God is our refuge and strength

Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.”

The testimony of the Lord’s people is wonderful. In the chaos of our day, we can be lights to the stability and help of our God.

It is not that we are not troubled….we are often. It is not that the world does not seem to fall in around us….it does.

But it is that we have an Anchor…..a Captain of our Salvation….a King, who still rules….and over rules for us.

Peter, when he was writing the dispersed Jewish church….spoke plainly of “manifold temptations…and trials of faith”….

…yet he spoke also of….”wherein we greatly rejoice”!

2 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 in fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

How can this be…in the midst of change and troubles….we can rejoice?

Because, like the psalmist…..Peter looked to the Lord….our refuge and strength.

In this epistle he speaks of the three-fold work of the Godhead.

1 Peter 1:2-3 “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”

God the Father saw us in Christ Jesus….before times eternal. (2 Timothy 1:9)…and prepared a purpose for us.

God the Son, by HIs precious blood and resurrection gives us forgiveness and life….a life of hope and obedience.

God the Spirit leads us into sanctification….being set aside in spirit, soul, and body to God.

This is why….

….even though the “heaviness” of many kinds of temptations are thrown at us….to trip us up….

….(the devil would use them to get us to distrust God’s wisdom or love….to get us to fix our eyes on ourselves…)

….yet through the sanctification of the Spirit….He leads us to look to Jesus, and obey from the heart the Will of God…and receive that joy….which should be the end of our trials…

1 Peter 1:8-9 “Whom having not seen, ye love; in Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”

Our faith is tried again and again….to strengthen it. For our faith must be constantly active in this world.

“Yet believing”….is a present-tense word…..for again….it anchors our hearts and minds and wills to Christ….

….and He is our salvation….here and now….and for eternity.

God is our refuge and strength…..a very present help in time of trouble.

Nicodemus

John 3:1-2 “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

         The same came to  Jesus by night, and said unto him,  Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with Him.”

I love this old gentleman,…Nicodemus,  who was surely frightened of the chief rulers and priests….still came to see Jesus….to settle some heart questions he had about his own state before God.

        A good man,  and observant of the law….yet feeling as though something was missing;…something….not right between him and his God.  He wanted to know how he could be in the Kingdom of God.

So Nicodemus came to see Jesus….but at night, so that he would not be seen and questioned about it.

(We think, shame on him!  surely that would disqualify him from being a follower of Christ.  But Jesus saw his heart….and desire for truth in his own life.

What of us?   Do we come to Jesus when we know something is not right?)

       And so Nicodemus began his inquiry….by “flattery”.     Everything he said was true…..Jesus was come from God.   He was teaching the truth about God, and performing miracles that Israel had not seen for a long while….

….yet,  Nicodemus started with this…not getting to the point of the visit….not really knowing how to speak of his own lack in his spiritual life.

But Jesus got right to the point….to answer Nicodemus’ need:

John 3:3 “Jesus answered and said unto him,   Verily, verily, I say unto thee,   Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

(Verily means truth.   Jesus said,  Truth, truth, I say unto thee….a man must be born again to see the kingdom of God.)

Nicodemus was  taken back….and asks,  “how?”

       John 3:4 “Nicodemus saith unto Him,  How can a man be born when he is old?   can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?”

If we were thinking in physical terms, this might be a good question.   But the Kingdom of God is a spiritual Kingdom…one where He reigns within us.   This Nicodemus lacked…and he knew it…and wanted it.

        Even every Israelite knew that the Kingdom was internal as well as….someday, external.   Many were looking for a King which would establish the external Kingdom….one where they were over the other nations, making them “someone”…. but few were looking to be in a right relationship with God…in the internal Kingdom of the heart and life.

       The system of sacrifices (all pointing to Christ’s perfect sacrifice) was only good if they were given from the heart.            This should have been sufficient to lead Nicodemus out of himself….and into seeing the life of the Spirit of God.

How? is often a question we ask when a specific problem is troubling us….and Nicodemus was an old man….his life closer to the end than the beginning.   

How? wants an explanation…. 

