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?

James 4:7-8 “Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

       Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.  Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

You will notice that before we can resist the devil…..we should “submit ourselves to God”.

There is a means James is setting forth, here, of having our prayers answered.

     James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”

      Our prayers are a view into our spiritual state.   If our prayers are healthy,  they will bring forth fruit within ourselves and within others.

    That does not mean,  we always get what we ask for….but it means that our prayers will take hold on God’s Word and promises…and change circumstances….or us.

Submit here is to subordinate…to be under obedience.     If we expect our prayers to be answered….we are to submit our selves to God.

    It is so easy for us to lust after things we do not have (James 4:3)….and to envy others,  what they do have (James 4:5)…

….but,

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

No matter the lust (I want this and I want this now)….

….or the envy which is within us…..

….God gives more grace….more of the power we need to subdue our lusts….

….and submit to God in the circumstances we are in.   

          (Although there are times He brings us out of them.)

James 4:7 ‘Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

When we are submitted to God….we are to resist the devil….his whisperings, his doubts, his accusations….and he will flee from us.

Resist is to stand against….not listen to….not consider the pros and cons.  The devil often tells enough truth to get us to look at what he is saying…..but resist his words and stand with the Lord’s Word.

         (You can not stop birds from flying over your head….but you can keep them from building nests in your hair.”)

James 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.”

Resist….stand with God against the wiles of the devil.   (Ephesians 6:10-18). 

James 4:8 “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.  Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

It seems as though James is repeating himself….

…but if we are submitted to God….and that is in our will…

…then we can resist the devil.

Then James says….draw near to God with your hearts.

And He will draw near to you….you will know His presence in this trial.

“Draw nigh”.   Or make near.   If we will make a way in our hearts for God to come near….He will make a way to come near.

How many of God’s children keep the attitude of nearness to God?   

        Nearness brings many things.   First and foremost….it increases our faith, peace, and strength.

For when we are at a distance from the Lord (some Christians like to only be within shouting distance)….we are not only in danger,…

….but we are weak in guidance, peace, and joy….which are the essentials for our Christian life.

        When we see God, we see ourselves more clearly…so James says:

Be sure you confess your sins….those done (your hands).

       Then confess your attitude, your desire for something other than the Lord’s Will……your hearts running after the world. (Being double minded James 1:8)

Now that you are coming closer to God, do not let anything interfere with that….for when we seek for Christ….He will be found of us….and more….He will draw near us, where we are.

To know the everlasting Arms around,  and under us….we need to be close…closer still  to Christ Jesus our Lord.  

Deuteronomy 33:27 “The Eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms:  and He shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.”

First the right relationship to God….then the battle is His….and He shall thrust them out….while we destroy all that comes between us.

For to will is present with me

Romans 7:18 “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing:  for to will is present with me;  but how to perform that which is good I find not.”

Our wills are our active member…..and it is either employed by the devil or by God.

            We often think that we are independent of everything….making our own decisions.  

But in reality,  we are under the influence of our minds and affections….which “push” our wills to action.

When we are still lost….we are darkened….and our wills follow here and there with the crowd,  or with our lusts, at the time.  (Ephesians 2:2-3)   

            This is death…..not the body dead, yet….but dead in sins…sinking in the muck.

(Peter calls it “fifth of the flesh” 1 Peter 3:21….and “corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4)

            This is the state of a lost person.      And our wills are subjects of those sins and lusts…which are subjects of the devil.

When we become born again….we are enlightened ( amazing word! Ephesians 1:18).

           Light, by the Holy Spirit, which is given to us at new birth…. to see our sin…..and more,…

….forgiveness from our sin is given:

           Romans 5:8-9 “But God commendeth HIs love toward us,  in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

           Much more than,  being now justified by HIs blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”

And more….His life and grace is given to us to be “saved” practically from our sin…

          Romans 5:10, 15 “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of HIs Son,  much more,  being reconciled,   we shall be saved by HIs life.

          ….For if through the offence of one  many be dead,  much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man,  Jesus Christ,  hath abounded unto many.”

          Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not have dominion over you:   for ye are not under the law,  but under grace.”

(Twenty-four times in Romans alone,  Paul speaks of “grace”…..the unmerited favor of power….for our lives.)

And then Paul speaks of his own sanctification process:   he tried to do “good” after his conversion….but failed,  again and again.

          For there is within all of us….from our old nature….a principal of rebellion against God,  which must be overcome if we are to find…”how to perform that which is good.”

Romans 7:15 “For that which I do I allow not:  for what I would,  that do I not;  but what I hate,  that do I.”

Why did he fail?   Because of his lust.   What lust?   His coveting.     He wanted something that was not to be his….whether is was vanity….or attainment…or prestige.   

          He lusted,….coveted…after what which was not for him.       And to him, it was sin.

          And it kept beating him up….kept winning, when he went to do the Lord’s Will….these inordinate affections kept him from fulfilling God’s Will,  as he should.

         We hardly think of the great apostle as such,….but he wrote this that we might see his failure….(even though he “delighted in the law of God after the inward man:”  Romans 7:22… he kept failing….like we have, often.)

….yet he wanted us to see his victory in Christ Jesus, by the Holy Spirit, as well:

         Romans 8:1,4 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,  who walk  (and here is the willed action) not after the flesh,  but after the Spirit.”

         That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us,   who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

After we are born again….we are sanctified by “walking after the Spirit of God”.      This is not getting in line after the Spirit…..but this “walking after” means that we will with the Holy Spirit within us and let Him work through us.   

 It is conformity,  not emulation.

We, through many exercises of our will with the Holy Spirit,  become the Will of God wherever we are.   

Paul speaks of us as children (what an endearing term!)…..and heirs of God! (what an inheritance!)….joint-heirs with Christ…

          Romans 8:17 “ And if children,  then heirs;  heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.”

          And then names one of these things that we inherit from Christ….His love:

Romans 8:35 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress,  or persecution,  or famine, or nakedness, or peril,  or sword?”   

          (And Paul had experienced all of these things!  So he knew!)

And then Paul tells us that part of our inheritance….through Christ….we become “more than conquerors”! Or to gain a decisive victory!…..no matter what comes into our lives!

          Romans 8:37-39 “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.

          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.”

And this victory is because God loves us….and gives us His love and grace through Christ Jesus.

           “To will is present with me.”     We have always had our wills….yet now by the salvation of God through Christ Jesus, worked out in me by the Holy Spirit….

….our wills can become a powerhouse for God in our lives….bringing us into the glorious victory of His Purpose and Will.

The Mighty God, even the Lord 

In Psalms 50 we see “the mighty God, even the Lord” call all His people together,……to judge His people.

Psalm 50:4-5 “He shall call to the heavens from above,  and to the earth, that He may judge His people.

                   Gather my saints together unto Me;  those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”

The term “judge” here means the One who has a righteous balance in His hand.    He balances everything against the weights of His Holiness, and His Word.

“Judgement”  in scripture,  does not just mean hell,  or thunderbolts from God…….it is the rules of conduct formed by a Holy God for the well being of men…..leading Him to decisions of approval and blessing;…..as well as correction.     

So God “shall come, and shall not keep silence” (Psalm 50:3).  

Psalm 50:7 “Hear, O My people,  and I will speak;  O Israel, and I will testify against thee:  I am God,  even thy God.”

(There are many things seeking to rule in the world, so it is very important for us to know that “the mighty God, even the Lord” is our God.

Which means that His might, wisdom, and holiness;…all His attributes have been set as a fortress round about us….as we are in Christ.

Which also means that we are His people;….bound by the laws of love;  to hear and obey Him.

It is important to understand…..God is Sovereign over all: in Will and Power…..certainly, to those who believe and trust Him,….

