A Profitable Servant

Luke 17:10 “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”

As Christ’s servants, there will be an accounting for each of us…of those good works that He has required from us…(Hebrews 9:27)

But the real value of any work as His servant is….

…..do I do it out of love for Him?

“If ye love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15

This starts when His disciples ask….”Lord, Increase our faith.” (Luke 17:5)

Luke 17:6 “And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.”

Here, the Lord says what faith will do…even a little faith…..but He does not say how is it increased….

….until He gives this:

Luke 17:7-9 “But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?

And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?

Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.”

Jesus is saying: true faith works. True faith is never stagnant….it moves forward; or it goes backward (2 Peter 1:9).

In the field we may labor for Christ, His Word, and His gospel call…..

…..but in the house (in our own personal devotions and church services)…..we serve, by ministering to Him….personally.

(I want to point out here, that the Lord is in charge in everything in this parable.

The servant, outside;……and the servant, inside….is just that,…a servant….commanded and guided by the Master.

Some of us Christians bristle at this….because they think a servant of the Lord does things….he does something for God.

No, and yes. No….we can never do anything to add to God, or His goodness.

Yes, we can serve the Lord by being obedient…..and becoming, under HIs guiding hand, devoted to Him.

The Lord pointed this out to Israel when they were burning lots of offerings to Him…..without the heart’s devotion behind them.

Jeremiah 7:21-24 “Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel; Put your offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh.

For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices:

But this thing I commanded I them, saying, Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be My people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. (Exodus 15:25-26)

But they harkened not, nor inclined their ear,….”)

Our “services” to God, are a exercising of our faith….both in the world and in our personal devotions.

The question becomes….how can I become a profitable servant? And what does this have to do with increasing our faith?

We are only profitable servants as we become, under His hand, able to minister to the Lord’s satisfaction….by letting Him have His way and will with us.

Again, I want to point out that faith “sees” God…..it is the instrument by which we know God in our lives.

It is a gift from God, implanted by the Holy Spirit, when we are born again…..but it is to grow….mature in the knowledge of God,…..and in love to God.

Both are “services” to God.

The more we know of God in our lives, the more we are able to go through the trials and tribulations in this world, by faith….it has increased.

The more we place ourselves at God’s disposal, the more we learn how precious He regards us….our faith has increased, as our love has increased.

So how to increase our faith?

….Jesus says: use it, by doing the obediences I place in front of you….

…and use it, by submitting to My personal discipline, and fall in love with Me.

Our personal intimacy with God is to grow.

We start out as babes in faith….being helped to do everything.

Then we become servants of God, by faith…..learning to submit to Him in everything….but by each obedience we have the ability to gain in fellowship.

Then we become mature workers of God…..by realizing that it is Him we are serving,…..in any situation, in any place, with anyone….He becomes the main reason for our existence.

We become “profitable servants”, by becoming what He has purposed for us to be…..not by what we do (The Lord has provided all we need to do every good work He calls us to)……

….but by becoming devoted to Christ Himself.

The Lord Jesus will not knock down your heart’s door….

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.”

What is “sup” here?

It is fellowship……..the Creator with His creature, the Lord with His disciple, the Master with His servant.

But there is no real fellowship, if there is not an open door to our lives.

Fellowship means shared conversation….as with a partner, or companion who is traveling with you.

To sit before Jesus and hear His parables would be amazing….

To sit at Jesus feet, and listen to Him is wonderful…..

But to sit with Jesus in conversation, and life…..is “sup”…..for we are opening up ourselves and our life to Him, in everything.

A life open to and receptive to Him.

The Lord will not knock down the door to our hearts, and come in….

….nor will He force us into a fellowship that we do not desire;

All this rest with our “want to”…..do we want to have shared conversations with Christ Jesus, our Lord,…….about everything?

You will never have the love relationship that He wants for us, until the Holy Spirit has created within you this “want to”.

Example:

Luke 19:1 “And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho,”

Notice that Jesus was just passing through…..He was not staying, or even preaching….He was passing through.

He had just healed the blind man, at the outskirts of Jericho (Luke 18:41-43)…..

….and He was headed to Jerusalem (Luke 18:31).

Jesus was in His last weeks, before He was to be crucified…..He was going to Jerusalem…..

…but all along the way….He saves…..all who “want to”

Luke 19:2-4 “And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.

And he sought to see Jesus who He was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him: for he was to pass that way.”

Here was “want to”……for Zacchaeus does everything he can to see Jesus.

Notice the verse says, “….he sought to see Jesus who He was…”

Jesus’ fame had spread all over the land….and Zacchaeus wanted to know what real godly goodness and power looked like.

