To be wholly sanctified

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly;  and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

         Faithful is He that calleth you,  Who also will do it.”

It is interesting to note when God uses a specific name for Himself.   

        Here it is….”the very God of peace”.

Why,  when He is speaking of sanctification,  does He use this name?

Hebrews 13:20-21 “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,  through the blood of the everlasting covenant,  

       Make you perfect in every good work to do His Will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight,  through Jesus Christ;  to Whom be glory forever and ever.  Amen.”

If we left out the means of this work….these verses would read:

       “Now the God of peace,…make you perfect in every good work to do His Will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight…”

Because God is the God of peace to us,  we can be “made perfect” or complete in His Will.

And that “make you perfect”…..is sanctification.    Sanctification, is to be set aside to God.   It includes dying to self (Matthew 16:24,  Luke 9:23) daily….

…and living to God (Matthew 16:25, Luke 9:24) daily.

Paul when he spoke of putting off the old man, and putting on the new,  describes it as this:

Colossians 3:12-15 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,  bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

        Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

       And above all these things put on charity (love), which is the bond of perfectness.

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

Notice, that the peace of God….from the God of peace,  is to rule in our hearts.

The means of this ruling peace,   is:   “our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep” 

“through Jesus Christ”.  (Hebrews 13:20-21)

It is by the blood of the everlasting covenant that Christ Jesus becomes our Shepherd…and we become the sheep of His pasture.

       As Shepherd of the sheep,  He has gone before to prepare our way,  today.     And He leads us….taking us where we need to go,  under His protection.

God is the God of peace…..and it is time,  that all the things that are at cross purposes with Him in our lives, be set right before Him.

Put off….put on: 

          bowels of mercies.    It is mercies,  for there are a multitude of them.   We can grieve with someone,  or rejoice with someone.   We can forgive, as we have been forgiven….for mercy in it’s very definition is: doing good to one who does not deserve it.

         Kindness.  Here it means “usefulness” to God and others.

         Humbleness of mind.    This is very specific.  Our minds are often thinking of ourselves in a better light than we are.  

The scriptures say:  “as a man thinketh in his heart, so he is”.    We may be modest outwardly,  but what is our minds thinking we are?    

         (There was a time, when the Lord was showing me my work,…that I wanted to be the “hero” of my story.   I did not want to be a “side-character”, I wanted to save the world.   But God wanted me to fill-in in this capacity….and fill-in there.   He wanted me to stop when He said stop and go when He said go.   I liked to charge in….way too many times….and it usually ended,  not in saving anyone,  but in problems.

          Humbleness of mind  fits us to be here,  today….helping this one.   And there, tomorrow, doing that.    It takes what God gives and uses it….to His glory…leaving the “heroics”  to Him.

          We often forget, that when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were thrown into the fiery furnace….that it was not one leader, and the other two going along….but each in their place before God.   Daniel 3:12-30

         That is the way God would have each of us….in our place before Him….saying what each should say.  Notice it says that they all three said the same…no leader but God.  Daniel 3:16-18)

         Meekness, longsuffering.   Both are a fruit of the Holy Spirit within (Gal. 5:22-23)…which He works within us….through Christ Jesus.   For the Holy Spirit always shows us Christ, and how He is.

         Forbearing one another, forgiving one another.    We keep ourselves in the place that the Lord has for us,  with the people the Lord has for us….giving each the due consideration that the Lord wants….for they are His people.

        Put on charity….which is the bond of perfectness (completeness).   Love is the willed tendency of our hearts and lives.   

        We love Him, because  He first loved us.  

        We love the brethren because He loves them.   

        We love others because God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but  have everlasting life.

Let the peace of God rule….and be ye thankful.

There is power enough, but it must be put to use.  We must yield to the Holy Spirit….and in our yielding, the power will come.

…”Put off the old man with his deeds….put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him:” (Colossians 3:9-10)

Hebrews 13:21 “Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight,   through Jesus Christ;  to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

We know that perfection is attaining to that which we were brought into being for.   

             Do we know His plan for us?      Are we following after His purpose in the work He has called us to?

For it is all….through Jesus Christ…To Whom be glory for ever and ever.   Amen.

From the depth of our self life to the height of HIs glory (Ephesians 3:17-19)….that is the sanctification which comes from the God of peace….

…are we letting His peace rule in us….are we being thankful?

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In every thing give thanks:  for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

If we do this….in truth….then certainly we will:

1 Thessalonians 5:19 “Quench not the Spirit.”    

           We will not be putting out the fire of the Holy Spirit within us…to purify, cleanse, and make us zealous of repentance (Revelation 3:19)…..and good works (Titus 2:14)

“Faithful is He that calleth you,  Who will also do it.”

Can two walk together except they be agreed? 

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

This is God speaking to his prophet about Israel;  His own people.

Can He say the same about us?   Are we trying to walk with God, without bringing ourselves into that “agreement” with Him.