….”we know Thou art a teacher come from God”….so please explain being born again.

Knowing Nicodemus desire….Jesus explains.   (And it is a great revelation to every soul, when we see this)

John 3:5-8 “Jesus answered,  Verily, verily,  I say unto thee,  Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

      That which is born of the flesh is flesh;  and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Marvel not that I say unto thee,  Ye must be born again.

      The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is everyone that is born of the Spirit.”

To be born of water….as when we come from our Mother’s womb…..

…and of the Spirit….as when the new nature of God, by the Holy Spirit, comes within our spirit.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh….all who are born,  are flesh….are Adam’s children with his sinful nature.

And that which is born of the Spirit is spirit….all who come to Christ and receive Him are born again….and are God’s children with His new nature, by the Holy Spirit within.

The Holy Spirit is like the wind.  We are unable to see the wind,….but we can see the effects the wind has:  the leaves swaying back and forth, our hair blowing…we can hear the sound of it…etc.   So we can see the effects the Holy Spirit has in our life….we have new goals,  new desires,  new thoughts, new ways of speaking.   We have new life….God’s life implanted within us.

But this explanation flabbergasted Nicodemus….for again he asks  “How can these things be?” (John 3:9)

How can the Spirit of the living God come within me?    Nicodemus understands the fact that he must have the Spirit of God….but how?    It seems impossible that the Holy should enter into him and dwell there!

Then Jesus, with the patience of a true teacher….speaks a rebuke to Nicodemus’ limited thoughts of God….and shows him Who He, Jesus,  is. (John 3:10-21)

“Truth, truth, I say unto you,   We (My Father God, and the Holy Spirit and I) speak what we know,…and ye receive not our witness. 

         I have told you about the earthly life of one in the Kingdom of God.   It is by the Holy Spirit coming within you….to make all things new within you.

         But now I tell you that I am the Messiah.   I have come down from heaven as a Son of God,  to show in this flesh….that all who believe in Me, the Son of God,  may have everlasting life, by the Spirit.

         I was given by My Father to present the light of God,  and I  will be “lifted up”….and all who look and believe on Me will live.

         For I am showing the light of God….all who will receive this light…”who come to the light” will be saved…”that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”

In other words, Nicodemus….you will know that you are part of the Kingdom of God, as  the life given you will be leading you in God’s Will. 

Jesus brought it down to the most simple answer…..we do not need to comprehend everything about the gift of the Holy Spirit to us….but we do need to receive Him….come to Jesus and believe.   And His  light will manifest that we are born again, by HIs Spirit. (Romans 8:15-16) 

        It is believing and receiving that opens the heart and mind to Christ Jesus….and then gives us the understanding we need…to follow on.

Nicodemus did indeed follow on…..speaking out for Christ Jesus before the chief priests and Pharisees, later….when they wanted Jesus arrested in the Temple.

(And this is the way of the Kingdom of God…..giving NIcodemus courage to stand before the very men he was afraid of before.)

              John 7:50-51 “Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)

              Doth our law judge any man, before it hear Him, and know what He doeth?”

(It is interesting to note that right before they wanted the officers of the temple to “take Jesus”….He was again speaking of the giving of the Holy Spirit….the very Person of God Who personally guides and indwells us.

      If you look at the times the Spirit is mentioned….He  is only spoken of by Jesus,   when Jesus also is being spoken of or offered to people to believe on Him.

      John the Baptist hears of the Spirit, when he would see the One who is the Christ come.  John 1:32-34

      Nicodemus, when he came to Jesus.  John 3:5-8

      To His disciples, when He offered Himself as the Bread of life.  John 6:58, 61-63

      To the people who had gathered in the Temple, when He offered Himself as the Water of life to the thirsty.  John 7:37-39

      To the disciples that followed Him into Gethsemane, right before He was taken…when Jesus, spoke about sending the Spirit as the Comforter,  for Jesus would not leave them spiritual orphans….but would send a Spirit of Truth, who would testify of Jesus to them. John 14:16-18, 15:26-27, 16:13-14)

Jesus, the Son of God, came to live a perfect life and die a perfect sacrifice for all who come and believe.

