A Certain King made a marriage for His Son

Matthew 22:2-6 “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.”

The Lord told this parable about the preparation for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-9).

The first servants sent forth were the prophets in the Old Testament….and Israel “would not come”.

God had wanted a Theocracy….where He was their king, but Israel refused to have Him as their king.

The second servants were the disciples which were sent out to preach the kingdom of God is at hand, when Jesus was on earth. (Matthew 10:5-7)

Everything was ready for the kingdom to be set up then….but “they made light of it, and went their ways”….

….”one to his farm”….(farms were quite complete in themselves)….to his own little world, without God.

….”another to his merchandise”….looking for profit from God, not to obey Him.

….”the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them”….John the Baptist was refused, and then beheaded…and he was the forerunner of Christ.

The message having been refused by Israel….God sends Rome against Israel and destroys Jerusalem (70 A.D.) (Matthew 22:7)

But…..God sends other servants to bring in guests to His Son’s marriage supper….during the church age, after the Holy Spirit is given.

Matthew 22:9-10 “Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.”

This is the church sent out into the world with the gospel….

2 Peter 3:9, 13-14 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for the new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”

(There indeed will be the Jewish believers, sealed and sent out in the Tribulation period….preaching Christ as the true Lord and Son of God, to Israel again.

Revelation 7:3, 9, 14 “Saying, Hurt not the earth,….till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes,…

….And he said unto me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”)

But for the church….

…as the parable says….His servants went out and the “wedding was furnished with guests”.

Now you would think that would be the end of it….but…

…..(and I believe this to be the true message of this parable Jesus is telling, for us today……we are to be ready to meet the King…and there is only one way to be ready.)

There are two calls given by the gospel:

The general call, which is heard by many….who hear it and only respond to the promise of the call….and not to receive Christ.

Then there is the effectual call, which is heard by those who open up their hearts and lives to Christ.

It is termed effectual, because it effects a real change in the Ruler, and direction of our life.

Matthew 22:11-14 “And when the king came into see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

Then said the king to the servants, bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Are you wearing the wedding garment which is the righteousness of Christ imputed to all who receive Him by faith?

For when you had an audience with a king….a proper garment was provided to you….you did not go in, with your own garments on.

This man, however, appeared before the king without it….representing all who firmly believe they are ready for His kingdom to come….but are not.

There are many good people….yet their goodness does not lead them to faith.

There are many people who have a knowledge of God,….but knowledge does not give us faith.

All our righteousness is as filthy rags….

Isaiah 64:6 “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

If we trust in our own goodness, kindness, or right living….we certainly will be “taken away” in our iniquities (iniquities is anything unequal to our high calling in Christ Jesus)…

……we can only be “ready” to come before the King if we come to Christ and receive Him as Lord and Savior…..and put on Christ.

Romans 13:14 “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.”

For anyone to be saved, they must turn from their “own ways”, and come to Christ.

Have you heard the call to receive the Lord Jesus Christ, and have you come to Him?

Or are you still making excuses and going your “own way”?

The Path to Reality

My husband once received that “the greatest need for our day is a return to first principles”. 

      And the very first principle for all who would follow Jesus Christ is the message of the cross…our personal cross.

For the cross is the path to reality.  Jesus plainly said this to His disciples….

Matthew 16:24-25 “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.

         For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.”

We will never have spiritual reality in these days in which we live, unless we will deny ourselves,  take up our cross and follow Him.   

        Bearing our cross to the place where we no longer resist His Will in anything.    For that is what our cross deals with….our will in opposition to God’s Will.  

Jesus said….if any man will.   He did not say, want to,….wish to….or think about.  

        No,  Jesus Chirst spoke absolutely…to our wills.   For our wills are our whole man active.  

We say, for explanation,  that when we stop resisting His Will….we are crucified with Christ.   We no longer live to ourselves…but to Christ, doing His Will.   It may not be instant obedience…but I will do His Will.

