Go down to the Potter’s House.

Jeremiah 18:1-2 “The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord saying, Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there will I cause thee to hear My words.”

Jeremiah was God’s Prophet. He spoke to Judah for God. But when called to go to the potter’s house, he did not refuse,…..because God spoke to him.

He went, without question, to hear what God would say,……he didn’t say. “Hey, Lord, I am your prophet. I don’t need to go to a potter’s house. He only makes pots, but I give your message to priests, the king, and the people….You just speak to me.”

No,……Jeremiah wanted to hear the Lord’s Word,…..no matter how or through who it came.

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

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

Now the potter uses clay and water (lots of water) to make the clay very pliable in his hands.

The two are mixed together, and when the clay seems soft enough;…..the shaping starts.

The potter starts the wheel and puts the clay on; and begins to shape the vessel he wants to make.

But the vessel was marred, because the clay had a hard spot.

The water had not been absorbed into that part of the clay, so when the potter’s hand was trying to form it,……it refused to bend, and so it destroyed the pattern, marring the vessel.

Often we are the same way.

The Holy Spirit has spoken to us, trying to work the “water” of the Lord’s Word in us,…..and we just refuse to hear….at least in some spots of our life.

(In scripture water is a picture of the Holy Spirit working through the Word; Ephesians 5:26 “That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word.)

When we do not yield to the Word, it becomes a dry, hard spot in our life.

Then when the Lord is forming us according to His Will, we become marred, and unable to be molded into what He wants.

(Sometimes the hard part tears a hole in the vessel, sometimes it just will not bend, or yield to the Potter’s hand.)

“……So he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.”(Jeremiah 18:4)

So what does the potter do? What did He do with Israel? And what does God do with us?

Does He give up on us? No.

Jeremiah 18:6 “O house of Israel, can not I do with you as this potter? Saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in Mine hand, O house of Israel.”

He takes the hard clay out , and then adds more water till the clay is completely pliable, so that the rest of the clay is reusable: to be able to be made into what the Lord wants.

The hard spots in us are varied:

They are those things the Lord has told us to do, and we have put off.

We know what the Lord is telling us. We know what we should do;…..but we think we have a better plan.

We even come to believe that the Lord will not care…it is such a small thing.

But it becomes a hard place, and comes between us and God in our lives, until it is removed.

Or this hard spot is a resentment we have left unconfessed (why should I confess this attitude? They did this to me. Let them apologize first!),………so it festers into something between the Lord and us.

[I will tell you, speaking from personal experience, that these things are deadening. They make you insensible to God’s voice. Any attitude , hurt, or affections which pushes you away from God (His call, His love, His power to do for you) causes real separation.

Forgiveness is freedom—do not let anyone tell you different. Forgiving someone frees you from their control. They can not hurt you anymore; for forgiveness lifts you above them.]

But once these (and any other “hard” places) are removed, the Holy Spirit can add the water of the Word to us, making us pliable in His hands; so He can form us into a Vessel unto honor, meet for the Master’s use.

(Pliable to His hands. See what He does! His hands in us, and for us—for He shapes our circumstances, our path, as well as us.)

2 Timothy 2:19-21 “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that name the the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor and some of dishonor.

If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”

Do you want to be “prepared”? Nothing coming between you and your Lord?

Ready to face any challenge, or call?

Then yield; give yourselves into the hands of the Almighty Potter, and let Him work within you—and see what He will work for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

(Some believe, if all the Christians would be praying…..each in their part of the world……that all the world would be covered in prayer.

Wouldn’t that be a wonderful thing for the strengthening of our faith!)

We are all called to prayer….

…..some as prayer warriors: fighting on their knees for the Lord’s Will done in His people….specifically.

But most to pray for themselves, their family, their church and for the church around the world.

These are basic prayers for the furtherance of the gospel…for souls to be saved, and then made disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

…for specific battles for friends and church fellowship.

…and against the enemies around the world which would destroy the faith of believers.

To be faithful in prayer is one of the hardest things…..for the devil would always give us something to do….when we should be praying.

“Doing” is easier than praying….even though the battle be hot, we can at least see we are doing something.

But prayer, is unseen….often unappreciated. We are not sure if it is doing anything! Especially when our prayers are not answered….quickly.

An example:

Exodus 17:8 “Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.”

God had just given water from the rock for the supply of Israel.