The Holy Spirit comes to all who believe on Jesus, the Son of God, and lives within them forever….to Comfort, guide, and show the Truth.

Nicodemus is again seen…..at the death of our Lord.

       John 19:38-40 “And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus,….besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave….

       And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

       Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.”

Seeing to the body of our Lord Jesus, with loving care….placing Him in the tomb.   He was a disciple….a follower.   

(And though his name, as many of the names are not mentioned when they gathered in the upper room waiting for the giving of the Holy Spirit, on the day of Pentecost….I believe he was there…waiting for the earnest of his inheritance, which Jesus had spoken about…which is the Holy Ghost,  won by Christ Jesus.)

Of course, Jesus Christ arose on the third day…by the power of God.   

And I am here to tell every Christian…..every born again one….that that same power of God, by HIs Holy Spirit is ready to be given each one of us….to  be raised to newness of life….in every respect.

Ephesians 1:13-20 “In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth,  the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,

        Which is the earnest of our inheritance….

        Wherefore I also…cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

        That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him:

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

        And what is the exceeding greatness of HIs power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, 

        Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places,”

That power that raised Christ from the dead,…is there by the Holy Spirit within us,  as we receive it….as we yield to Him.

Nicodemus wanted to know…..about his personal way into the Kingdom of God.   He knew that his life was “good”, but lacking.   So he came to Jesus,….for though he did not know certain things….yet he knew Jesus was sent from God….and He would have answers for him.

Nicodemus got his answers….and went on to receive His Word,  and follow Christ Jesus.

What of us? If we know we lack anything…..where should we turn for answers, but to Christ Jesus? And then follow on after Him, yielding to His Spirit.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5

The Power of God in our Lives

Colossians 1:27-29 “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you the hope of glory:

Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

Whereunto I also labor, striving according to His working, which worketh in me mightily.”

God’s original plan for man was stated in…

Genesis 1:26 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion

over the fish of the sea,

and over the fowl of the air,

and over the cattle,

and over all the earth,

and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”

Image and Dominion….this is what God wanted for man originally (though lost by Adam’s sin);…..

……and what, through Christ, we can have now.

As we gain the image of Christ’s character in our lives…

….we gain dominion over our self-life,….and overcome in our outward life.

Romans 8:29 “For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

We will have about as much Dominion in our circumstances as we have the Image of God in our lives.

Paul knew this power in His life…..and the results of that power for his own personal experiences,…..and in His ministry to others:

(Colossians 1:29) “……..striving according to His working, which worketh in me mightily.”

And the secret of this power is:

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

The Williams Version says, “Stifle not the Spirit”.

Don’t choke off the impressions of the Holy Spirit within you; but yield to them.

We can never know the power of the Holy Spirit while we choose to “stifle” Him.

And how can we stop doing that?

Well, the Lord showed me this, when I asked this question for myself….”The answer is right up there….right above it.”

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

This is so simple, and yet so very hard to do….to really give thanks to God for this situation….these people…this very hardship.

Not in words….but in heart joy.

This requires us to deny ourselves….and trust the Lord that He knows best, and……as I said…

…this is sometimes hard.

Now if we want the power of God in our lives? Then we must learn to “give thanks…in everything.”

And that means I am to give thanks….for everything.

This is a real step, in the accomplishing of the Lord’s Purpose for my life….for all that comes to me,…..comes by permission of the Lord,……and is part of the total experience of my life, with Him.

I can not be what I ought in the Purpose of God, for the future, unless I pass through these things of today.

Remember, that Paul said the Holy Spirit “worketh in him mightily”….and he stresses to the churches he writes, the importance of thanksgiving.

If you want to have the Holy Spirit working in you…mightily…..deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow the Lord Jesus…..

…..and come to the place where you give thanks to God for everything…..

Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

Ephesians 5:18, 20 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”

Philippians 4:4, 6 “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Colossians 2:6-7 “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him:

Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”

Here is one of the secrets of the power of God for us…..

