Would you be a Follower of Jesus?

Matthew 16:24. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples,  If any man will come after me, let him deny himself,  and take up his cross, and follow me.”

This is for born again ones,  for they have received the Holy Spirit, and His grace.

If any man will come after Me.   What does it mean to come after Jesus?

First,  it means that you get up from where you are in your life and leave it.   To come after means leaving;   But not in the physical sense.

It is  a “leaving” of the past attitudes,  past sins,  and past pursuits to come after Him.

2 Corinthians 6:17 “Wherefore come out from among them,  and be ye separate, saith the Lord,  and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, “

Second, it means you follow Christ, by being obedient to His commands on your life.

John 14:23 “Jesus answered and said unto him,  If a man love me,  he will keep my words:  and my Father will love him,  and we will come unto him,  and make our abode with him.”

Third,  it means to suffer for, and because of Christ.  Every follower of Christ will, sooner or later, come to the place where they must choose the world or Christ, and if you choose Christ;  the world will make you “suffer” in some respect.

Fourth, it means to stand with those for whom Christ died:  other Christians.

John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,  if ye have love one to another.”

Matthew 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples,  If any man will come after me,  let him deny himself,  and take up his cross,  and follow me.”

You deny yourself and take up your cross and follow Him.  You need to “bear” your cross, to the place in your experience that you no longer resist His will in anything.

Your cross is anything God has required, which cuts across your will.  There you need to say “no” to your will;  and do God’s Will for your life.  This is to bear your cross.  

This is a very personal thing, between you and your Lord;  for He says,  “if any man will”.    It is not any Church, any group, any family, even;  but any man.

The personal aspect is important.  The necessity of it dates back to our beginnings:

We were not consulted in our creation:  Where we were born,  in what family,  or when we were born, and the person we were born as.

We just were,…..and that was that.

As Christians, we are to come to the place in our experience that we don’t just acknowledge God’s Creative Right,  but we submit to it.

We will be the creature before the Creator.

Letting His choice for us,  be our best.

For some of us, we must acknowledge, we have been having a fit with God about ourselves, in some realm, since we knew God.

Maybe it was our family:  Why put me with these people?

Maybe it was our abilities:  Couldn’t you at least make me great  in something?

Maybe it was our looks:  My nose is too big;  my eyes not blue enough;  You could have made me prettier than “them”.

Whatever it is;  we are not satisfied with our circumstances,  or (often) ourselves.

So, here is a good place to follow Jesus:

Matthew 11:25-26 “At that time Jesus answered and said,  I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent,  and hast revealed them unto babes.

             Even so,  Father,  for so it seemed good in thy sight.”

Jesus came to do the Father’s Will, and never tried to do otherwise;  even to His shame and death.

Jesus said He came to give life, and to give it more abundantly.   (John 10:10)

If you are a Christian, He offers this abundant life within the  life He gave you in your beginning;……and in what He gives you now as His servant.

In this abundant life there is joy of spirit,  peace of heart,  courage in peril, love of others, and a personal relationship with the One Who loved and saved you.                         (More personal than any other relationship you will ever have:  for He knows everything about you,…..and loves you.)

Would you be a follower of Jesus?

Then come after Him, by denying yourself, picking up your cross and following Jesus into your abundant life.    

Not without troubles,……but always with His presence and power by the Holy Spirit to help.

Believe 

God has always wanted His people to believe Him…..but the stress of believe is in the New Testament….we are to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

       

(In the Old Testament, all together, there are 45 times….believe, believed, believeth are said.    

       In the New Testament believe is said 121 times; believed 92 times, believeth 41 times, believing 8 times, believest 8 times, and believers 2 times.)

John 11:26 “And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.  Believest thou this?”

To believe is to put the whole weight of our existence upon.   Most illustrate it as a chair….to sit down and put your feet up, so that your whole weight is on it.

I have always like this definition…..the term weight is so right…..for our life is made up of all sorts of weight.

        We are made of a spirit….which when we are lost is dark…..and that is great weight.

        We are made of a soul which is our personality, which is usually clothed in many layers of “fashion….of the world’s fashion”.   What weight is there!

        And our body….the weight of which is so worried about these days!

When we believe on Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior,  we need to put all our weight upon Him.

      We believe He will save and keep us….spiritually, personally, and physically.

To believe is not a mental exercise….

       I have reasons, so I believe.

No,  to believe is to see Christ Jesus….whether He is placed before you by the Bible,…or by witness;….

….we ‘see’ Him.

      He is the Son of God, Who died for our sins…and was raised the third day, that we might have newness of life, in Him.

       Our hearts are then drawn to Him by the Father (John 6:65)….and we believe….resting on Him….for ourselves.

John 6:40 “And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Once we are born again….we are to continue to believe Him (put the weight of our existence upon Him)….for He alone can give us the life we should have.

       If we are to preach….He must not only be the message, put the power.

If we are to teach….He must be the lesson, and the give the understanding of it.

       If we are to witness….we must show Him.

If we are to take care of our household,  He must strengthen and guide us….hold our hands as we speak to our children….and let them go into adulthood.