Maybe, in general, you agree with God.   But do you agree with the way He is bringing His will to pass in your life?

Do you agree with the circumstances you are having to pass through?

Don’t we at times reject the way God presents His Will to us?

And then we, in some way, refuse it?

We want God’s will.  But just not that way……or with these people,……or at this time.

Can two walk together except they be agreed?

Paul says:

Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

             And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

You begin this by presenting your bodies to God, the Holy Spirit.

As Christ gave over control to God, the Father,  in the garden of Gethsemane,  for the sacrifice He was going to make.   

So we do the same.  

We give the Holy Spirit control: “Not my will, but Thine be done.”

Then we are to stay away from conformity to the world’s system.   That is stated in:

1 John 1:16 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh,  and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

Lust here is desire.   What we desire in our flesh….perhaps to lose  our double chin….or have that large burger with a half pound of bacon…..or a larger house, truck, etc.

These are desires that would please our flesh.   

That would not add honor to God,  but would just please ourselves.

What we desire with our eyes……Eve started this with a look a the Tree of knowledge of Good and Evil.   It looked so good.     

So does the newest movie star,  or that car, or that job.

And we desire to make us a  “Someone”.   Whether by ability, fame, wealth, or notoriety.      (Pride is the sin which caused Lucifer to become the Devil.  Isaiah 14:12-15)

We are to stay away from these things, for they are of the world.

We are to renew our mind:    Col.3:9-10,   Eph.4:22-24,  Titus 3:5   All talk of putting off the old man, and by the Holy Spirit,   being renewed, by putting on the new man.

The new man is the “Christ in you, the hope of glory”. (Col. 1:27)

That means we are to use the faith given us, and in the power of the Holy Spirit within us,…..to live as Christ did:  

Loving our Heavenly Father, and doing His will;

Loving the brethren and seeking their good.

Telling the world of God’s will and way,  as the  Lord directs.

We really can “agree” with Christ, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and His Word, everyday.

Bringing everything to Him:  every desire, every need, every promise…..and the Holy Spirit will make us pliable to God’s Will…..with contentment.

1 Timothy 6:6 “But Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

The Woman at the Well 

John 4:3-4, 6-7 “He left Judea,  and departed again into Galilee.   For he must needs go through Samaria.

                 Now Jacobs’s well was there.  Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey,  sat thus on the well:  and it was about  the sixth hour.

                There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water:  Jesus saith unto her,   Give me to drink.”

Why is the woman at the well important?

1. the Salvation of every person is important.
2. She became a light which brought her city to Christ,  though she was an adulteress.
3. Because Jesus lets us know that it is not in a place,  or because you are a particular people….but He tells that anyone must worship God in Spirit and in truth.

Jesus is passing through Samaria, and was tired, hungry and thirsty.   His disciples went into the city to buy some food.  And Jesus sat on the well, waiting.

She had come to the well when no one was around, because of what she was;  and yet wanted the truth of God’s Word…..even though she was, what she was.

(I am stressing this, because we all begin our journey with the Lord the same way:   We are sinners.   Maybe we have never done what she did,  but sin places us all on the same plain….on the way to death.)

“Why do you a Jew ask a drink of me, a Samaritan?” (John 4:9)

It seemed a good question,  for the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans,….thinking them defiled. 

(The Samaritans were the descendants of the inter marriages of Hebrew and the other nations. Ezra 9:1-2,12)

But Jesus came to save all those who would believe and receive His life.   

So, instead of pressing His right to a drink again;…….Jesus speaks to her about “living water”.

John 4:10, 13-14 “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knowest the gift of God, and Who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink;  thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water.

                    Jesus answered and said unto her,  Whosever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

                    But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst;  but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

Her reply was very practical:   “Give me that water so I won’t have to come and draw from this well.”

So Jesus brings her a step further toward real life, by dealing with her real problem:   “Go get your husband.”

Would she tell the truth?  

She replied,  “I have no husband”.  

John 4:17-18  “….Jesus said unto her,  Thou hast well said I have no husband:                    

                    For thou hast had five husbands;  and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband:  in that saidst thou truly.”

What would she do now?  Run away?  Spit on Him?  Throw water on Him?  

But instead she considered the truth, instead of her feelings,….and spoke to this man of something which was on her heart:   worship,….for she knew He was a prophet.

She wanted to know,  what was right,  in God sight.  

This is amazing…..she was being shown for what she was….yet…she is drawn out of herself….because she sees He is a prophet (she still does not see Who He is as Lord and Savior)….but she is being drawn toward more of the truth…

Let me say, that Jesus does this within us….He draws us out of ourselves….our circumstances….toward Him.

 “Were they right to worship in this mountain, as their fathers did?   Or were the Jews right in saying Jerusalem was the only place to worship God?”

Odd conversation for a woman who had been looking for satisfaction in sexual and romantic emotions.

John 4:21-22 “Jesus saith unto her,  Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

            Ye worship ye know not what:  we know what we worship;…

            …But the hour cometh, and now is,  when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:….