Zacchaeus was a publican…..a tax collector….who made himself rich from the taxes he collected for Rome, from his own people.

Tax collectors were hated,…..I probably would have felt the same way about someone who was acting for the those that oppressed the people….and Zacchaeus was “chief” among them.

But Zacchaeus had a longing…..which turned into opportunity, when Jesus came through his city.

So with as much diligence and effort as this little man had,…

…….he climbed up into a tree so that he might see this man that was suppose to be the Messiah, the Son of God….

….and then something unexpected happened…

Luke 19:5. “And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.”

What!?

Here is an invitation to “sup”……to fellowship with Jesus….in Zacchaeus own house…

Why?

Jesus was passing through….yet stayed because Zacchaeus wanted to see……and know Him.

(He will do the same with anyone who wants to fellowship with Him…..He will stay and “abide”….another term of fellowship and partnership.)

Jesus’ invitation given…..there are two distinct reactions:

Joy for Zacchaeus……”he made haste and came down and received Him joyfully”

Murmuring for the people who saw…..”He is gone to be a guest with a man that is a sinner.”

They were following their leaders attitude….even after all the miracles and Words from the Lord Jesus….they still murmured when mercy was shown someone they considered unworthy…

Jesus had explained, at the beginning of His ministry to the Pharisees…..

“They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Matthew 9:11-13)

That is why Jesus Christ came to earth…..to save sinners…..for He will save all who will come to Him.

Zacchaeus had….”put himself in the way of righteousness”

Luke 19:8-10 “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord;

Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor;

and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Under the law, if a man defrauded another Israelite, they would have to restore the value of what was taken,….plus a fifth part of the value…..

……but Zacchaeus restored…..not according to law….

….but according to his love for his Savior….”fourfold”.

Jesus continued on to Jerusalem….

Luke 19:28 “And when He had thus spoken, He went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.”

There He would come in to praises and shouts of…..”Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord…” (Matthew 21:9)

And a week later….He would be given a cross…..to shouts of…..”Crucify Him, crucify Him.” (Luke 23:21)…..

He came to “knock and speak” to His people……and now He “knocks and speaks” to His Church….

…but…He will not knock our heart’s door down.

He offers fellowship….have we heard Him….do we have this longing…this “want to”…..to know Him in this way?

We must always keep in mind, Who it is, that is speaking to us…..and what He is able to do….

Will we answer His call to “abide” with Him in our house….joyfully?……to “sup” with Him continually in our lives?

How much we need this of Christ Jesus….will we open the door to our lives….as we opened the door to our hearts…..and have that fellowship?

‘A life open to and receptive to Him.”

The Two Mirrors

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

James 1:23-24 “For if any be a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”

These two verses describe the one way we can “see” ourselves….and the two outcomes.

The “glass” here, means a “mirror” in which we can see ourselves….

….that mirror is the Word of God…..made known to us by the Spirit of God.

When we read it,…..or hear it preached,….when the Holy Spirit reminds us of it….then we “see” ourselves in the light of God….and we are given opportunity to be changed.

Notice I say, “to be changed”….not….”to change”.

Man is totally sinful….our hearts are deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9-10)….we are incapable of making any “change” that will please God….in our own power.

Even in the best of our works,….naturally,….there is the selfish desire for own honor, and our own praise for them.

The only thing we can do…..and that is with the help of the Holy Spirit within….is to will with God….yield to Him.

The Lord, by the workings of the Holy Spirit….changes us….transforms us,….molds us….into what we “see” in the Word….

….for the Word of God shows us Christ Jesus……His person, attributes….His character.

Let us look at the first Mirror:

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Notice “open” face….(this is the only place this Greek word is used in the New Testament. Open has a different Greek word everywhere else.)

“Open” here means…..unveiled!

When we come before the Lord, willing to know, by the Spirit, how we are….who we are….

…..then we have “open face” to behold what the Lord by the Spirit wants to show us….and to be changed.

(I want to mention here, that in the Old Testament….the Ten Commandments, and the law of Moses was given….so that the Israelite and all who would come to God….would “see” themselves as they were.

The Law was their mirror.

God was Holy. They were sinners….and could never measure up to His commandments….Hebrews 7:18-19…

….this is what the Law showed them….but there was no power in this mirror….only the bare truth of their sin.

Therefore God made the Tabernacle, and the sacrifices….to show them there is only power to live for God….in nearness to everything which spoke of Christ to come.

The Law showed them what they should do….and gave them sacrifices for their failures….which pointed them to Christ to come….

….for those who would have faith in the promise of His salvation from their sin.)