       (It matters not the job….My husband used to work on a boat, [much later he was called to preach]….and the Lord told him, there……”for ye serve the Lord Christ” Colossians 3:23-24.     

On the boat, he was serving Christ, as well as anywhere else.)

Our believing, has a direct impact on the results of what we ask:

Matthew 8:13 “And Jesus said unto the centurion,  Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.   And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.”

Matthew 21:22 “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

Mark 9:24 “Jesus said unto him,  If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”

One was spoken to a Roman centurion…..

…one to His disciples,….

…..and one to a Israelite father, distraught over seemingly everyone’s inability to help his son, including himself

    (The father said, “I believe, help mine unbelief”.   And there is a place for this prayer:  when we are in distress and at the end of ourselves.)

The answer is the same. 

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ….for the request given….

….for we place our weight….ourselves…..on Christ Jesus…in this.

Believe Me, Jesus said, all through HIs ministry….for I am come “to save those which are lost.” (Matthew 18:11)

The last time He spoke to the multitudes of Israel, He spoke again of the one requirement for light and life:

John 12:36-37 “While ye have the light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.  These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide Himself from them.

      But though He had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him:”

What of us?   We have seen many things He has done.   Are we believing on Him?

The last time He spoke to the chief rulers and Pharisees before His arrest,  He spoke of believing on Him, and His Father God:

John 12: 42-46 “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him;  but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

       For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

       Jesus cried and said,  He that believeth on Me, believeth not on Me, but on Him that sent Me.

       And he that seeth Me  seeth Him that sent me.

       I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness.”

And in His discourse going to Gethsemane,  He spoke of believing to His own disciples….

….believing is putting our whole weight upon.   They were soon going to be tested in ways they had not even considered.

    They all said they would stand with Him….even in death (Mark 14:31)….but it is hard to know what is in our hearts in the hour of temptation….

….that is why “believe” is so important.    

(When we believe,  we place ourselves on Christ, the Rock.   We often shake and tremble on the Rock,  but He is stable, solid, faithful….and will recover us, strengthen us, and restore us.)

John 14:1, 10-12 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.”

        Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me?  The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works.

       Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works’ sake.

       Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works that these shall he do; because I go unto My Father.”

After this, He spoke of abiding in His love…..and of the Holy Spirit…..but He did not speak of believing.

Now they just had to do it.

Were there failures?  Yes,  but they believed….and went on to abide in His love, receive the Holy Spirit in power, and show Christ Jesus to a lost world.

Where is our belief taking us?   Let us follow Christ’s Word, and believe Him…

….and go on in His love, by the Holy Spirit,…and show forth our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

       

Meekness and Trust in the Lord go hand in hand

Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is pure:  He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.”

A person with God can be a majority of One.   We can make a difference in the lives of others:

Jude 22-23 “And of some have compassion,  making a difference:

                  And others save with fear,  pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”

God does it all,  but He never works with His own,   against their will.   

                 He does indeed work to make them willing….for it is the cooperation and yielding of our hearts and lives….in trust, fellowship and love,  which please Him.

Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”

Psalm 25:9 “The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His Way.”

Moses is said to have been “very meek”….and this is the first time this word is used in scripture.

              Numbers 12:1-3 “And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses….

              And they said,  Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses?  Hath He not spoken also by us?   And the Lord heard it.

              (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)”

        It is said here to point out the difference between Moses….and the attitude of pride,  and  self-seeking after their own honor… in Aaron and Miriam

I want to mention here,  that meekness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit worked in us for our help in our work and life:

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

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

And it is exemplified in Jesus Christ when He called all that were heavy-laden:

              Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

              Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me;  for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto you souls.

              For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

Our lives are full of unpredictable circumstances….people betray us,  friends desert us,  we have loss…and gain.   We have trials and blessings.   We have afflictions and the strength of the Arm of the Lord.

How much we need Trust in the Lord….and meekness to keep us steady.

Meekness is humbleness, mildness or unselfishness. 

     This must be taught us by the Holy Spirit,….

….for naturally we all place ourselves…or our “something” (family, house, job, friends)….first.

We are unteachable, as long as we allow “self” to rule.    The moment we humble ourselves under God,  that moment we become teachable….and pliable in HIs hands.

Isaiah prophesied that the Lord’s ministry was to the meek:

        Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek;  He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;”

Psalm 149:4 “For the Lord taketh pleasure in His people:  He will beautify the meek with salvation.”

Meekness is that grace in us which disciplines us to make us humble (not self-assertive)…. and mild (those that quiet their souls before the Lord….in any and all situations)

        Ephesians 4:1-3 “I…beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

        With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

        Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

We come to see, that if there is anything good in us….then it is by God’s grace that it is there.

        When we have a meek spirit,  we have great enjoyment of the beauty of the Lord’s creation around us….. and of the good things of our lives in our church, home, job, etc…and give the Lord all the glory for them.

        But we are also content in HIs corrections…..for we are, by the Holy Spirit, delivered from  a proud or greedy attitude.     And  we come to see the love of God to us,…if not in everything we go through…at least in the fact of HIs being with us in it.