             God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”

 Right here, could have been a problem;  if she did not really want the truth.

(Maybe this was what she had been searching for in those five husbands she’d had.

But to want the truth,….generally, and to face the truth for yourself,  is two different things.)

Yet, here again, she does not back away from getting the truth,……of getting that living water;……even when it came to what He would say about herself.

John 4:25-26 “The woman saith unto him,  I know that Messiah cometh,  which is called Christ:  when He is come,  He will teach us all things.

           Jesus saith unto her,  I that speaketh unto thee am He.”

Jesus had revealed Himself to very few people;  but to this woman who wanted the truth,  He did.

This  shows us the great value the Lord Jesus puts on truth,….and those that seek it.

(John 1:17 “For the law was given by Moses,  but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

When truth is faced,  grace is always given….no matter what our background)

This woman was afraid of people….and how they treated her.

Because of that she  had come to the well at this time…..and met Jesus.

But hearing the Truth, and from the Messiah……sent her into that same town,   to tell all that she would meet, about Christ Jesus.

John 4:29 “Come, see a man,  which told me all things that ever I did:  is not this the Christ?”

By her witness,  many came to believe on Jesus, too:

John 4:39-42 “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on Him for the saying of the woman,  which testified ,  He told me all that ever I did.

               So when the Samaritans were come unto Him, they besought Him that he would tarry with them:  and He abode there two days.

               And many more believed because of His own word.

               And said unto the woman,  Now we believe,  not because of thy saying:  for we have heard Him  ourselves,  and know that this is indeed the Christ,  the Savior of the world.”

Notice, she is not afraid of the townspeople, now.   They are not different….she is.   She has met the Savior….and believed on Him. (John 1:12, Romans 10:8-13)

What of us?    How much do we value the truth, especially for ourselves?

Have we hidden lives we do not want to admit to?

Or are we believing in a doctrine,  and that is enough?

The truth is,  that everyone who comes to Jesus Christ,  can find the water of life……

……real satisfaction…..and know for themselves that He is Lord and Savior,  for themselves….and show Him to others.

I beseech you

Beseech is a word meaning “to call near”.     Gather around the Lord, and hear His Word to us.

Romans 12 is one of the most practical chapters in this book.

It begins with our surrender to die to self.    That we may be kept from the world (it’s attitudes and influence)….. the flesh (our self-life),  and the devil (who seeks to separate us from God, by sin, pride, and anger)

Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you   therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is  your reasonable service.”

          (A note here,  the whole burnt sacrifice,   which was a voluntary sacrifice,   of which this speaks,   was brought to the door of the Tabernacle, and the person placed their hand on the beast and confessed his sins, and then he killed the beast and the blood was sprinkled by the priests around the altar, and the beast was cut up, cleansed on the inside,  and  wholly burnt on the altar….Leviticus 1:3,9

When Paul calls for a living sacrifice….he is saying, bring yourself wholly before God, the Holy Spirit,… and lay yourself upon the altar of His day by day Will.)

         “ And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

           Then Paul, in a very practical fashion….goes on to explain that when we give ourselves to God….we are not to think of ourselves “more highly that we ought”…because we have done this,…but to be honest, and see the measure of faith God has given us.

This “measure of faith” has to do with our work….our ministering to others….our gifts and callings.

Romans 12:6 “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophecy according to the proportion of faith:” 

Some may be given great faith to go and preach in foreign lands, or work in the ministry to churches….or some may be given special faith to start and finish a particular work.    But all we do for the Lord, should be by His grace through the measure of faith He has given us.

            (It is a great blessing to know,   when things get tough and tribulations come,  that the Lord has sent you into this situation….this place, this people.)

           Paul goes on and speaks of faith for ministry,  teaching,  exhorting,  or giving,  ruling or being in an authoritative position…

….and the gifts of mercy to others…and always with love in our hearts to God and those we are sent to…

…fervent in spirit, which means to stay in tune with the Holy Spirit, and His Word to us…and see to what He is telling us, today…

…continuing instant in prayer….being ready to pray for anyone, anywhere.   Always staying before the throne of grace to get the help we need.

         (  When my daughter and I, began our ministry of prayer….it was in a most unlikely place.    She had a paper route, and really came to love the people she delivered to.   They became almost like family….and when she and I went out together…many of them would mention  about so and so being in the hospital…or had fell down, etc.

            Well my daughter and I began to tell them we would pray for these things.  And we did…making a prayer list,  but also immediately praying for those sick and troubled…even as we walked around.

            Although seemingly uncaring….many began to seek out our prayers, telling us about other troubles…and we began a work of prayer for many of them.)

Romans 12:18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you,  live peaceably with all men.”

          (  My husband had a message on this verse once….and said,…

…”The apostle must have known that there are some people that we can not live peaceably with.

So Paul, here,  says plainly  that we must not worry what others do….we must have the attitude that we will  not cause the strife…or aggravate it….even if they do.”)