But since Christ has come and been the sacrifice for sin…..once for all….and is ascended to the right hand of God as our Mediator…….their is an open way to God….and to the power by the Holy Spirit….to be and to do:

Hebrews 4:14-15 “Seeing that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

For we have not a high priest which can not be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

Because of Who He is…..and what He finished….we can have the power of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling…..first as Comforter….then in fullness.

Hebrews 7:25 “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost

that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

This is power…..power to change us spiritually, emotionally, mentally,….in every way.

My husband, once, was praying about the these verses….and saw in a mirror his own reflection…..nothing new….but then, transposed over his reflection….was Jesus’s reflection.

We are to be us….the people the Lord has made us….yet, to be changed into the character of Christ….through us.

His reflection was still there….yet so was Christ’s….both together…..and this is the secret of power:

The Holy Spirit does not empower you to go off and take care of things yourself….not even for yourself.

But He empowers you to change….

…patience for impatience and frustration.

…forgiveness for anger and old resentments.

…energy for laziness.

…hope for discouragement and despair.

…love for the unlovely.

…peace in the rocky and desperate moments.

How?…..Now where the Spirit of the Lord is….there is liberty!

Liberty from our sins!

From our emotions, which roar in, when we least expect it!

From our thoughts….oh, how they can go from one thing to another! Right into sin!

All is given in the liberty of the Spirit. Us giving Him liberty in us…..then through us….we are changed….into Christ’s character….taking on His likeness….becoming filled with all the fullness of God.

James 1:23-24 “For if any man be a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”

There are two things to say about this man…..he listens and hears so he comes to the mirror…..and beholds his character.

He goes his way…..he does not act on what he sees….right away.

He puts it off.

“Wow!…..I’ll never forget what the Lord has shown me. I should do something about that.”

But he does not do anything….then. And he goes his way….thinking he can do something about it anytime.

And he forgets….he neglects, and forgets.

There is nothing of the Holy Spirit mentioned here. Where is He?

Is the liberty of the Spirit for this man as well?

It could have been….but the Spirit acts…now. There must be a act of the will toward God….now…

….or the hesitation, and putting off of God’s Call….will quench the Spirit.

When the man refused to will with the Word at first…..the Spirit was quenched.

When the man went his way….back into his normal life….the Spirit was grieved.

Where the Spirit of the Lord…..”is”…..there is liberty.

How important to come and “see”…..and then enter into that liberty immediately….willing to be changed….

….and have the Lord’s reflection on us.

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 Leper

Mark 1:40 “And there came a leper to Him, beseeching Him, and kneeling down to Him, and saying unto Him, If Thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.”

The fact that Jesus healed many, was well known. He had been preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God. (Mark 1:15). Wherever He went, He healed the sick, and crippled, as well.

As He went, a leper came asking for cleansing. “Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean”.

Jesus was moved with compassion. Leprosy is a terrible disease. How far along in the disease he was, is not said here….but in:

Luke 5:8. “And it came to pass, when He was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy; who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought Him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.”

This man was “full of leprosy”. In other words, this man’s case was hopeless. Leprosy starts as a “rising,(swelling), a scab, or bright spot” and continues till “raw flesh” appears. (Leviticus 13:2, 14)

It destroys and eats away the flesh, until fingers fall off, etc.

Leprosy is like sin. It begins small–a “swelling”. Wherever it breaks out, it puffs up the flesh.

But it is small–something you could ignore, if you chose to. Till it needs a scab.

That means there has been a open sore. It still could be small…but open, open to the contaminants of the world…..and growing.

And so it goes on, eating up our souls, destroying us; unless it is cleansed.

1 John 1:9 ” If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Yet, this man cried for mercy from the Lord Jesus;…..and received it.

Not only the Word of Healing;…….but Jesus “put forth his hand, and touched him”.

Mark 1:41-42 “And Jesus moved with compassion, put forth His hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

And as soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.”

Isaiah 59:1 “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it can not save; neither His ear heavy, that it can not hear:”

This was compassion only the Son of Man/the Son of God, could do:

Hebrews 4:15 “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

Jesus touched the leper, and gave His Word, “I will”. That cleansed him.

Jesus heart reached out and touched him,…..a leper, who should never be touched. (Most would not even let them come near them.)

Jesus willed, and spoke the word,…..and he was cleansed.

I am emphasizing this, because we feel that God’s Will, and His Word have different power…..no. What God wills, His power is already sent forth to do….in us, and by us.

What God’s Word says, is certain.

He did not need to speak….but stressed His compassion, by word.

He did not need to touch….but stressed His love, by His hand.

But now the Lord wanted him to do what God required for the cleansing, for a testimony of God’s goodness:

Mark 1:43-44 “And He straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;

And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: Go thy way, show thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.”

We can not save ourselves from our sin. We must come to Christ for that.

But we can be obedient to what He requires us, afterward, as a testimony to His Love and Word.

The leper was cleansed:

He came to the right person, and in the right way; seeking mercy.

And he was cleansed.

Then he went and did as Jesus required, as a testimony to Jesus as Lord and Savior,….and as the One who healed him.

We, too, are in need of cleansing: from small sins or large sins. We need forgiveness and cleansing.

But we can come to Jesus for His mercy……bowing down to Him, we can be cleansed of all our iniquities….receiving His grace (the unmerited favor of power).

The Leper was no longer a leper…..that is what he sought from Jesus….and what he got, by Jesus will, word, and touch.

Christ Jesus has the same, for all who will come to Him.

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

Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Know the manner of the love of God

1 John 3:1-2 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.

Beloved now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.”

What manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God!

He could have simply called us servants in His house.

For us sinners, that would have been a great mercy.

But He calls us “sons of God”.

In this, He gives us the privilege of “access”.

Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

By Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.”

Access…..we many come before His throne, anytime….

And He says we may come “boldly”.

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

The Lord says,….Come and get My mercy and help for now…..

….”in this time of need”, is the way I pray….when I claim this verse.

He gives us a place in the household of God.

Ephesians 2:19 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”

He blesses us with all spiritual blessings 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:”

In Christ we have an inheritance of blessings….not cursing.

He has so many for us: peace, joy, strength, courage, patience…etc.

He gives us authority to speak in His Name…we are His ambassadors.

2 Corinthians 5:19-20 “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

He gives us an inheritance; the Holy Spirit being the earnest or downpayment of all which is to come, here, and in heaven.

Through the Holy Spirit, we are lead, comforted, graced, and corrected all through this life to the life in heaven.

Ephesians 1:13-14 “In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also, after that ye believed ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,

Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.”

1 Peter 1:3-5 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

And as a Father, He corrects us, that we might become all we can be.

Hebrews 12:9-10 “Futhermore, we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence (respect): shall we not much more rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure, but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.”

God’s character in sending His Beloved Son to die for us, is love.

God’s purpose in sending His Beloved Son to die for us, is that we might be “the sons of God”; conformed into His likeness.

1 John 4:8-9 “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.”

What manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us!

“Bestowed” here is in the present tense: which means He is always giving us (has given, is giving, and will give), because we are His sons.

One of the last exhortations before the Revelation; is…

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

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

Hold tight onto the Father’s hand, as His children.

Receive from the Father’s hand all He wants to give, and use it.

Hear His correction and become conformed to Christ’s image.

Keep ourselves in the love of God.

Today!

Hebrew 3:15 “While it is said, Today if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts as in the provocation.”

All our lives comes down to ‘Today’. Tomorrow is not yet. Yesterday, with its success and failures, is done.

But today we have. Today we have the opportunity to turn to God and do His Will.

We never know what a day will bring. We should, therefore, determine which direction our lives will go, while we have today.

So today, if you will hear His Voice.

We can hear God’s voice in nature; many have seen the changing seasons and heard God speak to them:

Psalms 74:17 “…Thou hast made summer and winter.”

If the seasons change, all over the world, surely that means that the sadness of today is not permanent; but will give way to rejoicing.

We can hear God through His Word. It is His revelation of Himself and His Ways to us. The Holy Spirit will help us understand it, when we ask Him.

And we can hear His Voice to us, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit within. He is Light, and will make known to us, HIs Will.

John 7:17 “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine (teaching) whither it be of God, or whither I speak of myself.”

Jesus said, If we really want to know His Will, we can know.

God considers our “heart” the throne of our mind, emotions and will.

So when we hear Him, we are to “soften” our hearts by yielding to His Will.

To “harden” our hearts is when, we will not to do it; for whatever reason.

Zechariah 7:9-11 “Thus speaketh the Lord of Hosts, saying, Execute true judgement, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother:

And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor, and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.

But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.”

A hardened heart is not caused by circumstances, or birth;…….but a choice of will.

When Israel hardened their heart: they first refused to listen, for they did not want to be responsible.

They thought that if they had not heard, God could not require His Word to be obeyed.

They pulled away from the work of “shouldering” the burdens of prayer, faithfulness, and love.

Finally they stopped their ears,…..or filled their ears with other voices,…..so they would not have to know God’s Voice in the circumstances.

Again, God considers our heart, the throne of our mind, emotions, and will.

But He can give us “hearts of flesh”; or tender hearts, which will return the love He gives us,….back to Him.

Ezekiel 11:19-20 “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stoney heart out of the flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh:

That they may walk in My statues, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.”

The Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Godhead, is given to us in our hearts to make alive again, and guide. He rules, and over rules, in circumstances which affect His People.

Without Him we can do nothing.

But with His Almighty energy, the most extraordinary results can be produced.

Everything depends upon His manifesting or concealing His Power.

Are we anxious to obtain His help?

Are we watching so we will not provoke Him to be silent?

Oh how much we need Him to speak to our inner man and give us courage!

The Holy Spirit is not a temporary gift; He abides with us.

He does not weary of us (Amazing Love!).

But He waits to be gracious at times, till we really see our need, and seek Him.

It is love which makes a hard heart into a softened heart, yielding to God’s Spirit.

It is God’s love given to our hearts,……and then returned to Him, by us.

In love, He speaks of “Today”, if…..you will hear His Voice.

Turn to Christ Jesus, and yield to HIs Spirit within.

Receive His love,….and return it to Him.

He wants to bless each heart given to Him,……”Today”.

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

The Roman’s hobnail sandals, were for their sure footing in all kinds of terrain.

They were hard on the bottom, with little spikes to grab into the earth.

They had leather straps which tied the leather leggings….so that their ankles and legs were supported, and protected.

In the Christian life, we need sure footing, if we are to walk through this world,….and all it’s situations;

….and resist the Adversary of our souls.

That solid footing is provided by the gospel of peace. The gospel of peace, is that Word from the Lord to us about our peace….

…Judicial peace because we are born again…Hallelujah

…”Peace be still” to the storm around us.

…Hold your peace, and let Me fight for you.

We stand in His Word….on His promises to us….to uphold and keep us.

(In the world we have all sorts of things….”bombarding” us.

Not just temptations….although they are there…

….but things of our common life….bills, illness, fights with family and co-workers,….all the things with cause us to worry, and become fearful.)

But there is a place of rest, and peace of mind for every Christian.

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

(Notice here, that Jesus is speaking of Himself…but seeing us, as in Him,…He speaks of the overcoming peace He has for us.)

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

This peace is God’s hiding place for every believer….

Psalm 91:1 “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

That “secret place” is a place of covering and protection….so is His promises to us.

Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

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

Peace “keeps” us….

For it settles our “ruffled feathers”…..it soothes our weary minds….it keeps us from sinning with our lips…..it protects us from charging after the “pie in the sky”…..

….and mostly…..importantly….it keeps us attached to God….for He is our peace….it is His arms about us.

If we do not learn how to depend upon the promises of God for peace,……than we will not have sure footing……to be able to stand against the wiles of the Adversary.

For that is the “digging in” of the hobnail sandals…in every place.

Why is it our feet? Why not our minds, or breastplate?

Because it is in our everyday life….our everyday circumstances….that we run into strife, anger (ours or others), hurt, and worry.

It is as we are walking along in the Lord’s Way, that we are attacked…..and if we do not have sure footing in God’s promises to us….then we can be thrown off balance and knocked down.

Worry, anxiety, tension, fear….meet all of these with the Gospel of peace…a promise for you from His Word.

One that you can get a hold of…and one that can get a hold of you.

The Lord wants to garrison your walk with Him….with His peace.

This is of the Holy Spirit, not something you do…..it is not your hanging on to Him….but your yielding to Him….His Word…..His promise to you.

Then He does the guarding and protecting. And He does all things well.

(My daughter, when she was just beginning High School, was in a study room that was chaos. She could not do her work for the constant noise, and antics.

The teacher that was suppose to monitor the room, just ignored the situations.

The teacher would enter in if there things being thrown around….but mostly, the noise she would ignore.

Finally, my daughter became so frustrated, she began to just sit there, waiting till the time was up.

I told her, that what she needed was peace……

She said, “yes, peace and quiet, so I can get my work done.”

So I told her to pray…..right before she went in….asking for peace for herself.

A few days later, she told me that the noise was not any better….

….but that, instead, she had like a barrier to it in her mind…..she could really concentrate on her studies!

And get them done.)

God’s peace comes to us….and grounds us….in Him. We feel His presence,….we know His help,….we rest in His keeping us.

This is God’s sure footing for us.

The Centurion’s Faith

Luke 7:8 “For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.”

There were very few times the Lord dealt with the Gentiles during His ministry on earth,……but in this instance, He is very pleased with this Centurion’s faith!

Luke 7:9 “When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned