Genesis

An old preacher used to say….instead of giving new converts the gospel of John to read….we should have them read Genesis.

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

      Here is where we meet God…in power and glory…as Creator.  Here we see Him deal the seeming defeat of His Purpose…when Adam sins….and all the human race is lost.

     Isaiah 45:18 “For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens;  God Himself that formed the earth and made it;  He that established it, He created it not in vain,  He formed it to be inhabited:  I am the Lord; and there is none else.”

Here we see the first promise of a Redeemer….and His ultimate Victory…

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

Here we see the effects of sin….death.   Gen. 5 if you read it, this one died, and that one died….all through the chapter.

      Here we also see God dealing in judgment on His responsible creatures…who continue to turn from Him…and sin (Romans 1:19-23 describes this descent into gross sin).

And He deals in judgment…both by flood. (here is the first time grace is used in connection with Noah)

…and in the tower of Babel.    

Here we see God laying aside for a time the masses of nations….to deal with one man….Abraham.   

      He was as bad as everyone else…:an idolator….yet God appeared to him and called him….to come away from idolatry to believe in Him ….and follow Him. 

Genesis 15:6 “And he believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness.”

      And Abraham did follow….becoming the friend of God. (James 2:23)

(how much we learn from this….God deals with individuals….calling them to Himself…away from the old life…to the new life with Him.)

Here we see Abraham’s call to sacrifice his son…ending in a ram given in exchange for Isaac (Genesis 22:1-14)…..”And Abraham said,  My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering:…”

….which is a picture of God’s sacrifice of His Beloved Son….for us. (John 3:16-17)

Here we see Isaac, the son of promise….never leaving the land of Canaan….receiving everything through his father….(Abraham even sends a servant to bring Rebekah as a wife for Isaac)…

….yet in his old age…he begins to take everything for granted….he becomes presumptuous…and…his eyes become dim….

….(this is the only feebleness which is spoken of…because the “dim” eyes are spiritual as well as physical.   He gives up fellowship with God and sits around only wanting the “savory meat” from Esau.   One preacher says…”Isaac rusted out…the fine metal being eaten away, slowly”)

Here we see Jacob…the schemer who after many years of the Lord dealing with him….though He never leaves him….becoming Israel.   

       Here is the first place God promises…”I will not leave thee…” (Genesis 28:15).  

       Here is the battle between the Lord (the Angel of the Lord) and Jacob at Peniel …a picture of the Lord’s victory over us. 

       For like Jacob, we have many schemes and plans that must be surrendered to God…and that only way they are…is for us to be defeated in our self-rule….and for us to become love-slaves of Christ.

Here we see Joseph….beloved of his father….yet hated of his brothers (as Christ was hated by His own John 1:11).    Mistreated again and again…..

…..yet God delivers him…and exalts him.

        And when Joseph could have gotten revenge on his brothers….he forgives them and cares for them….seeing God’s hand in all that happened to him (as we should.  Romans 12:19-21  “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” verse 21)

Genesis is a book of  creation….emotion,….deliverances, and judgements….of altars and the promises of God to come in Christ.

Genesis shows God…who He is and what He will do….for any who will believe and follow Him.

And  in the end….God is looked to…to fulfill HIs promises….through the people He has chosen.

Not  that there were not failures…..there were….grand ones.    But that God never wavered from His Purpose. 

Isaiah 46:9-10 “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else;  I am God, and there is none like Me,

        Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”

Genesis is a book of beginnings….In the beginning, God….

….and that is where each of us must come.   We must see that He is God….beginning, middle, end.   

Here is …the beginning of the earth,    the beginning of time (”and God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night…”,  the first Sabbath or day of rest unto the Lord,…

…. the beginning of man,  the beginning of family,  the first place to worship God,  the first murder,  the first  natural death,  the beginning of Israel..the chosen nation,…and God’s covenant of grace with Abraham…

…and all along the way…

….God shows His Will and Purpose will not be defeated…for He is God…and there is none else.

Genesis is a book that shows that God is not mocked….by sin.   For sin is always dealt with….either by correction and chastening….

…who can forget God called to Adam, after he had sinned, that he might come and confess.

…that He told Cain how to become accepted, after he had failed to bring a right sacrifice (Hebrews 9:22).

…that He gave those who saw Noah build the ark…one hundred years under his preaching to repent.

…that He would have spared Sodom and Gomorrah if ten righteous people had been there.

This book also shows so many deliverances that God does for His own.  

God will see HIs Will done….

…let us learn from the beginning of HIs Word….and follow Him…for…

Hebrews 13:5-6 “….for He hath said,  I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

 There are walls…and then there are walls

Proverbs 25:28 “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”

There are walls that the Lord gives for our protection and care.

      And there are walls that we erect to keep the Lord at a distance….or  because of some sin in our lives.

One of the great walls that the Lord gives us…to keep us protected….is separation from evil.   We are to keep ourselves from “the unclean thing” (impure, lewd).

      2 Corinthians 6:17 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 

      And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

(It is interesting to note that “touch” here means to attach oneself…to have a relationship with)

God says that His Almightiness is used, as we keep ourselves from evil.

Proverbs 2:6-7, 10-13 “For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

      He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous:  He is a buckler(shield, armor) to them that walk uprightly.