All of this chapter…up to this point….is stressing the self-denial of life….and work.   

But then things become different and difficult:    It is not so hard to love those who love and follow the Lord….but:

Romans 12:19-21 “Dearly beloved,  avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath:  for it is written,  Vengeance is mine;  I will repay, saith the Lord.

             Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him;  if he thirst, give him drink:  for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.   

              Be not overcome of evil,  but overcome evil with good.”

Here Paul again speaks of his love for them….”dearly beloved” or “Friend”

             To avenge is to make people suffer for what they have done to you or a loved one.

And we are to be dead to vengeance….for only God has the authority to judge….and He plainly says:  I will repay.

This, plainly, is a hard saying…..maybe we can see we are not to “stand up for ourselves”….but for others we love? or for the work? Or for the Lord?

Once we place ourselves on that Altar of God, the Holy Spirit….He will use many things to “burn us up”….or purify us wholly.

God can take care of HIs own glory….but we are to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude3)    But this is to make people aware of the Truth….once they are aware….it is up to them.

God can take care of HIs Work….but we are to be “faithful stewards”(2 Cor. 4:2) of the gospel of God….but this again is in making known the Truth…and doing what we can.

God can take care of us….and those we love.   How many times has He delivered, and cared for us?    

         Our enemies are in great danger….not that they know it….but the real victory, for us here, is:

“Be not overcome of evil”….if we acted like they do,   we would be the ones overcome.

“But overcome evil with good.”….this good is moral strength….is a willed confidence that God will bring His good out of the situation….for HIs glory.

          And this can only be in the power and grace of the Holy Spirit flowing through us….as we are that sacrifice unto God.

Let us gather near to God and hear His provision for us in this world….”Sacrifice to Me.    This is voluntary….I will not require it.  

          But it is the means to have  the faith and grace that flows from My Holy Spirit….giving strength and power….to you and through you.”

Christian, What do you think of Christ?   

Song of Solomon 1:2 “Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth:  for Thy love is better than wine.”

This is not the kiss of the Father to the prodigal son.  (Luke 15:20)

This is not the kiss of the woman sinner on Jesus feet. (Luke 7:37-38)

This is the kiss of the mouth.  One on one relationship of love.

Our Christian life begins a personal relationship with Christ Jesus.  

Saved sinner to Savior;……that should lead to disciple and Master.   

Which gives way to friend to Friend;….and that can lead to Union and Communion. 

There is,  as this maiden here in the Song of Solomon finds,  always a closer relationship  with the Lord. 

Have you found His love so?  

For surely to know His love is more inebriating than wine. (Ephesians 5:18)

This love is not what He has done for you;  but what He is to you.

She loved Him, and wanted a closer relationship with Him.  She wanted nothing to come between them.

What about us?   What comes between us and our Lord?

What has cooled your affections for Jesus?

What of your heart’s desire?  Is it for Christ, and His Will to be done in your life?  

Or is it satisfied with just hearing, (at a distance) about Christ?

Is this not the reason of our lukewarm attitude toward our Lord?  

And how much of what He has given us, is spoiled because of our attitude toward it?

Song of Solomon 1:7 “Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon:  for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?”

We are Christians;  we are not going to desert Christ.   But we often are “turned aside by the flocks of Thy companions”.      We follow His ministers,  or a certain doctrine,  or get so wrapped up in “working for Christ”;  that we become distanced from Him.

Of course, we should go to Church.  Yes, we should be attentive to Gospel messages.   We should always know the doctrine of faith.

But for the individual Christian,  we should always keep our relationship to Christ in first place.

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

Union and Communion

What God wants in the believer, is a continuing walk,….a developing union with every forward step we take.

        When we are in union with HIm, there are no divisions  or hidden strife with Him.  

The object of union with Christ Jesus,  is communion in the Spirit.   (communion is partnership with the Holy Spirit….so that in every day, in every act we are yielding to His guidance,)

       (Every believer talks with God, in prayer, in cries in the night, for deliverances, and intercessions.

       But this “communion” is spirit to Holy Spirit, within.   It is the nestling of our hearts and heads against the shoulder of the strength of God….and telling the unbridled truth about yourself to God:  both in confession of sin, and in praise for victory, and in everyday trials and attitudes.)

       Communion is developed only by our increased identification with Christ….and His honor and glory.

When we behold the King,  we are transformed into the same character of our King.    We become Christ-like.

Then His glorious life can be seen in our personalities.    For we each are a  unique personality.  

              We each can draw as close to Jesus.   We each can have union and communion with Him.

