Paul’s great message 

Acts 17:22-23 “Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

         For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription,  TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.  Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship,  Him declare I unto you.”

(We can never forget Peter’s one great message….preached on the day of Pentecost, when three thousand were saved.   

      It was the beginning of the church, and it set forth that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Christ, the Son of God….slain by wicked hands (theirs)…and raised by God the third day….and exalted at the right hand of God.  (Acts 2:22-24, 32-33)

But since that time, the focus has come to be on the local church and the edifying and exhorting of them.     Even when Peter first preached to the Gentile, Cornelius….it was with his relatives and friends. (Acts 10:24)   That message opened the way for salvation to come to the Gentiles….

….which then brought in Saul/Paul….who was to minister to the Gentiles….going about, preaching to all who would hear.

God’s due order is amazing!   Every man in their place in the body,….ministering as He calls!)

From then on in Acts,  we have recorded the messages of Paul.

      One of these messages is on Mars’ hill.   It is a view into God, the Creator’s purpose for each of us.

Acts 17:24-25 “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

     Neither is worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;”

Here Paul sets forth the Almightiness of God.  He made the world….and all things.  He is not a local deity….He is not just over this or that,  but over all things….in heaven and in earth.

     He does not need anything from any of His creatures.  He is sufficient in Himself….and for all His creatures.

Acts 17:26 “And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;”

Paul, then having set the foundation of Almightiness….goes on to say that God is not sheer Power….but has a Purpose for each nation, and peoples.  

    And that Purpose is that each one should….”seek the Lord”.   He stresses that the blood flowing through our veins is one blood…setting all in the one framework of responsibility to God for our life.

Acts 17:27 “That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us:”

Paul is picturing these as blind….groping in the dark.   Many nations pictured the Universe and God as one….dark, and impersonal….and “far from everyone of us.”

But Paul plainly tells them:

     It is not God Who is far away….but our blindness which hinders our finding Him.   

Acts 17:28-30 “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being;  as certain also of your own poets have said,   For we are also his offspring.

     Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.

    And the times of this ignorance God winked at;  but now commandeth all men every where to repent:”

Paul tells them that the Almighty God of Purpose is also the Principal of life in each one of us.    

     Paul then points to the stone images they worship,  and reminds them that they have no life….God is life and is not like these stone images.   

     Their images may be of gold, silver, or stone….but in them is no life….but all life flows from, and through God.

The foundation of all is God’s Almightiness….but His Purpose is right behind this….

…and that Purpose is to seek after Him, and find Him….the personal God of life.

Then looking out on his hearers….intelligent Athenians, whose desire for “new” knowledge was what they lived for…

…Paul said, “the times of this ignorance God winked at”….

In other words,  “God let them go on in their ignorance of Him,  for a time.”

     But now….

God “commandeth”….stressing His Authority to demand of His creatures,…which  He purposed life for…

Acts 17:30-31 “And the times of this ignorance God winked at;  but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

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

Here is the summation of this message….Because He has raised from the dead “that Man”….because of the resurrection from the dead,  He has shown to all that He can give true life to those who believe and seek for Him.

In this message Christ Jesus is not named…..

…..for God is the message.

“For God so loved the world,  that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”   (John 3:16)

God, in power and might, created all….that they might seek Him.   But when they turned to darkness and blindness….

….He let them go for a time.

      But now,  Christ has come….and died for our sins….and been raised the third day….and is seated at the right hand of God.   Christ will Judge every man according to His Word (John 12:48-49).

So God….commands all men to repent and turn to Christ.    No matter what they worship….gold, silver, or stone….there is no life in them;  but there is life in Christ Jesus.

(Sometimes, I think that this age, like the Athenians, are worshiping the Unknown God.  That they really do not see the Almightiness,  or the Purpose,  or the Principal of Life that He is and will give each of us,….in “that Man”,  Jesus Christ.

     We may not worship silver or gold images….but an idol is anything that is put in the place which belongs to God….which is first place in my life.)

God has given life….and through “that Man” or through Christ Jesus,  God gives eternal life and purpose to everyone who repents of their idolatry to turn to the Living God.

Romans 10:9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

     For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

To Find a Resting Place for Us

Numbers 10:33 “And they departed from the mount of the Lord three day’s journey; and the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord went before them in the three day’s journey, to search out a resting place for them.”

Israel is on the move….heading toward the promised rest in Canaan.

They had just been at Sinai for about a year….receiving the Ten Commandments, and the Law….and building the Tabernacle according to the pattern God gave Moses on the mount.

But now the Tabernacle had been built and God’s presence in the cloud by day and the fiery cloud by night, was upon it (Exodus 40:33-38)…..and it was time to go forward.

(The narrative of their journey, goes from Exodus to Numbers….Leviticus being the book about the sacrifices, and laws)

But how to go? And where were the best places to rest, on the Way?

Moses turned to God, and when they first left Sinai, the Ark of the Lord led them forward….for three days.

This would not be repeated, until the priests carried it before all the people,….at the Jordan River…..to cross into Canaan.