      When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;

      Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee;

      To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the  man that speaketh froward things;

      Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;”

To keep ourselves separate from those who walk in darkness is wise….and thankfully the Lord gives us wisdom.

One of the walls of the Lord’s protection is peace

     Philippians 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

     And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

This “keep” is garrison….like a fortress.

Peace is a mighty protector.   When we are upset, or have worry,  or are anxious….then we are seeing the circumstances more than our God.

     But when we “in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving” come to Jesus and tell Him “everything”….then He gives us His peace. (John 14:1, 27)  Peace steadies us….when we are wobbling back and forth.   Peace encourages us to believe and trust.

Another wall the Lord fortifies us with…is love…His love.

     Ephesians 3:17-19 “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

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

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

This breadth, length, depth and height…I picture as surrounding us on all sides…holding us up….from the anger and hate….from the resentments and hurts that come by walking in this world.

Deuteronomy 33:27 “The Eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms:…”

      His love gives courage to stand the way He wants for us….and clears away the debris of circumstances in the mind….that we may see clearly!

But then there are walls which we have erected,  to keep the Lord at a distance….these need to come down.

Song of Solomon 2:9-10 “My Beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, He standeth behind our wall, He looketh forth at the windows, shewing Himself through the lattice.

        My beloved spake, and said unto me,  Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.”

This believer had come a long way with Christ, the Beloved….but during that time, she had also built a wall, stone by stone.  Things which had not fully been taken care of by confession….some things she had put off doing, for one reason or another….some resentments she did not know how to deal with….some people she would not have anything to do with.    

       All of these are stones in this wall…..part of her experience….yet an experience that had not led her out with Him…in victory (leaping on the mountains, skipping on the hills)…but instead kept her from growing in grace with Him.

      For she did not deal with these things….but rather tried to ignore or excuse them.

This wall is easily dealt with….for the Lord is calling her on…”Rise up my love, and come away.”    Rise up and deal with these….I will help you, show you what each stone is.   Then you can leap these mountains of impossible things….and skip these difficulties, with Me.

But there are other walls which are built….built to hide us from the Lord, because of sins of imagination.

Ezekiel 8:8-10, 12 “Then said He unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door.

        And He said unto me, Go in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do here.

        So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed upon the wall round about.

       Then said He unto me,  Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery?  for they say,   The Lord seeth us not;   the Lord hath forsaken the earth.”

              (the term imagination comes from “image”….a term for idol.  Imagination is first used in the Bible in Genesis 6:5 “…that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil…”  It means to form a conception of something in the mind…to fabricate,…twisted.   In the Bible it is never in a good sense.)

How can we deal with these walls?….do not worry, the Lord has us covered here as well as in everything 

            2 Corinthians 10:4-5 “(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;”

           A sanctified mind is what Paul is speaking of….a mind fully taken up with Christ,… putting everything in relationship to Him.

          In our walk, there is always the putting off (the old man)….to put on (Christ).   There is always the casting down….before there is the building up.  And we are to cast down imaginations….those things (those “what if’s..) that come to our minds as we are praying.   We are to cast down those lustful thoughts.

           (this is the same as “…gird up the loins of your mind,…” 1 Peter 1:13   We are to pull up our thoughts out of the world’s glitter, or the world’s anger, and get them ready for HIs Work.  When you girded up your garment…you tie it up so that it would not get in the way of our feet….our walk with God.)

Our thoughts of God and of His Christ need to be right. Faith and love are two mighty helpers in tearing down the wrong walls…and giving God the way in us, to build the right walls…His walls of love, peace and protection…. around us.

Enoch and Methuselah.

Hebrews 11:5 “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”

Just seven generations from Adam, Enoch was a man who never died, but was translated to heaven. (It is a picture of our Rapture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

He had evidently been tempted to walk with the rest of the world.

The people around him were turning more and more wicked:

Genesis 6:5 “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

The Hebrew for “every imagination” signifies not only thinking about these things but also the purposes and desires: there was the heart’s reaching out to them, and the will to do them.

The world in which Enoch lived was growing worse and worse; no one was thinking about what God had created them for: To walk with Him….not in a garden anymore, but in the labor of their days.

Even the knowledge of good and evil had deteriorated into just the knowledge of evil.

No one kept themselves from doing what he wanted. No matter who it hurt.

And Enoch considered having that way of life; till the Lord showed him the consequences of such rejection of God and the actions which come from it.

Not just for himself, but for the generations to come. For when he was going to have a son, whom he named Methuselah; something changed.

Jude 14-15 “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints,

To execute judgement upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”

Enoch was going to have a son, and I believe the Lord gave Enoch the name for him: Methuselah.

Methuselah means “the man of the branch or shoot which dies.” It puts two Hebrew words together; and as Enoch heard this name he knew God’s plan.

All men from Adam had died: if you read Genesis 5, “and he died” is written many times. Generations of men had died, and Enoch’s son would die one day: but this child’s death would be different.

Methuselah’s death: the branch (just a shoot in infancy) would grow up and when he would die….so would the world of wicked men.

Enoch had a word from God concerning the judgement to come; and the reason for it.

