A new creature…in Christ!

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

When we are born again,  we are a new creature….

…yes….but still a creature.

(As the creature we must face the reality of our creatureliness.  

       Reaping and sowing (Gal. 6:7) is one of those realities.  Some people believe that God does not chasten Christians.   That His mercy outweighs HIs governmental rights.   No.   

      As His new creature we have the privilege to see and bow to HIs corrections….and actually love the hand that chastens us.   It is not the correction we love….but Him, Who would never do us harm.  Therefore all that comes to us, comes for our good.   As a new creature, we have grace to see and to yield to HIs corrections….no matter how they come.  

      To bow before Him, as one who certainly deserves a lot more.

      There is no merit in what we suffer, but in the changed attitude in submitting to His rebukes!)

A creature brought into being for the Creator’s Purpose!  “…to them that are the called according to His Purpose…”

Everyone has a purpose….in the Will of God,  but it is only when we are born again, that we can enter into that Purpose… and fulfill it.

      The lost man surely has a purpose….but he will never fulfill it.  It is too high,  too broad,  too great to be able to be done without the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear God, and keep HIs commandments:  for this is the whole duty of man.”

      But man, without God, can not do this…..nor does he want to.

      Only the redeemed can walk with God.   

2 Timothy 1:9 “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”

According to His Purpose and grace.   Now He has a purpose for us through grace.   It is not of merit…we do not earn it…..we do not deserve it!   

     But by His purpose for us…and His grace for us….we are called to service.

(How much is given us….in Christ Jesus!   Several times in this small book alone….”in Christ Jesus” is mentioned….

…”His own purpose and grace,…given us in Christ Jesus”  2 Tim. 1:9

…”faith and love which is in Christ Jesus”  2 Tim 1:13

…”be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus.”  2 Tim. 2:1

…”obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”  2 Tim.2:10

…”all that will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”  2 Tim.3:12

As Paul wrote in another book….”For in HIm (Christ) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

     And ye are complete in Him (Christ), which is the head of all principality and power.”  Colossians 2:9-10)

In Christ we are a new creature….given a new nature, which longs for the things of God.  

Romans 8:6 “For to be carnally minded is death;  but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

In Christ,  we touch other people’s lives….are we manifesting His Presence with us?

Titus 3:8 “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly,  that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.  These things are good and profitable unto men.”

In Christ, we glory in tribulations, for they work patience…a choice fruit of the Spirit.

Romans 5:3 “…but we glory in tribulations also:  knowing that tribulation worketh patience;”

1 Peter 4:19 “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the Will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in  well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”

    It says Creator here,….not Lord, or God…but Creator.    Because we were “created in Christ Jesus unto good works” (Ephesians 2:10)..”which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

   And when did He ordain us to walk in them?    

Ephesians 1:4  “According as He hath chosen us   in Him (Christ)   before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:”

In Christ, we can know the love of Christ,…”which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” (Ephesians 3:19)

We, who are born again,  are in Christ Jesus.   All that He has won for us, is at our disposal…and all that we are to walk in,… is before us.

What will we do with it?    Sometimes we think we want what the Lord has for us….but are unsure of the cost.    

       About a year ago, I felt a lack in my spiritual life.   I took it to the Lord for an answer….but got none.   Weeks passed…

       I finally came to Him and said,  “Whatever is the cost, Lord, to draw me closer to You…to remove whatever hinders…to have the closest possible fellowship with You…do it and I will pay the cost.

      Last year, there was much humbling….and toward the end of the year, pain and hospital for weeks away from my husband and family….

….and alone,  the Lord showed me a great deal.   

Let me give this verse….a choice one,…and God blesses it!

1 Thessalonians 5:18-19 “In every thing give thanks:  for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

     Quench not the Spirit.”

If we begin here….with the thanksgiving He deserves….we will not quench the Spirit, but will have the grace needed…to see us through all that comes in our way to heaven.

Malachi

Malachi 1:1 “The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.”

I love this book,….it has one of my favorite verses in it.

