when we get to heaven:  “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”. (Matthew 25:21)

God expects us to follow Him, and to this end,  He works within us and on us;  so that He can bless us.

When we are first born again, our love of the Lord Jesus is very strong……

…..but when something, or someone has come between our heart’s affection and the Lord……our sight becomes affected.  

We no longer see Christ as our all.   

First it is “Christ and….everything else in their place.”

But then,  it is “something…and Christ”

He has already slipped into a second place. 

Jeremiah 29:13 “And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.”

This is for believers…..Jeremiah is telling God’s people that God will be found of those who seek for Him.

For you see,  “seek” and “search” are words used only when something is lost.  Israel had lost true fellowship with God.

But the Lord says:  “seek” Me:

The word is used as though we must go out of our comfort zone and look around us.

When we do,…..we can begin to see all the abundance of things He has done for us……and said to us.

To seek, is to think on these things,  and on Who He is.

And as we do,  we will “find Me.”

We are to “search” with all our hearts:

That is to take everything apart if necessary, to find the most valuable Object: Christ Jesus,  Himself.

It is to throw away the other things we trust in,  or have looked to.

We must tear away the pretenses we have wrapped ourselves in. (I’m OK,  sure I’m not as close to the Lord as before, it seems as though something has come between us;  but I’m sure it will work itself out? Right?)

When we do get these things out of the way:

“And I will be found of you, saith the Lord:…” (Jeremiah 29:14)

I have been as the Prodigal son,  in a “far country” from God.   But when I, too, “came to myself”, and saw things as they really were;  I came home to the Father.  (Luke 15:17-24)

The Father does not berate him,  but runs out to meet him….and restores him.  

So He does with all who will “seek” and “search”;  and come home to Him.

There is an expected end for each believer.  The thing He longs for.

That He may say to all of us:  “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

A Certain Disciple

Acts 9:10 “And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias;  and to him said the Lord in a vision,  Ananias.  And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.”

In the world….prestige and success is everything.  Who you know….or “hang around with” is valued.

But God looks on the heart….and places each of us in our place….to do good there.

     So let us look at this certain disciple that the Lord spoke to.    

First, Ananias knew the Lord’s Voice.  He was a believer and follower of Christ Jesus….and he knew when the Lord spoke to him.

Second, Ananias answered the Lord right away….he did not hesitate, afraid of what the Lord would ask….but said…..”I am here, Lord”…denoting that he was willing to do what his Lord said.

Ananias was a certain disciple….it does not even say the leader of the church in Damascus.   

      He was not one of great training, or knowledge or experience;….just a certain disciple,  that obeyed the Lord.

What follows is a great lesson for each of us as how to have a conversation with the Lord….about direction.

      We often think of instant obedience….without question or thought.    But God looks on the heart….willingness to obey, leads to submission of reasons and attitudes….and final obedience.   I will do what I am told,  no matter what happens.

      When we come here….we are ready.

(Acts 9:11-14)

    “And the Lord said unto him,   Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus;  for behold he prayeth,…

     Then Ananias answered,  Lord I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to Thy saints at Jerusalem:  and here he hath authority….to bind all that call on Thy name.”

Though Ananias was willing to do what the Lord said,  that did not stop him from asking for more assurance that this was God’s Will.

     “For he had heard by many of this man”….

How many times what we hear about something,  affects what we hear from the Lord.

       Saul had indeed come to Damascus “for evil”….to destroy everyone who proclaimed Christ as Lord….”who called on Thy name.”….

….but….

….The Lord had changed everything…..

…..for He had appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus, and struck down his plans….making him see the truth.   

Christ Jesus was the Son of God….He did die for our sins….He was risen, and was speaking to him.   

Saul had bowed to Christ….saying,  “Lord what would Thou have me to do?”

Now the Lord would use His disciple to teach Saul how important each believer was to the Lord…..

…for Saul’s instruction would come simply through a fellow believer….a brother in Christ…..obedient to Jesus.

       What a lesson!  

(What can be accomplished by our simple obedience,  we may never know!)

(In Paul’s letters to the churches….he used the term “brethren” over seventy times!  We are all part of the family of God,  in Christ Jesus.  What a lesson was taught for Saul, from the very first.)