Galatians 2:20-21 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live;  yet not I but Christ liveth in me: and the life that I now live in the flesh  I live by the faith of the Son of God,  Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” 

This was Paul’s testimony….and can be ours.   We are no longer resisting the Lord’s Will….so we are yielding in faith to it….and living by that faith.

Then,  we begin the process of losing our self-life to find our Christ-life.  For faith and obedience leads us to realize how much of ourselves is left….. our attitude both to people and the situations that come up.

       We begin to lose our conformity to the world, in our minds and reasons. (Romans 12:1-2)

       Do we let what others do, or have, trouble us?    

       Think of Peter (John 21:15-19)….the Lord has just restored him….given him a ministry both with the young and old…”feed my lambs,  feed my sheep”….and what does Peter think of first?

       John 21:20-21  “Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following;….Peter seeing him  saith to Jesus,   Lord, and what shall this man do?”

        Isn’t this like us?    What about so and so?   Or what will happen with such and such?

This is our “self”-life.   We are surrendered to the Will of God for us….yet,  we often “see” someone else, and get our eyes off of what is important…

…..which is pleasing the Lord Jesus…alone.

We believe our souls are the seat of our personalities.  That which makes us,  us.  No one is exactly like you….nor are you exactly like anyone else.

       We have a lot of our parents traits….some good, some not so good.   We choose habits, and select friends which influence our thinking….and in turn our hearts and attitudes.

But when we become born again….we are given the Holy Spirit to abide with us, and to change us into a new “family” image….for we are now in the family of God.  

      We begin to be transformed in our minds…by the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit’s instruction and grace.

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.”

The Person of the Godhead that we present our bodies to….is the Holy Spirit…to indwell and to reign in every part of our bodies.    

Our minds….for it is a reasonable service.

Our hearts….for we do not serve HIm,  if we do not love Him.

Our wills….for we are called to will with God, as He works His Will in us. 

Philippians 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”

The thoroughness and the power of our transformation rest with us.

Philippians 2:12 “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

Salvation here, means rescue or safety….physically or morally.    Our safety comes as we work out….what the Holy Spirit is working within us.

Over the years my husband has taught me many things,  but the most practical thing is:

    To put first things, first.    To seek the due order of God in everything.   How we serve, is as important as serving.    

    I admit I am a slow learner, and many times I begin to run around trying to see to the many “fires” of life,  here and there.      

    But I have learned, and usually the Lord reminds me, I can not do but one thing at a time.

     We are to yield to the “working of God in us”…..for…

He will work in our minds, as we yield to HIm, to see and understand.

He will work in our hearts,  as we yield to Him,  to love Him,  in whatever we have to do.   In hard things as well as easy things.

He will work in our wills,  as we yield to Him,  to will with Him….and one person with God is a majority….a mighty influence, wherever we are at.

The Path to Reality is one that we enter at new birth,  and we continue on….taking up our cross (anything which cuts across our will, concerning God’s Will)….and following Him….till we take on the Family Resemblance of Christ…and begin to be an influence for God wherever we are.

If we remember that our Walk is a walk with the Lord,  helped by the Holy Spirit,  and blessed by the Father….we will gladly take the next step in our walk.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord

Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance.”

Two things are considered……

The nation….

And the people….

…..both in their relationship to the Lord.

Moses, in his conversation with Israel right before he died…..and right before they would go in, under Joshua, to inherit the land given them by God,…

……spoke of the faithfulness and mercy of God to His people….and what their relationship to God should be:

Deuteronomy 4:32-33 “For ask now of the days that are past,……since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is or that been heard like it?

Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out to the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?

Or hath God assayed to go and take Him a nation from the midst of another nation,…….by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?”

Frankly, Moses is saying:

“Think of it! You have heard God. You have seen His mighty works. He has done this because He loves you….remember His faithfulness.”

Deuteronomy 7:7-8 “The Lord did not set His love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:

But because the Lord loved you, and because He would keep the oath which He had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you….”

Deuteronomy 7:12-13 “Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the Lord thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which He sware unto thy fathers:

And He will love thee, and bless thee,…..”

An older preacher once wrote: “All religion is in effect, love.”

