Jehovah-Rapha…the Lord that healeth thee

Exodus 15:25-26 “And he (Moses) cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast unto the waters, the waters were made sweet:  there He made for them an ordinance, and there He proved them,

      And said,  If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes,  I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians:  for I am the Lord that healeth thee.”

This record deals with personal obedience….and our hearts attitude toward God, in the path He leads us in.

The Israelites are free!  And in a miraculous manner….they came across the Red Sea…and they also saw their enemies which pursued them, dead on the seashore.

Singing, they go on,  in the Way God leads,  His fiery light at night, and HIs cloudy pillar going ahead….

….but three days into their journey….they see that the water barrels that they filled in Egypt were now empty.    And they had found no water along the way!   What were they to do?

They went on to a place called Marah….

Exodus 15:23 “And when they came to Marah,  they could not drink of the water of Marah,  for they were bitter:  therefore the name of it was called Marah (bitter).”

The people were eagerly awaiting God to bring them to water….and when He did,  they tasted it….and found it too bitter to drink.    It would have made them all sick, if they continued….

…so…

…why would God lead them to a bitter well?  

I believe there are two reasons:

    First, He would prepare them for the things of trial and “bitterness”, in the wilderness that they were crossing.

God did not want them to think that now everything would be…”Hallelujah!”

   (So it is with our walk.   We have been miraculously saved…from our sin and Hell.   But now,  in the wilderness of this world,  we will go through many trials and “bitterness” of days and nights.  We are not in heaven, yet….so we must look and submit to the lessons the Lord sends.)

   Second, God would use this bitter water to get their attention about HIs new Name to them.   He is the Lord that heals them.    

Why not just tell them?

Because  God would make a point with them….the bitter waters…and the fact that they could run into all sorts of things which could make them sick….He could heal.

Nothing….nor anyone can satisfy HIs people…in all circumstances,  but God, HImself.

And He wanted them to know His new Name to them….so they could call upon HIm, as such.

    (And we too will learn as we go along with HIm…that He becomes all our need,…whether in health, troubles, or illness.)

You will notice that this came in the Way the Lord was leading…yet it says,  “There He proved them”.    It was for their good that He showed them these bitter waters,….to draw from them the response of faith….so they would  call upon HIm for help!

So what did they do?

Exodus 15:24 “And the people murmured against Moses, saying,  What shall we drink?”

Naturally, their fear might be understood….but they were to be molded into God’s people…and therefore they should have cried unto the Lord….not Moses.

This is the first place murmured  is used…it means to be obstinate and complain.  

    (Before when they were at the Red Sea, they first “cried out unto the Lord”, then questioned Moses. Exodus 14:10-12)

But here, they begin to “dig in their heels”,  or act like spoiled children, wanting the easy way to be given them,….but nothing of the hard.

    Instead of trusting in the Lord, they demanded better treatment!

(And we too, are warned against a weak and faithless reaction to trials…instead: rejoice! 1 Peter 4:12-13

1 Peter 1:6-7 “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season,    if need be,   ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

    That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the coming of Jesus Christ.”

2 Timothy 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”)

But, God did not deal with them according to their sin….but rather in mercy.   Because one man among them believed the Lord, and sought Him for their need.   

(And when we think our prayers are not important….remember approximately 2 million Israelites were given sweet water because of one man’s prayer.)

     Moses cried unto the Lord…and when he did….the Lord showed him what to do:

“…and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast unto the water, the waters were made sweet:…”

(I love this!   This is a foreshadowing of what Christ, “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness:  by whose stripes ye were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 

   Without this “tree” they would die.   Without Christ, we would die!  

   By this “tree” the waters were healed.  By Christ’s stripes we are healed!)

But then,…..and this is important for all of us….the lesson to be learned:

    Exodus 15:26 “And said,  If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes,  I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.”

Four different ways God’s Word is mentioned.   HIs Voice,  what is right in His sight, His commandments,  His statutes.

God is stressing His Word and Will…for that is the way of growth and blessing.   And we are told the same thing:

2 Timothy 3:15-17 “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

   All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,  for instruction in righteousness:

   That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

If they heard His Voice in His Word, and obeyed it….then they would not suffer the diseases that the Egyptians did….under HIs judgements….

…why?    Because I am the Lord that healeth thee.    Jehovah-Rapha.

Don’t fear,  look to Me…..cry unto Me.