….heart thanksgiving….to God, in everything…..for everything.

What do we mean when we pray…Thy Kingdom Come?

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

This is the second petition, in what is commonly called the Lord’s prayer.

The first was (and always should be our first thought to our Father which art in heaven)…..”Hallowed be Thy name.”

We are to pray for God to be “hallowed” or to be venerated….or to be reverenced.

That God, with us….and everywhere,…will be seen as Holy and Almighty….in other words, to be seen as our God.

It says “hallowed be Thy name”…..

….for the name of God, represents Him to us.

HIs name should be as in the Song of Solomon 1:3….”…Thy name is as ointment poured forth…”

…with all the beauty of smell,…and the healing of it’s application,…and the anointing unto separation to Him….

…..this is what HIs name, and our attitude (hallowed) to it, means.

Then the second petition comes from the first…..as we glorify God…as God, in our lives…then:

“Thy kingdom Come. Thy will be done in earth (in me), as it is in heaven.”

In praying “Thy kingdom Come”, we are asking that the power and blessing of the Holy Spirit….who has come to us, would show us the things of Christ….will open Him more to us, through the preaching of HIs Word.

His power and authority should always be in us, first….before it can be manifested by us, to others.

(And what do people see when we are under His power and authority….

….they see a servant, who loves and serves Christ….not for things….but for the privilege of fellowship with Christ Jesus.)

Then, we are looking also to the church, when we pray Thy kingdom come….that the preachers and teachers will be sent by God, and filled with the Spirit….(Ephesians 4:11-12)

When we pray this, we are asking that when we are baptized, and have the communion service….they will be a blessing….not mere doctrinal service (because I should)…

…and that the gifts and the graces of the Holy Spirit will increase in Christ’s believers….

….”Till we all come in the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:13)

When we pray “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven”, we are asking that His enemies may be defeated……practically….

…in us, that we may be brought into complete subjection…

….and that Christ’s enemies in the world may be overthrown.

We are praying for a extension of His kingdom here….that all the elect may be brought into it….

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

That our hearts may not only want this….

….but that we may live, so as to lift up Christ, that the lost may be drawn to Him.

John 12:32 “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.”

When we pray Thy kingdom come…..we are asking for these things…

…but when we have Thy kingdom come….our lives become a sanctifying influence to those we come into contact with….that His kingdom may be seen, not just heard of.

His kingdom come is my subjection to Christ….

…and the practical yielding of my life to the Holy Spirit as His servant (Romans 12:1-2)….

…..as HIs soldier (2 Timothy 2:3-4)….

…..and as His ambassador, speaking for King and country (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).

What do we mean when we pray “Thy Kingdom Come”?

We show that we mean business with Christ Jesus….that we are going to go all out….with all diligence, to do His Will; in fact to be HIs Will wherever we are.

Let us further the Kingdom of God….let us be in subjection to Christ our King, and yield to our place, by the Holy Spirit, in HIs kingdom here.

He made it again.

Jeremiah 18:3-4 “Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.

And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hands of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.”

This is Jeremiah, learning the lesson for Israel…..God could still use Israel….even after their rebellion and idolatry…

….if, they would return to Him and let Him make them again….another vessel, as seemed Him good.

And what was that?

God had allowed Nebuchadnezzar to come and put them under tribute to him, for their sin and iniquities.

But….

….if they would turn from their evil, and follow the law….

…even though they would have to pay tribute,…they would be able to stay in the land God gave them…..in peace….under their own olive trees and vineyards…with their families.

But, if they rebelled against this second chance…..they would be destroyed….they city of David and the temple burnt….and their children taken away as slaves or starved.

God was speaking bluntly…..and giving them hope….

….if they obeyed:

Jeremiah 25:5-6 “…Turn ye again now everyone from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the Lord hath given unto you and to your fathers forever and ever.

And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke Me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt.”

Second chances from the Lord, to be molded into a vessel unto honor….useful to the Lord,…..are a bounty and a blessing.

What are we doing with ours?

Perhaps you have failed in the purpose for which you were sent…or called to someone, or someplace, or to some time?