It was a unique time, for Israel….

…..they weren’t just a large family, now,………but a nation under the Kingship of God.

He had given them the Ten Commandments, that they might know His holiness, and their weakness….

…and given them the laws of His kingdom….concerning sacrifices for sin, for consecration, for tithe, for rejoicing before their God….

…and concerning how they were to treat each other, and strangers.

So now the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord led them:

Numbers 10:35-36 “And it came to pass, when the Ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, Lord, and let Thy enemies be scattered; and let them that hate Thee flee before Thee.

And when it rested, he said, Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel.”

They were now Israel. They had promised to obey His commandments (Exodus 24:6-8)…….and follow His leading….

….so for three days (interesting number, for it is the number of the Godhead, and of the days Christ was in the tomb, before the Father raised Him up.)…..God’s Presence led them forward, “to search out a resting place”.

[And hasn’t Christ Jesus done this for us? After we are born again, we are conscious of His Presence going with us…and giving us rest….His resting-place in His peace?

John 14:23, 27 “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him and We will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

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

Moses had said, “Rise up, Lord”, pointing to the One Who would always lead them aright…..they were to follow.

And when the cloud stopped, he said, “Return, O Lord unto….Israel”.

(It is that word, “Return”, that God spoke again and again to Israel….when they had turned away from following Him….right before He sent them into Captivity. In Jeremiah there are at least ten times He calls for them to “return”. Also there is the promise given…..that He will give them a heart to “return” to Him.)

The Ark led them at this time.

But after this, they would be led differently………six tribes, beginning with Judah (the tribe Jesus Christ would be born in) would lead…….then the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord,…….then six more tribes, in a procession;…..going through the wilderness

Numbers 9:15, 17-18 “And on the day that the Tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the Tabernacle namely, the Tent of the Testimony: and at even there was upon the Tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning.

And when the cloud was taken up from the Tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents.

At the commandment of the Lord the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the Lord they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the Tabernacle they rested in their tents.”

Little by little, The Lord was teaching them that He is their God,…their King,….their Leader,……and He would be in their midst.

When the cloud by day and the fiery cloud by night stopped….they stopped. And when it rose up and went….they went.

Numbers 9:22 “Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the Tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed.”

This was the way they traveled all the time, as a nation, from Mt. Sinai to Canaan, their permanent resting place.

(Yes, there were failures….many…..but God was faithful)

We, too, are traveling. We are on a journey of our lives. What has He taught us?

Have we come to know Him as our God? Our Lord and Savior? Our King?

And He is so much more: our Guide, our Strength, our Peace, our Light….our Resting Place…..because He is with us….Alway (Matthew 28:20)

He knows the Way we should go….and He knows how to show us. And He will teach us to know Him more, as we go along.

It is not a “cloud by day or fiery cloud by night” where we can see it……

….but by His Holy Spirit within us, and His Word,……which brings us to our permanent resting-place.

Are we following on?

Balaam and his donkey.

The Children of Israel had come out of Egypt about forty years ago, and had finally come close to the border of Canaan, to enter into their inheritance.

But a King of the Moabites, became frightened because of their coming, and sent to Balaam to curse them, for he was known to hear from God; and to have his sayings come true.

Numbers 22:5-6 “He sent messengers therefore unto Balham the son of Beor, to Pethor which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:

Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: preadventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.”

They come, and present a pretty lucrative package to Balaam.

So Balaam tells them he can do nothing except God says so. God tells him: he can not curse Israel, because they are blessed by Him.

Balaam informs the men, and they go back and tell the King. But he thinks it is a ploy to receive a better offer. So he sweetens the deal, with position, and wealth.

They return, and instead of turning them away, because God has told him “these people are blessed”;…….he asks them to wait to see what God will say.

He wants to twist God’s arm about this. This is serious money, and prestige; and he does not want to refuse the job.

So God tells him, if they come for you, go ahead and go.

He did not tell him he could curse the Israelites, but to go ahead and go.

But he warns Balaam that he can only say what He gives him to say.

This He did to prove him. Would he obey God’s will or give in to the gain of the world. For he knew God would not curse Israel.

Well, Balaam gave in to the temptations of the world.

He got up early, saddled his donkey, as soon as they came; he was going. He would work something out.

Numbers 22:22-23 “And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

And the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.”

The Lord, Himself, had talked to Balaam, so now he send a different messenger.

One Balaam would have to listen to.

First, there is the angel. Balaam, did not notice the angel or the sword. But his faithful donkey did. So she turns out of the way of the sword.

Had she continued, the angel would have slain Balaam.

Now this did not just happen once, but three times.

The second time in the path of the vineyard, where there was a wall on either side, and when the donkey saw the angel and the sword, she crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall, to save Balaam’s life.

Yet what thanks did the donkey get?……a beating.

But nothing deters Balaam…….on he goes. He is going to get that reward.

Numbers 22:26-27 “And the angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.

And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled and he smote the ass with a staff.”