It is written several hundred years after the captivity under Nebuchadnezzar………and over four hundred years before Christ (the fullness of times is come…Galatians 4:4)

God, according to His promise……has brought them back to the land, and told them to build Him a temple, and rebuild their lives.

Those of a willing heart, came back in joy….

…and though there was persecution, and problems….still the Lord has given them encouragement and instruction by His prophets.

And so, the people have built a temple, and returned to the sacrifices for sin, peace, and trespass…..and things are good….for a time…

….but…after a while…

….their greed, and love of money has led them into error and sin….again.

Not of idolatry….which was their sin before the captivity….but of impiety…..a lack of reverence to God.

In Malachi……in four short chapters, God declares His love to Israel….”I have loved you, saith the Lord.” (Malachi 1:2)…

……and shows their dishonor to that love……and to Him.

And how are they dishonoring Him?

Malachi 1:6 “A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master: If then I be a father, where is mine honor? And if I be a master, where is my fear? Saith the Lord of host unto you, O priests, that despise My name. And ye say, Where in have we despised Thy name?”

Concerning the sacrifices, God had laid down some very specific laws that they were to follow….

….and had given them priests to enforce these.

The priests were to sacrifice nothing that was blemished, torn, or too old….

…for each sacrifice showed forth the Great Sacrifice of Christ.

But after returning from captivity….building houses, and estates again….and the temple…

….their affection became consumed by making “more”…..more money, more cattle, more land.

And in the process, they began to bring “second-hand” sacrifices to God….

….thinking He would not mind….after all He is getting a sacrifice!

And at the heart of this dishonoring of His sacrifice…..were the priests.

They should have stood with God, and made the people aware of their sin….but instead, they encouraged it.

Malachi 1:7-8 “Ye offer polluted bread upon Mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted Thee? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible.

And ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil?

Offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts.”

God is very practical…..

….He tells these “worshippers”…….to take these animals to the governor…..

…find out what he thinks of your present?

He is mocking them,….for He knows no man would except a defective present….

…..yet they were bringing these to Him.

(They bring the blind, for they have no “sight” or understanding in their sacrifice and worship….they are blindly giving for show.

They bring the lame and those ready to die…”sick”….because that is the state of their hearts toward God.

Malachi 1:14 “But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and vowels, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and My name is dreadful among the heathen.”)

But that is not all…..the people had begun to put away their wives, and marry women of the land….

It wasn’t really divorce as we know it. The old wives were merely put into another house, and the husband would get a new wife.

The first wives were coming to the priests and weeping (looking toward the mercy seat)…..but the priests did nothing….

….but God heard.

Malachi 2:13-14 “And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that He regarded not the offering any more….

Yet ye say, Wherefore?

Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.”

And the third sin was with their tithes:

They were to give the first portion of their goods to God,….

……a sign that they were all His,….and that they thankfully received what He gave them.

Malachi 3:7-8 “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from Mine ordinances, and have not kept them.

Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.

But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings.”

These three things symbolize our everyday life in the world….things which should be sanctified to the Lord, as Christians…

….our spiritual life….worship and work….how we do, when we do, what we do.

….our family life….to our parents, our spouses, to our children.

….our financial life….giving God control of our finances…(Matthew 6:31-33)

Impractical, you say?

Frankly, there is nothing so impractical,…..as a Christian giving only part of his life to Christ.

When God is in control of our lives…in every way……we are blessed…if not with everything we want….with everything we need, for now.

Malachi 3:10 “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in My house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts,

if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

The Lord has opened His heart to them…..then He speaks of opening the windows of heaven….if they will return to Him,….and honor His Word.

And then here is one of my favorite verses: I love this….our God is so Personal….He sees everything….He is Almighty…..yet…

….speaks as if He bends down to catch these words, spoken between believers!

Malachi 3:16 “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another:

And the Lord hearkened and heard it,

And a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name.”

(In every age, God has His godly remnant….those that look to His honor, and trust on His word….

….even in the worst of times….there will be such a remnant in the Tribulation period)

I love this!

Those that feared Him…..reverence and love was what He spoke to them about…..

(Though the majority thought, “It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept His ordinance….”Malachi 3:14

Those wrapped up in this world always think of “profit and loss”…..but forget their souls…Matthew 16:26)

….yet, for those that loved the Lord,….they “spake often to one another”

…..comforting and encouraging each other in the Word of the Lord…..

And when they did…..He leaned down and “hearkened and heard it”.

And when God hears, He answers (1 John 5:14-15)….

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 in the stall (under His special care and protection).”

God would remember….and write their names…..in His book of remembrance,….

…..for those that “thought upon His name”.

The word, “thought” here, means “valued”…those that valued His Name….and Him.

God loves to be longed for….He loves to be sought;

For He sought us Himself with such longing and love;

He died for desire of us….Marvelous thought;

And waits for us, to be with Him in heaven, above.

God leaves this book…..and the Old Testament…..

….with a finger pointing to the coming of His Son….and to the prophet (John the Baptist. Malachi 4:5-6)…

….that will be sent, to awaken those that look for Christ,….

…..to prepare themselves….to prepare their hearts….to prepare their families for….the “great and dreadful day of the Lord.”

Great for those who received Him…..dreadful for those who thought that they could in any way….”get rid of” the Son of God.

We, too, are waiting for Christ Jesus (the rapture)…..and it is time we prepare our hearts for His return.

Are we giving Him our best, our all, in all our everyday happenings?

In this world, of so many “things”…..what do we “value”?

Jehovah Shalom: The Lord my Peace

It is interesting how the Lord showed Israel His character, by giving them names.

This would be the character He would manifest to them, in the situation they were in. It would be what they needed from Him now….would they receive it?

And what was the situation that Israel was in when He said “The Lord my Peace”?

Was it when they had peace and prosperity?

No.

Actually, Israel was worshipping idols…the gods of the people they were living among. They had no peace, spiritually, or temporally.

Judges 6:1 “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.”

God’s people were identifying with their enemies, in their worship, instead of being separate from them, to God. (2 Corinthians 6:17-18 “…come out from among them, and be ye separate…)

So, to awaken the people to their sin, God permitted enemies to come into the land and take away much of their harvest…year after year.

This had continued for years, and finally God shows Himself to someone who had a very small knowledge of God….he knew a little of what God had done before…but no knowledge of Him, for himself.

Judges 6:12-13 “And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor.

And Gideon said unto Him, O my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? And where be all His miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? But now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.”

To me, this is pretty mouthy. But God does not correct him, because he was asking the right question….just in the wrong tone.

See what the Lord does: “And the Lord looks upon him…” (Judges 6:14).

I want to say here, that when the Lord gives you “that look”, things change.

God tells him to, “Go in this thy might and thou shalt save Israel….Have not I sent thee?”

Gideon now asks, How?

And the Lord says, “Surely I will be with thee,…” (Judges 6:15-16).

God’s Presence means grace…the unmerited favor of power. Power on the inside for faith, courage, and trust. Power on the outside for guidance, strength, and ability.

So Gideon says, “If I have found grace in Thy sight, show me a sign…”

(Psalm 86:17 “Show me a token for good: that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because Thou, Lord, hast helped me and comforted me.”)

And here is where the Lord shows him His character:

Gideon goes to “bring forth my present”….a meat-offering, for the Lord. And when he brings it:

Judges 6:20-21 “And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.

Then the angel of the Lord put forth the end of the staff that was in His hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the Lord departed out of his sight.”

All of a sudden Gideon knows God’s power, and is afraid….”Alas, O Lord God!…”

(“There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked”. Isaiah 57:21)

Only God can give real peace…steady, comforting, and establishing peace.

But then the Lord speaks peace to the one He is calling….and an altar to the Lord, is made.

Judges 6:23-24 “And the Lord said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.

Then Gideon built there an altar unto the Lord, and called it Jehovah-Shalom (the Lord my Peace): unto this day it is yet in Oprah of the Abi-ezrites.”

Shalom or Peace in the Bible means “the end of all strife, the removal of everything that causes division; and a giving of wholeness or wellness.”

The offering, and the altar shows sacrifice, and it is only on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice that we may have peace with God.

Colossians 1:20 “And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whither they be things in the earth, or things in heaven.”

Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.”

Peace of mind and heart are given as we learn to trust in Him.

He will keep us…we do not keep Him, but simply hang on to Him and HIs Word by the arm of trust.

“Mind” here is imagination; and how many times we let our minds follow a path which leads us no where near where God wants us.

The Lord showed Gideon His character by this name: The Lord my Peace.

He gives us peace with God, peace with each other, and peace, even with ourselves.

He is peace. He speaks peace. All, by, and in Christ Jesus our Lord.

He has it for me, you and all His people…inside to establish us in faith, courage and trust…..and outside, for guidance, strength and ability…..will we yield to Him and receive it?

The Seven sayings of Christ on the Cross

Many people have preached on these. They are wonderful….for think of the beatings He has had…yet He speaks….not for His benefit….but for others.

And wasn’t that His whole life’s work?

Luke 23:33 “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.”

Christ is now brought to the place of His greatest suffering. The beatings are past but the shame and desertion by God; death, and burial ahead.

But how does He meet them?

Luke 23:34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

The first thing He says on the Cross is: “Father, forgive them.”

He forgave them first. They did not ask for it; but He, as the greatest King, forgave the greatest debt, and He did it before they asked.

The “them”, were those chief priests who tried Him and took Him to Pilate,

the Jews who cried “Crucify Him”,

and those who stood and mocked Him, even in His miserable suffering,

the people crying,

and the Romans who nailed His hands.

As the mocking continues, the malefactors enter in. But then one speaks up for Christ:

Luke 23:40-42 “But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

And we indeed justly;…but this man hath done nothing amiss.

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

Here, one is saved, by belief in the Lord; and one is not. For the second thing Jesus said on the cross was another word of forgiveness, and also blessing:

Luke 23:43 “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be. With me in paradise.”

Then, looking down Jesus saw His mother, and John, the beloved disciple, who was the only one who had followed Him from the Garden…to the Cross.

He, alone of the disciples, stood at the foot of the cross, ready to be arrested, if necessary, to stay close to Jesus.

So Jesus speaks the third sayings:

John 19:26 “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!”

John 19:27 “Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”

Here, Jesus sees to His mother, committing her into the hands of John, the beloved disciple.

She was to look on him as the son she lost.

He was to look on her as his mother, and take care of her, seeing to her in her old age.

(This he did, and it is said, that she went with him on his preaching tours; that her bones are buried in the wall of Ephesus.)

Six hours the sun had shone down upon all of this suffering.

Luke 23:44-45 “And it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.”

The sun “was darkened”: The awful agony of the sin bearer, fulfilling the suffering of the wrath of God on our sin, was “darkened”. No one but God and Christ, could enter into this propitiation.

God darkened the sun, to show that this was not for view; no one would understand such suffering, and so, no one could truly view it in it’s terror. This suffering went on until He paid the price for all that would come to Him.

In this time, Jesus spoke the fourth saying:

Matthew 27: 46 ” And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani ? That is to say, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

God forsaking Him was because of our sin; for God can not look upon sin, without wrath.

And Jesus was “‘made sin for us”. (2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we may be made the righteousness of God in him.”)

The price paid, Jesus spoke the fifth saying:

John 19:28 “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.”

They had offered him wine mingled with myrrh to deaden the pain, earlier; but He refused it. He would feel every moment of pain, that He would be able to pay the full debt of our sin.

Mark 15:23 “And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.”

But this time, they gave him vinegar.

John 19:29 “Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.”

Then, He spoke the sixth and seventh sayings:

John 19:30 ” When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

Luke 23:46 “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, (That is He cried for all who would hear, to hear “It is finished”) he said, Father, into they hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”

Jesus, having finished the work of atonement, cried out; but then he gave his spirit unto the Father, in the last solemn moment before death.

Christ was our High Priest, who offered Himself as the Sacrifice for sin, for us.

In every saying there was love, offered again and again, for those who would receive it.

He drained every drop of suffering for us. And died, was buried, and rose again to give us His Eternal Life.

Have you received Him as Lord and Savior?

Do you have Him in your life?

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.