….but He is Sovereign to those who do not; whether they see it or not.

He is in charge….He is from Everlasting to everlasting.  He is Almighty, the God of all Grace, the Merciful One,  the One who holds the world in the hollow of His hand…

Isaiah 40:25, 28-29 “To whom then will ye liken Me,  or shall I be equal?  Saith the Holy One.

                    Hast thou not known?  Hast thou not heard?  That the everlasting God,  the Lord,  the Creator of the ends of the earth,  fainteth not,  neither is weary?  There is no searching of His understanding.

                     He giveth power to the faint;  and to them that have no might  He increaseth strength.”)

God goes on to say to Israel:

Psalm 50:9 “I will take no bullock out of thy house,  nor he-goats out of thy fold:”

(The bullock had to do with whole burnt offerings…which symbolized the person giving themselves to God [Leviticus 1:3]. 

The he-goats were used in the sin offering [Leviticus 16:9-10])

Isaiah 1:11 “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me?  Saith the Lord:   I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts;  and I delight not in the blood of bullocks,  or of lambs,  or of the he goats.”

God did not want sacrifices which did not mean anything….but only served to make the person look good before others……

….but He wanted the sacrifices to be offered from the person’s heart…..the person looking forward to the coming Christ.

Psalm 51:17, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:  a broken and contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.”

If you read Psalm 50:17-20 The Lord corrects those who follow the world’s ways of stealing, lying, and slander.     Every Israelite was to treat a fellow Israelite as a brother…..helping him if he could,…..but never hurting him.

Psalm 50:21 “These things hast thou done,  and I kept silence;  thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one  as thyself:  but I will reprove thee,  and set them in order before thine eyes.”

I will not let you continue to follow the Way of the world, but will correct you as a parent corrects his child. 

Then I will show you the right way……hear it….and live.

Jeremiah 31:33-34. “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel;  after those days,  saith the Lord,   I will put My law in their inward parts,  and write it in their hearts;  and will be their God, and they shall be My people.

                     And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor,  and every man his brother,  saying,  know the Lord:  for they shall know Me,  from the least of them unto the greatest of them,  saith the Lord,  wherefore I will forgive their iniquity,  and I will remember their sin no more.”

(And Jesus promised this in:

John 14:26 “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,  Whom the Father will send in My name,  He shall teach you all things,  and bring all things to your remembrance,  whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Paul speaks of this in Hebrews 8:10-12……in Christ Jesus, this new covenant has come to all who believe…Hallelujah!)

In Psalm 50,  God speaks to all His own…..all saints.

In this day and age….He calls to His church to judge themselves according to what He said.  (John 12:48)

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

The Lord calls everyone of His, to come to Him….and  “come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord….”(Isaiah 1:18).

One day the church, and the whole universe will stand in silence, to hear God’s judgements…..”that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” (Romans 3:19)

He will judge all,….in the righteous balances He holds. 

(The born again ones at the Judgement seat of Christ [1 Corinthians 3:11-15].    And the lost, at the White throne judgement [Revelation 20:11-15])

Paul preached this almost nineteen hundred years ago:

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;  where of He hath given assurance unto all men,  in that He hath raised Him (Jesus) from the dead.”

“Judgement” in scripture,  is the rules of conduct formed by a Holy God for the well being of men…..leading Him to decisions of approval and blessing;…..as well as correction.     

Romans 2:6-7 “Who will render to every man according to his deeds:  

              To them  who by patient continuance in well-doing  seek for glory and honor and immortality,  eternal life:”

In that day,  may we all hear:

              “His Lord said unto him,   Well done, good and faithful servant;  thou hast been faithful over a few things,  I will make thee ruler over many things:  enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”  Matthew 25:23

It always comes down to the heart of the matter….what does your heart want?

To honor the Lord,   or yourself,…..in this time,….in this place….in this life?