Peter is such a perfect example of this increased union and communion…He was a fisherman, called by Jesus to follow Him….and when He did…..he was quick to speak his mind 

              “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God” Matthew 16:15-17

                          When Jesus said He was the bread of Life, and many became offended…Jesus asked his apostles,  Will ye also go away?    Peter quickly replies:  Lord, to whom shall we go?  Thou hast the words of eternal life.”  John 6:68

                          On the Mt. of transfiguration:  “And Peter answered and said to Jesus…For he wist not what to say;  for they were sore afraid.”  Mark 9:5-6

                           When Jesus said, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.   “Then answered Peter …Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” Matthew 19:24-27

                            When Jesus told them plainly of the elders and chief priests would take and crucify Him…”then Peter took Him and rebuked Him,…Be it far from Thee, Lord: this shall not be…”  For which Jesus corrected Peter…for the cross was God’s Will.

                            When Jesus said that all would desert Him….Peter quickly spoke up and said “Though I should die with Thee, yet will I not deny Thee.”

And Peter’s actions…when he walked on water to go to Jesus…

…when he cut off the servant’s ear in the garden of Gethsemane.

…when he ran to the tomb, even though he did not believe yet that Jesus was resurrected….and more.

Peter was impulsive,  quick to speak…headstrong at times,  always trying to figure things out…..but always following on after the Lord.

And Jesus never tired of guiding him,…and warning him.   Bringing him closer to Him, for Peter was privileged to be in the inner three.

              It is very true, the closer we are to Jesus, the safer we are….no matter our personalities….for they will begin to take on the personalities of Christ Jesus.

       (In contrast, you never read….in any of the gospels,  that Judas sought to get more knowledge from Jesus, or spend more time in listening to Jesus….or, even that Jesus ever corrected him, except with the rest of the disciples.    

       How this shows that the Lord’s time, Word, and corrections are so valuable to us!   If He left us to ourselves….where would we be!)

Again I want to stress that Peter truly loved the Lord…..and though he sinned greatly….he was forgiven abundantly.

              We all know that Peter was chosen to speak to the crowd at Pentecost….while the other disciples interpreted his message in other languages to the many that were gathered (Acts 2:6,14)….but though that was a great day….

…..the work had  just begun. 

              There was services to have,  seeing to the needs of the church….there was persecution to stand against….all in Jesus name.

              Peter opened the church to Gentiles….so that you and I could be admitted into the church.

And at the end of his ministry…Peter wrote about our speech:

             1 Peter 4:11 “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God (according to God’s Will);  if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth;    that God  in all things  may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to Whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever.  Amen.

Peter wrote about persecution:

            1 Peter 1:7 “That the trial of your faith,  being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ;”

Notice that the theme of all is….the glory of God in Christ Jesus.   Peter had come a long way.

Union in all our onward steps with the Lord, leads to communion of the Spirit.

           It is a partnership, if you will, of us and the Holy Spirit…working together for our lives and work…to be, only for  the honor and glory of God.

Nehemiah and the wall of separation and protection 

Nehemiah was a servant of the king of Persia,  a cupbearer, an Israelite.

      He was in a place of relative safety….of wealth and comfort…

….yet his heart worried over the Israelites which had gone back to the land of Israel, to build a temple there,…..for they were in bad straits.

And Nehemiah was a true worshipper of God,…who sought the good for the returned remnant….so he prays.

     This is very wonderful….and it also should be the basis of our actions in the world….prayer for guidance and blessing for the Will of God….in us and through us.

       Nehemiah wanted permission to go to Jerusalem and help them against their enemies.

Nehemiah 1:5-11 “…I beseech Thee, O Lord God….that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love Him and observe His commandments:

       …that Thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray…day and night…for the children of Israel…and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against Thee:….

       ….Remember, I beseech Thee, the word…If ye transgress, I will scatter you…

       But if ye turn unto Me, and keep My commandments and do them;….yet will I gather them from thence and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set My name there.

        O Lord, I beseech Thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of Thy servant, and to the prayer of Thy servants,  who desire to fear Thy name: and prosper, I pray Thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man….”

If he was to get permission to go to Jerusalem….God would have to do it.

      Yet the means of prayer and obedience was to be used…that is God’s Way of bringing His Will to pass….through His servants who confess their sins, and seek His Will.

So Nehemiah bravely asked to go to Jerusalem and help the poor Israelites there.

Nehemiah’s concern was the wall.    It had been destroyed under Nebuchadnezzar,  torn down and burnt.   It was now just rubble….and there was no separation or protection without it.

(Proverbs 25:28 “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”    

      Without the walls of God’s Will and Word to separate us from the world’s influence….we will be subjects to every attitude and emotion…rather than subjects of our King, Christ Jesus.)

He is given permission…..with a timeline to return…..

…so Nehemiah goes to Jerusalem!

      He is made the governor…..yet works to express his authority against the wicked, rather than the righteous….unless there is sin in Israel to deal with.

He waits….secretly looking things over….before he speaks (Nehemiah 2:12-15). 

But  then lays out the plan the Lord showed him:

Nehemiah 2:17-18 “Then said I unto them,  Ye see the distress we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire:,  and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.

       …And they (the Israelites)said, Let us rise up and build….”