The “ungodly deeds”. This means that they were “in Your face, God” rebellions. They knew God, but did not want to give Him the glory: so they became vain in their imaginations and their heart was darkened. (Romans 1:21)

And “the hard speeches” they spoke against God.

These “hard speeches” were words of rebellion, inciting others to forsake Him and begin to worship “nature”.

(Romans 1:22-23 “…changed the glory of…God into an image…made like man, birds, and beasts…”)

This shows how much sin corrupts and perverts; for this is what happened just a few generations from Adam’s first sin.

(Jesus also said that these actions would be prevalent in the end times, and He uses the example of a tender branch: Matthew 24:32-39)

So Enoch made a choice, for himself and the generation to come: he would prophesy God’s Word, and warn them of the judgement to come.

Perhaps some would repent.

And how would they know when it would come: Enoch’s son, Methuselah.

When Methuselah would die; as all men had, up to that point: then they would know the judgement was at hand.

(It is interesting to note, that Methuselah is the man who lived the longest of all recorded men.)

God gave those He created, many years to believe His Word and warning.

To turn away from foolishness and come back to God.

Because Methuselah lived nine hundred and sixty-nine years…..that is almost a millennium to repent.

2 Peter 3:8-9 “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but long-suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Why does God send out His preachers to call all men everywhere to repent, and turn to God?

Because He remembers His promise to His Son, Jesus Christ, who came to save all who will come to Him.

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

If you will come, He will save you.

To walk with God is to make God’s Word our rule of action, and His glory our end.

And twice it is said here that Enoch walked with God.

Genesis 5:22,24 “Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:

And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.”

For three hundred years Enoch warned his fellow men what God had told him.

For three hundred years Enoch sought to glorify God before the world that was becoming increasingly more wicked and violent.

(Genesis 6:11 “The earth also was corrupt before God; and the earth was filled with violence.”)

Then one day: Enoch “was not, for God took him”.

Nothing is said whether there were some who looked to kill him for his testimony: and “he was not, for God took him”.

Or whether, walking and talking along the way with God, when God manifested another sign to the perishing world:

Enoch did not die. “He was not, for God took him.”

God was showing all who would see, that those who believe and follow God, never really die.

Methuselah grew and had a son of his own; who had a son who he called Noah.

Methuselah saw the birth, and lived on as sign to all who would see it, of God’s extended mercy.

But there came a day when that mercy was no longer offered.

(We all know that Noah built an ark and saved the animals and his house, after preaching one hundred years to his fellow men. Hebrews 11:7, 2 Peter 2:5)

The year Methuselah died, the flood came.

It is sad, but true:

Ecclesiastes 8:11 “Because sentence against a evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.”

God’s Word has come down to us through the centuries that He will be found of any who seek Him.

Isaiah 55:6-7 “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near:

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God for He will abundantly pardon.”

Jeremiah 29:12-13 “Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken to you.

And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.”

God has gone beyond this; for He has sent His Beloved Son to seek and to save all who will come unto Him.

Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,”

Titus 3:3-6 “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared,

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior;”

Let us walk with God; waiting for the day of His coming.

Showing forth His glory and mercy to all those who will seek the Lord.

Our Purpose as Christians

2 Timothy 1:9 “Who hath saved us, and called us with a 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;”

The Purpose of God for us, was set in motion before the world began.

Before He created anything at the first; God saw us in Christ Jesus, according to His Purpose.

It is according to His Purpose and grace. His Purpose is His Will; and His grace is His unmerited favor of Power to bring His Will to pass.

Ephesians 2:8-10 ” For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

This is written to Christians, telling them how they were saved.

It was by the power of grace, not anything they did to deserve it.

It was through faith, a gift given them by the Holy Spirit.

And they are “created in Christ Jesus”; given new birth and a new nature.

So created, not to stand by and watch; but to take part in His Purpose: those good works we are to walk in.

We are so created as a “workmanship”; which is a molded image.

We are to be molded into the image of Christ. (Remember the word Christian means: Little Christ)

And how are we to do this?

By using the means and provision God has given.

That is what “ordained” means.

It means that all the provision for our walk with Him, has been set aside for us.

Let us talk, for a moment, about the things which hinder His Purpose.

(If you ask, How can anything hinder God’s Purpose? I answer, that as He gives us choices, He is allowing His Purpose to be fulfilled or hindered by us. It is His way of teaching us, and training us. He knows all things, and makes arrangements for it. His Will, will be done; but He wants it to be done through us, so He can bless us.)

The greatest hinderance to God’s Will, is that we do not go on with Him as we should.

Our walk with Christ is progressive:

We are babes in Christ, being seen to, fed with the milk of His Word, so we can begin to crawl and then walk with Him.

We come to the place of walking; and often like mules, stop and stand and bray. Having a fit about some part of His Will.

He must, and will correct us: sometimes with rebukes.

Rebukes are words which awaken us to His claims on us. Showing us where we should be, and how to get there. (Hebrews 12:5)

Sometimes He must chasten us. This is serious; He does not do this lightly. (1 John 5:16)

But He will not empower rebels with His Spirit. That would be joining our rebellion against Himself. But what He does, He does because He loves us. As a parent corrects a child, for their good, so God corrects us.

The answer to this is to will to deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow Him. (Matthew 16:24)

We preach on this often; because it is the backbone of progress. We will deny ourselves, and follow Him.