That is…..when we truly believe….when we obey His Word…..when we truly worship….when we truly pray….we are loving the Lord. (John 14:15)

Faith sees God,….setting the affections of our hearts,…and our eyes of understanding upon Him, and His Word.

True repentance is mourning love.

Hungering and thirsting after righteousness is searching love.

We prove our love to God, by obedience to Him.

When we deny ourselves…..we are actually denying our self-love.

Everyday that passes, the Christian should be more and more out of love with sin, and self, and the world…..and more in love with God.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people He hath chosen for HIs inheritance.”

This is truth.

Moses goes on to enumerate the blessings and the curses that the Lord would bring upon them.

Blessings for following Him…..and being His people.

Cursing for following the other nations of the world around them….and forsaking His Way.

Deuteronomy 7:9-10 “Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations;

And repayeth them that hate Him to their face, to destroy them: He will not be slack to him that hateth Him, He will repay him to his face.”

The reason for any falling away from the Lord is also given by Moses:

Deuteronomy 28:47 “Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;”

When we are born again…..we come under the Banner of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are given liberty of spirit, and freedom from sin.

Are our hearts serving Him with joyfulness…..with gladness?

I started this with: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people He hath chosen for His inheritance.”

I pray for our nation…..May God bless America….

…..but as the early Christians were subjects of the Roman Caesar;…

…yet had another King, Christ Jesus. So we too, are subjects of our nation’s laws….for that is the Lord’s Will (Romans 13:1-5)….yet…

We are subjects of the King of kings…..and He rules, not just in outward laws and ordinances….

….but in inward joy and peace.

Romans 114:17 “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

Let us hold up our nation in prayer for it’s salvation…..from sin and tyranny.

Let us hold up our states,….our communities….and our homes, that the blessing of a Faithful God may come upon it.

Let us know and tell, that:

……the blessing of God comes in knowing and loving Him.

Who hath called you

1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and holy nation, a peculiar people;  that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light:”

The Bible is God’s revelation to all mankind, and if the creature would have fellowship with the Creator,  we must come according to that Word.

The Lord Jesus Christ is that Word….and bears witness through His Word. (John 1:1-4)

The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirits (Proverbs 20:27)

And the Father bears witness in the corporate ministry of the church. (John 17:11, 21)

He calls out a people for His Name sake….and makes them joint-heirs with Him, giving them the Holy Spirit that we may know that we are the children of God…with all the blessings and responsibilities that entails.

Romans 8:16-17 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

       And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;…”

We are to worship Him in Spirit and Truth, for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. (John 4:23-24)

He is Truth and Life, and as we are obedient to the light we have, we get more light from Him.

     Psalms 36:9 “For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light.”

He is that fountain flowing out to us,  and through us.   He is the Light and when He shines His light on us,  we see light,….

…….darkness, doubt, and fear,….flee.

Then we can “walk in the light” (1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”)

      What provision He has for His own,  who will walk with Him!   What a calling He has for us!

      This is a very precious part of the corporate ministry.   

Meeting in fellowship with Him and others about Him, is  a strengthening, cleansing thing.   It is of the Holy Spirit, not something we work up…but something He does as we are gathered in His Name.

     “And the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” 

To be cleansed from this sin,  is to know deliverance from it.

The Lord has called us “to be saints”….or blameless, consecrated, clean.

Romans 1:7 “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:…”

I want to speak of our “calling”.  There are two: 

First,   we are called to “be”.    Basically,  this is the call of Jesus to us….to  “follow Me”

      When Jesus saves a person,  He makes and molds that one into a vessel unto honor, meet for the Master’s use.   He changes my outlook, my attitude, my goals, and my purpose…so that everything now is seen in the light of His Word and  I am His.

Second,  we are all called to do “a work”.   We are all called as witnesses of Christ,  but there are gifts and ministries….whether small or great,  we are called to do, as His servants.

So when Peter says that we are “called out of darkness into His marvelous light”….he is speaking of our calling…”to be” lights in this world, that all “may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) 

      But then he mentions,  that we are a “chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that we should shew forth the praises of Him who called you….”,  Peter is talking of both our being, and  our working.