So now, the angel stood in a very narrow place where the donkey could not turn away. So the donkey just fell down, instead.

Numbers 22:28 “And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, what have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?”

God had this donkey talk to Balaam, which should have been a sign unto him.

But he was set in his way of going….until…

Numbers 22:31-33 “Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.

And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? Behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:

And the ass saw me and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.”

“Thy way is perverse before me. “. This is the first time in Scripture that the term “perverse” is used.

It means to rush headlong, or to be rash.

Balaam was rushing headlong into the most dangerous situation of his life, and he did not know it.

He did not know it, because he was too caught up in the idea of prosperity and promotion.

He would die, to get this; and in fact, does, for God lets him go, but again warns him of saying only what he is given to say.

In fact, Balaam can’t curse Israel. In every instance, he blesses Israel instead.

Numbers 23:8 ” How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? Or how shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied?”

Yet the love of the reward was such a temptation, that Balaam thought of another way of destroying Israel, and told it to the king. If they could not destroy by curse, or battle; then by temptation and sin, so God would destroy them.

Numbers 25:1-3 “And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.

And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bow down to their gods.

And Israel joined himself to Baal-peor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.”

It would seen Balaam’s scheme was working.

God had everyone that had been joined unto Baal-peor killed. That was 24,000.

But even in times of great temptation there are those who seek the Lord. He always has His remnant.

Numbers 25:11 “Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned away my wrath from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy.”

Phinehas stopped the plague upon Israel…..and saved the rest of the people.

God always has a remnant….and their zealousness often is the difference between life and death for a people.

But what happened to Balaam? Did he get what he sold out for?

He was found with these kings when Israel was told to “Vex the Midianites, and smite them: for they vex you with their wiles,”

Numbers 31:8 “And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain namely, Evil, and Rekan, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.”

Was the riches worth the loss of all things?

Jude 11 “Woe unto them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah.”

Remember perverse means rushing headlong. When God speaks, we need to hear what He is saying, and then obey Him.

Greed for anything, is a terrible Master.

God’s mercy and His cleansing word, will help us with any temptation.

How much we need to really hear Him.

Missing the Mark

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

We are all sinners, by chance and by choice.

     But this sets forth much more than that….we all have come short….or missed the mark for the goal of our lives,  which is to live to the glory of God.

     We have all missed that which we were brought into being for.

Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.”

     (This is the first song in heaven that John hears….Praise to God as Creator of all, and especially of “me”.   That in that creation, there is a Purpose and determination, for me.)

What is sin?   Why is each person a sinner?   

      There are two definitions of sin in Scripture….Romans 14:23     and  James 4:17

Both speak of us, as God’s creatures….rebelling against God’s purpose for us….and making our own way, in opposition to Him.

Luke 6:46 (Williams Version)  “So why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, but do not practice what I tell you?”

      For to bow to the Lordship of Jesus Christ….in our life….we must be obedient.

To call Jesus, Lord….means nothing without the obedience it entails.

Matthew 7:21-23 “Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.

     Many will say to Me in that day,  Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?

    And then will I profess unto them,  I never knew you:  depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.”

It is interesting to note that “profess”…I will profess unto them….means to calculate…computation….to lay out before them how they fall short…or miss the mark.

And how do they fall short….for it seems as if these knew something of the Lord? 

     It has to do with power…or the grace of God in their lives;   and truth in knowledge.

2 Timothy 3:5, 7 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:  from such turn away.

     Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Most think of the grace of God as saving them….which is true.   But grace….or the unmerited favor of power….is in every aspect of our lives after being born again.   

    Grace is the ability, through the Holy Spirit within, to understand and do what God commands.

Truth is another thing we often let slip.   When we  have come to “the knowledge of the truth” (and it is spoken of in 1 Timothy 2:4 as well)….we have what that truth sets forth in our personal experience.

Do we know what repentance and confession is?   Then we know it by our own personal experience….we have repented…we have confessed our sins to the Lord, and turned from them.

Do we know the power of the Holy Spirit within?   Then we have known His guidance and have been obedient to His Word.

James 3:17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”

This is the Way God speaks…

    First, Pure.   There is no admixture…it is simply the Truth.   The Faithful and True Witness has spoken the Truth down through the ages….

….if we want wisdom from above,  we must hear and obey the truth. (John 1:17)

Then, peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated.   Christ Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost….His message was “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.”

    If we want wisdom, we must come to Christ,….Who becomes wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption to us (1 Cor. 1:30)

Full of mercy, and good fruits.  Jesus said,  Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.         If we want the wisdom from above,  we must show the same mercy that Christ has shown us….and we will see a blessing for it….in our own lives, and in others.

    Proverbs 16:6 “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.”

Without partiality and without hypocrisy.  

    Jesus said, “He that is not with Me is against Me; and He that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad.” (Matthew 12:30)

    Where the Lord is concerned,  HIs faith will command a person,  or have nothing to do with that person.    We are either for Him, or we are not…..there is no neutral ground.