The Israelites were refreshed….for their further journey,  because God healed the waters that were bitter.   (They next came to Elim where were twelve wells…and palm trees….and they encamped there.    The multitude of blessing came after the trial….after the lesson.   It is not often in the prosperous times we learn the most….but in our afflictions, we cry unto Him. Psalm 119:67)

And we too, will come to many places that are “bitter” to us in our walk with God.  They are part of the learning places with Him.

  Praise Him, we know and have Jehovah-Rapha with us….and He can make the bitter, sweet to us.   Making the very thing which was a trial….a blessing.

  Hallelujah!  What a Savior.         Hallelujah!  What a God we serve.

The Two Thieves

Mark 15:27 “And with Him they crucify two thieves; the one on His right hand, and the other on His left.”

Matthew 27:41,44 “Likewise also the chief priests mocking Him, with the scribes and elders…..

The thieves also, which were crucified with Him, cast the same in HIs teeth.”

Luke 23:39-43 “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, saying, If thou be Christ save thyself and us.

But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with Me in paradise.”

The two thieves are a picture of every person born.

We are either persuaded of Christ…….as Lord and King…..

….or we are with the crowd which mocks and hates Christ.

You will notice that they were thieves…..men who had stolen something which did not belong to them.

We, too, are thieves….for we have stolen God’s honor from Him….we have usurped HIs throne of authority.

We have chosen to be in control of our destinies…..so that we decide what is “right” and what is “wrong”…..for us.

This is theft in the Kingdom of God…..we have taken from God the honor due HIs Name…

….stolen it for ourselves.

The thieves both mocked Jesus, at first…

….they “cast the same in His teeth”.

Which means they were throwing insults, just like the chief priests and scribes and elders.

They were not good men,…..they were glad to be able to mock the Son of God, the Son of Man…..

….maybe it would make their pain less.

(Of course, it did not….and it does not for us, as well)

But a change came….first innocence was recognized.

Luke 23:39-41 “And one of the malefactors…railed on Him….If Thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

But the other….rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds:…”

Here was a recognition that he was a sinner…..that God judges right!

Though it was a simple confession…..yet anytime we get honest about ourselves…..light is given…..for Truth is Light…..

…..and God’s grace is offered. (John 1:17)

Luke 23:41 “….but this man hath done nothing amiss.”

This, too, was a confession…..only about Christ. He had mocked few minutes ago….

….but now he begins to recognize Christ’s purity and goodness.

(Grace does this….it brings us the ability to see Christ as He is, not as we have thought of Him.)

Luke 23:42 “And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.”

I love this,…..”Lord”…..not “king” in a mocking tone…..but “Lord”…..in subjection to Christ, and HIs Will for him.

“Remember me”…..

Psalm 25:6-7 “Remember, O Lord, Thy tender mercies and Thy lovingkindness; for they have been ever of old.

Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according to Thy mercy remember Thou me for Thy goodness sake, O Lord.”

For God to remember someone, is for God to fix that person in His affections.

Is 49:15-16 “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands;…”

Christ’s graven palms, speak of His remembering all for whom He died…..the penitent thief…..you, me…..for our names are there where the nail prints are.

Luke 23:43 “And Jesus said unto him, Verily (Truth) I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with Me in paradise.”

This thief died…..but lived by faith in Christ Jesus.

We all, too, are presented with Christ Jesus.

To some He is nothing more than an object to mock and insult….

To others, they begin to see the goodness and holiness of Christ, and are drawn to Him…being honest about themselves and their sin….and receiving Him as Lord and Savior…

….they ask to be remembered of Him.

And He will….always remember us.

Thy Kingdom Come.

Matthew 6:10 “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

Where is His kingdom to come? Where is His will to be done?

In earth….

….not on earth; but in earth….in us who are made of the earth, and formed by God into a living soul….we are to have His kingdom come “in” us….and have His will done “in” us.

This is the second most important thing we are to pray for…..according to the prayer Jesus Christ taught his disciples. (Matthew 6:9-15)

(The first most important thing is to ask that His Name would be “hallowed” or honored.

We know His Name signifies all that He is….so the first thing we should pray for,…..when we pray, is that God would be honored by us.

That His Name would not be ill-spoken of,…..because of our behavior.)

But the second thing we are to pray for, is that we might have His kingdom come, and His will be done within us….it is that important.

Luke 17:20-21 “And when He was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, He answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or, Lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”

The Pharisees thought of “the kingdom” as a place and a time, which would surely include them….because of their lineage.

They did not understand that the kingdom is only where the King is.

And the King, Jesus Christ was standing before them, right then….

….inviting them to come into His kingdom, by believing and submitting to Him.

He is doing the same thing to each of us, today…

There are two principles at work in the universe:

God’s principle of Obedience, and the devil’s principle of Rebellion.