Water was so precious in the desert, that when it was discovered, then usually there would be a fight over who could have it.

This is what happened here.

I want to mention that this is the first battle Israel has had to fight! God has delivered them without a battle so far,….

….but as with all of us, there comes a time when we must stand for what God has given us.

So Israel is called to do here.

Exodus 17:9 “And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.”

“Choose us out men”…..all Israel was to be represented, even though not all would fight. They would be under Joshua as their leader, and fight.

This they would do….

…..and we should be ready also, to stand and fight with the Lord in the battles that come to us.

“I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand”….Moses would take the same rod God told him to use in delivering Israel from Egypt….

….and lift it up before the Lord in prayer…..

….and we should also be ready to wait before the Lord, in prayer, lifting up the promises the Lord has given us….that the victory we need, might be given.

Exodus 17:11-12. “And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”

Notice, it is not Moses standing, or standing alone…..that brought victory, but the lifting up of the rod, in his hands.

It was what God ordained and promised to use…..not the strength of Moses…(or us, either.)

But God’s Word and promises….lifted up to Him that make the victory

This battle was was from sun up to sun down…..Not something of a few moments.

Both men felt the weight of the battle….each in his place…..as they needed to be.

Without Moses lifting up his rod,….the battle would not have been won.

Without Joshua and the sword, the battle would not have been won.

The Amalek’s may have been more concerned with the men fighting in the field….but God, from the first battle….ordained the means of prayer.

What we are considering is to “Pray without ceasing”.

To do our duty where the Lord’s battle is concerned….and pray….that victory may be ours.

To be in an attitude of prayer…all the time.

To easily come before the throne of grace, because we are seeking the Lord’s Will….all the time.

Give diligence

2 Peter 1:10-11 “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall;

For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly unto the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Heaven is the Father’s house, and all believers have exactly the same title. It is home to the Father’s children and the weakest or most youngest of the saints will be as welcome there as the strongest and most useful.

But the everlasting kingdom is another thing. It speaks of reward, and our place in this kingdom is determined by our devotion to Jesus Christ here on earth.

Therefore, Peter, uses this phrase, “give diligence” twice in this one chapter.

2 Peter 1:5 “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge:”

2 Peter 1:10 “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure:..”

What is diligence? It is to urge on, to make haste with eagerness and earnestness.

We are to urge ourselves on in our walk with the Lord…..as swiftly as we can go….with joy and consistency.

This is giving diligence.

(Pilgrims Progress: Christian going through the Valley of the Shadow of death…..part in darkness, keeping close eye on the narrow way through it. And part in sunshine…seeing all the traps and snares. But the one consistent thing which got him through was that he did not want the Lord ashamed of him. Once he thought about turning back….how far had he come? How far did he have to go? The mouth of hell opened beside the way….and in fear and trembling he hesitated. But he betook himself to prayer….and continued. This is diligence.)

We are to give diligence to add to our faith….all the other characteristics of our Lord, such as virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, love.

(That we might bear fruit to the Lord….and not be barren 2 Peter 1:8)

We also are to give diligence, to make our calling and election sure.

(We make our election sure….by fulfilling our calling. By doing the Will of God, we show that we are of the elect. You will notice, it is not showing others….no,…but it is doing these things for confidence for ourselves in what the Lord has said…..”…for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” 2 Peter 1:10)

We are to give diligence that we might enjoy the fruits of the Spirit within us…..and to take hold on the stability of His calling and election for us.

How easy it is to get blindsided by failures, or things that did not go as we thought?! And begin to doubt one thing and then another.

2 Peter 1:9 “But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.”

Real diligence in our Christian life…..keeps Christ and His grace and promises before our face.

2 Peter 1:2-4 “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord

According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:…”

(Knowledge of the Lord is spoken of three times in this first chapter….showing how important our personal relationship…our personal knowledge of the Lord, is)

Our calling is to glory and virtue…..we are to manifest the glory of the Lord in our lives….in praise and obedience.

John 17:10, 22 “And all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I am glorified in them.

And the glory which thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:”

And are calling is to have virtue…”artea”. “excellence”.

This excellence is not of ourselves….but given from God….by the Holy Spirit. He is that excellence within us….which we are to honor.

Diligence is something we do…..we “give” diligence.

It is a precious gift to our God, that we, in eagerness and earnestness, continue to do His Will….no matter where His Way leads us.

The Battles we fight

When we are born again,  we are called to stand with Christ….and when we do, we will need to learn to fight, to hold the ground won for us by Christ.

        For our Adversary the devil, and the world…will seek to withstand every victory we have.

To illustrate, I will speak about the battles of Joshua and Israel, when they first came into the Promised land.

Joshua 6:2 “And the Lord said unto Joshua,  See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor.”

Jericho was the first battle….and it should have been a pattern for all others.   Not in its form…but in its means.

         Here, Joshua met the Captain of the host of the Lord, who was in charge of all….and fell on his face and worshiped. Joshua 5:13-14

         Here, it was learned that the means God uses, is often not thought much of by men….it was ram’s horns…not the silver trumpets that were used.  Joshua 6:8

         It was silence from the people…with them and the  Ark simply walking about the city,…until the seventh day,  when after seven times, they were to shout…and go up before them, and fight. Joshua 6:10,15-16             All of these means were ridiculous to men…but they were God’s Way.

        Here it was learned that the first of everything was to be given to God….Joshua 6:19

The second battle was Ai….and here a lesson in sin, unconfessed,…hindering the victory is shown.   Men of Israel died,  which should not have….

        But after the sin was taken care of…(and we should  confess our sins…everyday…that our work is not hindered. 1 John 1:9),…

……exact instructions were given for the next battle…and victory:

Joshua 8:2 “And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king:  only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves:  lay thee an ambush for the city behind it.”

Here, the means is an ambush.   They were to hide behind the city,….and when the troops in front pretended to be beaten….they were to come around, into the city and burn it!   Then the men which pretend to be beaten will turn around!  Which caused Ai to be trapped from both ends.

         Ai was a small city….and when we have frustrations…or just small problems….or slights….we tend to think we can deal with them ourselves.

         We can not….

….Song of Solomon 2:15 “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.”

        Ephesians 4:30-31 “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

     Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”

But we can have victory, where there is defeat….when we confess and put away our sins….even seemingly little sins.

             (Notice….that here is where the Israelites are given the spoil for themselves….and it is this way for the rest of the battles!  When God is first….He sees to us, to the last.)

The next battle was with five kings!   

     And they had to do it after a forced march all night (Joshua 10:7-9)….because they had “leaned on their own understanding” (Prov. 3:5-6)…and made a league with some of the people of the land…the Gibeonites.     

     But then the Gibeonites were attacked…by these five kings….and called for help from Israel!

    Granted, the Gibeonites had tricked them….for Israel and Joshua  had not asked direction from the Lord….but believed what the Gibeonites said….because it “looked good”.

     (We, too, are warned of the wiles of the devil…and we should be watchful.

     How many times we get into things we have no business in….when we do not seek direction from the Lord.

     And as Israel, here,  we must do the right thing afterwards….and bow to the “reaping” of that which we have done….till the Lord leads us out….and gives us victory)

To honor their league….they had to come up all night to get there…so Israel could help them against these five kings and their armies.

Joshua 10:8 “And the Lord said unto Joshua,  Fear them not:  for I have delivered them into thine hand;  there shall not a man of them stand before thee.”

     Here, the Lord killed more men with hailstones (Joshua 10:11)…than with the sword of the children of Israel.

(And sometimes the Lord just takes over and deals with situations….giving us deliverance, when we are being obedient.   Things are taken care of….amazingly!)

     Here, Joshua needed more time….more light….and asked for it.

     When he cried….he was given a whole day. (Joshua 10:13).    

     (And we, too, in a time of battle, often need more understanding and grace…and we can certainly ask for it. Hebrews 4:16)

     Here, Joshua had every battle captain, of the men of war put their feet on the necks of the kings of the enemies….before they were hanged….and said: “Fear not,…be strong…for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies…against whom ye fight.” (Joshua 10:24-25)   

 And has not the Lord promised us victory….by faith….now (1 John 5:4-5)…

…and the victory of the Lamb of God over the whole world, one day.  Let us put our trust in Him.

But this was not all….after such a victory….Joshua kept the army with him and kept moving from city state to city state…fighting and taking the cities that the Lord led them to come to.  Joshua 10:29,31,33,34,3638,40-42.  “And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time,….because….the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel.”

How gracious our God….using even our failures…to teach us and lead us to “…all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”  (Romans 8:28)

The last battles began with more kings banding together and coming to fight Israel.  

     (Altogether there were thirty-three kings that they fought and destroyed.   Two on the east of Jordan, and thirty-one on the west of Jordan)

This set of battles….begins with many kings and their armies coming together at the waters of Merom.

     But again, the Lord tells Joshua (11:6,10:8, 8:1, 6:1) as He had several times before….to “fear not, I have delivered them to Israel”.  

     They come upon them suddenly and….the Lord delivered them into the hand of Israel.

You will notice, that God is praised here all the way along.   The Lord delivered them into the hands of Israel.   

(There are many battles we fight in our Christian walk….for we are to possess the promises that the Lord has given us.   There are battles we have with our old nature…old habits, old plans, old attitudes.    Yet we are given the victory…against the giants (Joshua 11:21-22)…of our lusts and reasons…by God’s grace and direction.    

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

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

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

How many times we are outnumbered….in our belief in God…many mock and scorn Him and us.

    Many come together to “give us a hard time”…because we believe HIs Word.

    But….”fear not”.  God’s voice to us gives us peace and victory in that peace….even against many.

Joshua 11:18-19 “Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.

      There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle.”

Our warfare as Christians is to conquer ourselves, through the sanctification of the Spirit,…and gain all that the Lord has for us.

     We are to get our direction from the Lord….and, whether in confession of sin,….or  seeing by faith and not by sight….or asking the Lord for more and more light, till the job is done….we are to persevere….to continue…till we are called home to be with the Lord.

But there is one more thing I wish to add….Joshua, was a light, himself.   His testimony in leading Israel into battle….his getting before the Ark in confession….his getting up and doing what is next and next….his asking for more and more light….his diligence in getting all the promised possession.   His adherence to the Word of God.  

     If you read the message to Israel in Joshua 23-24,  he testifies of God’s mercy and goodness.  He shows God’s faithfulness to His Word to Israel.   He warns them of forsaking the Lord.

He, was a light to keep Israel focused on the purpose of God for them…the goal to which they were to reach out for. 

(And aren’t we to do the same…

….”…forgetting those things wheich are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14)

      Joshua 24:29, 31 “And it  came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died,…

      And Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the Lord, that He had done for Israel.”

      “…which had known all the works of the Lord…”

This is the real value of our testimony….we know. And no one can take away our knowledge of our God. We may wobble….or doubt….or hesitate. But we can know God….our God….and that is the shining of our light in a dark place….a placing of our lamps high, for all to see. (Matthew 5:15-16)

For God so loved the world

Galatians 4:4-5 “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

Until that time, travel was dangerous and limited. Caravans were the only safe way to go. Pirates were on the sea.

But after the establishment of the Roman Empire, then Roman legions marched, built roads all across the known world.

They maintained them, and kept them safe.

They maintained the Sea ways. Yes, under cruel mastery, but they were kept open.

(Why did not God send Jesus later…like during the industrial revolution when machines were being built? Or now when the internet makes spreading God’s word easy?

Because without the spread of Christianity; freedom and the education of people, would not have taken place. Christ brought forth the kindness and love for all people to the earth.

Beside, how many would not have been saved who were.)

So on the background of cruelty, power, and helplessness…

Then God sent forth His Son.

“Sent forth” on an errand of mercy and grace; to liberate and redeem His people. Jesus said…

Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at Liberty them that are bruised,

To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”

“He was made of a woman”.

From the first prophecy of Christ’s coming, right after Adam had sinned: “her seed”.

Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between thee (the devil) and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.”

To the plain statement of fact in:

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

Christ was to be made of a woman. The Holy Ghost would come upon her and implant within her the Son of God.

Luke 1:35 “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: Therefore also that Holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”

Christ Jesus was made under the law, to show how honorable it was, if it was kept.

But, as sinners, we had no power to keep it; and therefore, even for those who knew it:

“The law made nothing perfect (complete), but the bringing in of a better Hope did: by the which we draw nigh to God.” Hebrew 7:19

And that “better hope” is Christ.

“To redeem them.” Christ Jesus, because He was the Son of God, and perfect; He was without sin; could and did pay the full price for us by His precious blood, to free us from our sins and the great penalty of death that was upon us.

Instead we are given adoption papers by the Holy Spirit within us, saying we are now children of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.

Romans 8:16-17 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirits, that we are the children of God:

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.”

Galatians 4:6 “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”

God has again “sent forth”; this time He has sent the Holy Spirit to us, personally, with a message of great power and love.

God is Almighty, Holy, and ever Present; yet He has become our Father by Holy, Divine adoption!

(No, He is not Father to all, but Father only to those who receive His Son as Lord and Savior)

But here, Paul puts a darling name for Father…Abba.

It is like “Daddy”.

Like a little child glad to see the Father, runs to him crying, Daddy, Daddy.

So Paul says the Holy Spirit within us, gives us this access: this joy and affection as we come before the Throne of God in prayer.

1 Peter 1:18-20 “For as much as ye know that you are not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition by your fathers;

But with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifested in these last times for you.”

God “sent forth” His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to free us from the bondage of sin, anoint us by His Holy Spirit in faith and love. Making us His children, and giving us unlimited access to our Abba, Father.

Christ is indeed:

Isaiah 9:6 “But unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

God is never late…He has everything in His control…and how wonderful that He has saved us, made us His, and given us His Spirit, so we are never alone.

Let us praise the Lord for His timetable….for we are included in it.

The call to discipleship

This call is from God.  We are called to set aside ourselves to the Lord, and HIs Will and Purpose for us….in the work that He gives us.

“Call” is an interesting term.   When I was little I had a godly Grandmother, and she would often talk about “calling”.   I had no idea what she meant (altho she was very patient with me, trying to explain about the Lord’ Will for our lives.)….until  I was born again. 

      Later,  when I received my call….

I heard the Lord plainly tell me what His plan for me was….and that I was to go to the altar to surrender to it…and follow Him.

The call of the fishermen was an amazing thing….who would have thought that ignorant fishermen would become the apostles of Christ!

(And aren’t we amazed when Jesus calls us to do something for Him!)

Matthew 4:18-21 “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw brethren,  Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea:  for they were fishers.

        And He saith unto them,   Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.

        And they straightway left their nets, and followed Him.

        And going on from thence,  He saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them.”

One set of sons were casting a net for fish….and called to be fishers of men.   The other set of sons were mending their nets….and John was called to mend the church, even in his life time.

There was the call of Matthew….a tax collector…another choice which would not seem right to do….but Jesus came and called him.

Matthew 9:9 “And as Jesus passed forth from thence, He saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and He saith unto him,  Follow me.   And he arose, and followed Him.”

(I find Matthew’s call an amazing one….for he would have been hated and looked down upon because  of his job….yet Jesus called him to be a disciple…and chose him to be an apostle.  The first book in the New Testament is his…written by a converted tax collector.)

Our calling is not according to our abilities…..but according to HIs choice and grace.   He gives ability….we simply must trust and obey.   

(My husband, one  Sunday,  had just sang the song,…”Trust and Obey”, and sat down.   The preacher at that time, then gave his message, and the Lord called my husband to preach.   My husband thought, “Surely not me, Lord.  You would not call me to preach.”

      But the Lord told my husband,  “You sang it,….now do it”.   And he went forward to accept the call…to, in fact, ‘trust and obey’.)

It is also interesting that the testimony of John the Baptist was a call to Andrew….for when John said,  “Behold the Lamb of God!”  (John 1:36)…Andrew and another unnamed man followed after the Lord Jesus….calling Him, “ Rabbi” or Master.   

       Then Jesus called…”Come and see”.

But the bringing of others did not stop….Andrew went and got Simon Peter.

John 1:41 “He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him,  We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.”

       The next day…

John 1:43 “The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him,  Follow Me.”

       And Philip went and got Nathanael…

John 1:45 “Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him,  We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets did write,  Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph”

       Though Nathanael hesitated, because Jesus was from Nazareth….yet the call was…”come and see” for yourself.   And when he did,….

John 1:49 “Nathanael answered and saith unto Him,  Rabbi,  Thou art the Son of God;  Thou art the KIng of Israel.”

When we have found Christ for ourselves….we should also witness to our family, and others of Him and His grace.

At first, the disciples calling…was to go around to Israel’s villages and preach….”the kingdom of God is at hand”.   Along with that,  they were given the power to heal…and cast out devils. (Luke 9:1-2)

Luke 9:10 “And the apostles, when they returned, told Him all that they had done.  And He took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.”

Luke 10:17 “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying,  Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name.”

It is easy, when the Lord gives you some success in your calling to feel elated….kind of wanting to pat yourself on the back….or jump up and down ….but thankfully….Jesus often calls us away from things…He reminds us  what we should really be praising Him for.

Luke 10:20 “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you;   but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”

It is never what we do for Jesus Christ…in our calling.  But what He is to us.   For that is what we show forth….His life, His Word, and His character….through us.

       This,  the disciples had to learn….and for three years they followed Him…hearing HIs Words,….seeing Him heal and comfort the weak….and rebuke the callous and religious blind…..

….always following…

…even when others left Jesus.

John 6:60, 66 “Many therefore of His disciples, when they had heard this, said,   This is an hard saying;  who can hear it?

       From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him.”

They had been offended by His blunt words…that He was the only way to God. 

       Even after all they had experienced….they refused to completely surrender to His Authority over themselves.

Then…for the remaining disciples….the choice to follow Him….on…was made.

John 6:67-69 “Then said Jesus unto the twelve,  Will ye also go away?

        Then Simon Peter answered Him,  Lord, to whom shall we go?  Thou hast the words of eternal life.

        And we believe and are sure that Thou are that Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Discipleship is to place yourself under the authority and teaching of someone.   When you become a disciple of Christ, you surrender to Him…as Master, Teacher, and Lord…for He is the Son of God.

The call to discipleship can come at any time.  

       We can be working hard to get ahead….and Jesus calls us to “come, follow Me”.

       We can be sitting….hated by others….yet Jesus can call us to “Follow Me.”

       We can believe the testimony of other preachers…and “come and see” for ourselves that Jesus is Lord and Savior.

Jesus will speak bluntly to us….He always did, and always will.   He never sugar-coated His Words….but simply gave the truth….and called all of His, to walk in the Light of the Truth.

His call to discipleship is to “Follow Him”….into the work He has for us to do….wherever and with whomever He wills.

To Learn of Him

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

The first thing we must do is to come to Him…then we must give our attention to the lessons He gives by His Word and His Spirit.

We must learn of Christ;…..for He is both the Teacher and the lesson…

…He is both our Guide and our Way.

Ephesians 4:21 “If so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him as the truth is in Jesus;”

This is what Jesus Christ teaches…..the truth….putting everything into right perspective.

John 1:17 “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

Moses gave God’s people the law He was given….showed it to them and made them to know what they were to do…

But by Christ, we are given grace and truth….

Christ shows us the truth, for us….and when we submit to it…..He gives us grace to do something about it.

And what is the truth for each of us?

Matthew 11:28 “….all ye that labor and are heavy laden….”

Jesus Christ says that we labor very hard, to “get”…….

……to be able to say….”I have”.

And it is weariness:

Ecclesiastes 10:15 “The labor of the foolish wearied every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go the the city.” (the city of God. Hebrews 11:9-10)

Before we come and learn of Christ…..we labor very hard to get satisfaction through many things…….even in religious things.

We work to be able to say…..”I did this….I have this…..I acquired this”.

The emphasis is on “I”.

But Jesus shows us, that this is weariness….for the moment we “get”….we look for more.

We burden ourselves with: ideas of what could have been,…..or might be.

We burden ourselves with: affections that will never be satisfied….that will eat us up…..grief, infatuation, the desire to protect, even those we can’t.

We burden ourselves with conversations to which there is no answer….

2 Timothy 2:23 “But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.”

But Jesus says to “Come to Him,…and He will give us rest from these burdens”…….by the truth,…..and then give us grace, to deal with them.

Christ has left us an example:

Matthew 11:29 “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:….”

“Yoke” here is a coupling…a bar put on more than one, so they will submit together to the work.

Christ is offering us a place next to Him, in the Will of God.

Will we take it?

“For I am meek…”. Christ was completely yielded to His Father’s Will, He was pliable to everything the Father wanted.

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

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

As the Son of Man, He learned in all His circumstances to obey His Father’s Will, there.

He said, “I do always those things which please Him.” (John 8:29)

He completed every obedience, and by His obedience….became the perfect sacrifice to atone for sin.

(A meek person, sees himself as he is before God…not letting other’s opinions or his own ideas interfere with what God shows him.)

“And lowly in heart:…”. Lowly means humiliated. His Way though this world was one of constant humiliation…..willing humiliation.

Philippians 2:5-8 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

This is the yoke that we are to take up,….with Him. To be meek, and lowly…taking everything that the Lord leads us into,….and being obedient.

We are to learn to adjust ourselves to every condition which comes to us….with Him beside us.

Philippians 4:11, 13 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

We are to adjust ourselves to an needy condition….to know how to be abased.

Christ did.

We are to learn to be full,….yet not be proud, or secure in what we have.

Christ did.

It is by Christ’s constant and renewing strength, that we learn….by experience…His enabling in all conditions.

Matthew 11:29-30 “……..And ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Again I ask, will we come to Christ and learn of Him?

And Having Done All, to Stand

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.”

When it comes to our defense against the devil’s wiles, we are to stand.

Having done all we can, using the grace given, we are to stand with Jesus Christ our Lord.

But Jesus gives us protection by His Word, and through His faith. These come in the form told here: the armor.

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

In the belt that goes around us, we see our subjection to Jesus Christ, for He is the Truth.

As we are subject to Him, His truth surrounds us, strengthening us in all our battles ahead.

When we see the truth, we have been given a great advantage over our enemy.

(Many people say, “There is your truth, and my truth.” No, there is Truth. And there are lies. God is Truth. The devil is the father of all lies. When we apply God’s truth to us; grace or the unmerited favor of power is given. John 1:17)

And His righteousness which, as born again ones, covers our hearts. His righteousness is applied to us (2 Corinthians 5:21), that we might stand before Him.

For we stand not in our own righteousness, but His.

Our hearts are so fickle, that He gives us a special covering to protect them, as we are obedient to His word. For the Adversary would seek to wound or trick our hearts, to turn them out of God’s way for us.

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

And the shoes of peace, or the knowledge that you stand here, now in His Name, and by His power! Here I stand for Jesus! What peace that gives your thoughts and actions.

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

And Faith, which is our shield, or extra protection wherever it is needed, against the accusations of the devil.

If our minds are being attacked by doubts, fears, or evil suggestions; up goes the shield of faith which removes the ground of accusation by belief, courage, and God’s purity (for faith sees God, as He is, in power to help, and to give the victory over).

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

And the helmet of Salvation: plainly we need to “think saved”. It helps us to see the temptations of the world, and the tricks of the Adversary.

It keeps in clear vision God’s plan for us; for things can get pretty confused in our minds, if we listen to the world’s version of what is going on.

And the Word of God as our sword. This is a saying of the Word; you need not quote the verse exactly, but as a portion of the Word comes to mind, you say it, and the Holy Spirit is the One who enforces it against the Adversary.

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

And of course, all prayer. It is His will we seek, His will we ask done.

Prayer is simply talking to God about everything. All the irritations, frustrations, and temptations which come to us.

And praying for others.

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

The wiles of the Adversary are his tricks. He knows us well; we once belonged to him, before we were born again. So he knows what we like, what we wish for, and what makes us angry.

If you could think of the biggest scammer you have heard of; that would not even come close to the scams the devil runs, for he is the father of all lies.

The devil hates God, and seeks to get us to get mad at God.

The devil wants us to think of God in a bad light, or God’s way of doing things, as hard.

When we think that way, the devil has taken joy from us.

And he will just keep attacking us, trying to take the enjoyment of walking with God from us.

That is why it is so important to know God’s Word,…….and Trust and Obey it.

Then we can stand covered in the protection God has for us.

Elisha and the cruse of Salt.

2 Kings 2:19 “And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is nought, and the ground barren.”

The city of Jericho was situated near the Jordan River; it was a beautiful city, but the spring water that watered the land was bitter and caused the crops to fail.

Jericho was rebuilt under a curse. (Joshua 6:26). I am only mentioning this because the world system we live in, is also under a curse.

One day there will be a new heaven and earth, but now we are called to live here for Christ Jesus.

To “build” here,……as though this was our final home, and not keep our hearts for Heaven,……will cause any Christian to be barren, and not produce the fruit of joy and peace in the soul.

The men of Jericho, hearing that Elisha had been anointed by the Holy Spirit to be prophet after Elijah,……so they came to him, and asked that he would seek God for help, to heal the waters.

2 Kings 2:20 “And he said, Bring me a new cruse (jar) and put salt therein, and they brought it to him.”

Salt, we know is a preservative. It keeps bacteria and decay away.

[We, as Christians, are to be the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13).

We are to “preserve” it from evil…….the part we have influence in…..in our everyday circumstances,…..by manifesting the Lord Jesus’ character in the world.

We are to honor the Holy Spirit within us, and witness of Christ’s life.]

Elisha had agreed to ask God what He wanted done about Jericho’s water….

And he had received what to do…..using a jar full of salt.

But the healing of the waters, was not to cost the men of the city, nothing.

They were to buy a new cruse (jar) and the salt, and bring it to him.

It would have cost them little,….but they were to do it,…..willingly being obedient to God’s requirements.

When they did this, Elisha was instructed to:

2 Kings 2:21-22 “And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the Lord, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.

So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.”

The salt, itself, was not the healer. Nor was Elisha. But the Lord healed them.

The salt was the means God wanted used, and Elisha was the instrument the Lord used, for that time.

This is a picture of how we, as Christians, can be fruitful in this barren world.

The world looks good, the situation seems “pleasant”…….but without the “living water” of Christ….this world is barren….not bringing forth the fruit unto holiness….but only supplying death.

The Lord requires new, clean vessels;…..by being born again. (John 3:3)

And we need to be salt; the preserving power of the Holy Spirit working through us to a sad world. (Matthew 5:16)

That is simply doing what were told by God, and showing His character to those around us.

Then we can be the means and the instruments for “healing” in this world.

The waters were healed, not just for a day or two….but from then on.

They could have harvests of plenty.

God wants that for each life He saves: To bring forth the fruits of the Holy Spirit within (to have His joy and peace, even in this world); and to manifest His gospel without.

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.”

Let us seek the Lord’s direction…and be clean vessels, meet for the Master’s use….giving the salt of the Holy Spirit to all around us.

The Good Ground Hearer

1 John 1:7 “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 walk in the light”. We know that “light” means knowledge and understanding from the Holy Spirit, by the Word of God.

We are to walk in that light, that the Holy Spirit gives us; to be obedient to the light we have received.

Does that mean sinless perfection? No, it does not!

What it does mean, is: that you get honest with God, in all your dealings with Him.

Prayer, Bible Study, witness, and worship. You get honest with Him.

You, in fact, become a “good ground hearer”.

Matthew 13:23 “But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

All that have the seed sown unto them, “hear” it. It is what we do when we hear, that separates us in Christ’s sight.

“And understandeth it”. The good ground hearer, understands the right of those claims made on his life by Christ; and answers them with a life that is open to and receptive to Christ.

(If you think Christ has not made any claims to your life, then you have not heard aright. And you have not understood His claim as Lord and Savior.)

Mark 4:20 “And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

The good ground hearers are those individuals which: when they hear the Word given to them, they receive the Word.

They do not reject it, or say, “that is for someone else”.

To receive is to do what that Word requires of them.

Luke 8:15 “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”

Here we see the reason behind the good ground: honesty.

Our hearts are never good, in themselves:

Jeremiah 17:9-10 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”

(In other words, our hearts [feelings and thoughts] lie to us. They tell us that we are alright. When the Bible and our conscience tell us something else.)

But in Luke it says: “honest and good heart”. That is the only way it is good. We get honest with God and allow Him to search us and show us if there is anything we need to get straight with Him.

Then we can bring forth the fruit of the Spirit, and the fruit of the Christian; which is another Christian. (We are all called as witnesses of Christ’s life in our life)

This honest heart, “keeps” the word.

It obeys, and perseveres in that obedience.

And in keeping it, we are changed into His character: His lovingkindness we can show.

His truth we can share.

His prayer for all, we can follow.

When we keep the Word,…..we show that God is true,…..and we stay with Him in all the trials that come up.

To understand the Word is to see Who speaks to me. It is to know the reality of the creature before the Creator. We understand that God is God, and does command me to follow Him, wherever He leads.

This is the first agreement in walking together in the light with Him.

Then we receive the Word, that we might be changed into “a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21). In other words, bringing forth fruit…some thirtyfold, some sixty, some a hundred.

Then,….

(and in the Christian life, there is always a “then”. We are never to be stagnant; but always going on to more mature things.)

Then, we “keep” the word. As creature before the Creator, because we have learned that He does all things well…..

….so I’ll keep His Word, and with patience, waiting on Him to bring things to pass; I’ll stand.

Doing what He says, bringing forth fruit….maybe not a hundredfold, but I will bring forth fruit to His glory.

Thank you Heavenly Sower, the Lord Jesus Christ, for allowing Your Word to come to me.

May it bring forth fruit, abundantly to You….in me.