Hypocrisy here means that “one conceals the truth”.    We must speak the whole truth of the gospel…

…if we want the wisdom that is from above….then we must yield to the truth for ourselves…and speak the truth to others. 

   (this is not the truth that tells people about their faults….no,  but the Truth about Jesus Christ,  about HIs sacrifice,  about where sin will take them….for they have missed the mark for the purpose of their lives….if they miss Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.)

James 3:18 “And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”

    This is another way of saying that if we are walking with our “feet shod with the preparation of peace” (Ephesians 6:15)….then we are not stepping on toes….but showing the Light on the Way, before men,  and giving them the directions into the Way of Peace.

The title was “Missing the Mark”….and we all have….till we come to Christ Jesus and yield to the Truth of our sin, and rebellion against Him….and obey Him and His Word….in being born again…and in everyday life.

Then we are shown our “goal”….our purpose….the Way into Truth and the knowledge of God!   

    Then we are “walking in the light” (1 John 1:7)

    Then we are:

Titus 2:11-13 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

     Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

     Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.”

Their Rest and Our Rest

Hebrews 4:9,11 “There remained therefore a rest to the people of God.

Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”

What is this rest?

It is rest concerning the things which are promised us, as Christians.

(This is not peace….peace is promised us, yes….but our rest is the spiritual possessions Christ has promised us. When we obtain them, we enter into our rest; for we have and are, what Christ redeemed for us.)

Paul had been speaking concerning the Israelites which had not entered into the Promised Land, because of unbelief.

Hebrews 3:17-18 “But with whom was he grieved forty years? Was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness?

And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?”

The land of Canaan, was their rest. But they refused it. (Numbers 13:25-14:11)

Numbers 14:22-24 “Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened unto my voice;

Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:

But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereunto he went; and his seed shall possess it.”

And what is our rest?

Hebrews 4:1-2 “Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”

Our rest is the promises of God to us: Of His Spirit, and the fruit of His Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Of Peace as a Stronghold (Philippians 4:7, it says “keep”, or garrison in the original)

Of forgiveness and Cleansing (1 John 1:9)

That He would hear us, if we ask in His Name (John 14:13)

Light, or guidance (John 8:12)

Grace, or the unmerited favor of power. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Our rest has to do with us, actually possessing these promises in our lives. Each promise the Lord gives us: actually obtaining them.

How many are we “entering into rest” about?

And how do we enter into this rest? By “laboring” to believe and obey Him through everything.

I’ll give an example: Caleb.

Caleb was of the tribe of Judah. And he, along with one man from every tribe was sent into the land to “spy it out”.

It was to show the people how great the land was!

And it was beautiful, and productive. Everything the Lord had said!

But, the people of the land were fighters, some giants were there.

So when the spy’s came back to camp, they showed the good things of the land……but emphasized the giants.

The people became disheartened…..because they refused to believe God.

(Unbelief brings many sins with it: discouragement, anger, frustration , discontent, and weariness)

How many things had God brought them through already?!

Yet, now, they would not believe Him, in order to gain all that He had promised?

How strong unbelief is.

We are sometimes unaware of our own unbelief, until we are told to do something, we feel we can’t.

Then, do we trust God? And how far do we trust Him?

But Caleb and Joshua believed the Lord, and tried to persuade the people to trust in Him; and go into the land. Again, they refused, crying in dismay.

When the people looked for someone to take them back to Egypt…..God spoke: and those people were shut out of their “rest” in the land of promise.

Their children went in, and took the land, divided it into tribes. And Caleb, still alive, and still following the Lord; came for his inheritance, his “rest”:

Joshua 14:6, 9, 12 “Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Juphunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the Lord said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadesh-Barnes.

And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children’s forever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord thy God.

Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakaim (giants) were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said.”

Caleb had a very beautiful, and hard inheritance: for the Anakaim were giants.

But he took that mountain. And had all that the Lord promised.

To enter into the Lord’s rest for us, is to get the promises that the Lord has given us…..into our lives.

To prove that He was right.

That He is all we need, and will give us all His help.

We do this by believing obedience.

By “wholly following the Lord”.

Our Adversary, the devil, would remind us of all the obstacles to obtaining these promises.

Are their obstacles? Of course, that is why we are told to “labor” to enter into rest.

We “labor” to keep hold of faith in the day of trial, fear, or even boredom.

If faith will hold on to Jesus Christ, He will lead us into all the promises He has given us.

Hebrews 10:35-36 “Cast not away therefore your confidence (in Christ), which hath great recompense of reward.

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”

Obedience

John 14:15 “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.”

Obedience is more than simply receiving guidance and instruction; and doing it.

(In the Greek, it means willingly doing what we have been told. Obedience is always a matter of the heart’s actions.)

It is a recognition that we are the creature….and He is the Creator, Who has the right to do what He will with His own. (Matthew 20:15)

It is the act of acknowledgement: We acknowledge we have heard His Voice to us….and yield to that Voice.

It is the act of a learner to His Master-Teacher: learning discipline, and seeing what God is showing me, in this obedience.