God’s principle of Obedience…..which is to place ourselves at God’s disposal to do, or be what He wants.

This principle was seen in all the children of God, to a decree, down through the ages….

….but especially in His Son, The Son of God/the Son of Man…..Who did always those things that pleased His Father (John 8:29)

Hebrews 5:8-9 “Though He were a Son, yet He learned He obedience by the things which He suffered;

And being made perfect (complete in His Work), He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him;”

Christ Jesus, the Son of God, humbled Himself and became man. Many things He did for others, by the power of God….but…

…..He had to be obedient to Mary and Joseph……for thirty years (Luke 2:49-51)

…..He was tempted for forty days and nights by the devil….yet without yielding (Matthew 4:1-11)

…..He had to wait for others to bring Him food, and ask for water at a well (John 4:6-8)

…..He was silent before His accusers, as a “sheep before His shearers is dumb” (Isaiah 53:7)

Everything He did, here as man,…every act, every word,…..was in obedience to God His Father.

He did everything in obedience, as man…without sin….but as man….

…..an obedient man….worthy in His Person, for Who He was and what He had done….to be the perfect sacrifice for sin.

Taking away the sin of all who would believe in Him.

And the devil’s principle of Rebellion….where we place ourselves against the things of God….against His will and His way.

The devil would persuade us (“wiles”Ephesians 6:11)…..that we can have things our way and God’s….but we can not.

We must choose:

Romans 6:16 “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

(Hell was made for the devil and his angels….not man.

Until the day of Adam’s sin, then it was opened up for those who refuse to believe God, and obey Him.

Matthew 25:41 “Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”)

I started this with “Thy kingdom come.”

For every Christian, if we do not have Christ’s kingdom come within our hearts, we are leaving things in our lives open to the devil’s wiles to rebellion.

Christ has made a way for us,….to come to God in peace, and have full access to His grace: the unmerited favor of power (Romans 5:1-2)

….to be led by the Spirit of God and be joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:14, 17)

….to come boldly to the Throne of grace and obtain mercy (Hebrews 4:16)

….to be saved from the lusts of the world (2 Peter 1:3-4).

He is the Author and Finisher of our faith:

Hebrews 12:2 “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.”

Christ’s Way, is by His kingdom being set up in our lives. He sits on the throne of our lives….and we occupy the footstool, as HIs servant.

It is the second most important thing we are to ask for: Thy kingdom come.

Are we seeking it for ourselves? Are we acknowledging Him as our King?

Awaken, and Look to Christ

The writer to the Hebrews, has just given many examples of faith to the Hebrew Christians…who were fainting under their trials.

       Faith is imperative if we are to please God (Hebrews 11:6)….and the writer knows that one of the besetting sins of the Hebrews is unbelief. (Hebrews 3:7-4:1)

( A quick definition of unbelief might be helpful.   It is not that they do not believe in God….but that they do not trust God, and go on and fulfill HIs Will for themselves.    

       Unbelief is personal….as belief is placing all the weight of our lives upon God….so unbelief is choosing to place ourselves on God, and….  It could be “ and our intellect”,   or “and our friends”,    or “and counselors”,   or “and the world’s reasonings”…

….but unbelief will not be content with God, alone.   

       This was beginning to show up in the Hebrew Christians,  who had been sorely tried)

So the writer  has set before them a feast for their weary souls.   Faith  in God was the distinguishing factor….before the flood….before the Ten Commandments….and all during every phase of the Israelites history.   It has been faith in God which has given them the greatest promises, and the best blessings.

Here, at the beginning of chapter twelve….he puts before them the greatest example of faith….Jesus.

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Wherefore seeing we also are 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.”

The writer now exhorts (awakens) these tried Christians to follow the examples of these Old Testament witnesses of faith….for Christ’s sake.

How?          Let us…..the writer always includes himself when he speaks to them.   When are we ever out of danger?   When can we say that we have so much of God, we need not consider that we too need to:

“Lay aside every weight”.   Weights are those things in our lives that we pick up here, and there.   They do not help our running in the race or Way of God,  but they seem harmless.   But ultimately, they hinder….for they steal time and attention away from our main goal….Christ’s Will and Way for me.

      “And the sin which so easily besets us”   or as Luther said,  “so easily clings to us”.

Remember the besetting sin of the Israelites was unbelief….and we, too are warned against it,…for it can appear in our thoughts and attitudes…at any moment.

The answer for these…and us:   “looking unto Jesus”.