But let me tell you…..God has a second chance for any who come to Him in repentance and obedience.

The great call of Israel was to be a nation under God….with Him as their King.

Yet,….when they failed….time and time again,….

….He sent prophets and priests….He sent messages of love and correction…

…and finally, before the captivity…..

…He sent a final word:

“Return….obey….and I will give you a second chance at being My people.

It will not be with the great and grand promises that I gave your fathers….

….that will come under the Messiah, My Son…

….but you can still be a blessing….still get my blessing…

…will you have this second chance….this forming of the Potter’s hands….of Me?”

And He says the same to us…..His people….now, to any that have failed, or gone away from Him….

Hebrews 12:12-13 “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and feeble knees;

And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.”

“Lift up the hands which hang down”…..go and do what the Lord says….get up….here and now……and do it.

“And feeble knees”….have you stopped praying? Have stopped seeking His Word?…start again.

“And make straight paths for your feet”….if you know you have done wrong….correct it….go to the Lord and set it right….and get back in His Way for you.

Hebrews 12:14 “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

Work at your relationships with others….and with the Lord.

“Holiness” here is sanctification….to be set aside in all we are, to the Lord.

His Purpose for us is to manifest His glory….His light and love.

And He gives us a second chance to do just that…..He gave Peter, who denied Him, that second chance….

….and, if we return to Him….He will do the same for us.

To be Drawn to Christ, Himself

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

(Wine is given here, for all that inebriates….all that lifts us up. But the Lord’s intimate love to me, is better than all)

Here is the cry of a Christian knowing full well her lack of spirituality. She knows Jesus as Savior….and she obeys what she knows to be His Will….but…

…she wants closeness to the Lord……and no matter how many commitments she has made, or how many times she determines to “have more of God”,….

Still she is troubled by the feeling of dryness in her personal devotions and prayers…..where can she find Him? Do we have this desire?

She reads the promises of God….she wants them, and more……it has become a yearning of her whole soul after Christ, alone.

She speaks honestly about how she is….she knows she is not worthy to have fellowship with Him….but if He would tell her how….she would follow after.

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

So she starts praying; “How can I learn of You, Lord Jesus?

Where is that personal relationship, I hear about?

I am afraid to stay still and afraid to walk ahead…..yet here I am, please help me.”

Song of Solomon 1:8 “If thou know not, O thou fairest among women (what a name He calls the one who wants to get closer to Him!),

…go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the Shepherd’ tents.”

And He does speak. He gives a slight rebuke (those who will not be corrected will never be true followers, for corrections come to all of us….to love we must obey)

“Shouldn’t you know where to find me?……but since you don’t……the answer is….follow the flock and get to the Shepherd’s tent”

We should not neglect the gathering together with other Christians….but when it comes to fellowship and that direct expression of His love for us, ourselves….then we must find it in submission to the Shepherd, Himself.

This is not submission to obey….but submission of person to Person…..character to His character….my love to His love.

Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want.”

Jehovah-Raah: the Lord my Shepherd

The word Shepherd here means to Tend, to Feed, to Rule, to Associate with.

It is a full and expressive word, which covers the actions of One Who has taken responsibility for me……wherever He leads, and whatever is ahead…

Do we want this relationship of sheep to Shepherd? Do we want an intimate relationship with Christ, enough to trust Him for all my circumstances….or just some?

He is ever willing to lead….are we willing to follow?

He is our protector…are we willing to go where His will takes us?

Psalm 23: 2-6 (condensed) “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness…

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff…comfort me.

Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life (here); and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

If you read this psalm, you will notice that all the praise goes to our Shepherd for His care, and protection.

But there is more….notice that it is “He” and “I”. This is not the church….but me….personally.

(Some say that this was written by David in his old age….after a lifetime following his Shepherd…through battles, corrections, and blessings.

As a young man tending his father’s sheep, he knew what being a shepherd meant……he had defended the flock against a lion and a bear…..even taking one lamb out of the mouth of one. 1 Samuel 17:34-36)

Isaiah 40:11 “He shall feed His flock like a Shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”

He carries us through many situations….in sickness, anxiety, and trouble, within and without….by enabling grace.