Contentment is spiritual enjoyment of  what God gives….of our place in HIs body,….blessing Him for all He is to me.

               Psalm 37:11 “But the meek shall inherit the earth;  and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”

               For this peace within,   is a benefit of meekness.

But it also is a grace we need when we deal with others:

              Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault,  ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness;  considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

(My Grandmother used to say….”When you point your finger at someone else….there are several pointing back at you!”    

            We are to deal with others….with meekness or humility….knowing that if we have not sinned it is all due to the grace of God….and helping them  to find that grace that they need.)

And one more verse to encourage us to Trust the Lord and learn the grace of  meekness (for He will see to us in His due time)

James 3:13 “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you?     Let him shew out of a good conversation (character, behavior)  his works with meekness of wisdom.”

Knowledge in the scriptures, usually speaks of learning by experience.   A wise person will learn from all the experiences we have in our life with God:

                      First to look to the Lord in everything…

Then to trust Him, in “thick and thin”….in prosperity and in want. (both spiritual and physical)

                      And when we truly trust Him,  we show by our attitude…

….that we do not trust ourselves….nor rely on our own learned ability….but meekly leave everything in HIs Hands.

Keep thy heart

Proverbs 4:1, 23 “Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

                     Keep thy heart with all diligence;  for out of it are the issues of life.”

“The issues of life”.  The real issues.   These are the important things we need to attend to.   

                    How we, as Christian parents,  want to teach our children the importance of knowing and serving Jesus Christ!

                    How can they deal with the world and the people in it,  if they first do not understand that  God’s plan from the beginning of time….included them.

God saw them in eternity past….and so loved them,  that He planned a salvation for them.

2 Timothy 1:9 “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling,  not according to our works, but according to HIs own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”

The writer of the Proverbs,  Solomon,  with all his faults….and there was plenty….still sought to show to his son the importance of “the fear (awe, reverence) of the Lord” [Proverbs 1:7]….for it leads to knowledge and wisdom.

Proverbs 23:26 “My son, give me thine heart,  and let thine eyes observe my ways.”

                   This was in fact the instruction David gave Solomon…

1 Chronicles 28:9 “And thou, Solomon my son,…

…. know thou the God of thy father…

…and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind:…

… for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts:…  

…if thou seek Him He will be found of thee;  but if thou forsake Him,  He will cast thee off for ever.”

It is interesting to note the diligence and devotion Solomon had while seeing to the task David and the Lord gave him…..building the Temple.   It took twenty years of labor…and it was a beautiful building!   [2 Chronicles 8:1]

                But then…as it often happens,  when he lost his main goal….he wandered into “folly”…

Ecclesiastes 1:16-17 “I communed with mine own heart, saying,  Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem:  yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

               And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly:  I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.”

                        Notice it is when he “communed with mine own heart”!   [And we know that the heart is deceitful above all things! Jeremiah 17:9]

                        He did not seek direction from God for the issues of his life….now, that the Temple was built.

                       But began a series of “experiments”….which lead him away from God…..although at the end,  the conclusion of the matter was….exactly what his father, David had told him first….”Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” [Ecc. 12:13]

I believe Solomon repented from his folly (Psalm 89:31-52)….although not with the language of David’s penitential psalms…..still,….I believe he looked toward the promise to David of the coming Messiah and Savior….and desired Him….

….though his sin of intermarriages had caused, and would cause great damage in his life, and in the life of his son, and nation.

                        Perhaps, that is why he took so much diligence in writing to his son in Proverbs.   Though he wrote many books….this is the one placed in the Bible….and it is to his son about the fear [awe, and reverence] of the Lord.

                       [Also, if you read the last chapter, it speaks specifically about the right sort of woman his son should look to marry.    Not just for alliances, as Solomon had done….but for the honor of God.]

We, too, must consider the “issues” of our lives.    Have we been busy about the Purpose for which we were created?   

Have we seen to our hearts, so that God is searching them [Jeremiah 17:10]….and directing them?

Philippians 2:5, 12  “Let this mind be in you,  which was also in Christ Jesus:” 

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”

                  Simply, let us will to think like the Lord thinks about things,  people, and places.

Let His light shine….into our hearts…and show us the Truth….

…..and then,  let HIs light shine onto our Purpose….for now.

Ephesians 1:17-18 “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,  the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him:

                 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;  that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of HIs inheritance in the saints,”

[Let me say right here….that we have more light,  more wisdom,   more riches,  more of an inheritance….in Christ Jesus…

…than Solomon on his throne,  ever did!       

                It is sorrowfully true that I….and maybe you, too….have not availed ourselves of these blessings,  as we ought.      But down through the centuries,   down through my years…and I am old….God has been rich, bountiful,  and gracious….to my soul.

               Have you taken hold of HIs blessings for you?       Spiritual blessings which keep us from the “folly and madness”  of the world,  or even ending up like Solomon.