      A chosen generation:   As there was the generation that possessed the Promised  land….(even though the first generation that came out of Egypt failed, the next generation went in and possessed their possessions.)…so we are chosen of the Lord, to possess our possessions in Christ….and manifest that we are His….and that we are one family in Christ.

     Ephesians 1:3, 11 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

     In Whom also we have an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him Who worketh all things after the counsel of HIs own will:”

     A royal priesthood:  All believers are this royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:5)….offering up the sacrifice of praise to God  

Hebrews 13:15-16 “By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually,  that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His Name.

     But to do good and to communicate  forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”

     An holy nation:  We are God’s.   And as such, we are pilgrims here in this world.  Our King is in heaven,  and  we are  His citizens.  We are citizens of heaven though we pass through this time of trial.    

    (This was the reason Paul, a prisoner, could stand before kings, and rulers, and judges…because he was an ambassador of Christ, his King.  2 Corinthians 5:20

     And so can we!)

And we are to be holy….sanctified which means…set aside to the Lord in our attitudes, our conversations and lives. (1 Peter 1:15, 18-19)

    A peculiar people (how many jokes have I heard about “peculiar” over the years.  But it simply means that we are not as others.):

      We are God’s acquisition or treasure.  He redeemed us with HIs own precious blood….that we might manifest to others  what it means  to belong to God….both in our life and in our works.

    Titus 3:5-7 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 

     Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior;

     That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

(How many times does the Lord, through His Word, speak and show us our inheritance….that we are heirs….joint-heirs with Christ!    

     All that He is, except His deity, is given unto us in His life….imparting unto us, His character.  And we, as His peculiar people….His treasure….are to acquire what He has transferred to us.

     Of course, it is His life through us….by the Holy Spirit.   But think of what that entails!   Life, Light, Grace, Liberty to become all He has for us….and to do all He has told us to do.   

    Amazing that I, a sinner, saved by grace….could become a treasure to Him who gave His life a ransom for me!   2 Corinthians 4:6-7)

That we should shew forth the praises of Him….

     “Praises” here means His excellencies , His virtues,  His mercies, His goodness!   And we are called to show them to all we meet.

This is the reality of “walking in the Light”.  (It is not sinless perfection, but a keeping ourselves in His light….letting Him show us Himself…and ourselves.)

1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

What a freeing, and cleansing walk with Jesus.   True liberty is when we are free to be all that He has Purposed, and chosen us for.    Free from our sin,  free from ourselves,  free from the world’s entanglements!

     Our calling is to be His treasure….sharing Christ with others.

     Our calling is to do His Will….and showing His life and Word, in doing so.

1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;  that ye should shew forth the praises of Him Who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

“Marvelous” here means “wondered at”!       And are we not awed by His grace in saving us….and giving us His Word and Holy Spirit to abide with us!    

     What privileges we have….let us “be” what He has made us…..let us do what He commands…and let us walk in His marvelous light day by day.

Today!

Hebrew 3:15 “While it is said, Today if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts as in the provocation.”

All our lives comes down to ‘Today’. Tomorrow is not yet. Yesterday, with its success and failures, is done.

But today we have. Today we have the opportunity to turn to God and do His Will.

We never know what a day will bring. We should, therefore, determine which direction our lives will go, while we have today.

So today, if you will hear His Voice.

We can hear God’s voice in nature; many have seen the changing seasons and heard God speak to them:

Psalms 74:17 “…Thou hast made summer and winter.”

If the seasons change, all over the world, surely that means that the sadness of today is not permanent; but will give way to rejoicing.

We can hear God through His Word. It is His revelation of Himself and His Ways to us. The Holy Spirit will help us understand it, when we ask Him.

And we can hear His Voice to us, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit within. He is Light, and will make known to us, HIs Will.

John 7:17 “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine (teaching) whither it be of God, or whither I speak of myself.”

Jesus said, If we really want to know His Will, we can know.

God considers our “heart” the throne of our mind, emotions and will.