He stops some situations from becoming worse…..He bears us up, by strength and wisdom,…..He makes us to feel His loving presence at times more strongly, to help us cope with circumstances.

Yet we must will to follow where He leads….

We choose where we are in His flock….following close to Him, or at a distance.

Jesus Christ is the Shepherd of the sheep. There is a fullness in this title of our Lord Jesus….are we His sheep? are we resting under His gaze, following in His paths, eating at His table?

Are we enjoying that relationship with Him? Are we like the one in the Song of Solomon….

Song of Solomon 1:2, 1:7 “Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth; for Thy love is better than wine.

Tell me, O Thou whom my soul loveth, where Thou feedest, where Thou makest Thy flocks to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of Thy companions?”

Do we have this?

If not, we can,…..for He says,…..come to Him, and He will be our Shepherd.

The healing power of forgiveness

Malachi 4:2 “But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.”

Job 42:10 “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.”

Pray for them that despitefully use you,…

“And the Lord turned the captivity of Job when he prayed for his friends”

Here is something to really consider….see Job praying for his friends….seeking the blessing of God on them and their lives….even after their mocking and accusing of him….

….then receiving the blessing of God for himself.

It is interesting to note that clear instruction for our prayers to be answered….is…

………Believing God for them….And being willing to forgive:

Mark 11:22-24 “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

Mark 11:25-26 “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Trespass here means to offend…..unintentionally or willfully. And how may times, either by carelessness in our words or actions….or by our stifling the Holy Spirit….do we “trespass” against the goodness of God?

Matthew 5:44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”

This can not be done naturally….but it is a spiritual act of the will. For only those things done by the Holy Spirit through us, mean anything to God. It is an act of faith in God….and in His Word.

“Father, in believing obedience to You, I lift up these up to You; to see Your Will done in their lives,….in the circumstances they are in now, and all Your plans and purposes for them.”

This we can ask for them, before God….for we are asking His Will done in their lives.

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

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

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

There are two ways we can “heap coals of fire on their head”…..

….first, that your acts of kindness will cause a burning in their hearts to know…

…”how you can do this? After what I have done to you? how can you be kind to me?” The coals of fire will burn in their hearts, till they come to know about the Lord Jesus, who forgives sin.

…second, that your acts of kindness will cause a more severe burning in Hell,….the coals of fire of remembrance to what they did to one who treated them with kindness, instead of vengeance.

Mark 11:22, 25-26 “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

(We are forgiven every sin….completely, where justification is concerned….when we are born again. But in a very real sense, we need to confess our sins….each one, that the fellowship and power of His life (grace) may flow down to us through His Holy Spirit.

And when we do not forgive others, as we have been forgiven by God…..we quench the Holy Spirit. And when we refuse to get the matter taken care of…..even as the Holy Spirit is trying to empower and help us….we grieve Him.

“But if we do not forgive, neither will our Father which is in heaven forgive our trespasses”…..but will let them pile up and come between us, till we seek His fellowship in confession….and becoming healed from our hurt and anger.)

If we would be heard of God then we must be willing to forgive.

Forgiving another is always….”for Christ’s sake”. It is not excusing their wrong…..but it is placing it in the Hands of the Almighty.

“Vengeance is Mine, saith the Lord.”

Forgiveness is freedom for us from their influence in the matter.

(And when the Adversary brings it up again…..for often he will…..then we must not let him destroy our liberty….but again affirm that it is God’s to deal with.)

When the will is exercised for forgiveness….through our obedience and conformity to Christ’s Way….there is the real healing power for the soul….

….for we are freed from the bondage of jealousy, anger, fear,….and I think most important, the hurt itself. (And their are so many terrible and degrading hurts performed….yet Christ has freedom from them, if we want it.)

People want justice…..and God is just. But when we think of justice for others, we must….pause and consider. God’s justice for me fell on Christ….as He suffered on the cross of my salvation. Now I receive mercy instead of justice. My debts to God’s Judgement are paid….

