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

As Christians, are sins are completely and eternally forgiven at the Cross of Christ,….

….yet,…..we are to ask forgiveness for our daily sins….that the fellowship between us and the Lord will be open and full.

Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.”

1 John 1:7, 9 “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Our sins are the great obstacle to the blessings we might receive from the Lord.

Our sins narrow the channel of blessing, so that the things the Lord wants to give us…..can not pass on to us.

Therefore, as we pray…”give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11)….

….we also need to pray….”forgive us our debts”.

The Lord wants to encourage all who pray, to go from strength to strength….

…first dealing with us about our sins, as debts.

“Debts”, as we all know are “something owed”.

We owe God our all…..as Creator, for He has given us life,….and we were made to glorify God….not to please ourselves…

….and as our Lord and Savior, for He has given us Eternal life….a life of purpose and power.

We owe God….perfect worship……..for He alone is the One worthy of our praise.

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

But we daily fail in this…..we sin, we get short tempered, we get frustrated, we say words we should not, we covet.

All these, are the sins we should bring to Christ Jesus and confess….thereby learning from them….and be saved from them.

Are we letting our debts pile up?

Full atonement for all our sins was made by Christ Jesus at the Cross. There, our guilt was canceled….the penalty of sin washed away.

But, there is a very real sense in which the sins we do not confess to God….(when we find we have failed, and commit them)…

…..are still with us, in their influence and darkness….

…..because the Lord wants us to come to the light of the truth….and tell Him about them…

…to seek pardon from them.

The wrath of God cannot abide on a Christian, but it can on the sin in a Christian’s life.

Revelation 3:19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”

God is ready to forgive….but He requires us to turn toward our Lord and Savior,…. and confess our sins against Him.

Like when we ask for our daily bread,…..we need to ask forgiveness for our daily sins….

….that our conscience will know the cleansing of His forgiveness for those sins.

The effects of this kind of forgiveness is peace…..and confident access to God.

When we pray for forgiveness…..it should not be a mumbling…..but a humble acknowledgement that we have sinned.

(So many go along with the world’s estimation of sin…..little sins and big sins….when every sin is a manifestation of “I will rule myself, in this”.)

We should seek God’s mercy….for Christ’s sake….realizing that only He can righteously pardon us….and make us free from this sin.

But there is more to this petition:

“…forgive us our debts,…..as we forgive our debtors.”

If we are born again, and He is our Lord….then the character of mercy found in the Lord Jesus……

….has been planted in us by His Holy Spirit…..

…in other words….we can be merciful.

If we have a drop of God’s mercy….we can forgive those who offend and hurt us…..because we can readily remember how He has forgiven us.

(And the Lord has already told us that there will always be offenses [Matthew 18:7]……and those who seek to hurt, or slander, or exclude us….for His sake.)

We need to pray for God to remove all bitterness and the desire for revenge [so prevalent in our times]….from our hearts and tongues!

Hebrews 12:14–15 “Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”

To fail of the grace of God, is to not use it at the time….to let the hurt, anger, or other thoughts….take hold on our heart.

Holiness is to be set aside to God…..imagine having every thought set aside to God….every spark of anger…..every wound of spirit, soul and body….set aside to God.

Well….by the Holy Spirit’s working, it can happen. Usually it happens little by little….dealing with this hurt, or anger [and the reason behind it].

But, as we stay with this….God will indeed remove all bitterness….we no longer bear any malice toward those who have wronged us.

And bitterness here means “piercing”…..it is like a horrible taste in your mouth….only it is in your heart….turning everything sweet into acid.

That is what bitterness does…..

….let us, by the Holy Spirit’s help….remove it!

And be free in the mercy God gives us….and we give others.

Obedience

Obedience will not save us…..but once we are born again…..obedience is the road on which we walk with God

Genesis 2:16-17 “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest therefore thou shalt surely die.”

And the Lord God commanded…..this was different than the walk in the garden in fellowship that the Lord had done with Adam….

Adam’s Lord God…was commanding obedience….it was the one virtue of Paradise….the one condition of man’s abiding there.

God had planted a garden, and placed Adam there….to dress and keep it. Every herb and plant, and the animals that came there….all were under the authority of Adam…..

….because God had given it to him….and for no other reason.

All was from the Lord God….to bless the man and woman….with everything they could want and need.

The one condition…..and the only one….was that they do not eat of the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil….