              We are “kept by the power of God through faith…” 1 Peter 1:5]

And how does He practically do this?   That we may know…

Ephesians 1:19-22 “And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe,  according to the working of His mighty power,”

              [And if Paul had stopped here…that would be a great promise…but he doesn’t…for the power to have,  and do, and live….is the power:]

              “Which He wrought in Christ,  when He raised Him from the dead, ad set Him at HIs own right hand in the heavenly places,

               Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named,…

               And hath put all things under His feet,….”

This power is at our disposal….to work in us [Hallelujah!]….and through us to the sphere of our influence.

Philippians 2:15-16  “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation,     among whom ye shine as lights in the world:

               Holding forth the Word of life;….”

But it begins with….”Keep thy heart with all diligence”….and the only way we do that is to give it to the Lord….completely.     

And I might add,  to keep giving it to Him.     He works within,  as we will with Him.

Agreeing with God

Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”

Now we know that the Lord desires fellowship with us.   

       [ He requires obedience…for only rebels insist on “their own way” (Isa. 53:6)….and that is what He came to save us from….our sin, and our way.]

But He desires fellowship with us.   [ Remember fellowship is partnership, social participation.]

“The lack of desire, is the ill of all ills;

    Many thousands through it, the dark pathway have trod;

The Balsome, the wine, of predestinate wills;

    Is a jubilant pining and longing for God.

God loves to be longed for;   He loves  to be sought;

    For He sought us Himself with such longing and love;

He died for desire of us, marvelous thought;

    And He longs for us now, to be like HIm above.”

Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”

          [ In the historic setting….Amos was prophesying to Israel, the ten tribes which had left the worship of the Lord,  for two golden calves.    

         Now God is calling them to return to a walk with HIm.   To “agree” with HIm about their condition,  and repent….to remember how He brought them from Egypt and into the land. (Amos 3:1-2)  To understand, that as their God,  whether they acknowledge HIm or not,….He will deal with them after His mercy….or after His judgment.]

To “be agreed” is to “fix upon” a certain thing….to meet or be summoned together….to be engaged, as in marriage.

As to the church,  or us as individuals….God calls us to walk together with Him….all through our lives….

…and that requires agreement.    Actually, many agreements…

……as we come up against things which hinder our growth in grace….for though we may submit at some altar…the agreements are done in our everyday life.

        We agree that we will be the creature before the Creator….submitting to circumstances,  and learning our total dependence on HIm.

        We agree that we will follow Him….as disciple to Lord, learning and keep learning from Him…in His Word and HIs Spirit.

        We agree that He will rule as King of my heart, will, life…for we agree to become a loyal citizens of heaven,  even as we walk here on earth.

        We agree that we will become HIs witnesses, with our lives and words….to all He directs us to.

        We agree to….take the Lord’s hand and walk on in all the places and situations of our life.

                  (and remember we are to be fixed upon, meeting together, to be engaged as to our husband,….and the Greek adds one other thing:  to be harmonious!  I love this!  

All the voices in our head and heart and life…are to be brought into harmony with Christ!)

      (I remember many times when our children were young….and they would not like the circumstances:  either they had been corrected,  or the place that we were going was “bad” [like to the doctor’s],  or they were tired, and wanted to sleep….

…then they would not take my hand and walk with me.   They would keep back of me,  still coming,  but not in agreement.   Or they would refuse my hand even though they walked beside me.    

     We are not to be children,  but to grow up into Him….and agree with Him.   Take a firm hold on Him….and learn to be happy…in HIm.)

Submission is our life….our walk.   We grow in grace as we learn to yield….as we learn to be content in all the things of our life.   

         (Contentment is the ease of mind and heart concerning the situations and circumstances and people and even of ourselves….because we believe and trust the Lord.)

Listen to Paul,  and learn how he “agreed” with Christ:

         2 Timothy 1:11-12 “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

         For the which cause I also suffer these things:…

….nevertheless I am not ashamed:…

….. for I know Whom I have believed,  and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.”

Have we been persuaded of Christ….that He is trustworthy of all of our days and nights?   Have we come to agree with Him?   And keep agreeing?

He is indeed our Lord and God….and Worthy.   Let us learn to Walk….step by step in agreement with our Beloved….trusting HIm.

Are we ready to get honest with the Lord? 

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

Sins as scarlet?  They shall be white as snow.

Are they red as crimson?  They shall be as wool.

How?   Where?   When?

When?  “Come now”…..today is always the day to seek the Lord….about anything.

Where?  Before the Lord…..not running away from His presence….but come before Him.

How?    Let us……reason together….this is not one-sided,  but the Lord and us……

….we give Him our reasons for thinking this way….and He will speak, and give us the reason for His Will.

The Example:  

A godly man,….Asaph was a appointed a singer in the Temple….he loved the Lord, and his job of teaching others the songs of praise….

…yet he told of a temptation….which nearly wreaked his spiritual life….

Psalm 73:2-3 “But as for me,  my feet were almost gone;  my steps had well-nigh slipped.

          For I was envious of the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

Here he testifies of his spiritual battle over God allowing wicked men to not only be prosperous…..but to seemingly go on,  without restraint.

Asaph had looked out on the world, and judged according to it’s judgement…for to be wealthy in the world, gives you standing,  gives you success, gives you influence….which they often abused…(although they are often, not happy within, yet they appear to be so)….

….and Asaph?   What do the poor, or afflicted righteous have?   

When we start doubting God’s righteousness,  then our steps begin to waver.

When our eyes gaze too long at the world’s view of things….our understanding becomes confused…..our affections become disoriented…..

…..we do not want to be wicked…..but….

(You will notice….my steps were “almost gone”….how gracious God is….to hold us….He will allow trials, for they strengthen our faith….

……but temptations are another matter….they come from our lusts, or desires within (James 1:12-14)…

…and we must cooperate with the Lord to defeat them…to put them to death….

….it is how quickly we do that….that tells of the victory….and Asaph came close to a terrible fall.)

     

Here is what Asaph sees when he looks upon the prosperous wicked…

…and he is, becoming weak in faith, because of this…

Psalm 73:4-5, 11-12 “For there are no bands in their death.  But their strength is firm.

              They are not in trouble as other men,  neither are they plagued like other men.

               And they say,  How doth God know?  And is there knowledge in the Most High?

               Behold,  these are the ungodly,  which prosper in the world,  they increase in riches.”

They sin, yet their conscience does not bother them….perhaps covering them with small acts of religion….they act like,  if there is a God….He does not see or care….

They become hardened….untouched by the spiritual truths they often hear.

(But God does see…..and He often lets them alone…for they are to have horrors hereafter…so he lets them have the trinkets here.)

But Asaph is troubled….here is a stumbling block for his faith….he sees these men….and their sin….yet nothing seems to happen to them.

He saw their present, and forgot their eternity…..saw their outward show, and not their foolishness….yet.

He cries within himself:

Psalm 73:13-14 “Verily (Truly) I have cleansed my heart in vain,  and washed my hands in innocency.

                For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.”

Asaph is a godly man….for he sees he is a sinner….and it troubles him.

In reverence,…he seeks forgiveness and cleansing from them….daily.

Why does this not happen to the wicked?

It seems as if things are turned upside down.  

He wants to speak of his thoughts to someone….but is afraid of giving someone else his doubts…

…..so he bridles his tongue (he is a wise man James 3:2)…

….and he goes in to speak to God…finally.

Psalm 73:17-18 “Until I went into the sanctuary of God;  then understood I their end.

                 Surely Thou didst set them in slippery places:  Thou castedst them down into destruction.”

As men refuse the gospel message,  their hearts and minds become more and more blind….their conscience seared.

God may indeed let them rise high….so their fall is more evident.

God may let them have all they can here….because eternity awaits….and the “blackness of darkness forever” (Jude 12-13) will be their end.

When God holds judgement….He gives time….time to repent….

But when God comes forth in justice and judgement….the pride and wealth of this earth will vanish…and then the soul….and what it did about God’s claims will only remain.

As soon as he sees this….Asaph is restored in faith….God judges righteously…in HIs time.

Psalm 73:21-23 “Thus my heart was grieved,  and I was pricked in my reins.

So foolish was I,  and ignorant:  I was as a beast before Thee.

              Nevertheless I am continually with Thee:  Thou hast holden me by my right hand.”

Asaph realizes his folly….he had acted foolishly….

(a fool is one who does not consider that God sees, rules, and overrules in the everyday affairs of men.

As a poet once said,  “A fool is he who through this life, pursues a cloud he can not own….and leaves a wealth of things undone, his tomb a finally stepping stone.)

….Asaph had acted like he did not know God at all…..his mind had started to be embittered….

But….once he sees….he repents….and praises.

He realizes that God has kept him from falling completely……

“My flesh and my heart faileth:  but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” (Verse 26)

….”my portion for ever.”   

We need not envy the prosperous wicked….or the worldling.

For God is my portion for ever.

How much are we seeking our True Portion?….which abides from now and forever.

Are we ready to get honest with God?

It is as we come before Him, and “reason with Him”….that we are truly cleansed from the envy of the wicked….and value our portion in God, as we should.

            

Joseph as our example

Some commentators say that Joseph (Jacob’s firstborn son by Rachel) was one of the most perfect types of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Being beloved of his father,  he was hated of his brethren.  

          Genesis 37:4 “And when his brethren saw that their father loved him (Joseph) more than all his brethren,  they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.”   

                     (Jesus was beloved of the Father….yet was “hated without a cause”  [John 15:25] of His brethren after the flesh. [Matthew 21:36-40])

Joseph knew, by God, that he would reign over his brethren.

         Genesis 37:6-8 “And he (Joseph) said unto them,  Hear, I pray you, this dream…

         For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.

         And his brethren said to him,  Shalt thou indeed reign over us?…..And they hated him yet the more….”

                   ( Jesus Christ, the Son of God,  has reigned in heaven…and will reign over all in due time.    When He was here,  His call was:   The kingdom of God is at hand.

                    Rev. 22:3 “And there shall be no more curse:  but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it;  and his servants shall serve HIm:”)

Even though his brethren hated him,  still,  when his father sent him (Joseph) on an errand to find them….he went with diligence to do his father’s will.    (Genesis 37:13-17)  He sought them,  till he found them.

                    (Jesus Christ came to earth “to seek and to save that which was lost”  [Luke 19:10]…..doing all His Father’s Will…”I do always those things that please Him.”  [John 8:28-29])

When his brethren saw him (Joseph)….they plotted to kill him…yet there were some who tried to intervene for him.  (Genesis 37:20-22)   

                     (The majority of the nation rejected Christ, “and sought to destroy Him” [Luke 19:47]  yet there were some who tried to speak out for Him [John 7:50-51]….and who loved HIm, though they could do nothing against the rest.[John 19:25])

They threw him (Joseph) in  a pit….then sold him….to go down into Egypt.  (Genesis 37:24-27) 

                      ( Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver [Matt. 26:14-16]…..sold and then  handed over to Rome.)

Joseph was not forsaken even in Egypt….for he  was blessed…and many saw that God was with him.

  Yet there were problems…his master’s wife falsely accused him of trying to take advantage of her…

….and he was thrown into prison.    

       Yet, again, God blesses him, and he is made keeper under the jailer of the prisoners (Genesis 39:21)…which gives an opportunity to serve two of Pharaoh’s servants.     

       He tells them their dreams….one for the good of the man,….and one to prepare for the execution of the man. 

Joseph asks the wine taster to “remember me” before Pharaoh…to be released from prison…,,.but he forgot….and Joseph is left in prison. (Genesis 40:23)

                    (Jesus Christ was beaten, and crucified….yet it was not for HIs own sake.   He was judged,  and found not guilty by Pilate….yet He was forsaken by the nation and kept in judgement….though not forgotten of God.) 

Joseph was remembered by the wine taster….because of Pharaoh’s troubling dreams….and he (Joseph) was called out of prison, and exalted by Pharaoh…

……finally put in that position of authority and power….at the right hand of Pharaoh.  (Genesis 41:32-40)

                     (Jesus Christ was raised the third day by HIs Father, from death…and given “all power in heaven and in earth.” [Matthew 28:18]

                   He ascended to heaven after forty days of ministering to HIs disciples.     Ascended to the right hand of God with all power and authority. [Mark 16:19, Acts 1:9, 1Tim. 2:5])

Now there is one more thing to mention about Joseph….he dealt with his brethren when they came to him for food, with strictness (Genesis 42:7-8)….only to bring them to repentance  (Genesis 42:21-23, 44:16.).

…then he dealt in forgiveness….(Genesis 45:4-5, 7-8, 15)

…..bringing them to a position with him of some prestige and authority before Pharaoh.

(Genesis 47:1-2, 5-6)

                     (The Lord Jesus Christ brings us to see our sin,  and then to repentance.   And then He raises us up in Him [Ephesians 2:6]….and gives us,  in Him,  all spiritual blessings  [Eph. 1:3]….

….and makes us “complete in Him”  

Colossians 2:9-10 “For in Him (Christ Jesus) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

                     And ye are complete in HIm, which is the head of all principality and power:”)

Now I want to mention here about the example of Joseph for ourselves.

                   Though Joseph was loved of his father,  yet that did not keep him from the hatred of his brethren.

                   Joseph went from one trial to another….yet he was never forsaken of God.

                   Joseph worked for the good of others,  and gave God all the glory.

                   When he could have had “pay back” to his brethren….he still sought to do them good….first for their acknowledging of their sin…..so that the forgiveness he wanted to give, would be received aright.

We are to follow the example of Joseph……

…..and in all our circumstances,  we are to look to Christ’s glory….to God’s Will….and to see to the correction and forgiveness of our brethren ( Matthew 18:15-17, Gal.6:1).    

Life in Christ, leads us on from strength to strength….but that will include trials,  troubles, and even persecutions and afflictions: that our faith “though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 1:7)

Behold!

There are over a thousand “Behold”s in the Bible.

It means “Stop, Look”….or “Look and see here.”  

     In most of them,  God is speaking to His people to “get their attention” about  His Word to them.

The first “Behold” was spoken by God to Adam and Eve.

      It was for their provision….their supply of good things.

Genesis 1:29 “And God said,  Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed;  to you it shall be for meat.”

God did not just create Adam and Eve,  and set them in a place and say…..

…”Here you go.  Find food, and see to things, yourself….do the best you can.”

No,…..as God shows us,  in the very first time He spoke to them….

….as their God,  He had provided for their needs.

In the last chapter of the Bible….is the last “Behold”.

      Revelation 22:12 “And, behold, I come quickly:  and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”

To us who read it,  or hear it…..Stop and look…..for I am coming again….and all must be prepared for it.

(Actually three times in the last chapter Jesus Christ says:  I come quickly)

All through His Word, the Lord speaks to us….”Behold”.   

“Stop and Look”.    “Look and see here!”

When Jacob ran away from Esau, because he had tricked Issac into giving him the blessing….he lay his head down that first night….and “behold”. (Genesis 28:11-15)

Behold, a ladder reaching into heaven,   Behold angels on it,  Behold the Lord stood above it,….Behold I am with thee and will keep thee.

Over one hundred times the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel,  have “Behold”  in each  of their writings!