The Name used here is Jesus….Savior.(Matthew 1:21).   He is Savior from the love of sin, as well as the guilt and penalty of sin.

Jesus is above all other examples of faith…for He is the Author (really leader or Captain) of our faith.    And He is the finisher of our faith.

When there is storms in life….He speaks peace, both to the storm and us.

When there are long miles of road before us, with no rest….He is our companion and guide.

When there are enemies before….or sometimes all around us…..He is our Shield and our Fortress.

      He walked through this world in faith….looking forward to the “joy set before HIm”….which is us.   He did all…that we might be partakers of HIs life of faith.

Hebrews 12:3-4 “For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

      Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.”

Look to Jesus:

He endured the cross:  hating the shame of sin,  bearing the cruel mockings, and nakedness—for our sakes.

He endured such “contradiction of sinners”  for our sakes.

Endured is said twice.   What it means is “to stay under”.    Jesus endured the cross….the suffering from God that was for our Salvation…only Christ Jesus could endure.

But the persecution and suffering all through His life, in words and deeds….all His own will have some of the same.

      Everything that touched Christ Jesus came through the hands of God….for His purpose of Salvation, and Sanctification.

      Everything that touches us, comes through the hands of God…but He allows it for our discipline.   Which we, too, must endure…or stay under….till He removes it,  so that we may learn from it…

…and that it will increase our faith.

Look to Jesus….Who is at the right hand of the throne of God.    Here, now, we need to look at the right hand of the throne of God…the place we have been already called to come…to get mercy and grace! (Hebrews 4:16)

    Jesus paid every price that our sins merited….

…but now He is seated in honor at the right hand of God….in power and authority for us.  Look to Him, there.

But notice,…”lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

     This awakening suggests that one of the Hebrew Christian’s troubles were their “minds”.

It was what they were considering might happen….worrying about could happen.   

They had been through persecution before….famine before….

….but they were growing weary and faint—ready to give up…..in their minds.   They were becoming despondent….and letting their work and walk stop.

“Looking to Jesus” is what they needed to do.   He is the answer.   Look and remember what He did….and look, and know that He is before the throne of God for us.

      Faith in Jesus will lead us into finishing the race.

If you will look to the heroes of the faith chapter, you will see that the heroics mentioned are things that were right before them.    The next step with God.   

    Our perfect example of faith,  Christ Jesus,   lived His life….a perfect life….without sin….and in the right time became the perfect sacrifice for our sin…

…and has gone on to become our life….giving us faith,  showing us faith, and drawing out from us the devotion to HIm….in our life of faith.

So let us, too, awaken…and look to Jesus.  For He will awaken our love to Him….for in our love to Him, we are stronger.

To Know the Lord

Hosea 6:3 “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.”

“Then”.

This is a time word: not before, but “then”.

“Then” what? We shall we know the Lord, “If” we follow on to know the Lord.

This might seem like a revolving door. We will know, if we follow on to know.

But Jesus said the same thing when He was here:

John 8:31-32 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My words, then are ye My disciples indeed;

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Now these people believed on Him; but they were to continue in His word……..

Then they would know the truth,……and the truth would make them free. (Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. John 14:6)

You see, we are called to a walk with Jesus. That is taking each step, each day, each forward move: with Him.

And what does He promise those who “follow on”?

“His going forth (with us) is prepared as the morning;”

As certain as this old earth keeps turning, there will be sunrise tomorrow.

There may be clouds, or the day dark and dreary; but the sun will be there: prepared as the morning.

He knows everything that will come to us each day. He is there, preparing in us the grace we need to deal with each thing.

He will rise with us; hit the highway with us; go into our work place, or school with us; and all along the way He will:

“Come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain upon the earth.”

Rain in scripture speaks of His mercy:

This rain was essential for a good harvest in Israel.

You had to have the early rain to soften the ground; and the latter rain to grow the crops.

All this was by the mercy of God.

And He will come unto us: in the circumstances we are in now, today; and “rain” the blessing of grace and mercy for us. (He will be there; guide us, help us, and lift us up; in this time, whatever is going on.)

He wants us to know Him as Lord and Savior.

He wants us to know Him more each day: what He wills for us, and what He will do for us.

He has prepared each grace that we need; “prepared as the morning”—it is that sure.

And He wants us to go with Him, into all our circumstances and relationships; and know more and more of Him: “to follow on to know”.

For “then”, we will know:

And let’s face it: knowing the Lord is: truth, life, and everything we will want.

He fills our hearts and lives with joy: “If” we continue in His word.