Should I now seek to interfere with what Christ is doing to, or for others? Or should I trust Him,….and let Him deal with them, as He wills.

For His Will is best. Who knows what our submission will do, for us.

Matthew 6:12 “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

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Thy Mercy, O Lord

Psalm 138:8 “The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.”

His mercy is a wonderful characteristic of God.

Mercy is the kindness of God to those who are sinners.

God shows mercy for mankind in general, which includes: light, heat, rain/water, food. The external mercies for life.

Matthew 5:45 “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

But to His beloved Church,……His mercies are internal, and eternal, as well.

He brings them closer by His love and Care, by the mercy He gives. This mercy includes their Salvation:

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

(The first time “merciful” is used is with Lot, [Genesis 19:16] who was saved from the destruction with the rest of the wicked in Sodom and Gomorrah. “The Lord being merciful unto him”.)

The mercy of God lifts up the trembling sinner, so they can see God, in the face of Jesus Christ.

And brings comfort and knowledge of the character of God, to those who are following after…….seeking a closer relationship to God.

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

God’s mercy completes (perfects) the work He has started within us;…….He will not desert us, because we fail Him;……..rather, in mercy, He sanctifies us……and preserves us by His Word, that we may be kept in the love of God.

Jude 20-21 “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

God’s grace holds us up,……in power.

God’s mercy puts His arm around us in love,…..and keeps us close to Him….leading us into His life for us.

We, who are called to follow Christ Jesus, are called to show mercy to others,……..because God has shown it to us:

Remember Jesus telling of the Good Samaritan?

Jesus was using this illustration to a lawyer who asked how he could have Eternal Life. (Luke 10:25).

He did this to “tempt Him”.

(Now, lawyers were those who were to know the scriptures, and interpret what they meant to the everyday life.)

When Jesus asked him,…….”What is written in the law?”

(This was often the way Jesus dealt with those that should have known God’s Word…..to take them back to what it really says.)

Quite confident in his answer; the lawyer said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.”

(Perhaps if he had left the last part out,…….he could have walked away in pride,……..but putting that last part in there, about his neighbor,……made him responsible in a way that had to be shown outwardly.

In other words, did this lawyer really believe the scriptures…..was this the way to eternal life? Then he should love God and treat his neighbor as he treated himself.)

And Jesus made this clear to him when He said, “….this do, and thou shalt live.”

Automatically the lawyer tried to defend himself against what Jesus had just told him.

“So who is my neighbor?”

Jesus then tells of the Good Samaritan.

We know the story: The Samaritan was the only one, among three, who had stopped in a place where robbers were,…….to help a robbed and wounded man.

He also paid with his own money to keep him in the inn, and for care for him.

So, Jesus asks this lawyer: Which one was the neighbor to the man that fell among thieves?

In other words, ” Which man acted in God’s Way?”

Luke 10:37 “And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus, Go, and do thou likewise.”

The scriptures never say whether this lawyer got the message Jesus preached to him…..but we should. We should be merciful, for God is merciful to us.

And what a great and wonderful characteristic of God it is!

This is mercy: The kindness of God to us, who are sinners.

And this kindness, we should show to others,……as He did to us.

Psalm 138:8 “The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever: forsake not the works of Thine own hands.”

The Lord will complete my education in His school of life,

and bring me to have His likeness, by His mercy;

for His mercy endures, and lasts through my whole life experiences, and forever;

for He will never forsake His work in me.

Proverbs 27:6 “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”

We all need to be corrected…..and we are very fortunate, if a friend comes to us and tells us what we need to hear…..because they love us.

As Hebrews says, correction is grievous…..but afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness. (Hebrews 12:11)…to them that are exercised by it.

But…..the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

An enemy does not care about us….they will flatter….not because they care….but to gain from us….or mock us….when we fall.

And such an enemy, we all will experience, sometime…….and it is a warning to us all….not to be tricked by flattery….or show;….