So when we hear Him, we are to “soften” our hearts by yielding to His Will.

To “harden” our hearts is when, we will not to do it; for whatever reason.

Zechariah 7:9-11 “Thus speaketh the Lord of Hosts, saying, Execute true judgement, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother:

And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor, and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.

But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.”

A hardened heart is not caused by circumstances, or birth;…….but a choice of will.

When Israel hardened their heart: they first refused to listen, for they did not want to be responsible.

They thought that if they had not heard, God could not require His Word to be obeyed.

They pulled away from the work of “shouldering” the burdens of prayer, faithfulness, and love.

Finally they stopped their ears,…..or filled their ears with other voices,…..so they would not have to know God’s Voice in the circumstances.

Again, God considers our heart, the throne of our mind, emotions, and will.

But He can give us “hearts of flesh”; or tender hearts, which will return the love He gives us,….back to Him.

Ezekiel 11:19-20 “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stoney heart out of the flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh:

That they may walk in My statues, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.”

The Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Godhead, is given to us in our hearts to make alive again, and guide. He rules, and over rules, in circumstances which affect His People.

Without Him we can do nothing.

But with His Almighty energy, the most extraordinary results can be produced.

Everything depends upon His manifesting or concealing His Power.

Are we anxious to obtain His help?

Are we watching so we will not provoke Him to be silent?

Oh how much we need Him to speak to our inner man and give us courage!

The Holy Spirit is not a temporary gift; He abides with us.

He does not weary of us (Amazing Love!).

But He waits to be gracious at times, till we really see our need, and seek Him.

It is love which makes a hard heart into a softened heart, yielding to God’s Spirit.

It is God’s love given to our hearts,……and then returned to Him, by us.

In love, He speaks of “Today”, if…..you will hear His Voice.

Turn to Christ Jesus, and yield to HIs Spirit within.

Receive His love,….and return it to Him.

He wants to bless each heart given to Him,……”Today”.

Elijah, and the rain

Elijah came in like a whirlwind, and went out with a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11).

Because he honored God and His word, Israel was given new hope.

It begins with Elijah praying for the rain to stop. (James 5:17) But why?

When Ahab the king of Israel married a idol worshipper, Jezebel, she began to run the government. She outlawed all other worship beside her idol of Baal.

She intimidated and slew any who opposed her.

Yet God always has His remnant.

Enter Elijah.

He was torn apart by his country following this horrid idol, and not following the Lord God.

So, claiming a verse God had promised (Deuteronomy 11:14-17), he began to pray that God would withhold the rain, to wake up the people that they should return to the Lord.

(Hasn’t the Lord called us, as Christians, to pray for our country? For an Awakening here…to return to God?)

Rain was essential for any crops. The former and latter rains were needed.

Six months passed. God had honored his prayer, and there had been no rain.

He was told to go to the king, and….

1 Kings 17:1 “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, as the Lord God of Israel liveth, before Whom I stand, there shall not be dew or rain these years, but according to my word.”

“but according to my word”. Elijah was standing before God in prayer, therefore he was empowered to stand before the king.

He does not say “according to God’s Word”, for that would mean nothing to Ahab, or Jezebel.

And Elijah’s word was God’s word.

All their attention would be focused on Elijah, and his prayers to God.

Would God answer them?

God did. For three more years there would be drought and famine, because Israel had forsaken God.

It was a very bad time. God had said what He was going to do.

But the Lord always leads us through measured trials.

And in the third year, the Lord said, it was enough: He would send rain.

1 Kings 18:1 “And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year saying, Go, show thyself unto Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.”

But before the rain is sent; Elijah calls for all Israel to be gathered together to Mount Carmel.

There Elijah wanted to talk to Israel, remind them of God’s Power, and show the falseness of their idol.

1 Kings 18:21 “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.”

A test was chosen: the priests of Baal, the idol, would choose a sacrifice, and make an altar;

But put no fire under the sacrifice.

Their idol would have to send down fire and burn it up.

Elijah would do the same, and God would send down fire and burn up his sacrifice.