Obedience is the act of submission. We may not see the logic of the command, but we believe and trust in the God of the command.

And obedience is worship…..counting the Lord Jesus Christ worthy of our all.

(It is interesting to note, that Jesus, Himself, only used the word “obey”, once, and then He was speaking about our faith, and the removal of hinderances:

Luke 17:6 “And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto the sycamine tree, be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea, and it should obey you.”)

He used the word believe, in it’s forms ( believed, believest, believeth, believing) eighty-four times.

Jesus came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21), and He presented Himself, and His call was….come unto Me:

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

Only after His resurrection, in power, did He command His disciples “Go ye…and teach all nations,…..teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen”. (Matthew 28:19-20)

They were to teach all men to “observe” His commandments and Word.

“Observe” means to guard with the eye upon, so as not to lose it.

They were to teach this reverence of Christ’s Word, so that the believers would guard them; in their hearts and lives.

It was only after the Holy Spirit was given…..the power of God within us to do; that Peter, at the beginning of his ministry, boldly said:

Acts 5:30-32 “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, Whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

And we are His witnesses of these things: and so is also the Holy Ghost, Whom God hath given to them that obey Him.”

And then they went out from Jerusalem, to preach the gospel throughout the world.

And at the end:

1 Peter 1:13-15 “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

But as He which hath called you is Holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;”

Paul at the beginning of Romans (the most comprehensive declaration of what God has done, and purposed since the beginning, for those that would believe on Him.)

Romans 1:1, 5 “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.

By Whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience of the faith unto all nations, for His name:”

The grace and the apostleship authority, was given to Paul, to preach “obedience to the faith” of Christ,…..wherever he went.

And at the end of Romans, Paul prays:

Romans 16:25-27 “Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

But now is made manifest, by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the Everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.”

Paul preached Jesus Christ, and Him crucified, risen, and sitting at the right hand of God……and that those who have faith in Him, should obey Him, as Lord and Savior.

We believe on the Lord Jesus Christ…..and then, by the Holy Spirit and the gift of faith,….we obey His Word to us…..and live to please Him, Who gave so much for us.

“If ye love Me, keep My commandments.”

Borrow Vessels, not a Few

Elisha was a prophet in Israel.

There were many who, though contrary to the “popular religion”, followed God.

They would gather together to hear Elisha, as he traveled the country.

He ministered to the people with the Word of God, and instruction.

Many followed the teachings of God, and they were called the “sons of the prophets”.

Some set themselves aside for ministering, and prayer.

Others had families, and lived for God in their jobs.

A widow of one of these men came to Elisha in dire straights. After her husband had died, things had gotten very tough financially, and they had come into debt.

2 Kings 4:1 “Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.”

This was very serious. Both sons being taken, must have meant a large debt.

But she came to Elisha;…..he would be able to pray for her, or tell her what she could do by the Word of the Lord.

2 Kings 4:2 “And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee?

Tell me, what hast thou in the house?

And she said, Thy handmaid hath not anything in the house, save a pot of oil.”

At first, it is as if Elisha is not asking the woman at all….but rather praying for direction…”What shall I do for thee?”

Then, he asks her, according as the Holy Spirit showed him, “What do you have in the house?”

She had nothing to sell, nothing to trade. She only had a pot of oil.

How often we think we need something more, before we can serve God.

More knowledge, more courage, more understanding.

But really, we just need to use what we have: God’s grace which He has already given us, by the Holy Spirit.

When we do, then God will enable us,…..and He will supply more of what we need.

2 Kings 4:3-4 “Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.

When thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee, and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.”

Here was the answer:

She would have to be obedient,……and God would supply her need.

She would have to borrow empty vessels; for the Lord was going to work a miracle for her.

But it was to be for her and her sons. No one else was to be present, or even see through the door.

Elisha was not present. He did not do this.

The Lord did this for her, and her sons;……..using empty vessels……and their obedience.

Did God supply the need? Yes!

2 Kings 4:5-6 “So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.

And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel.

And he said unto her, there is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.”

Abundantly the need was met! All the vessels they had borrowed were filled,…..till there was no more.

God would have us bring our “empty vessels” to Him to be filled with His Spirit, for our everyday needs.

Shutting the door, so we may be alone with God in prayer and devotions, is often the means He uses to supply our need for the day.

The oil of joy, and strength, and peace…..and increased faith is often given as we close the door on the world, and seek Him, only.

2 Kings 4:7 “Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.”

After the miracle, she did not get “swelled head” and say, I know what I will do.

No, she came and asked for guidance as what to do next.

Amazingly, the answer was an answer for the rest of her life.

God saw to the need, and more. He gave to her, so that she would be able to live beyond this debt.

That is what God always gives us: life. It is what He supplies, even as He is supplying a specific need, for now.

Our life as His children, here and now; and every time we need it.

It does not say whether the oil came drop by drop, or poured out fast from the vessel she had.

Only that the oil came, the need was met. He supplied it for her and her son’s life.