       They had to remove the old stones….by using what they could.   Each family,  each man building by their house….or moving into a house by the wall. (Nehemiah 3:28)

The wall was a masterpiece….separating these Israelites from the people who were in the land, around them.

Nehemiah 4:6 “So built we the wall;  and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof; for the people had a mind to work.”

It gave them safety….walls are always for safety against the enemy around us….none can get in unless they are let in. 

It gave them stability….they were staying….not like a homeless people among other people….

….but with a city, Jerusalem, again…..and a temple to worship God….and a plan for moving forward with God.

And mostly it gave them purpose.   Each family was given their part to build….and they were to be careful how they built….to place it straight….to build joining together for a fortress.

(And we have a purpose to build God’s “building”….

         Ephesians 2:20-22 “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,  Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone;

         In Whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

         In Whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

…and we are to….”take heed how we build thereupon”.)

        They were also to build with their sword on their thigh….or a weapon close at hand….for there were enemies.

Nehemiah 4:9, 17 “Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them…

        They which builded on the wall, and they which bare burdens, with those that laded,  every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.”

Prayer was kept first,  for God’s help is always the best…then,

There was a trumpeter to blow if this section was being attacked….the others could come running to aid them.

(We are to be watchful in prayer….with the Word of God, ready to be used anytime. )

There were gates, built also…… they were open during the day, the time of light…..so people could come  in if they wanted to.       There was a watch,  we must watch always….but there was open gates….if any man would come in at the appointed time. Nehemiah 7:3

(Our walls of separation are not so many bricks and mortar…..but our devotion and obediences to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

        A few might admire our devotion to God…..some may send encouragements….

….but many will resent or fight against us….in thought, word or deed.

Yet the work needs to be done….we must build….right next to us.  

       In our own homes, and families….with our friends and our workplace….our neighborhoods….our town.

Remember we are building a wall….a strong fortress of God’s Will in our lives and in the lives of others…to separate us to God, and from the world’s influence.)

When the walls were done….there was celebration with the Word of God being read before all the people.   There was seven days of celebration…”the joy of the Lord is our strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

There was still much to do….but they were established….separated to God’s Will…hearing the Word of God….and being taught in the truth.

(And the Lord will establish us…in His grace and truth…

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

Iniquity

Ezekiel 18:19-20 “Yet say ye,  Why? Doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father?   When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all My statutes, and hath done them, he shall live.

          The soul that sinneth, it shall die.  The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son:  the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.”

          It had been a common thought that the children would bear some of the sins of the fathers….for it made them feel that they were suffering for someone else’s sin.  (Duet. 24:16)

But the Lord speaks plainly here….that each soul stands before Him in their own righteousness or their own iniquity.

The Lord was speaking to His own people….those that should have known His Word…should have known HIs Way.

Iniquity is anything unequal to our high calling in God.  

          Iniquity is used here for the Lord was speaking about those given high privileges indeed….yet who refused His blessing of drawing nigh to Him….

…..and instead drew back from Him and HIs laws.

Israel had become unequal….although they accused the Lord of being unequal in His Ways (Ezekiel 18:25).

         On the one side in the balance….was God’s deliverances,  HIs Word,  His Temple and sacrifices,  and His prophets awaking them to His demands.

         On the other side was to be their obedience,  concern for others (esp. Their brethren the Israelites)  and to rejoice in HIs presence.

But the balances were unequal….not because of God’s correction….but because they had let the law of forgiveness become a burden, not a joy.

         (Is confessing our daily sins becoming a burden to us?  1 John 1:9   or is it a joy to come and keep things right, up to date before our Lord?)

Giving to God HIs dues in tithes and offerings became too much….they wanted more for themselves.   Yet they demanded His blessing on what they did give!

         (Is our giving become a chore?   Or are we resentful to God about His tithes and offerings, which should be given with cheerfulness?  Malachi 3:10)

Ezekiel 18:26-28 “When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them;  for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.

        Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.

       Because he considereth,  and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.”

The Lord tells Ezekiel to tell them….it is a personal ongoing walk with God….not based on their fathers or mothers or what went on before.

              If the righteous commit iniquity….they know they are doing wrong….then they will die in their iniquity.

              If the wicked  “considereth”…which means if they will see, perceive, discern;  which is the first step to repentance (Duet. 32:29 “O that they were wise, that  they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!”).

If they would consider…and turn from their iniquity…”from all his transgressions”–he shall live.

              God is not minimizing this person’s sin….for He calls them “iniquity” and “all his transgressions”….yet this man, if he considers and turns, will be forgiven and live.

Ezekiel 18:29-30 “Yet saith  the house of Israel,  the way of the Lord is not equal….

             Therefore I will judge you,…everyone according to his ways,  saith the Lord God.   Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions;  so iniquity shall not be your ruin.”

So far from God punishing them for other’s iniquities….He will not even punish them for their own—if they will turn from sin to righteousness.

How the Lord loved them!….to patiently again and again tell them to “consider and turn”.   