1 Kings 18:23-24 “Let them therefore give us two bullocks, and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under.

And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord, and the God that answers by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.”

Well, all morning and all afternoon, the priests of Baal jumped and hollered, and cried, and moaned for fire to come down. They cut themselves and begged.

But nothing happened.

Then Elijah built an altar:

1 Kings 18:32-33 “And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar,…

And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.”

Elijah was making it extra hard: putting water on everything. Because He knew God’s power.

And then Elijah prayed: “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and of Israel, let it be known this day that Thou art God in Israel, and that I am Thy servant, and that I have done all these things at Thy word.

Here me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that Thou art the Lord God, and that Thou hast turned their heart back again.”

Then fire fell.

1 Kings 18:38-39 “Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, He is the God; The Lord, He is the God.”

And when Elijah prayed again, the Lord sent the rain.

1 Kings 18:45 “And it came to pass in the meanwhile, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain….”

Prayer is the means here. The sacrifice was offered to the Lord, for there had been no sacrifice to God for three years; and prayed that God would bless it. The rain was prayed for.

God was awakening His people that He is a God that answers prayer. And that He was calling them to return to Him.

Although, not all the people came back to God….in fact Ahab and Jezebel continued to worship idols,….but the worship of God was re-introduced to Israel….and they were awakened to God’s claim on their lives….through Elijah.

James said, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

(James 5:16)

Elijah was shown a way by prayer to help his people, and he did.

We, too, should help God’s people by our prayers.

For their good.

Jeremiah was a prophet sent to Jerusalem to preach.

He told them, that if they wanted to stay in the land…..they could, if they would repent, and turn from their idolatry and meanness to others.

Jerusalem was more than the capital of Judah…..it was the spiritual magnet as well. What was done here, was copied and done everywhere in Judah…..and God wanted them to hear and turn.

Jeremiah had preached to them for twenty-three years! (Jeremiah 25:3)

He had shown them the commandments….and preached unto them God’s Word….but they had not “hearkened.”

Jeremiah 24:1-2, 5 “The Lord shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the Lord,….

One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe:

and the other basket had very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad.

Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel; Like theses good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good.”

“I have sent them out…..for their good”,….the Lord said.

Just the opposite of what we would think.

We would think, if they stayed in the Promised land….those would be the ones God would bless….but no,…

….He…the Lord God….

has sent them out.

Yes. Even the ferocious Nebuchadnezzar was subject to God’s sovereignty…..for God used him to save His people, even though it was in slavery….for a while.

They would return…..He would bring their children back…seventy years later….with joy….(Jeremiah 25:12)

Jeremiah 24:6-7 “For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land:….

And I will give them an heart to know Me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto Me with their whole heart.”

And how many times has circumstances been this way with His church?

We see disaster…..yet He sees to His Way to save some. To give His people the “heart” to know Him again.

The years of captivity gave His people a hunger for that which they thought little of before….His Word….His House….His land.

What of us? Are we submitting to the correction He is sending?

Are we looking to His Way of salvation? Are we beginning to value His Word and work again?

“For I will set My eyes upon them for good”.

When God’s eyes are toward someone or something….it means that He is working His Will and Purpose out for them.

God is still working His Will out for His Church…..the Lord has not forgotten us…..waiting till the time of the Rapture.

He is still sending people to us. He is still giving HIs message to us. He is waiting to be gracious….

Isaiah 30:18 “And therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all that that wait for Him.”

He promises grace and mercy…..let us be obedient and receive these at His hand…..

….for He does all things….even corrections……”for our good”.

Let Us Lay Aside Every Weight

Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”

If we were running in a race, and wanted to finish it, that we might win; we would remove every weight from our pockets, every backpack, every jacket; all that would catch the air, or hinder our running.

This is a long distance race which is being spoken of here in Hebrews; and we need all patience and endurance to finish it. Therefore, we are called upon to remove what would weight us down.

Just what are these weights?

These weights are anything and everything that hinders us spiritually.

They are external things that we can drop or “lay aside”. (Certain relationships are weights, going to certain places can hinder us, and past failures and thinking of them all the time. These are weights, which slow us down.)