Let us look to God to supply the need of our life, bringing our “empty vessels” for His Spirit to fill….that we may have His life for us,…..and live by His direction.

To rebuke and chasten

God’s purpose and design in all things for us in our walk with HIm….is to lead us into Christ’s life for us.    It is a life of self-denial and blessing.   It is a life of persecution from the world and peace with God.   It is a life of love to God and others,  while we are thought little of by the world.

           This is the life Christ had here….for our sakes.    And now He asks us to follow HIm into a knowledge of Him….what overwhelming goodness He is….and to know Him personally through all our days, and circumstances.

God is always dealing with HIs people…..who have heard HIs Word.    He is always calling them into new knowledge of Him…and HIs Word and Ways.

           Then our faith and obedience is proved….then we grow into strong Christians…

…..or quench the Holy Spirit….till the Lord must rebuke….and finally chasten.

When our ways please the Lord….then is HIs brightness manifested….and HIs Arm bared, that He might help us.

Psalm 89:13-15 “Thou hast a mighty arm:  strong is Thy hand, and high is Thy right hand.

           Justice and judgment are the habitation of Thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before Thy face. 

           Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound:  they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of Thy countenance.”

Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”

What could be better than this?

But when our ways do not please Him….Whom we have been called to follow and trust….then He, as our loving Father,….

…. will rebuke…or “backstrike with words”.    This is to correct us with HIs Word, often through others, for we have begun to shrug off HIs Holy Spirit’s influence within us…and so we must be awakened to this danger.

          Jesus rebuked His disciples….for they should have known better, after being with HIm for three years.

          (Peter, when he suggested that the cross was not the Way for Jesus; Matthew 16:21-23.

          He rebuked the disciples when a Samaritan city would not receive Him….they asked about sending fire down upon them!  Luke 9:52-56

          Jesus told the disciples to rebuke a brother when they had offended them….that the brother might realize his hurting a member of the church….and repent.  Luke 17:3-4)

And in writing the Hebrews, Paul said….

          Hebrews 12:5 “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children,  My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of HIm:”

(Let me say….. that God will work in judgment on those who mock and scorn HIs govenment….but it is HIs own that He rebukes and chastens.   And He does that as our Father. Hebrews 12:6-8….that we may repent and be restored to growth in grace.)

          If we will not heed His rebuke…the Word that the Lord sends to get our attention…

…then He will chasten.

Psalm 94:12 “Blessed is the man whom Thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of Thy law;”

Psalm 119:67, 75  “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept Thy Word.

         I know, O Lord, that Thy judgments are right, and that Thou in faithfulness has afflicted me.”

(And may I say, knowing is half the battle.   

       When we know that the Lord is correcting us from His tender mercies….when we see that we have gone astray, yet He follows us and corrects us…leading us back to the safety of His Word…..then we have true and real knowledge that puts us in good stead for the Walk ahead.   

        I often can take many insults….but the ones which really sneek through are the little individual flaws I have,  being pointed out.   I and the Lord have been working a lot to….(not get thicker skin)….but to deny myself…in everything!   

       The verse that comes to mind when I feel things rise up in me is:

Psalm 41:5 “Let the righteous smite me;  it shall be a kindness: and let Him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head:  for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.”

       Simply said….”Please correct me,….please pull me out of the mire of self-pity or self in any form….please help me stand in my place aright that my prayers be not hindered.”)

Chastening has to do with actions against us.   God has rebuked…and we have let HIs Word slide….

…then He will chasten.     The best example in the New Testament is:

       1 Corinthians 11:29-30 “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

        For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.”

The church at Corinth had come from terrible sin,  to salvation.  They had been given gifts and knowledge above many others!  (1 Cor.1:5-7) 

        Now that they belonged to Christ, and their numbers had increased….they had become careless concerning the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper.   

        The Lord’s supper had become a night of feasting…not of prayerful consideration of what Christ did for us. Something they would have surely known was wrong!

“For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.  

For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”  (1 Cor. 11:21, 29)

       They were not waiting till all could be gathered…till all, poor and rich alike could share in it…. but combined the Lord’s Supper and the Agape feast….which led to eating and drinking to excess…while others went without.

Paul rebukes them….and tells them that the Lord has already shown them their error.   That many were sick because they had acted this way….and some had already died (sleep) because they had probably led in this kind of behavior…or refused to repent and change…relying on old habits instead of the Word of God.   (This “damnation” is not being sent to Hell….but rather the act of being sent before the judge…or judgment.)

1 Corinthians 11:31-33 “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

         But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

        Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.”

The Lord will not let His people go on….without speaking,  rebuking,  and chastening to bring them back into His Will.

As I said in the beginning….God’s Purpose for us is to bring us into the life of Christ….and have Christ’s life living within us….and through us.   All He does….all He says….all He sends is for this Purpose:

Romans 8:28 “And we know…

 (and again knowing is half the battle)….that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His Purpose.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (And to me it is odd that this beautiful promise is in Jeremiah, who was the weeping prophet…weeping for the sins and chastisements of God’s people.        How wonderful to think of what God knows about us!)