The issues of our lives

Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

This is one of my husband’s favorite verses…..for it shows the importance of mastering our hearts…..by giving them to the Lord….and working to keep them there.

How many times have we “put our all” on the altar….and then shortly removed some of it.

The heart in scripture is the soul….made up of our thoughts, emotions, and will.

In our “hearts” lies all that we have become….and is the source of all that affects our life and character.

“The issues of life” are those things that count for time and eternity.

They are what we think is important….what we put first….what we guard.

(When you hear a politician, you look to see the issues he believes and stands for….

….so with a Christian. What are the issues of our life that we believe and stand for? Shouldn’t they be the Will and Way God leads?)

Now to speak of issues, we must consider…..who we are? And where are we going….and what we were brought into being for?

As Christians, we need to remember that we do not belong to this world,…..we are pilgrims and strangers here…..passing through to heaven.

So the issues of our lives must be looking forward to eternity….What would my Lord want for me, and by me?

Remember Abraham and the testimony he had before God:

Hebrews 11:8 “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whether he went.”

As born again ones, we have been called to go out of this world’s system and influence…..following the leading of Christ Jesus, (in the world but not of it)….not always knowing what is next….but following Him.

Hebrews 11:9 “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:”

Abraham did not possess the land that God gave him,….but lived in it, giving a testimony throughout: “thou art a mighty prince among us” (Genesis 23:4-6).

We, too, should live as priests and princes of God here…..seeking the good of our fellow Christians,….and as much as we can…the good of all.

Hebrews 11:10 “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

Here is the choice verse:

Abraham looked for a city which hath foundations…..for he knew that everything in this world was sinking sand (Matthew 7:24-27)

He looked and lived each day……by faith…..

….keeping his eye on the promises, and what he should obtain now….and then…..for his place in the inheritance he would have in eternity future.

We are called to do the same…..this world is a snare, and the influence of it corrupts and poisons our souls….

….so we are to “leave it alone”…..

Colossians 2:8, 20-22 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ (free with Him) from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

(Touch not; taste not; handle not; which all are to perish with the using;)….

Rudiments is to fall into line with the thinking and the ranks of others, of the world.

We are not to do this….

….but what we are to do, is…..by faith…..keep our eye on the promises He has given…..for now, and eternity…….and walk each day in His Will for now.

The issues of life…..which come from our hearts….how can we rule them?

By giving….and keep giving our hearts and lives to the only One who can keep us by His faith.

Christ Jesus made us free…..free to be all that He wills us to be.

To have all that He promises….now and in eternity.

To know….by faith….the foundation beneath us is sure…..for it is Christ, Himself.

Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

To keep with all diligence means,…..above all that we guard….guard your heart for God.

Keep giving it to Him….watching over our affections and emotions….watching over our reasons and attitudes….

…and in faith live to Christ Jesus.

The issues of our lives

Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

This is one of my husband’s favorite verses…..for it shows the importance of mastering our hearts…..by giving them to the Lord….and working to keep them there.

How many times have we “put our all” on the altar….and then shortly removed some of it.

The heart in scripture is the soul….made up of our thoughts, emotions, and will.

In our “hearts” lies all that we have become….and is the source of all that affects our life and character.

“The issues of life” are those things that count for time and eternity.

They are what we think is important….what we put first….what we guard.

(When you hear a politician, you look to see the issues he believes and stands for….

….so with a Christian. What are the issues of our life that we believe and stand for? Shouldn’t they be the Will and Way God leads?)

Now to speak of issues, we must consider…..who we are? And where are we going….and what we were brought into being for?

As Christians, we need to remember that we do not belong to this world,…..we are pilgrims and strangers here…..passing through to heaven.

So the issues of our lives must be looking forward to eternity….What would my Lord want for me, and by me?

Remember Abraham and the testimony he had before God:

Hebrews 11:8 “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whether he went.”

As born again ones, we have been called to go out of this world’s system and influence…..following the leading of Christ Jesus, (in the world but not of it)….not always knowing what is next….but following Him.

Hebrews 11:9 “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:”

Abraham did not possess the land that God gave him,….but lived in it, giving a testimony throughout: “thou art a mighty prince among us” (Genesis 23:4-6).

We, too, should live as priests and princes of God here…..seeking the good of our fellow Christians,….and as much as we can…the good of all.

Hebrews 11:10 “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

Here is the choice verse:

Abraham looked for a city which hath foundations…..for he knew that everything in this world was sinking sand (Matthew 7:24-27)

He looked and lived each day……by faith…..

….keeping his eye on the promises, and what he should obtain now….and then…..for his place in the inheritance he would have in eternity future.