…that they obey this command….but they disobeyed, and sinned.

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

To be obedient for the glory of the Lord was man’s original Purpose. He was to honor the Lord, and obey HIs God….

…but Adam sinned.

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

“The conclusion of the whole matter”

Let us hear the end of everything concerning all our life here.

“Fear God”….Yield in Awe of the Eternal, Covenant God by Whose Purpose we are….remembering He has a Purpose for us.

“And keep His commandments”….hold them fast, not just in our memories….but in our hearts….to do them.

“For this is the whole duty of man.”….for to do HIs commandments is the whole arrangement of our lives…..

….that is why we are here, now….

…that is the reason we have been given the ability and strength that we have been….

….His Purpose…HIs arrangement for our lives…to be for His glory.

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

I was not a happenstance….a mistake.

You were not a happenstance….a mistake.

The Lord God saw you, when He created Adam….desiring your blessing.

When Adam sinned, and you became a sinner through our first father….God did not forget you….

….He then saw you, born again, in Christ Jesus….working out your blessing…in Him.

That blessing is obedience.

(It is not just that we get a blessing by obedience…though that is true. But obedience is a blessing. That I can please my Lord and Savior,….by living in His power….what a blessing!)

Today we receive the privilege to have the Holy Spirit work through us….giving us guidance, understanding (light), ability, and strength….of mind, heart and will….

….”for it is God who worketh in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure”.(Philippians 2:13)

We are called to that obedience, where we “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12)

Which simply means we do His commandments to us (which are our salvation in the practical day by day walk)….yielding to that reverence of God…not sure of ourselves, but always confident in Him.

One day that blessing of obedience will give way to the glory of praise and obedience in heaven. Amen.

Obedience is the one thing that decides our destiny…..it is the one thing needful.

For the lost, obedience seems a burden….they want to do “their own thing”….have “freedom”….

…..but that simply means they are still eating of the Tree of the knowledge of good…and evil.

They eat it…taking it into themselves and their lives….but never getting the devil’s promise of “freedom”….for evil is great bondage.

The devil’s promise….”Ye shall not surely die:…for in the day ye eat (take it into their lives)…, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4-5)

But they did die….all mankind, because of sin, dies….both spiritually and physically….

….unless you receive the new life in Christ Jesus. (John 6:40)

But when you are born again…..Christ Jesus gives you Eternal life:

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death (eternal separation from God); but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

And obedience is the road in which we walk with God.

In our obedience, we side with God….walking through this world in our everyday lives….receiving the blessing of His Presence, His Spirit, His joy and peace….His life.

This is true freedom….for it is freedom from sin, and self, and the world.

It is freedom to do what we ought, in love to the One Who arranges all things in our lives for a blessing, as we yield to HIm.

Rain

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.”

Christ Jesus, when He comes to us by the influence of the Holy Spirit, is like a shower of rain, to a dry and thirsty ground.

When we are without Jesus in our lives, our hearts are hard, and nothing seems to soften them or make an impression on them.

(We may feel many emotions….which come and go….bring thoughts to lift or depress…..but our hearts are not softened by them….only used like a sponge….fluid in and out….never becoming the fruitful garden full of beauty and usefulness to the Lord.)

When we are born again….the Holy Spirit comes within us…..like a gentle rain, He softens us…..to feel the impressions of the Word of God for our lives.

But when we fall into sin after becoming Christians,(and sadly this can happen)…..we can again become “hardened”.

So we need to turn to Him again, and pray for showers of His mercy and grace to come to us, and soften our hearts in repentance, and cleansing in His blood.

Wherever Christ comes, the rain of the Holy Spirit and of grace, comes to our souls;…..and we are turned into a well watered land.

Fruitful and beautiful, for we drink Him in;…..and by His Spirit’s influence, we are changed little by little, into His character.

As rain is a free gift of God to the earth……to poor and rich alike, the rain falls.

So Christ is offered to all who will receive Him.

The rain is most necessary to all the parts of the plants: roots, trunk, branches, leaves, and blossom.

So Christ is necessary to every part of us: our understanding, our will, our emotions, and our memories.

He strengthens us in good things, and enlivens us as we grow.

He increases our peace, and love for Him and others.

He preserves us within, by His Spirit; and without, by HIs Word.

As rain sometimes comes amid thunderstorms, as well as the gentle warm rain; so Christ comes to us to warn us, as well as to encourage us.