Or we will put up with ourselves, and lose another opportunity to please our Lord.

It is a choice the Lord gives us: for it is “if” any man will.

Those that love Me, Jesus said, keep My commandments.

John 14:21 “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

When we truly want His Will and have denied ourselves, daily; we come to the place where we no longer resist His Will in anything.

(Resist is a good term. Do you instantly want to “back up” every time you hear about what you should be doing? )

Well, we can come to the place, in our experience, that we don’t resist. It is not instant obedience, but it is final obedience. We will obey.

But the crowning glory, in this life, is to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:17-18 “Wherefore be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”

When we are filled with the Spirit of God (and this only happens as we are emptied of the fullness of self); then the blessed influence of His life, love, peace, joy, and patience, is flowing within us.

And can be seen through us.

We are expressions of His life, and Purpose. That Purpose He wanted for us before the world began.

Imagine a life full of the Lord’s light, and joy.

Better yet, don’t imagine it. Get it.

If you are in Christ Jesus, born again; then His Purpose for you is to be filled with all the fullness of God. Filled to your capacity.

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

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

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

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

We never truly know the love of Christ, the way He wants us to, until we walk along with Him, in the Spirit.

His hand for our strength,

His Word for our help,

His Spirit shining in us for comfort, and joy.

His Purpose for us, in Christ, is to walk with Him, into those good works He has ordained us for.

Will we go on with Him?

Jesus and the children

I have always thought that if we would just understand how much Jesus loves our children….we would be more ready to speak to them of Christ, sooner.

Some wait till Sunday school age….some think that they should let them grow up and make their own decisions….

But Jesus said….Bring them to Me….

Children are to be brought by their parents, either in prayer, or by leading them to the Lord.

Each parent will give an account of what they did, to testify of Christ to their children.

Matthew 19:13-15 “Then they brought unto Him little children, that He should put His hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

And He laid his hands on them, and departed thence.”

Perhaps we are like the disciples…..and think that it is not important to have our children see Jesus….

….but He does.

(Children means “son, or the builder of the family name”. The children of Israel were to be like Israel…..prevailing with God (esp. in prayer)…..

…..we are to be sons or children of God John 1:12….like Him…..building His Name.)

Matthew 18:1 “At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

Isn’t this just like us?

Instead of being concerned about bringing others to Christ Jesus, we are concerned with….who is most important…who is the one to get the most prestigious place and awards….in His kingdom?

Matthew 18:2 “Then Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them,”

Jesus makes a very important move……He puts a child in the place they wanted to have….the most important place.

Matthew 18:3 “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Whosoever that shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Converted here, means “to be turned back. To be strengthened.”

We do not think of strength when we think of children…..but Jesus goes on to explain….that those that humble themselves….

…….as this little child did when he let Jesus place him wherever He wanted……when he trusted Him completely…..

….the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Isaiah 57:15 “For Thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place,….”

And if God had stopped there…..we would have said “yes, amen”.

But not considered, that we have a part in this statement.

Isaiah 57:15 “……with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit (to turn and make strong) the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

To be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, we need to humble ourselves, and be ready to go where Jesus tells us…..as He tells us.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down and when thou risest up.”

The most important decision we can make as parents, [beside our own decision to receive Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior]…..is to introduce our children to Christ.

We should pray over them…..and with them,…..teaching that Jesus hears us.

We should show them and read them the scriptures…..real stories from the Word….and explain them.

(I, too, like certain children’s Bible books…..but nothing takes the place of actually hearing the Bible.)

We should give testimony…..by thanking the Lord, out loud, for the things He gives. To say grace over our food, and pray when we take a trip…..thanking the Lord for a safe one.

(My Grandmother was an influence in my life where God is concerned. She loved reading her Bible and talking with as many people about the Lord as she could.

I had a great-aunt who also was very spiritual……when my Grandmother and my great-aunt got together…..boy the verses would fly back and forth!

“Well, what about what it says here?”

“Yes, but it also says this here and here!”

Back and forth…..[I thought they were arguing, at times]….

….but the winter my Grandmother could not come to our house…..you should have heard my great-aunt,

“Not coming?! Oh, how I miss the fellowship of our conversations!” And this was from someone who never missed a church service…..she loved hearing the Word.

But personal fellowship with Christians is different. There is something truly strengthening about being able to sit and talk about Jesus, with someone who loves Him. What a lesson!)

The Lord loves our children…..and wants them to know and love Him.

When Jesus came into Jerusalem in His triumphant procession…..everyone shouted, at first….Hosanna!

But the crowds vanished….the shouts weakened…..except for the children:

Matthew 21:15-16 “And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,

And said unto Him, Hearest Thou what these say? (The Son of David was another name for the Messiah)

And Jesus saith unto them, Yea, have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?”

In Psalm 8:2 it is….”Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast Thou ordained strength….”

Again strength in children….for their belief did not waver, nor their praise become silent…..they were strong in that day…..for the Lord.

May our children become converted….and full of strength, trust and praise to the Lord Jesus Christ.

A Storm, a Shipwreck and a Snake.

Acts 27:1 “And when it was determined that we should sail unto Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band.”

Several years earlier, Paul had gone to Jerusalem to reconcile his people with the gospel; but instead, had been arrested for causing a riot.