To run well you should not be burdened with anything.

And we are called to run the race laid before us.

We are called to walk with God. (Colossians 2:6).

And run our race. (Philippians 2:16)

The two are different:

The walking speaks of the quiet conversation you have as you walk with a friend, day by day. This is our life.

The running speaks of our work, which we are all called to finish.

If you’re a Christian, you are in the race. God has given you a “work, or calling” to do.

(There are many callings: as a witness of Jesus Christ, as a prayer warrior, as a preacher of the Word, as a teacher of the Word, etc.)

Finish it, and you have the reward and honor He has waiting for you, for being devoted to Him. (Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Matthew 25:21)

But God does not save us, without giving us the Holy Spirit to enable us for anything He calls us to.

It is not: You are saved, now do something for Me.

But: You are saved, now let Me do through you. I in you, and you in Me. That is the way we will finish…together.

Paul spoke to the Galatians about this very thing:

Galatians 5:7 “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth?”

Men had come to Galatia, to the established church there, saying that being Christians was O.K.,….but if you really want to be….somebody to God,….you have to follow the Mosaic Law, as well.

Then you will be super-great Christians. (Not true)

No, Paul says. You are being weighed down with old traditions, which were laid aside in Christ’s crucifixion, and resurrection.

Don’t be hindered in the race. But finish your course.

Doing the good works that God has ordained or made full provision for….for you. (Ephesians 2:10)

We should all seek the Lord that He might show us, what are the weights which hinder our running. And as He does, let us lay them aside, and go on to “finish our race”.

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Wherefore, seeing we are also compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

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

Anything from the Holy Spirit will not burden you down, for “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty”. (2 Corinthians 3:17)

Let us lay aside our weights which hinder us; and look to Jesus, Who began a good work in us,……and Who will finish it.

The Woman taken in Adultery.

Jesus is sitting in the Temple, teaching to all the people, when some scribes and Pharisees bring a woman in, and put her in the midst of His teaching session.

John 8:4-5 “They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?”

Here is a historical fact: Adultery in Israel was to be punished by stoning.

Here is the lesson: God’s forgiveness overrules sin’s punishment.

In this situation, there are several men, older and younger who find a woman who is “taken in adultery”; or committing it at the time the men walked in.

There were no thoughts that this was a mistake….”No, I did not do what they are accusing me of. I’m innocent.” No, she did it.

What these men were doing there,….at this woman’s house, is not said;…..except that they brought her to Jesus…..not so much to punish her…….but so they could trick Him.

But, Jesus, knowing the reason in their hearts for this question, simply ignores them….or so it would seem.

He begins to write in the sand with His finger.

What He wrote, is not known.

They gathered around Him as vultures, wanting His destruction…..more than the woman they were supposed to be questioning about.

(I personally, think Jesus was writing dates; maybe when they had been with this woman…they all knew where to find her. Or other names, of the women they had used.)

Whatever He wrote (and it does say “wrote”), when He had wrote enough, He stood up, looked at them, and said:

John 8:7 “So when they continued asking him, He lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”

The Law was God’s Word. It was right.

Yet it was the judges that were wrong.

They did not want to condemn this woman alone….they wanted grounds to condemn Jesus.

So again, Jesus stoops down and writes on the ground.

He had answered their question…..with a question to their conscience.

John 8:9 “And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.”

Here is power, not on their hearts, but on the conscience.

Our conscience is the part of us that believes there is a judgement somewhere, somehow; whether by God, or not.

That all our actions, have a reaction…..back at us.

Their conscience convicted; they simply left. Retreat was the best defense.

But the woman stayed.

This is an amazing thing, I believe.

She could have tried to leave when they were leaving, or afterwards; but she stayed to hear Jesus’s judgement.

And because she did….Halleluia….we have the lesson of forgiveness.

John 8:10-11 “When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?

Than she said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more.”

She called Him, “Lord”; that is why she stayed, because she bowed to His Lordship. She was guilty, she deserved to be condemned, but she was the only one to stay and hear what He judged.