Acts 9:15-16 “But the Lord said unto him (Ananias),  Go thy way:  for he is a chosen vessel unto Me,  to bear My name before the Gentiles,  and kings, and the children of Israel:

        For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

Ananias, was sent to Saul , the mighty persecutor….who became Paul the mighty Apostle….mightily persecuted…suffering many things for Christ’s sake….and he was told this, from the beginning.

        Here, Saul heard the first prayer of a fellow believer for him….”Brother Saul,” 

(Hallelujah! The Lord hath gotten Him the victory!    And we can say the same Hallelujah!  When any becomes a brother or sister in Christ.)

…the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way….hath sent me, that thou mightiest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.”

Saul was healed,  filled with the Holy Spirit because Ananias went and prayed…..and then Saul was baptized….and preached Christ, that He is the Son of God….

…which began his ministry of Apostleship.

And Ananias, a certain disciple at Damascus,  was the instrument to show Saul the way to begin….and will receive a part of Paul’s reward for all he did.

Many times later, in his letters, Paul asks for prayer from his fellow believers for him (Ephesians 6:19)…..how important prayer is Paul learned from a certain disciple!

How many are waiting to hear a word from us?   

      We may think we are no one of importance….or maybe think that the Word you have been given,  or the prayers you have been told to have,  should be done by someone else….more experienced.

Then learn the lesson of blinded Saul….and a certain disciple.    When God choses you to speak or pray….

…talk to God about it….then be obedient.

….the blessing is waiting for both you and them.   

Blessed 

Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.”

Blessed means twice your happiest moment!

And we are blessed the nearer we come to Christ Jesus our Lord.

But this “nearer” is of the heart and will, not just of word.

Mark 5:24 “And Jesus went with him,  and much people followed him,  and thronged him.”

Here are many who want to be “near” Jesus…..but for what reason?

Mark 5:25-28 “And a certain woman,  which had an issue of blood twelve years,  

                     And had suffered many things of many physicians,  and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered,  but rather grew worse,

                     When she had heard of Jesus,  came in the press behind,  and touched His garment.

                      For she said,   If I may but touch His clothes,  I shall be made whole.”

Here was a woman in need.   

She had done all she could, and gone to others who did all they could;  but she was none better,  but worse.

Hearing of Jesus (all the great miracles He had done, and the many He had healed),  she came after Him.

Seeing the crowd (for they all were pushing to be around Him),  she thought she would sneak up behind Him,  and just touch His clothes.

She came, not just to see, or hear Him,….she was not curious about Jesus…..

…..but, by faith she came near…… to touch His clothes,….to be healed.

She thought that if she could just touch the hem of His garment (Matthew 9:21), she would be made whole.

So she came,  pushed forward, and leaned down and touched the hem of His garment.  (Some say, that she was crawling through the crowd to get to Him)

Mark 5:29 “And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up;  and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.”

(Luke 8:44  “immediately her issue of blood stanched.”)

Finally, wellness!

She touched His garment,  and she felt the fountain of blood dry up, and that she was  made whole.  She was overcome with joy and wonder!

But then she heard Jesus say:

Mark 5:30 “And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of Him, turned Him about in the press,  and said,    Who touched My clothes?”

I want to take a moment here, and point out exactly what the disciples are going to say:  

There are many who are “touching” Him. There is a large crowd, pushing to be around Him.

(It is an interesting point that none of them were healed.)

But the Lord knows those who really come to Him in faith…….and they will always be blessed.

Mark 5:31-32   “And His disciples said unto him,   Thou seest the multitude thronging thee,  and sayest thou,  Who touched Me?

                          And He looked round about to see her that had done this thing.”

Jesus was not looking for those who follow for position,…or for curiosity,…or to see the next greatest thing.

He was looking for her,  who had come to Him,  believing that He could meet her desperate need.

That is faith.    

And faith in Jesus,….always brings us “near” in heart, and will.

And again,  faith in Jesus will always be blessed.  

Although right now she is afraid, she does not run away,  or try and hide in the crowd: but came, again, in honesty, and told Him all.

Mark 5:33 ” But the woman fearing and trembling,  knowing what was done in her,  came and fell down before Him, and told Him all the truth.”

She did not know what He would do.   He might revoke His healing.  He might be angry at the way she had been healed.  