After a plot to murder him was discovered, he was taken to the governor, Felix. (Acts 22-24)

There, he preached to Felix, “who hoped that money would be given him of Paul, that he might loose him”.

Paul was kept for two years there.

When Felix was relieved of duty and Porcius Festus came as governor, Paul showed his case again, several times.

Finally, appealing unto Caesar.

Festus, and king Agrippa both agreed that there was nothing Paul had done, that required his being judged.

So now, Paul is going to Caesar.

He is given into the charge of a centurion named Julius; where he is loaded onto a ship to sail to Italy.

All the way along they are moving slowly, “because the winds were contrary.”

Acts 27:7-8 “And when we had sailed slowly many day, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us,….

And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called the Fair Havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.”

The time for good sailing was past, so Paul warns the centurion not to listen to the ship’s captain (he wants the pay from Rome for transporting the prisoners, and goods).

Paul warns him to stay put in this port; for there was going to be loss if they continued.

Acts 27:10 “And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.”

But the port was not a very good place to winter, so the centurion chose to believe the captain, and they began a very dangerous part of their journey.

Acts 27:14-15 “But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.”

The Lord had told Paul that He would “bear witness also at Rome”(Acts 23:11); but the weather, and sea are blasting against them!

Everything seems as though what God said….would not happen!

(Isn’t it the same with us….we have been given promises, and claimed them.

But circumstances are not going as we think they should….Should we continue to believe God? Even when the “storm” comes?)

The sailors do what they know, and “struck sail”. Even so they were driven.

Acts 27:18-20. “And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;

And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.

And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.”

With such a storm, who could survive? (How many times doubt and despair knock us down, trying to convince us to give up on God’s Word.)

So for days they fast: no one can eat…the storm sends them up and down and here and there, without their control….they just do the best to stay a float…and hope that the storm stops.

Then Paul steps forward….reminding them that he warned them of this very thing….and then speaking again, God’s Word that was told him, to encourage.

Acts 27:22-25 “And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for their shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.

For their stood by me this night the angel of God, Whose I am, and Whom I serve,

Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.”

Here is faith. Paul prays and gets an answer from the Lord, about himself and those who were with him.

He tells them what the Lord said….great news!

But he also testifies that he is a servant of God,…and that he believes God!

This is a powerful testimony, especially in the situation they were in….for it was several more nights before what the Lord told him, was brought before their eyes.

Acts 27:27,29 “But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;

Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon the rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.”

Everything seems to be working out! Hurrah!

But the sailors are thinking of self-preservation…..

Acts 27:30 “And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under color as though they would have cast anchors out of the fore ship,”

We get one problem solved, and a lot of times, another appears.

Selfish men were going to take the life boat and escape. Leaving the others to see to themselves.

But no, God saw to them….all of them.

Acts 27:31 “Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.”

So they cut away the boat, believing Paul.

Then Paul encourages them to eat, for “there shall not a hair fall from the head of any of you.”

Then he prays (Again testifying of the Lord)

Acts 27:35-36 “And when he (Paul) had spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.”

Soon as it was light, they saw a creek with a shore, which they might point the ship into and get out of the sea, and storm.

So they loosed the rudder, and put up the mainsail; and went toward the shore in this creek.

The front of the ship ran aground on the sand, but the back swayed violently and broke off.

The soldiers, seeing the ship break apart, wanted to kill all the prisoners.

Even though Paul had told them that all would be saved, some are looking out for themselves, still. (Had the prisoners been missing, the soldiers would have been punished…even unto death, for it)

Was God going to fulfill His Word and get Paul to Rome? Of course….He had the centurion save Paul….

Acts 27:43-44 “But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:

And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.”

“All safe”. Just as the Lord said…it happened.

That was the end of the troubles, right? Paul was taken on his way to Rome…end of story?

No.

As Paul testified before, that he was a servant of God, “Whose I am, and Who I serve”…..that is everywhere he was, at any time.

It should be the same with us….what ever the circumstances we are placed in; we are the Lord’s, and His servants, we will do what He wants, here.

The people who were on the island welcomed them, and started a fire. Paul (and probably the other prisoners) went out to gather sticks….

Acts 28:3-5 “And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.”

Now why did this happen? Surely Paul had been through enough. (That is the way I would look at it.)

It happened to open doors of service for Paul, there on that island, while they were there (three months Acts 28:11).

This was a poisonous snake, recognized by the locals….and they were looking waiting for Paul to fall over, dead.

But when that did not happen, they thought he was a god….

When this was told around, the chief of the island, lodged them.

The Lord repaid their kindness, by Paul praying for the chief’s father who was sick of a fever; who was healed.

After that, many who had diseases were also healed by the Lord through Paul’s prayers.

What a witness of Christ Jesus…and all because of a snake.

Paul has believed the Lord, and by faith come through a storm, shipwreck and the bite of a venomous snake; all, on the way to Rome, where God promised He would take him. “…so must thou bear witness also at Rome.”

Yes, Paul, as we know got to Rome. He was kept two years in his own house, receiving all who would come to him and hear:

Acts 28:31 “Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”

He was tried…released…and arrested again…and kept in a dungeon (it was cold, for he asks for his cloak. 2 Timothy 4:13)

All the while, preaching and testifying of Christ…his greatest love, even among Caesar’s household. (Philippians 4:22)

Till at last he died: “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.”