Isaiah 7:14 “……Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call HIs name Immanuel.”

Isaiah 59:1 “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save;  neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear:”

Jeremiah 21:8 “And unto this people thou shalt say,  Thus saith the Lord;  Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.”

Jeremiah 23:5 “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.”

Ezekiel 18:4 “Behold, all souls are Mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is Mine:  the soul that sinneth,  it shall die.”

Ezekiel 37:2,5,7,11,12.   Five times in the valley of dry bones, “behold” is used……when God speaks of raising Israel again.

When Christ is come to earth,  there are over one hundred and fifty “Behold”s:

Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves…”

Matthew 20:18 “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be betrayed…”

Luke 17:21 “….for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”

Luke 24:49 “And , behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you:…”

In each of the seven church’s in Revelation He says “Behold”.   

For some, it is to “behold” their sin, and seek Him for deliverance…..

….. some it is to “behold” His answer and a promise,   for their obedience.

And then He shows us:  “And after this I looked, and,  behold,  a door was opened in Heaven:  and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me;  which said,  Come up hither….”(Revelation 4:1. And this speaks of the Rapture of the church)

God wants us to “Stop, look…..Look and see, here”.   

One is for warning to His people for what is ahead for them.

And one is for instruction.

Amos 8:11 “Behold,  the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land,  not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,  but of hearing the words of the Lord:”

Those days are upon us…..let us hear His “Behold” to us….and get about doing the work He has called us to…..

….for the light is waning….and the darkness creeps on….let us hold up our lights….and give light to them that are around us…

One man wrote:   When you must descend the stairs….and the way is dark.  

(And are we not going down into more and more darkness in the world?)

Then hang on to the hand-rail of God’s love,  and walk on.

Paul’s prayer for the Philippians

Paul’s prayers are wonderful.   For in them we see the humbleness of this man….and his firm belief in God’s greatness…

…and the desire of his heart for the churches he prayed for.

Philippians 1:9-11 “And this I pray,  that your love may abound yet more and more in  knowledge and in all judgment;

                 That ye may approve things that are excellent;  that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

                 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness,  which are by Jesus Christ,  unto the glory and praise of God.”

The believers at Philippi were under persecution.    They had been from the beginning,  and yet….this is one of the most joyful books….exhorting the believers to steadfastness in rejoicing!

This first prayer, here, shows the importance of love to God, and Christ Jesus.    Those that love God,   rejoice…even though the circumstances are bad.

Yet Paul prays that their love may abound in knowledge.  

              To have a deeper knowledge of Christ,  and His grace and help.    To have a deeper knowledge of the truth of the Word of God.   To have a deeper knowledge of the working of the Holy Spirit within.    

              Love must be instructed in the things of God,  that it can “abound”.

And that their love will abound…in judgment. 

             This is discernment:   for he goes on to say,  “that ye may approve things that are excellent.”

             All the circumstances of our lives need much wisdom to deal with them rightly.   

             So Paul prays that they may be instructed by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit….so that their hearts are not lead astray….but that they know  what they are to “approve” of.

            We are to walk without offense…to avoid doing those things that might cause an occasion to sin, for others.     

Paul wanted them to have an even balance….not just instruction in…”do this”….”don’t do that”….

…but an acquired knowledge or experience of “Christ in me the hope of glory”.    To stand in hope….”to be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;”

            Christians under persecution can still rejoice in hope:  for the Holy Spirit helps us grow in grace….and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ….experiencing HIs grace and love to us….

…and gives us discernment for all our situations.

Romans 5:2-5 “By Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

            ….knowing that tribulation worketh patience;   And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

             And hope maketh not ashamed;  because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost…”

Our hearts are warmed and enlightened by the knowledge we gain of Christ Jesus,   Who is our Lord and King.

            Then we discern and value God’s goodness to us, even in the worst of times….which leads us out of ourselves….and on,   into more of the things of Christ, 

            Love is increased….”abounds”.

Do we know the blessedness of walking with God?   Have we truly:  “taste and see that the Lord is good”?

The more our understanding is enlightened by the Lord….the more our hearts are drawn out to see the Way of the Lord in everything.

“Being filled with the fruits of righteousness,  which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”

Let me say that love leads to obedient praise….to the seeking of God’s glory in all my circumstances.  

And Paul prays for this,  for the Philippian Christians.   

Paul prays that they might enjoy the fruits of their obedience.   

               Righteousness is two-fold.   

First,  there is the righteousness of Christ given to us when we are born again.   Our sins are forgiven, and we are made positively righteous before God,…in Christ Jesus.  We are justified. We are given a new,  righteous nature….within us, so that we want to please God.

Second,  there is the righteousness Christ works out through us,  in our sanctification (Phil.2:12-13)….or our being set aside to God in life and work….in our circumstances.

              Righteousness in this way….practical righteousness, means right living….walking according to God’s rules.   And it is worked in us by the Holy Spirit…so we become fruitful (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, etc.)…and then He works it out through our obedience.

It is all of Christ Jesus,  as Paul states here.   

             Paul wanted to see these Philippians being filled up with the fruit of righteousness.     Overflowing in joy and peace!      In knowledge and in discernment!   