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

Psalm 119:175-176 “Let my soul live, and it shall praise Thee;  and let Thy judgments help me.

        I have gone astray like a lost sheep;  seek Thy servant;  for I do not forget Thy commandments.”

The reason of life is to find Christ!   

        Then to experience Him everyday in a one on one walk that will form our words, actions, and attitudes to be like Him…

…..to know that blessedness which is…”Christ in you the hope of glory” Colossians 1:27.    

To have the blessedness which is…”the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3:14   

To know Him which is all love and peace in believing…which in fact “passeth knowledge” Ephesians 3:19

Hallelujah! What a Savior we have….which saves from sin, self, the world, and death.  Let us hear HIs rebuke and bow if we are chastened….and get on with our walk with HIm.

Without a Vision, the People perish.

Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

“Vision” here, means what they were to keep looking toward, their goal.

This “vision” was the purpose of Israel in Canaan: They were to show the nations round about them, what it was like to have God, as their God and King.

Deuteronomy 28:9-10 “The Lord shall establish thee a Holy people unto Himself, as He hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in His ways.

And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee.”

They failed in this Purpose. (Although the Lord promises that Israel will have this one day: Ezekiel 36:25-28)

But why did they fail? Sin, of course, was involved…but the main reason was:

1 Samuel 8:19-20 “…and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;

That we also may be like all the nations;……”

Because they wanted to be like everybody else!

How often this hinders us in our Spiritual lives!

There should be a “vision” for us, as Christians. A goal or purpose of where we are going in life, and a way of getting there.

There should be something we are working toward:

1) A purpose which we are to obtain through our lifetime.

2)And there should be a goal for today…

Our purpose is given us when we are born again, and this purpose is the same for all. (How much we obtain it, is an individual thing)

It is to be conformed to the image of His Son:

Romans 8:29 “For whom He did foreknow (that means God saw you in Christ Jesus before the world began 2 Timothy 1:9)

He also did predestinate

(that means He made full provision for you in grace or power for the work He gives you)

to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first born among many brethren

(All of us, loving and obeying the Father).”

I have broken down the verse, so we can see what is really being said.

God has purposed, that we might be just like Jesus in our character….

But He has also provided the Holy Spirit, and the grace (the unmerited favor of power, and ability) to do this.

If we actually saw how much the Lord has given us, we would be amazed!

And we just need to obtain it…..first, to want it. Second, to receive it…now.

(Sometimes it depends on what He is asking, doesn’t it?

Sadly, and this has happened to me:

we let the opportunity to have abundant measure of His power….slide.

We hesitate….what will this cost me, to say this, or do this…..and it is gone….we have stifled the Spirit.

It is so silly, we have let go a treasure, for what?

But if we receive it, whether you say, Yes, Lord, please give me this. Or whether you just yield and follow….it is given!)

Then…we are given a place in the scheme of God’s Plan…a calling to fulfill.

(Everyone is called as a witness to Christ…we are all called to speak about our Lord)

When I was first introduced to “Deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow Me”, (Matthew 16:24)

I struggled a lot with time: my time, and the time I gave to prayer.

Don’t get me wrong, I prayed….but I had been called to pray, and I had a lot to learn.

At that time, my purpose was to obtain my calling….and my goal for today was to learn the lesson of self-denial. (For “my time” was robbing my efforts.)

Later, it was patience.

How many times has the Lord reminded me about patience.

It is His attribute (look how He puts up with me), and I need to get it into me, by denying myself when I get frustrated, or late.

Or when I want Him to answer my prayer….now, not in God’s time.

You get the idea….we all need to see God’s overall purpose for us….to be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).

And then to fulfill for today, our work as His disciples. If we do today, then it is easier to do tomorrow.

When we slip and fall; and we will….as we confess it, He forgives us and lifts us back up, to go on with Him.

The Lord often deals with our besetting sin, first (He did with me)….

Then, with our habits, and attitudes….and onward, till all of us, shows that we belong to Christ Jesus.

Acts 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”

If we remember Peter’s denial of the Lord…not once but three times…we, too, might marvel.

But the answer is….”they had been with Jesus”.

The Holy Spirit reminded them of all they had heard, and learned in the years with Jesus….and when it was needed, they were empowered to use it.

We should all have our “vision” or revelation from God of what He has for us, where we are going with Him, here; and how we are to go…

He has given it in His Word, and will relate it to us personally, by the blessed Holy Spirit.

Know His Will for you….and grow in grace and knowledge.

Jesus stands at our door

Revelation 3:20 “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.”

(What great mercy and condensation that Christ Jesus the Lord should stand at my heart’s door and knock!   That He should wait and speak to me….not with the thunder of judgment,  but with the Voice of HIs Word….calling me on.

         Song of Solomon 5:2 “I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my Beloved that knocketh, saying,   Open to Me, My sister, My love, My dove, My undefiled:  for My head is filled with dew, and My locks with the drops of the night.”)

What a mercy that He should speak again to this church….and to the people inside to come and open to Him!

The Lord has shown Himself to John, to prepare him to go and preach again to the churches….

….and in each letter, the Lord speaks to the church….His supply for their need.

In Laodicea, they need to be boiling hot….to be zealous for Christ.

         And frankly, I have found in my experience….that zealousness only comes when we give up everything for Christ…in our everyday lives.

We might think that we have “surrendered” to the Lord….but has it given you a hunger for His Word….or a thirst for His fellowship?

       If you have “surrendered”…..and not gotten repentant…..not sought with new diligence to grow in grace….

…then you have only “surrendered” to or for something….not to Christ Jesus, personally.   It may be….”God wants me to do this….or give up this.”   And you “surrender” to that.    

       Good in itself….but that is not the personal zeal….which goes beyond seeking Christ for something….to seeking Christ, only.     For in Christ, we “find” everything,…all else falling into place.

(We often talk about the disciples leaving all and following Him….Matthew 4:19-20.   But many women ministered to Him “of their substance”,…following Him, wherever He went….some right to the foot of the cross!   Luke 8:1-3,  John 19:25  And to the upper room to be filled with the Holy Ghost.  Acts 1:14   Theirs was a zeal for Christ, too.)

Revelation 3:20 “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.”

I can not tell you exactly what is barring the door of your heart or life to Him….

….but it is His Voice which awakens!   His sweet Voice which drew us at the first….which called us and which speaks again and again to us.

He stands!   That means He is ready to do for us.   How gracious that He knocks….by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit….to show us that we have a closed door to HIm.

        But it is His Voice,  that calls us.

John 10:3-4, 27 “To Him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear His Voice: and He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

        And when He putteth forth His own sheep,  He goeth before them, and the sheep follow Him: for they know His voice.

        My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

We are all called to follow Him….and we are all called to “sup” or “fellowship, as at a table”  with Him.    

(Now I want to stress here, that “fellowship” is partnership….is a sharer with all things in common.   

      Our fellowship is with the Father,….for we are joint-heirs with Christ.  And as He is His Father, so He becomes our Father. (John 20:17)

      Our  fellowship is with the Creator;  acknowledging His Purpose and His Determination (or Pleasure Revelation 4:11)…joining in with Him to fulfill His Purpose in us.

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

      Our fellowship is with our Lord and Savior, grateful for His salvation and His guiding hand upon us in praise and Thanksgiving.

      1 Cor 1:8-9 “Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

      God is faithful, by Whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”

      There is the fellowship of His sufferings….that we may learn…”in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”(Phil.4:11)

      Philippians 3:10 “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death;”

      We have fellowship of the Spirit…as we speak and gather together….that we may share with others the goodness of God, the exhortations of God….and they with us.

      Philippians 2:1-2 “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love,  if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

      Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”

The Lord stands at our door….and knocks….and we can hear HIs Voice:  

      “I created you….for My determination and Purpose.    I have many things to share with you…and you with Me.   Will you open your door to Me?”

(Now I wish to speak of “doors”.    

      The first “door” that was spoken of,  was to Cain.   He had let pride rule his heart and actions and had brought  a offering to God of his own works.   But God spoke of his “door”….

….”Listen to Me, and bring the right offering so we may fellowship together….or sin lieth at your door, and it will come in and rule in you.”  (Genesis 4:7)

              It is so important to know what we let in our “door”….thankfully the Lord will tell us, as He did Cain….though His Voice was refused, there.

      The next “door” was the door set in the ark, which saved Noah and his family.   There was only one door (Genesis 6:16)….and the Lord shut him in. (Genesis 7:15-16)   

             And we know that Christ Jesus is the one door….John 10:9 “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”       

      The next “door” was at Abraham’s tent (Genesis 18:1)….when the Lord appeared to him….giving him a promise of a son to Sarah….and speaking to him of Sodom and Gomorrah.   There was the great intercessory prayer for any righteous in these cities…and Lot! (Gen. 18:20-33)

     There was the “door” where the blood of the Passover lamb was placed.  (Exodus 12:7, 11-12)…and Israel was saved from the destroying angel.

     There was the “door” where the servant, unwilling to leave his wife and children….even though he could go free on the seventh year….where his ear-lobe would be bored (Ex. 21:2-6)…which is a picture of Christ’s devotion to us….to serve for us…though He could have gone free. (Psalm 40:6-8  this is a prophesy of Christ!)

     There is the “door” of our lips.  

     Psalm 141:3 “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

     And there is the “door” at which Christ stands today…..the Laodicean church door….and our “door”,….for it is to the individual He speaks.

    Shortly….the opportunity to answer and open that door will pass….

…..for He will open a “door” in heaven!

Revelation 4:1 “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a  trumpet talking with me;  which said,   Come up hither,…”

          Christ Jesus will come in the sky….and we will be raptured.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

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

The door we open to Christ Jesus our Lord, now is the door of our lives….every big and little bit of them….and He will come in and fellowship….sharing all things…everything we go through, He is ready to see to….

…Will we open our door to Him?)