….but to value true friends….who tell you the truth….in love. (Ephesians 4:14-15)

Jesus was betrayed by a kiss:

Luke 22:47-48 “And while He yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss Him.

But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss?”

In the Hebrew tradition, a kiss was the sign of friendship and affection, and a deliberate yielding of my will, as a matter of principle and duty, to another.

A kiss was given to one that was a friend or relative…..for it was a sign, not only of affection , but of loyalty.

There is the kiss of the Father toward the Prodigal Son….”and he fell on his neck and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)

That kiss said everything to the boy who ran away from duty and His Father’s house. That kiss said, “I forgive and love you,….welcome home, son.”

There is the kiss of the woman on Jesus feet…..for the love of One who could save her from her sins.

……Luke 7:44-46) “….she hath washed my feet with tears….this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet….this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.”

There is the holy kiss of brotherhood and submission to one another……Romans 16:16 “Salute one another with a holy kiss….”.

And again this shows friendship and loyalty.

So how terrible was the kiss of betrayal?

When Judas went to betray Jesus…..he went to the chief priests for money….”What will ye give me, and I will deliver Him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.” (Matthew 26:15)…

…the sign he gave them was a kiss.

What kind of monster was he…….that he would use the very sign of friendship and submission…..to bring death to One who had admitted him into His discipleship ?

In the Old Testament, there are prophesies concerning Christ’s coming….in humiliation….

….and the betrayal of “mine familiar friend”…

Psalm 41:9 “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.”

…and the thirty pieces of silver was prophesied of, as well.

Zechariah 11:12 “And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.”

But the means of betrayal….the kiss….was Judas way of pouring contempt upon the Lord!

It was not just hypocrisy….it was vicious malice. It was Judas’ desire to to pour upon Jesus’s heart…..true pain.

Matthew 26:48-49 “Now he that betrayed Him gave them a sign, saying. Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He: hold Him fast.

And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed Him.”

Judas could have come with the multitude to take Jesus, by pointing Him out.

But no,…..Judas wanted it to hurt….to humiliate….to despitefully use Him…

….and so he chose a kiss to betray Christ.

Even then, Jesus speaks to Judas….not to the multitude, yet….but to one who could still turn and seek forgiveness, then….

Matthew 26:49-50 “And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed Him.

And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come?…..”

Luke 22:48 “But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss?”

“Here Judas, is an opportunity to repent and get My forgiveness….if you will just confess to Me…nothing will change,….but you can be saved.”

But he is silent…..backing away from the only One who could forgive him….and is lost….later throwing away the money he had gained….and his life. (Matthew 27:3-5)

Then Jesus, though betrayed,….speaks in power to this mob, who had come with “lanterns and torches and weapons.” (John 18:3)

John 18:4-6 “Jesus….went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus saith unto them, I am He….

As soon then as He had said unto them, I am He, they went backward, and fell to the ground.”

They could not stand before the Son of God! He spoke and they fell backward….totally unable to stand before Him, or touch Him….if He would but speak the Word!

(They fell backward….not forward in submission to Him….but backward showing that they must bow….if He would but speak.)

He waited for them to rise…..for all things had been brought about…..for the Purpose of God for our salvation.

He was taken…..”led as a lamb to the slaughter….and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.

He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare His generation?

For He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was He stricken.

And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death;

because He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth.

Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him;

He hath put Him to grief:

when Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed,

He shall prolong His days,

and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.”

(Isaiah 53:7-10)

Because He died, and was risen again…..we are in His hand forever.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend,….let us submit ourselves unto our Friend Jesus….and His corrections…….and stay away from flattering and deceitful kisses.

The truth is always harder to hear…..but lies are much harder to live with.

Believe

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To believe is not a mental exercise….

I have reasons, so I believe.

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

….we ‘see’ Him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

One was spoken to a Roman centurion…..

…one to His disciples,….

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

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

The answer is the same.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And he that seeth Me seeth Him that sent me.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Now they just had to do it.

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

Where is our belief taking us? Let us follow Christ’s example, and go on in His love, by the Holy Spirit,…and show forth our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.