She does not know;  she fears and trembles:…..but she comes to Him, and tells Him all the truth.

She should not have feared the One who heals, and saves.  

The One who saves, receives us again and again,  despite our weakness.   

And so He does here.

Mark 5:34 “And He said unto her,  Daughter,  thy faith hath made thee whole;  go in peace (always a sign from God that she is saved), and be whole of thy plague.”

The Lord always rewards faith.  His first thought is, for her peace with Him (salvation);  then He doubles the healing by speaking,  “be whole of thy plague.”

He heals body, soul and spirit.   He heals mind, heart and will.

Blessed is twice happy; and she was.  Both saved and healed, because she came to Him;  first in secret faith, and then in honesty.    

Her faith was given the healing that she sought.

Her honesty was given blessing;  To be brought near to Jesus in Salvation, and to be made whole. 

(The God of peace will sanctify us wholly:  body, soul and spirit:  

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,  and who makes their hope in the Lord.

It is in our coming to Jesus Christ, that we are blessed.  We shall be satisfied as we abide with Him.

Who shall speak for the Lord?

Matthew 28:18-19 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,  All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.

       Go ye therefore,…”

(I want to stop here for a moment and stress, as we belong to the Lord Jesus…..that it is only because all power is given to Jesus Christ…..that we can “go” forth to a lost world….in His Name.

       He is in us….and we in Him….and we go in His power…..that is what He is telling His disciples and us,  here.)

Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

       Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:  and,  lo,  I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.   Amen.”

There are two Greek words for “teach, and teaching” here.

       The first “teach” means to disciple….to bring under the discipline of Christ.

       The second “teaching” means to instruct,  teach.

We are to go and make disciples to Christ Jesus.   To bring them to the place in their understanding that they submit themselves under the discipline of Christ,….that they hear the Lord for themselves.

      This takes effort….effort in prayer and the use of God’s Word.

For we are to teach them what Christ has said….”whatsoever I have commanded”….

(I have found over the years,  that Christ’s Words hit a spot, like nothing else.                 

     He spoke to sinners,  lepers,  Pharisees,  rich young rulers,  fishermen,  the dead, and the sick.  

     He preached,  rebuked little faith,  prayed much,  and taught His disciples how to pray, and honored any belief in Him….corrected the unbelieving….and blessed children. 

     His words are amazing…..and it is as we know them,  that we are instructed and learn how we should be.)

“….and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.  Amen.”

Alway means day and night, everyday….for the whole of time.

This commission was, of course, first to His disciples….but it is also for us.

If we are born again,  then we are to have His Words in us by obedience…

….spiritual reality is always…first in me.   

       We are to know the Authority of Christ for me….being in subjection to it.

       Then we can pass on to others what we have in our own experience…in that which we have obeyed.

Then He can require it at the hands of those we speak to…for we are speaking with authority.

They may reject the Word….and the Christ of the Word,….but that has nothing to do with us….we are just “sent”…..being obedient.

1 Corinthians 3:7-8 “So then neither is he that planteth any thing,  neither he that watereth;  but God that giveth the increase.

        Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one:  and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.”

As the Lord Jesus spoke that which His Father commanded Him,  so we must speak that which He commands us.

I have often gone to pray with people, and end up speaking to them about what is really troubling them.  

(I told a woman once, to just get honest with God about her trouble…..and she told me she would never talk to God that way!)

(My husband was talking to a young man once concerning God and His claims…the young man taking the view that God had no right to demand from him anything…..and he talked….and he talked.

       My husband could see this was going nowhere…..but felt the need to deal with this man….so he said,  “I am going to kneel and pray.   Why don’t you join me and tell God everything you told me?”

      He was not sure he would do it…..or the outcome….but,…

….when this young man knelt,  it was if a battle had been won, and  he said,  “Well, God,  it is about time!”

That young man was converted that night.)

We should pray as if the work all depended on God….then work as if it depended on us.

John 20:21 “Then said Jesus to them again,  Peace be unto you:  as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.”

The Father “sent” His Son into the world….not to condemn the world (they will do that themselves, if they refuse Christ)…

….but to save the world.

So we are sent to give the gospel out…..our testimony of Christ Jesus our Lord….in word,  and in deed, and in prayer,  and in Scripture…

…and may God bless His means.

Who shall speak for the Lord?