And because she left herself in His hands, she left with a new life…”go and sin no more.”

There was more than a suggestion here….there was forgiveness and power to live that new life by faith in Him!

This woman came in, a sinner, and left enlightened and forgiven.

The scribes and Pharisees came in self-righteousness, and left convicted, but hiding in darkness.

The difference is in yielding to the Light of Jesus Christ.

She did. They refused.

John 8:12 “Then spake Jesus again to them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

And remember He says: the light of life. It isn’t light for an instant….but for a lifetime.

He is light. He is life. Let us stay and yield to Him; and rejoice that our sins can be forgiven….and walk in the new life and light He gives.

The Christian walk is fellowship with the Lord

Fellowship….what is it?

Fellowship in the Hebrew means to join with.

Fellowship in the Greek means to partnership, a sharer with.

We often think of fellowship as talking….prayer time. This is true, as far as it goes….but fellowship is entering into, as much as possible, the things of Christ…

There is the fellowship of HIs sufferings:

As John at the last supper, leaning his head on Jesus shoulder when he heard of the betrayal…..for he shared the grief that it brought Jesus heart.

He could not be a sharer of the Passion…but he could share the grief of the heart of Jesus. (John was the only disciple at the Cross….and became the care giver of Mary, Jesus Mother. John 19:26-27)

Paul said he had fellowship with Christ’s sufferings, in the perils and trials he bore (Philippians 3:8-10)….

….for when we suffer for Christ’s sake….we are sharers with the Purpose of God for Christ and HIs children. Suffering first, glory last.

Romans 8:17 “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him , that we may be also glorified together.” ( also see: 1 Peter 4:12-13)

(And it is also true, that Christ has fellowship with us in the pain we feel, the hurt we know, and the anguish we experience.

Christ said to Saul on the road to Damascus…”Why persecutest thou Me?” It was the Christians in Jerusalem that Paul had persecuted, yet Jesus knew each blow, each pain….for we are His.)

There is the fellowship at HIs table:

The disciples experienced this even after His resurrection….when Jesus called for them at the Sea of Galilee….”Children, have ye any meat?” (John 21:5)

Here, Peter was restored….here, the disciples left off every other plans, and gave themselves to the Lord, for His next work….the work of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:2-5)

(In Laodicea, as with the disciples and Peter at Galilee…no matter our past failures;…….we are called to “come and dine” in fellowship with Him….(to sup)……and to set things right….and go on in the fullness of the work of the Holy Spirit, for these times:

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne”. Rev. 3:20-21)

There is the fellowship of life…or fellowship of being.

When Peter and Andrew were called to follow Christ Jesus, they answered (Mark 1:16-18)….

….not with words,…but by leaving all, and going after Him. They continued to go after Christ, for the next three years….

…through joyous reception….and the knowledge of the Pharisees anger.

Yet as Peter said, when some followers decided to leave Him…..”Lord, to whom should we go….Thou has the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:68-69)

There is the fellowship in prayer.

Though prayer is not the only means of fellowship, yet we are to “Pray without ceasing”

Luke 11:9 “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

There is more of the Holy Spirit, the Lord wants you to have….ask, seek, and knock for Him….”how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” (Luke 11:13)

Ephesians 6:18 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

(This “watching” is the same as Jesus said, “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” (Mark 13:33).

We are to have union with the Lord in this….we are to stay awake, and wait….watching for Christ’s return….and also how we can help our brothers and sisters in Christ….near and far….through our prayers.)

Fellowship is partnership with Christ. As they treated Him, the world will treat us.

Yet we are not to be sad….

….or to look for trials….

…but simply to follow on after Him….and join Him in what comes.

That is our walk…..yoked with Christ (Matthew 11:29-30)…

……yet as with yoked animals, there is always one that is stronger,…one which sets the pace, and turns into the direction. This is Christ Jesus.

Our walk is over mountains, through valleys….up against enemies,….

….and helping His own.

Partnership….a sharer with Christ….this is what we are called to.

Will we come?