It wasn’t in the storm, shipwreck, or snake bite…for God promised He would take him to Rome; but now it was time.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:…….”

We would say, “Of course Paul deserves a crown!” But notice what he promises next:

(2 Timothy 4:8) “….and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.”

Yes, we too are promised a crown, if we love Christ’s appearing!

Our “way” to where we are going next, and next, and next with Christ Jesus is full of many “storms”, or “wrecks”, or “poisonous things”.

If we are going because He is guiding us….then, He will get us there….and give us opportunity to share our faith and testimony of Him along the way.

Do we love Christ Jesus? Then we must follow Him wherever He leads.

The burden of the soul winner

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

Psalm 126:5-6 “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

       He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

Song of Solomon 5:2 “I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my Beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.”

Here we begin a new calling from the Lord….He is seen out in the night, wet with dew…in prayer for the redemption of the lost. 

       (How many times was Jesus out praying…sometimes all night for the ministry…of His disciples and for those He would preach to. Matthew 14:23, Mark 1:35, Luke 3:21, 5:16, 6:12, 9:18, 11:1)

But there is also the call to us….to identify with Him in prayer and work for the lost.

“He that goeth forth and weepeth”…..we should mourn over the lost.

        Certainly that, if they die in that state, they will go to Hell.   But mourn also for their lives….lost to the Purpose and glory of God.   Lives….wasted on things.

This is the burden of the soul winner,…to be so identified with our Lord, as to long for the redemption of those He paid the full price for.

Paul wrote the Galatians…

     Galatians 4:19 “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,”

Paul tells how he was travailing in birth again….for them.    He had led them to the Lord….and they had turned aside after those who were adding to the gospel…

…so he was praying….and interceding…with great work (pain) before God…that they might repent and…have Christ formed in them

      (Ephesians 2:10 “For we are HIs workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works…”   this “workmanship” is a molded image of Christ in us.)

      When we walk away from the simple gospel of Christ…we must come back to Him….and know again that He is the only Way….by complete surrender to Christ Jesus the Lord, and Him only.

The burden of the soul winner is the Holy Spirit, within  you,….making intercession for the lost….that Christ might be formed in them….by salvation and sanctification.   A life lived to the glory of God.

Romans 8:26-27 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:  but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

      And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

The Holy Spirit acts and does according to the will of God in our prayers, when He is not being quenched (stifled).

We have a responsibility to live a life of glory to God….witnessing of His plan of salvation and mercy.

       We cannot deal with people from a position of spiritual superiority….for it is always a saved sinner dealing with a lost sinner.    God’s grace alone has made the difference. 

       Yet at times our words are enough…..other times….we must “pull them out” of the fire….by our prayers and words,…..praying  for the Holy Spirit to have liberty to convict and deal with them.

Jude 20, 22-23 “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

     And of some have compassion, making a difference:

     And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”

“Making a difference” is to show any doubting or fearing soul the truth.  Often things seem alike which are not.

“others save with fear”….those that are very near destruction…”pull them out” (which means to catch, seize)….being careful not to be “burned” yourself.

   “Hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”   Hating…if we love God, we hate that which destroys a soul from coming to God.

     Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

Song of Solomon 5:4 “My Beloved put in His hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for Him.”

    In those days, each door had a hole in it, that whoever came might put something in it, to tell those that were not there….or did not answer, that they had been there.

Here it is the nail-pierced hand….that puts myrrh on the inside…”on the handles of the lock” (verse 5).   This is the final identification to her (us) that it has indeed been Him that was calling us on.

He paid the full price for redemption….and now He calls and waits…

…then He puts myrrh (the oder of His death)…on the lock…..which we had not yet come to open!

Colossians 1:24 “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body’s sake, which is the church:”

As Paul, we are called to “suffer” for the lost….praying, interceding, and going out and leading them in….as we are led.

   To suffer in this way….to bring another soul to glory.   For it is Christ in you the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

And it is Christ in me, you, us….that brings them to Himself.

Disciples–Learners, and Friends

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.”

Come and learn of Him.

If we are born again, we know how to “Come”…for we did come to Him for Salvation.

To learn of Him is to stop thinking we already know…and to hear what He is saying.

A good example is the feeding of the five thousand.

The story is in all four gospels:

Matthew 14:15-21. (Verse 16) “But Jesus said unto them (His disciples), They need not depart; give ye them to eat.”

John 6:5-13. (Verse 5-6) “When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.”

In all the accounts, Jesus is healing and teaching the multitudes which followed Him into the desert place.

He has compassion on them. For He sees them as sheep, not having a shepherd.

He has let the time pass, because He wants to teach His disciples a lesson.

First: In themselves they can do nothing. “Give ye them to eat.” This showed them that they couldn’t.

Second: If they give what He has blessed,………..there is enough and to spare.

“Bring them (the loaves and fishes) hither to me….and looking up to heaven, He blessed and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled:…”(Matthew 14:18-20)

Lessons from our Lord, includes everything.

From prayer (Luke 11:1-13),

to strife among brethren (Matthew 18:15-17, John 13:34-35),

to faith (Matthew 15:30-31, 17:20),

and forgiveness (Matthew 1 9:21-35).

All this comes down to; learning to walk with Him:

Amos 3:3 ” Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”

As we lose our self-life, we must come to many agreements with Him. This is the learning process.

There must be an Absolute Surrender to Christ; For He must Reign.

This is where we decide, once and for all, that we will follow Christ; wherever He leads.

But it is only by many deliberate acts of the will, that we make Him Lord of our lives, practically.

For it is only through our wills that we submit to His Lordship.

In each instance of obedience, our minds and hearts move the will to decide for Christ.

Friends:

John 15:15 “Henceforth I call ye not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

These disciples had traveled a long way with Christ, and had determined to go on with Him, although He was hated by the Pharisees.

There is an old saying: “A wise man is he that keeps his friendships in constant repair”

And this is as true with Christ, as well as our other friends.

A man with God can be a majority of One in any situation.

Look at John, the disciple:

When Jesus’s time was come, He went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray.(John 18:1)

The eleven were with Him, but three of the eleven were closest to Him…Peter, James and John.

When Judas and the band of soldiers which were to arrest Him, came; they all fled.

Mark 14:48-52 “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?

I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the Scriptures must be fulfilled.

And they all forsook him, and fled.”

John 18:15 “And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.”

Here John, did not stay outside with Peter, but went into the place of judgement…….the high priest knew him.

This could have been life threatening. But he went into the palace to be with Jesus.

And after they led Jesus away to Pilate? And to Golgotha? John was there

also. None other disciple, but he was.

John 19:25-27 “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

Then saith he to his disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”

John was a young man; who had fled to save his life….but came back to follow Jesus, not only to find out what would happen to him,…..but to stand with Him, both in the place of judgement and death.

Friends. We, too, can be friends with Christ.

We can stand with Him, not that we won’t fail, but that we will seek Him and stand with Him, after we have.

A wise man is he that keeps his friendships in constant repair.

2 John

2 John1, 3  “The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

       Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.”

This book is the only letter, written in the New Testament which is to a woman.  Most believe it is addressed to her, to show the Lord’s value of a servant whose ministry may not be out in front of others….but who, none the less, has been a notable blessing…and a light to many….especially her children.

(I want to mention here, that the Lord is the greatest respecter of women.   He mentions them…and our responsibility to help and encourage them.

        There are many women heroes of the Bible, who stood with the Lord against some or many: Deborah, Jael, Rahab, Ruth, Lydia, Dorcus, Pricilla…and when every king of Judah begins his reign, his mother’s name  is mentioned…showing how important the teaching of children is by them.)

John is stressing that truth is the foundation of good works…in love.

It is truth that is emphasized….that love must be in truth.   As Christians we must never love by setting aside the truth….but loving, in truth. (Ephesians 4:15)

Notice in the first three verses, truth is mentioned four times.   John loves her in the truth….and not only her,  but all who are in the Truth…who are in Christ.

Nothing can destroy the truth….for God maintains it…even in the face of all opposition and apostasy.

John greets this lady with the assurance that God the Father will give her grace (the unmerited favor of power), mercy (and how much we need this everyday) and peace, for her.  

      And greets her  from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father in truth and love.

He writes to her in joy, having found that she and her children were walking in truth.

      She had received by the Word to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and also the commandment to love one another…and she had…and taught her children to do the same.

He stresses to her….for she has refreshed the traveling missionaries or preachers, going about to encourage the local churches (what a blessing she has been to her children and all who see her and them Proverbs 31:27-28,31)

….but John stresses that she should be watchful of what these…actually  say, and how they speak of Christ.

2 John 5-6 “And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

        And this is love,   that we walk after His commandments.   This is the commandment,  That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.”

John gives no new commandment…but what Christ Jesus had already said.

What was this commandment?

       John 13:34 “A new commandment I give unto you,  That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”

How did Jesus love us?   He always loved us…in truth….calling us into the light of His truth….to be sanctified…set aside to Him.

      John 17:19 “And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.”

 (John’s is eminently the gospel which speaks of truth: twenty-seven times it is spoken of, and all but one is spoken by Jesus or about Him.   The last is Pilate asking  “What is truth?”

      Nineteen times Jesus speaks of love in John’s gospel,  the last three times it is mentioned is Peter, in his confession of:  “Thou knowest that I love Thee.” after his three denials.)

So here in this letter to this lady,  John reminds her that we are to love, as brothers and sisters in Christ….but in truth.

      “And this is love, that ye walk after His commandments”

2 John 7 “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.   This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”

It is easy to want to help those that say “nice” things about Jesus…but we must always be listening to what they say….the doctrine they preach and teach.   

      Jesus Christ is the Son of God, Who was equal with God, yet who came in the flesh…born of a virgin;  Who lived a perfect life…and died as the Lamb of God to take away our sins.   He rose again the third day…HIs sacrifice for us being accepted….. and is now in Heaven, at the right hand of God for us…interceding for us.  

2 John 9  “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.  He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.”

There were some who denied that Jesus was both God and man….there were some who denied His bodily resurrection….she must be watchful.   They struck at the foundation of truth…”who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.”

Remember John is writing a simple believer, a woman….full of understanding,…yet one who might be swayed with words…as we all might, if we are not watchful.

We are not to tolerate evil, for such words could destroy the usefulness of a child of God.

      (What trouble has come by the “friends” of Christ in communion with His enemies…till it is openly said that Christian charity must allow those that deny Christ in. 

       But John stresses,  it is love,  in truth, only.)

2 John 8 “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.”

John, who loved her in the truth, warned her that failure to watch against deceivers was dangerous for her….and her children.   We are to  watch, and keep to the Word of God.

          Faithfulness to Christ should always be first.

In this epistle, all is to be judged on their words….their doctrine. (Matthew 12:34-37)

          The reward here is that of faithfulness to Christ and His Word…”Well done thou good and faithful servant.”

2 John 10  “If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:”

So subtle are the tricks of the Adversary….

…therefore, if any come and confess not that Jesus Christ is the Son of God…come in the flesh….receive him not.

   Nor bid him “Godspeed”….which was a common farewell to Christians…a prayer for God’s blessing on the trip.

This is a reminder for every simple believer…not just teachers or preachers…but each of us to  walk in truth.   To love, but in truth.

          John was going to come, and he would talk more with her then….but this was so important a subject…for the safety of her and her children….that he had to write to warn her…

….and us.

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

Years ago, my husband was praying about being filled with the Spirit of God. He was teaching a Sunday school class at the time, and felt that the men in the class could benefit from what the Word says.

      The Lord showed him Song of Solomon 3:6 “Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?”

This seemed an odd verse,(he was thinking Ephesians 5:18, which is a command…but does not say how.)… 

….then the Lord showed him….Joel 2:28-30 (this was quoted by Peter on the day of Pentecost Acts 2:16-19)   “…in those days will I pour out my Spirit.  And I will show wonder in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.”

Pillars of smoke….weak in itself, but a pillar because of the filling (out pouring) of His Spirit.

This is what being filled with the Holy Spirit is about.   We are weak, and unable….in ourselves.   But He is abundant, strong and more than able….in us, and through us.

And we are filled….continually filled with His Spirit, as we are emptied of self….as we deny ourselves…so He can work through us.

The Lord showed him, that as he lifts his hands up to receive these blessings (and they need to be emptied of all the other things we naturally hang on to)…..they come down in him, and through him….by “Thy kingdom come”….by the rule and reign of Christ Jesus, through the Holy Spirit in Him….for it is, “Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.”

And the Lord showed him that He has everything we need to do every task, say every word, and be victorious in our lives….

…and it is summed up in  “Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth…”

And what is the provision that God has made for us…in Christ?

Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”

Hath blessed us.  All…all spiritual blessings.    That is a Mighty Promise.   

But you say….yes, but it is in heavenly places in Christ….not in me.

Yes,….but we are in Christ.   In fact,  the Lord showed my husband another verse which said this very thing:

Ephesians 2:6 ” Who hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”

We are in Christ (not with, but in)…..as He is in heaven.   And He is in us, as we are here on earth.    The power and blessings which are in Christ…in the heavenly places (and what power that is)…is at our disposal….for we are in Christ…and He in us!

The means of getting that power that we have in Christ in our everyday circumstances….is Matthew 6:10.

We are seated in the heavenlies….in Christ.  And we get what we have in Him in the heavenlies…in us down here…by having His kingdom come.  His Will be done in earth (in me), as it is in heaven.

And His kingdom comes to us, by His Will being done by us.

The power of His authoritive reign within us….is like a pebble in a pond….with ripples going outward.

It is first in me that we feel the most power…to bring us and our life under HIs authority. Our obedience to Him influences others wherever we are.    What a blessing it is to yield to the Holy Spirit…in spirit, soul and body.

And then in ever widening circles in the rest of my life’s circumstances….my church, my home, my job,…in the world to the sphere of my influence…under the power of the Holy Spirit.

Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

        And how is it done in heaven?   

Willingly, joyfully,…completely.

        But also with fulness of power.    And He has it for us….in the rule and reign of His kingdom within us.

All spiritual blessings.   What a promise!   What do we need?   Peace,  strength,  comfort,  joy?   He has all for us….in Him.

How much of Him do you have?   or rather….how much of you does He have?  

Are we yielding to His coming to us with the blessings He has for us……are we raising our hands, by faith and obedience, to receive all He wants to give?

Is His power working against the hurt and bitterness….but still we fail in anger or hasty words?

Are we quick to speak….”yes, Lord”…..but slow to do?

The unity, which is our true life, has been broken by sin….but Christ died to save us from sin….and to give us the fullness of His life within.    

       A life which is so full of goodness…it make us honest and good.

       A life which is so full of peace…it keeps us through storm and sunshine.

       A life which is so full of forgiveness for us….it works that forgiveness to others within us.

       A life which is so full of tireless energy to do us good….it gives us love for others….and strength to do the good works He has called us to do.(Ephesians 2:10)

His life, by His Spirit dwells within us….but are we being filled with His Spirit and power,…as we yield….. to do and be what He has purposed and planned for us?

“I am weak but Thou art strong;

     Jesus keep me from all wrong;

I’ll be satisfied as long

     As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee, 

    Grant it Jesus is my plea, 

Daily walking close to Thee,

     Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Through this world of toil and snares,

    If I falter Lord,  who cares?

Who with me my burden shares?

None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.”