            (This message of the righteous and the wicked was repeated in Ezekiel  in three chapters: 3, 18, 33 which was the last time Ezekiel prophesied to the captives….after that he prophesied to other nations, of future events, and of the last days….but never again did he call the people to “consider and turn”.     Tradition says that he was killed by one of the princes of the people that he rebuked for his sin.)

The Lord tells them that they do themselves no good by blaming their parents, their circumstances, etc…. refusing to see their responsibility,  personally to Him.

           He will judge according to our own doings.

Ezekiel 18:31-32 “Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed;  and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

            For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God:  wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.”

          “ Cast away from you”….as filthy garments (Isaiah 64:6)…and

“Make you a new heart and a new spirit”….how?

          Turn yourselves to Me….and live. (Psalm 69:32)  

Jesus Christ said plainly:

“…I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”  (John 14:6)

Iniquity is anything unequal to our high calling in Christ Jesus.    Are we enjoying HIs blessings of fellowship with Him and others which are His? (Isaiah 64:4-5)

….or are we listening to the world’s ways, and calling them a burden?

In the Lord’s balances….are we equal, or unequal?

Psalm 130:3 “If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities,  O Lord,  who shall stand?”

Surely none of us would stand.

Psalm 130:4 “But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared.”

But we deal with a God of Purpose.   We have talked about this many times.   But God is not just Eternal….but Purposeful.    He intends….but He carries out His intentions.

      He wills….and it is done.

His Purpose is sure….and He will see His Purpose accomplished.   

      The many things we go through is determined from His Word, and Will…

Let us consider reaping and sowing.

Proverbs 11:18, 22:8  “The wicked worketh a deceitful work:  but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

      He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.”

Galatians 6:7 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked:  for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

      For he that soweth to his flesh shall of his flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

Let us speak of Saul, the mighty persecutor….

….who became Paul the mightily persecuted.

Saul, the Pharisee knew the scriptures….was taught in them, and in the expectation of the Christ, the Messiah to come.

            He saw the fulfillment of the scriptures in John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ….

…and of the blessed  ministry of Jesus of Nazareth….and the  amazing ministry of the disciples of Jesus….who were filled with the Holy Ghost.

He heard the courageous and pointed preaching of Stephen…

         Acts 7:51,53,55, 59-60 “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

         Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

         But he (Stephen), being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

         And they stoned Stephen,…And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.   And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

Saul saw how he died….forgiving those that stoned him….forgiving him…

And what was his reaction?   Did he fall down and acknowledge the Truth?  

        No,  he became exceeding mad against “them” of this Way!  Against the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

        Acts 26:9,11 “I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

       And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them,  I persecuted them even unto strange cities.”

Every time Saul heard more of this Jesus….he became madder and madder.   He wanted to destroy all of this Way.

(If we would have known this Saul of Tarsus…we certainly would have thought him unsaveable….maybe not worth saving,….after the terrible things he had done.

        But God sees things so differently from us…praise God that He does….for I too, was certainly not worth saving….but He pulled me from my circumstances…and saved me.)

But on the road to more “threatenings and slaughter” (Acts 9:1)….on the road to Damascus,  Saul the persecutor came to an end….for there he met Christ Jesus the Lord….personally.

        “Saul, Saul, why persecutest Me?”   Jesus asks him from the Light (Acts 9:4)

“Who art Thou, Lord?”  Saul not only was struck down to the ground bodily….but in spirit and soul…Saul was knocked for a loop.   Who had he been persecuting?  Jesus!   And in that moment….Saul made Him Lord!

“I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”  (Acts 9:5)    

        Saul I have been “pricking” you with the knowledge of Whom I am, pushing you to the surrender of your life…

….and you have been as a wilful calf, kicking back at Me.”

“Lord, what will you have me to do?”  (Acts 9:6)

Here is complete surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Repentance is an important part of salvation….Not that we can see anything of our rebellion, or sin until the Lord shows us…with His light.

       But Saul bowed and surrendered to Jesus on the road to Damascus….and for three days…in fasting and prayer…Saul reviewed his way,  repenting of it….and became completely devoted to the Lord’s Way….and to HIs people,  now Saul’s brethren.

Acts 9:19-20 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples…

       And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.”)

The Lord made it clear to Saul/Paul   “For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”  (Acts 9:16)

Paul suffered…was persecuted for Jesus sake….as he had persecuted others for Jesus sake.   

        Not suffering for his sin….but reaping what he had sowed…to a degree….altho upheld and sustained, now, by grace. (2 Cor. 4:8-11)

               But Paul also sowed mercy and grace….and reaped abundantly in those he led to the Lord….and discipled in the ways of the Lord:  by their growing in grace, and in their love and devotion to him.

Ephesians 3:7-8 “Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me  by the effectual working of His power.

        Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ:” 

1 Timothy 1:12-13, 16 “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me,  for that He counted me faithful,  putting me into the ministry:

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

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

Paul believed that he was saved….he who had blasphemed Christ, persecuted His people, and injured many….yet he had been saved:

        …to show God’s longsuffering to sinners.   

       After all,  Paul, himself, had been saved…who could not be saved?

         And in this line of preaching….Paul led many to the Lord….combating the moral laxity and violence of the Roman times….he went where the Lord sent him….

…..among rich and poor….among the worst (Corinthians was a city so debase…that it was a common name people called others who were wicked…”he must be a Corinthian”.)….

…..and in jail….and in death.

Paul reaped what he had sowed….both in persecutions,….and in joys and salvation.   

It is God’s Word and Way….but always, with His mercy and grace.    Abundant grace, to yield, and bring forth fruit through every situation.

And so can we….no matter what we were saved from….we can go on and sow the seeds of mercy and truth….and reap abundant life in us and through us.

Praying for inner strength

Ephesians 3:16 “That He would grant you,  according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;”

There is often a great difference between Paul’s prayers and ours….mainly because he saw the “unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph. 3:8)…for himself….

…and we do not.

I have spoken before about what we have  “in Christ”….because I believe that how we pray is in direct response to…what we know about Christ Jesus.

When we are babes in Christ….knowing little of His Word,….our petitions are mostly about us, and “our” things.

But as we grow in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ….we are shown and given “the exceeding great and precious promises” (2 Peter 1:3-4)….things we are to get into our lives and experience…to make us “strong in the Lord”….to be able to stand in this world…

….and to share with others. 

        These are the “riches of HIs glory”,   “the unsearchable riches of Christ”.    And they are for us.

We are to be strengthened by them.   

        We travel through a world full of troubles, temptations, and evil….

….yet we travel on the Narrow Way, which leads to life and heaven.  

       We must be “strengthened”….we must know the provisions which are placed in us, by the Holy Spirit…and around us through His Word and fellowship with believers.

Paul prayed here, “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,”… ….that the Ephesians might come to know these riches for themselves (and us)….and come to realize the Father’s surpassing love for us!

        As Christians,  we are fitted for our personal inheritance in Christ.

        In other words,  our  new nature has the capacity to grow and grow and grow:  in grace,  in knowledge, in peace, in love to Christ….this is our strength…and power.

But how many of us are aware of how much Christ Jesus has laid aside for us…personally?   How many of us are being strengthened with might in the inner man?

         (Strengthened here means to increase in vigor….to not grow weary in well doing…but to become zealous.

         Might here means ability…to be strengthened with the ability in the situation…in the inner man.)

Paul is praying for a very large petition:

        (I love this,  the Psalmist says…”open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.”  Paul is not afraid to ask this large petition, for he knows his God.   He knows that this is exactly what God the Father wants.   God wants His children to know Him, and get what He is offering!   And we should not be afraid to ask for large petitions!)

….”that God the Father would grant  you….(personal),…according to the riches of His glory (what vast resources there are in His glory!)….

…to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;”

Grant means give or minister to.

None of us earn or merit anything….all is in Christ, by His Spirit.

        But the riches of His glory includes more than His grace….this includes everything in God…what a fullness there is!….and makes Him glorious to each of us!

        (Glory here is God’s excellence made manifest, and brought into honor in our lives.

It is HIs divine character displayed and made real to our hearts and lives.

        God has joined His glory to the good of His people, in Christ.)

Paul was also asking that the Father help our understanding.   Our understanding is limited…it only goes so far…as far as our experience and teaching.

        (We know babes think mostly of themselves…their food and care.   As they grow, they become concerned with their family and friends, as well.    And then they get jobs, and interests in the world around them.   The experience widens….and the understanding does to.

        Paul is asking that our understanding will grow, as our experience in God’s riches grow…so that we may deal with all that comes to us….and continue being filled with “all the fullness of God”)

        In God’s abundant fullness….for He possesses unlimited and inexhaustible resources….we can have the supply of our every need.

        Paul is praying that the Ephesians, who were weak and in a lowly condition….(and we)….would ask Him to minister these riches unto us.

       A knowledge that our sins are forgiven is a great and blessed knowledge….but Paul is praying that they see that greater and grandeur blessings await them, and us.

      That the Father will minister them to us….as we seek to get this strengthening in the inner man.

The inner man is the new nature…and it is constantly in need of strengthening by the Spirit of God….for we have many things to face on our way to heaven….

….but we can face them,….and we can abound in strength, as we receive the riches of God’s glory (God’s character manifested and honored in us)

        Isaiah 39:29-31 “He giveth power to the faint; and them that have no might He increaseth strength.

        Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: (in their own understanding and might)

       But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;  they shall mount up with wings as eagles;  they shall run, and not be weary;  and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Let us add our prayers to Pauls…. to our Heavenly Father, that we might be strengthened with His might by His Spirit in our inner man.   

       And then let us receive what He gives and be renewed for our everyday lives….to be lived to His glory and joy.