We are called to do the same…..this world is a snare, and the influence of it corrupts and poisons our souls….

….so we are to “leave it alone”…..

Colossians 2:8, 20-22 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ (free with Him) from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

(Touch not; taste not; handle not; which all are to perish with the using;)….

Rudiments is to fall into line with the thinking and the ranks of others, of the world.

We are not to do this….

….but what we are to do, is…..by faith…..keep our eye on the promises He has given…..for now, and eternity…….and walk each day in His Will for now.

The issues of life…..which come from our hearts….how can we rule them?

By giving….and keep giving our hearts and lives to the only One who can keep us by His faith.

Christ Jesus made us free…..free to be all that He wills us to be.

To have all that He promises….now and in eternity.

To know….by faith….the foundation beneath us is sure…..for it is Christ, Himself.

Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

To keep with all diligence means,…..above all that we guard….guard your heart for God.

Keep giving it to Him….watching over our affections and emotions….watching over our reasons and attitudes….

…and in faith live to Christ Jesus.

Jonathan

We first meet Jonathan when his father, Saul, becomes the first king of Israel.

Saul had reigned three years, when the Philistines became overbearing and impossible to stay at peace with.

So Saul called out three thousand men to be soldiers…..two thousand were with Saul, and one thousand was with Jonathan (1 Samuel 13:1-4).

Jonathan was a brave man, and one which believed in God.

He had a battle with the Philistines over a fort….and won. (Saul took the credit, but Jonathan was content in the victory, whoever got the credit.)

When the Philistines heard of this loss on their part, they gathered together to fight Israel, and it’s new king.

This was terrifying to Israel…..and many in the army deserted.

But again, Jonathan was the one who stepped up and gave a victory.

1 Samuel 14:6 “And Jonathan said unto the young man that bare his armor, Come, and let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few.”

Notice Jonathan’s faith……it was an active one…..it did not just speak of God, but acted upon what he believed….

….and this encouraged others.

1 Samuel 14:7, 13, 15 “And his armor-bearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.

And Jonathan climbed up….and his armor-bearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armor-bearer slew after him.

And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.”

The Lord honored Jonathan’s faith, and gave a victory over the enemy, in those that kept guard……and even down into the field of Philistines.

The Lord sent an earthquake to terrify the enemy, as well.

But Saul hindered the battle with the Philistines by making everyone swear not to eat! Or they would be put to death!

(When people fast for God’s good, the Lord blesses it…..but fasting just to twist God’s arm, so to speak, is worth nothing…..even hinders…as here)

But Jonathan was not there when the order was given. (1 Samuel 14:24-27)…and ate some wild honey he found in the field.

When Saul found out….he was going to kill Jonathan…..but the Israelites stepped in and stopped it.

Saul’s love of admiration became his downfall….and when he refused to obey God’s command….

….and let the people take spoils of war that were not to be saved….he lost his kingship.

(although it would be years before God took it from him….so much time to repent….but he died, as he lived without God.)

Jonathan was there when Goliath came and dared Israel to fight him…..and when David did just that,…..

Jonathan recognized that David’s courage was in the Lord…..

…and loved him for it. (1 Samuel 18:3)

They were fast friends and Jonathan defended David when Saul became jealous and angry over the people’s love of David. (1 Samuel 18:8-9)

…..reminding Saul of David’s loyalty to God and him….in battle and in life.

1 Samuel 18:14 “And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him.”

This is what Jonathan loved about David…..his love and devotion to God….and his courage because of it.

Several years passed, where Jonathan and David worked together…..for God and Israel.

Yet Saul’s jealousy raged….till he wanted to kill David.

Jonathan came between Saul’s murderous thoughts and David, several times…..always siding with David…..because he knew the Lord delighted in David.

1 Samuel 19:4,6 “And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant…..

And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the Lord liveth, he shall not die.”

Notice that Jonathan was concerned lest the king….sin.

As I said, Jonathan was a believer in God.

Jonathan stood, so far, with the Lord and David.

But there was a day, when Jonathan had to choose between God and David, in hiding…..and Saul, in the palace, with his men.

1 Samuel 20:42 “And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, (not: I will go with you), forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever.

And he (David) arose and departed; and Jonathan went into the city.”

What a difference in their direction!

The outcast David….and the son Jonathan….

….one to caves and hiding…..the other “to the city”.

I want to mention here, that it was not the throne that came between Jonathan and God…..but time and circumstances.

Jonathan did not care that David was to be king…..he would be at his right hand as he had been with his father.

It was not praise that he sought.