            He wanted them to continue in this grace of joy….seeking the good of others (which is not so easy under persecution.) 

            And he sets them an example:  

            Philippians 1:15,18 “ Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

           What then?  Notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth,  Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.”

For this is what Paul is saying to them:   do all these things  “….unto the glory and praise of God.”

That was his life….and his prayer for their lives.    

            That they might “abound” in love….through persecution and trial….and learn to do all to the glory of God.    

            Being filled with His fruits of righteousness….HIs joy….His peace….HIs patience….His faith,  His hope,   to the glory and praise of God…Who saved, called, and sustains us.

Be of good cheer;  it is I; be not afraid.

Matthew 14:22-23 “And straightway Jesus constrained His disciples to get into a ship, and to go before Him unto the other side,  while He sent the multitudes away.

               And when He had sent the multitudes away,   He went up into a mountain apart to pray:  and when the evening was come,  He was there alone.”

Jesus has had a long day,  for He had preached to a multitude of people….and had fed the five thousand with five loaves and two fishes.   In the evening, about three o’clock in the afternoon,  He began to send the people away.

Then, in the late evening, about six o’clock,  Jesus went up into the mountain, alone, to pray.  (This is HIs general course of action,  to go to a mountain to pray alone.)    Communion with His Father was precious….and He usually did this alone….though often His disciples were close.

He constrained His disciples to go before Him to the other side. 

            (They were going to the land of the Gennesaret.   They had been there before and He had healed a demonic man….and had been asked to leave.    But now they would be welcomed,  because of the many people who needed to be healed  Matthew 14:35-36)

Matthew 14:24 “But the ship was now in the midst of the sea,  tossed with waves:  for the wind was contrary.”

How many times have we set out to do the Lord’s Will…and “in the midst” found that everything seems “contrary” to what we have been told to do?

The Sea of Galilee is about seven miles across….so, though they had been rowing (Mark 6:48) for hours,  they had only gotten about half-way across.

The disciples must have been extremely tired….and  disheartened not to have the Lord with them…

…and about three o’clock in the morning….Jesus came out to them…..walking on the sea!

Matthew 14:25-26 “And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them,  walking on the sea.

             And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea,  they were troubled, saying,   It is a spirit;  and they cried out for fear.”

Now they are not only exhausted….they are afraid.    They saw this figure on the sea, coming closer.   Their minds must have been  playing tricks on them,….or this was a spirit!

But then Jesus speaks.    He does not calm the storm, right away….but walks on it,   toward them!

But He speaks….”Be of good cheer;  it is I;  be not afraid.”

          And how many times a Word from HIm,  puts everything into the right perspective for us.

Three small phrases….

….yet it was not just what He said….but that it was Jesus who said it.

          “Be of good cheer”….or “have courage, or boldness”.    

          Jesus was not telling them to “put on a happy face”….but to muster all the courage they had….for…

….He had come. 

          “It is I”.    The disciples had been with Him for about a year and a half…..and had just seen Him feed five thousand.    His Voice, “it is I”,  called for them to acknowledge Him as the Messiah, the Christ of God.     

          “Be not afraid,”     He knew their hearts….and that they needed to hear this word from Him. 

(My husband went through the Bible   and noticed how many times the Lord said “Fear not”.   And mentioned that when the Lord said it,  there was usually something to fear.   

          The Lord does not say words to pacify….but to awaken us to the facts that He knows what is going on,  and that He is here with us.)

Peter was so awakened….and asked the Lord to “bid” him to come to Him….on the water.

Here is the courage Jesus told them to have…boldness in Him!   

          So Jesus told him to “come”….and here we need to explain….this Word does not just contain permission….but grace,  or the power/ability to do.

For when Jesus gives a command,  He gives the grace to do it.    

           And Peter did walk toward Jesus….on the waves and water….

…till he saw the wind boisterous.

Perhaps Peter thought that when he would start to walk,  Jesus would calm the sea for him.   Perhaps Peter had his eyes on Jesus till he got smacked in the face with the reality of the storm of wind,  still.

Whatever his thought was….when Peter stopped looking at Jesus,  and started noticing the velocity of the wind,   he became afraid again….and began to sink.

And he cried out….(and here is an marvelous action).  Peter cried out to Jesus….putting all his trust in Him.

Matthew 14:31-33 “And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him,    O thou of little faith,  wherefore didst thou doubt?

            And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

            Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped Him,  saying,  “Of a  truth Thou art the Son of God.”

One commentator says that Jesus pulled Peter back up into a walking position…and they both walked to the boat, and got in…the Lord hanging onto Peter all the way.

We sometimes wonder at the way the Lord taught His disciples.   (sometimes I wonder at their unbelief….till I sorrowfully remember my own “little faith”.)

How He challenged them, and let them be tried ….to bring out from their hearts,  faith and trust. To bring out from their lives,  obedience and love.  

And so He does to us.   The circumstances He leads us into…..or sends us into…are all to show us….that with HIs Word, He gives grace.    That He will come to us, even in the middle of the storm, and will lift us back into our stand with Him.