As rain satisfies the dry earth, so Christ comes and satisfies us.

He gives us the fruit of His Spirit within us.

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.

Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.”

If we follow on to know the Lord,…..He will come unto us as the rain, the former and latter rain, upon the dryness of our souls.

Are We Like the Morning Cloud?

Hosea 6:4-6 “O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? For your goodness is as a morning cloud, as early dew it goeth away.

Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain by the words of My mouth: for thy judgements are as the light that goeth forth.

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”

The morning cloud promises much. “Maybe there will be the rain we need.”

But the day gets hot and the morning clouds go away.

The early dew evaporates as soon as there is a little sun.

Both look good, but give no lasting benefit.

So were the “revivals” and changes of Ephraim and Judah.

God would send a prophet to preach repentance to them; to restore them to His fellowship and blessing.

But though they would often “repent” when God was chastening them; yet as soon as that was removed, they would resume their idol worship.

We all know what an idol is: it is a fabricated god. We worship it. It is what we put into first place in our lives.

Worship is worthyship: counting God, or whatever, worthy of ourselves. (Our time, our awe, our confidence.)

Worship comes from the Hebrew “to fall down before”.

Sadly, though Israel saw miracle after miracle in deliverances, and blessing; yet they kept choosing to put their confidence in stones, and wood; rather than the Living God. (Jeremiah 10:10-11)

(If you really want to see God’s thoughts about the idols, read: Isaiah 44:15-17. One part of the tree, warms the man, another he bakes bread with, and the rest he fashions into a god! God is laughing at their devotion to stocks!)

Many even came and brought sacrifices to the Lord; and then went out and offered sacrifices to idols.

God said, “If your heart was not in the sacrifice you offer Me. It is nothing……

I desired mercy and not sacrifice.”

The Lord wanted them to obey Him….with their hearts….then the sacrifice they brought would really be looking forward to the great sacrifice, Christ Jesus.

He wanted them to give mercy….had not He given them mercy many times?

This is what He wanted for them:

For Israel to know Him,……to get their hearts right with Him,…and their brothers.

He has always wanted this: for His people to know Him.

To “see” Him as He is: the Almighty God, who rules the heavens and the earth; and yet loves us.

And with this love, He seeks fellowship with us.

So God says:

Hosea 5:15 “I will go and return to My place (heaven), till they acknowledge their offense, and seek My face: in their affliction they will seek Me early.”

When God leaves us (though not really, but in our feelings)……when we quench the Spirit by unbelief, disobedience, or seeking some other way to do His Will;…….then He will wait to see if His absence makes us “wake up” to our need of Him.

The prophet Hosea calls to his people “to return”

Hosea 6:1 “Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up.”

The call to everyone who has gone away from God is always: “return”.

Return to God, and return to His way for you.

He will heal us; and will restore (bind us up).

Korah…and his sons.

Numbers 16:1-3 “Now Korah,….the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram…the sons of Reuben,  took men:

       And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly…men of renown:

       And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them,   Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them:  wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?”

Now we all know the story of Korah (he is spoken of in 2 Peter and in Jude concerning rebellion and apostasy):

He and his friends decided that Moses and Aaron were setting themselves above the people.   They said,  “Hadn’t God said they were all holy?”

(Actually, He had said to be holy….Leviticus 19:2)

     “So why was only Moses’ word to be followed,…..and Aaron chosen for the priesthood?   We, too, should be able to come before God…like them!”   

(“And do what we think is right, instead of listening to Moses”….is really what they wanted)

It was sad, because Korah…the leader….was a Levite.   He had a particular ministry with the Tabernacle….for they were to bear the holy things in the travels of the children of Israel (Numbers 4:3-4,15)…

….but as is so often….he was not satisfied with the work or place the Lord had given him.

(Our innate rebellion is against God’s Creative Authority….

Romans 9:20  “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God?  Shall the thing formed say to HIm that formed it,  Why hast Thou made me thus?”

How much is said in this!  If we will but bow to the Creator and HIs Will for us….peace instead of conflict within….a settled rest instead of contentious dissatisfaction!)

So the rebellion spread…and among some of the great princes of the congregation.   (And how easy it is, when anger and jealousy are around, to feel the same…and get involved in those things!)

Numbers 16:5 “And he (Moses) spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying,  Even tomorrow the Lord will shew who are His, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto Him: even him whom He hath chosen will He cause to come near unto Him.”