But the circumstances of Jonathan’s life were what stopped him.

Jonathan had a wife, but David did too….and had to leave her.

Jonathan felt an obligation to his father,…..but did not seek God’s Will concerning it…..

….he just felt that a short time would pass, and God would remove Saul….and put David on the throne…..and David would remember their covenant….and all would be well.

But it would be years….two or three years….before that happened!

And though Jonathan never entered into any chasing of David…..he never joined him and put the weight of his status with him.

This is called settling for second best…..leaning on our own understanding…..being double-minded.

(In Psalms 12:2 it is called “double-heart”)

This is what Jonathan should have done…..and so should we, for we are all warned of this:

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

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

How could this happen to such a brave, and God fearing person, as Jonathan?

Time and circumstance.

When we expect things to happen in a certain time…..and they don’t

When the days roll by and we just stay in our habits…..without diligently seeking God’s Will….and Way of bringing that Will to pass.

(Perhaps he thought he could change Saul’s mind….how many times we have good reasons for doing the wrong thing!)

And how many times do these put hinderances between us and God’s Will, for us?

Jonathan should have left the palace…..taking his family to safety and followed David.

How much sooner would the kingdom have come to David…..because the king’s son had decided for God’s Way.

Yet Jonathan did not…..choosing to stay with his father…..and he died following him into an impossible battle:

Saul had brought his army into a valley…..surrounded by Philistines in the hills around! The army tried to flee up into mount Gilboa…..but were slaughtered.

What kind of leader brings his men under the enemy?

But Jonathan was there…..and fought bravely…..but died.

1 Samuel 31:3 “And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malachi-Shula, Saul’s sons.”

(David kept his covenant with Jonathan….and took his son into the palace with him, when he was king of Israel. 2 Samuel 9:1, 6-7, 13)

God’s Will leads us in varied and often hazardous places.

As one writer, years ago said…..”we are not called to beds of ease….but to the battlefield of life…..wherever that takes us.”

Let us keep our armor on…..and know the Lord’s Will…..and Stand with Him….wherever that takes us…however long it takes us.

Acts….of the Holy Spirit.

Some say that “the Acts” is for…..the Acts of the Apostles….or Acts of the beginning Church….

…but really, it is the Acts of the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus ascended back to heaven, He left instruction to go to Jerusalem and wait….

….the disciples were to wait for the giving of the promise of the Father….the Holy Ghost.

He was to be their internal Guide and Instructor.

Ten days later, the Holy Spirit is given on the day of Pentecost.

Acts 2:1-2, 4 “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost….”

From that time onward….the Acts show the workings of the Holy Spirit within the believers.

All of the first eight chapters deals with them in Jerusalem….

…..God giving Israel a second chance to believe on Christ Jesus as the Son of God…..by the works of the Holy Spirit through the church.

And that is the amazing thing about the Holy Spirit….and the thing which infuriated the rulers….

….everyone which was saved, had the Spirit’s power….some more….some less…

….it seems like a wave of God’s presence was filling the city……and that just made them want to stop it even more…..

….for it reminded them, of their guilt in crucifying the Lord Jesus.

So they are determined to prove this Way wrong….

Finally, the rulers get their chance to try and stop this wave of power by the Holy Spirit.

And it comes…..by the stoning of Stephen, the church’s first martyr.

But instead of stopping this power of the Holy Spirit…..they simply send it out, with the believers who leave the city……into Samaria….and into the world.

Peter preaches Christ to the first gentiles….and as they believe….the Holy Spirit is given to them.

Christ Jesus, by His Spirit, is fulfilling within the believers, the great commission….

….for Jesus told them it would be a ministry to all the world:

Matthew 18:18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

But there was a witness there at Stephen’s stoning…..Saul, who would become Paul the apostle to the gentiles….

At first Saul is furious at these…of “this Way” (Acts 9:1-2)….but….

….God gets Saul/Paul’s attention…..knocked down by The Light……on the way to Damascus….and spoken to by The Lord Jesus Christ…..he becomes converted……acknowledging God’s Purpose and Salvation through God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

How good and gracious God is, in saving the worst sinner (his words…..1 Timothy 1:15)….and bringing him to be sent as a missionary out into the world.

Paul was diligent in his efforts, often burdened “in weakness and fear and trembling”….

1 Corinthians 2:3-5 “I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”

Paul set forth the real power of the life of Christ within us,…by the Holy Spirit.

Paul had three missionary journey’s….

……and the more he saw of these places….the more completely he realized

……there was only One power which alone could lay hold of the minds and hearts of these souls,….

……which were so filled with terrible darkness….and the sensual appetite of the times.

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

Those to whom he preached were living as nothing…..slave or master…..rich or poor,….there was no meaning to life…..

…….they were nothing….going to nothing….spending their short time in searching for meaning in empty lives.

When Paul came……he set forth Christ crucified….and why God’s Son had to die….for the sins of the world….

…and His glorious resurrection….that we might have His life by the Holy Spirit, in us,…..now and for eternity.

Paul loved fervently each church that he ministered to and in, always leaving some spiritual helpers, if he could,….. to see to them and build them up.

There was Timothy, Titus,…..and Luke, who wrote Acts. There was Pricilla and Aquila….there was Apollos, a fiery preacher.

Yet in all….it is the Holy Spirit working….sending…..and preaching.

The last eight chapters, set forth Paul’s imprisonment….and subsequent trials….till at last he appeals to Caesar.

And that is where Acts ends….with Paul in Rome waiting for his trial….still preaching, still setting forth Christ crucified and risen as the Savior of the world.

Acts 28:30-31 “And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”

(Acts shows that the salvation of the world is through individuals. Wherever these Christians went….there were converts to Christ…..and persecution to Him.

“……In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

The gospel was shown…..in power….to Israel [How God loves Israel]…..and then outward into the world…..even to the capital of the known world at that time….Rome…..

…..all to show us….that God saves the worst sinners….in the worst places…..

…..His power and grace by the Holy Spirit, brings men and women to the Lord Jesus Christ.

At the same time, it shows that the governments of the world will refuse subjection and salvation in Christ….because the Holy Spirit demands repentance….

“…He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:…John 16:8

The only time that the governments of this world will become the Kingdom of our Lord….is at the end Revelation 11:15…Revelation 21:3-4)

The first generation of believers, set forth how the guidance of the Holy Spirit would lead.

He was in charge…..He was the power….in each believer….

…..and that is the message of Acts.

To have the power of the first church…..we must be filled with the Spirit, and we must have the devotion and obedience to the Holy Spirit, that they had….

….we must expect persecution…

….for we are never very far from it in any age….men will not hear the claims of Christ without a fight…(think of Saul/Paul)…

….but Christ is still the Victor….He is still giving His Holy Spirit in fullness to all who seek after Him.

Ephesians 3:16-19 “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man.

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Do you want this fullness of the Holy Spirit….

…….and the devotion and obedience to Christ, that it costs?

Hast thou Faith?

Romans 14:22 “Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which He alloweth.”

When we begin to walk by faith and not by sight; we begin to deal with those things that we “condemn” ourselves with.

Faith is the active ingredient of our Spiritual lives. It comes to us by the Holy Spirit, when we are born again; but it (usually) takes us a while to use it.

Faith tells us to trust and stand…..and our eyes tell us that what were about to do is impossible.

Faith tells us to “Get out of here, now.”…….And our eyes do not “see” anything wrong.

Faith nudges us to speak to someone about Jesus;…..we wait…but then the subject is changed, the opportunity is gone.

We learn (it is called “growing” in scripture: 2 Peter 3:18) to use the faith given in each situation of our lives;….and when we do, we come into Christian Liberty.

Our Christian Liberty should make us free to be what we ought: to be what God’s wants us to be.

1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought into the power of any.”

1 Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”

Twice in the same book, Paul warns these Christians to be careful not to let what “other people” do, or social norms, to be their rule of life.

Rather, they should be fully committed to God’s Will and Way; no matter what anyone else does.

Paul gives his testimony: “I will not be brought into the power of anything; even though it might be lawful (or nothing, that would seem to be wrong).”

Paul said, “I will”, for we must will with God’s Will.

For the Christian there are certain things we know are wrong: stealing, lying, adultery, to name a few.

But for each Christian there are “convictions” of the Holy Spirit (for them) that say, “This is not for you.”

(I, years ago, when I was a teenager….was dealt with, by the Lord, to give up make up. Not because I felt that the make up was sinful; but rather for me, it was wrong to wear it….because of the attachment to the world, it suggested.

This is a conviction of the Holy Spirit to me….and I still do not wear it.)

True Spiritual Life is following the Lord Jesus wherever He leads in my life.

True liberty is freedom from the power of sin in my life.

Faith is the “sight” that makes both of these possible.

“Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God.”

Simply, use the faith the Holy Spirit has given you, and follow the Lord Jesus into the happiness He has for you.

Don’t “allow” anything that He does not want,….though it may be hard to part with at the time……

……and joy and peace will be your heart’s companion.