Moses spake unto Korah, and those gathered with him….and he sent unto Dathan and Abiram to come and hear what the Lord says, to them as well….

Numbers 16:12 “And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram,….which said,  We will not come up:”

So the next day…

Numbers 16:19 “And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the Tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the congregation.”

The rebellion has gained hearers….the whole congregation comes….

The Lord appears…and suggests that He will consume the whole congregation, if Moses and Aaron will get away from them! 

      But Moses and Aaron fall on their faces and cry for mercy for the congregation! 

 (How different an attitude than those gathered against them!)

God will speak to spare the congregation…..but will not spare the ones who have started this rebellion….for you see, it was never really about Moses and Aaron…..it was always really against the Lord and His Ways.

Numbers 16:25-27 “And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram;  and the elders of Israel followed him.

        And he spake unto the congregation, saying,  Depart, I pray you from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.

       So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah,  Dathan, and Abiram,  on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out and stood in the door of the their tents,…”

Now I want to explain….repentance has been suggested by Moses all the way along.

      First, he chides Korah for seeking a position that God did not intend for him.

      Then, he calls Dathan and Abiram up to the Tabernacle to stand with the others of their rebellion….(this might have saved their families)

      Finally,  he warns all who are standing about….undecided about who to follow….to get away from these “wicked men”.            “Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.”

God’s mercy often speaks again and again….but then when warnings are unheeded….(and in this case, even mocked)….then chastening and judgment for those who continue in flagrant wickedness will come.

Moses then announces that…

….”If these men die a normal death….God hath not sent him.   But if the Lord make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up….and they go down quick into the pit;  then ye shall understand that these men….have provoked the Lord.”

Numbers 16:31-33 “And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words,  that the ground clave asunder that was under them:

     And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.

     They,…went down alive into the pit,…and they perished from among the congregation.”

(Shortly after this all the rods of the princes of the tribes…and Aaron’s rod was brought before the Ark, overnight….each with their name written upon them.

      Only Aaron’s rod budded,…and blossoms….and yielded almonds! (Numbers 17:7-9)

      God chose to not judge those still troubled with the contamination of Korah’s jealousy…..but to use a sign of blessing…to encourage them to receive His Word, and submit to HIs Will.

Aaron was not chosen because he was a superior man….or more holy than the others.

      Aaron was chosen…..by God, for HIs own purpose…

 [as we all are…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,”]

…and He does not rule by popular demand….but by His Will and Word.)

But this message was….Korah, and his sons….

….so let us consider his sons.     

It is true, that some of Korah’s sons perished in the sin of their father…..sad but true that where we lead, even in sin….our children often follow.

But it is equally true that some “gat away” from these wicked men….and perished not.

Numbers 26:11 “Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not.”

1 Chronicles 6:31-37 “And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the Lord, after that the Ark had rest…..they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing….

….Heman a singer,…the son of Korah,”

These sons of Korah, the rebel….took Moses words and heard aright.    They ran from the sin of their father….and went into the land of promise  (1 Chronicles 6:33-37)

Many generations later …. they became the “sons of Korah”  you read of in the Psalms 42, 44, 45-49, 84-85,87…singers of God’s praise in the Tabernacle and Temple!

How much we,…. like the sons of Korah,….who have been delivered from going down into the pit…by the Word of warning to us….

…..should become singers….praising God before others.   

Korah rebelled and refused the extended mercy for repentance…..

….but his sons…ran from his sin, when warned….and became a legacy of praise to God.

Be Strong in the Lord

Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of

His might.”

Paul tell these Ephesians that each one of them, which are seated in Christ in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6), and still walking in this world….

….. must now also take a stand against the wiles, or tricks of the Devil.

In order to do that, Paul tells them that they must be empowered, or enabled in the force of the Lord’s might.

The original word means to be “constantly empowered”.

Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Put on, Paul exhorts them, the whole armor of God.

While God has provided this, the individual Christian has the responsibility of putting it on.

We must consciously appropriate the power the Lord Jesus Christ makes available to us.

This armor is not so many imaginary pieces you put on; but it the truth of what that piece pictures.

Ephesians 6:13 “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

We must put it on, so we can stand in the evil day; that day of trouble for us.

Ephesians 6:14 “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;”

Paul says the Christians foundation piece is the Truth. It is to know that we are saved, first. Then a growing knowledge of the Scriptures and how they apply to life; our life.

God wants us to have defensive armor against the wiles of the Adversary.

A soldier does not put on his armor after going into battle, but in preparation for the battle.

The belt of truth must be secure, or everything else will fall off.

It is given to us, we must put it on; but it is God’s armor, it is not of ourselves.

Connected to the truth, is the Breastplate of Righteousness. This is, of course, Christ’s Righteousness. We are covered with the very righteousness of Christ.

But there is a little more to it than that.

If you want the protection of the breastplate, over the heart, that you must live righteously. You must practice righteousness.

Your life must be clean, there must not be hidden sin, or unholy thinking tolerated.

They must be confessed and forsaken.

God wants to empower. He wants us to be protected by His Truth and Righteousness. And He wants us to live in that truth and in obedience to His righteous commands.

Then we will have the sure footing of peace.

Ephesians 6:15 “And your feet shod with the gospel of peace;”

There is peace of mind for every Christian. And we need it, for we are to walk, and resist our Adversary, the Devil.

He will knock us off balance and have us down before we know it, by worry, tension, and fear.

But the sure footing of the Gospel of Peace, given by the God of all peace, will keep us standing.

He has given us His promises to use. We need to use them.

He wants to guard or garrison you about with His Peace (Philippians 4:7).

As we stand, we will need the extra protection of the the Shield of Faith.

Ephesians 6:16 “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”

The Adversary is always trying to get inside our head, or heart with some accusation.

(Many of which are true.)

But the fiery darts can be put out by lifting up our faith in God and His Word.

Did we sin? Yes, but it is confessed and I have forsaken it.

This is removing the ground of accusation.

(Some of the fiery darts are: “Why you big phony, you don’t really believe that!”

“You witness for Christ? Are you kidding? You’re the biggest sinner around!”

“You don’t want to deal with that person; they will make fun of you, or make trouble for you.”

“No really saved person would think such a thought as that.”)

Which leads us to the armor for our heads:

Ephesians 6:17 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

We need to think saved.

Simply trust that the Holy Spirit, which has borne witness in our spirits that we are a child of God (Romans 8:16); does not make mistakes.

If we are saved, will wrong thoughts present themselves to our mind? Yes, but it is what we do with them that makes the difference.

If you allow wrong thoughts (anger, lust, greed)…to stay in your mind, contemplate them,….

…..then they will have wrong effects upon your walk; and you will not be able to stand against the Adversary.

Confess the sin, and forsake it. Remove wrong thoughts as soon as possible, and seek that power of God to overcome them.

To stand against the wiles of the Devil, which is all defensive, so far; we must have an offensive weapon. And that is the Sword of the Spirit.

This is the Word of God. (This is not throwing the Bible at him.)

This is a “saying” of the Bible. Something given you as a promise, or right at the time when the Adversary is attacking you.

And this is by the Holy Spirit; and by saying it, in your mind, or out loud; the power of God, the Holy Spirit will be at work, right then.

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

The Sword of the Spirit and prayer are a Christian’s offensive weapons.

As James said:

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

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

Submit yourselves to God…say “yes” to God’s will.

Resist the Devil….say “no” to the anger, resentment, or the suggestions that come.

Draw nigh unto God…use prayer; All-prayer…every kind of prayer to bring down the help you need, now.

The Battle of the Ages: Christ must Reign

There are two principles at work in all the Universe.

God’s Principle of Obedience.

And the Principle of our Adversary, the devil; which is rebellion.

The battle of the ages, for me is: Who will rule in my life?

As Christians we can be obedient to God’s Will by the determination of my will to do it; and the power of the Holy Spirit within.

When we are, we are standing with God in the battle of the ages, for me.

2 Timothy 2:6 “The husbandman that laboreth must be first partaker of the fruits.”

Years ago the Lord told my husband that anything he got into his own experience, the Lord would require at his hearer’s hands.

The experience of salvation….of obedience…..of denying self….of growing in grace and knowledge….of the personal relationship with Christ Jesus( “let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth”)……of losing his self-life to find his Christ’s life….of battles, and adversity….

Not that anyone would have the same experiences….but that those general experiences would be required at their hand…..

“Required”. What does that exactly mean?

The verses which cover the meaning are these:

Luke 12:47-48 “And that servant, which knew His Lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to His Will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”

1 Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

The Greek word here in these two verses, for “required”, means “to seek to worship God”.

And both have to do with “faithfulness”…or being faithful with what has been given us.

What has been required at our hands? How much we have been given over the years.

His Word preached, and taught, and lived….

It is to be a life open to and receptive to Christ Jesus….who is standing and knocking on His church…..but speaking to us, who have ears to hear.

It is in what we hear, that we are required to respond to.

The experience of Spiritual Life is always: first in me, then by me and then through me.

And His power is Life. Life flowing into me, and helping me in everything I do.

His power must be at work in me, before I can see this power used through me, in the calling God has given me to do.

He showed me these verses:

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 “Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (childish), but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

We are not to use the world’s weapons to fight the Lord’s battles.

It is not a matter of “letting things go”; but forgiving from the heart.

Colossians 2:8 “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.”

If I am to think God’s thoughts after Him, then His thoughts must prevail.

And for this to happen, our minds must be transformed by His grace; so that our natural and normal way we think, becomes Spiritual.

We are to pull down the strongholds.

These are strongholds of reasoning. They are the reasonings that prevent us from believing God, and acting on what we believe.

Like this:

“That is impossible. Yes, I know God is God…but He just won’t do that…for me, even if I thought He would do it.”

Or…

“That person will never be saved. There is no use in witnessing to them; what good will it do?”

We are to pull these down, by our willed obedience, even when we do not see how God will do these things.

We are to cast down imaginations. Those flights of fancy which come across our minds.

We are not to give them credence, or continue in them.

We all have thoughts which come into our head: What would I do if….?

But it is what we do with our thoughts, that counts.

Do we bring them to the light of Jesus Christ, or go ahead and fly into fantasy?

And we are to destroy every barrier which is raised against the genuine knowledge of God.

And there are a lot of barriers.

Such as the barrier of:

“I can’t read the Bible, because it is too complicated. I just do not understand everything there. I just let others explain it.

But I am not really sure they are right either.”

This is a barrier which the Holy Spirit can easily destroy. He can give you understanding and light for your path, through the Word of God.

You may not understand in the original language.

But you will understand what the Holy Spirit tells you. He speaks clearly.

“Taking captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

This is stop thinking angry thoughts; stop wanting to be angry, because we want to be right…or are right; and others do not agree. (Tell the Lord everything…and He will set it right with you.)

This is to start thinking that the awful neighbor is not to be hated, but to be prayed for; or ignored. To be at peace with them.

All our thoughts should lead us to Christ; It is really siding with Jesus about what comes into our heads; And staying with Him, through it all.

This is never easy; that is why the Lord calls it a “battle”. But it can be won. The victory is assured….in Christ.

1 John 5:4-5 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”

For the Son of God is able to save to the uttermost. (Hebrews 7:25)

The Battle of the Ages has been going on through all time.

God is Victor.

Will we enter into His victory for ourselves, by the deliberate acts of our will?

Will we give Him all praise, by using all He gives us to make Him King in our lives?

Faith, Grace, Love, Peace, Joy: All are ours in Christ Jesus.

We are to follow Him into our place before Him, and keep following Him.

It is the way to make Him King—of us.

He will reign in us; that we may walk through this life in victory.

Proverbs 10:17 “He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that resists reproof erreth.”

An old preacher once wrote……

“Those that recieveth instruction are good…but those that retain it—keep it for their own use…that they may govern themselves by it, are blessed.

Those that pass on that instruction. Precept upon precept, line upon line,…becoming a blessing to others.

Isaiah 28:10 “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line, hear a little, and there a little.”

But those who will not be taught what God says, but refuse it….because it brings to light their faults….are like a traveler that has missed the right turn, but refuses to be shown the map. He certainly misses the way of life, unless he turns around.”

As Christians, we know that God teaches us….through HIs Word…through the Holy Spirit within us….and through the trials of the way.

The Lord bends down and teaches us. What an amazing thought! Yet it is true.

“He leads us in the right way”….teaching us to follow, first. Then teaching us to help others to follow

Proverbs 4:13 “Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.”

The person in a rain storm does not let go of his coat….but fastens it securely and hangs on to it that the storm does not get in.

This we should do in the instruction of the Word…read it and hear by the Holy Spirit what He is saying to us.

What exactly is instruction?

Instruction means a variety of corrections: From nurturing….to a check in our spirit that says. “Stay away”. “Go back”…..to more correction through the Word…training, to restrain, to warn, to reprove….even to chastening.

But anyway it comes it is the Lord seeking to get us on the right path…and stay there

It is interesting to note that The Lord Jesus used “instructed” only once…..and that was to HIs disciples concerning His beloved Kingdom:

Matthew 13:52 “Then said He (Jesus) unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.”

(He was instructing….but at the same time pointing them on to the time when they should pass on and instruct concerning the kingdom.)

This verse means that when you are teaching…..even the same verse as your fellow teacher….you will add your testimony to it. “Things new and old”

The last time this word is used is:

2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction , for instruction in righteousness.”

Let us be instructed in righteousness….let us read, study, and meditate on the Word day by day…..one verse even is a lot to digest….if we will.

Not willing that any should perish

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

The Lord is not willing that any should perish….but that all should come to repentance.

But, what are we willing?

It is an interesting way of saying it: “…that all should come to repentance.”

How many times does Jesus say, “Come”……here it is come to Him for repentance!

He is so willing to save….He will help you repent….if you will come to Him!

He does not say…..you must give up this, to come to Me….but….

….He says, Come to Me…and I will help you give up this.

Our sin separates us from every good thing….from God, first….but also from true sight….true understanding….true hope and love.

And God is not willing that we perish in our sins….so He sent HIs Son to save all who will come to Him.

Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Matthew 1:21 “For she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.”

It is also interesting that God always seeks us, first.

He did in the garden with our first parents….Adam and Eve…when He came down…knowing they had sinned…

….yet giving them the opportunity to come to Him and confess it….

…”And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden….And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?” (Genesis 3:8-9)

And He does with us….He sends His Spirit to wake us up, to our sin….and then calls…

Matthew 11:28 “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

So the question still remains…..will you come to repentance…..come to Jesus Christ, and give yourself to Him?

John 6:37, 40 “All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.

And this is the will of Him Who sent Me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day.”

Coming to Christ is believing,…that is in the heart……

….and calling out to Him to save us,…with the mouth:

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

God is not willing that any should perish….will we hear His call to come…..to come to Him?

Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

Temperance

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

We have talked of the fruit of the Spirit before, but I wish to speak of:

Temperance.

We have heard of moderation in all things. This is a good policy for many things; but temperance here is a fruit of the blessed Holy Spirit.

It is the ability to master everything which comes to us, in our lives. (Not let them master us.)

As Christians, we face fears, tempers, passions, and opinions on all sides.

But the Holy Spirit within gives us help with all of these. He gives us God’s love, God’s joy and peace, and yes, God’s right-thinking.

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

This is temperance:

Proverbs 30:7-9 “Two things have I required of Thee; deny me them not before I die:

Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty or riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

Lest I be full, and deny Thee, and say, Who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”

Proverbs are mostly Solomon’s sayings, and he is asking the Lord, that before he grows old and dies, he wants to learn two important things; so he asks God to “remove” or cast away from him vanity and lies.

Vanity is that nothingness that the world is full of.

The world would tell us that we should all look like this model, or that actress or athlete.

Or the world would get us to concentrate on physical, or intellectual pursuits.

Solomon did all of these:

Ecclesiastes 1:16-17 “I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart hath great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.”

Ecclesiastes 2:8-9, 11 “I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.

So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.”

His conclusion from all his experiences in the goods of the world?

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.”

He wanted to be removed from vanity, “And lies”. The world is full of them. Try this toothpaste and your smile will brighten a whole room! (There are many lies, which are passed around each day; silly ones, and serious ones.)

“Give me neither poverty nor riches; Lest I be full, and deny Thee”:

I will begin to trust in my riches,…..and not in You.

“Lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”

I will be angry that I do not have what others have; and try and get it in unlawful means (there are many kinds of thieves),

And blame the Lord for “making me do it.” (we often blame God for what we have gotten ourselves into)

“Feed me with food convenient for me:”. This is the same prayer as:

“Give me this day my daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)

Someone has said: This is not, Give me my daily cake,…..but bread.

It means, that we are asking the Lord to provide for us, what we need. To give us enough:

Enough peace, money, food, family, friends, joy,…enough to get us through our lives; with Him.

Because I must remind you, that temperance is a fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Temperance is to master a thing—not it mastering you.

And the Holy Spirit bears that fruit within us and through us, as we yield to Him in each situation.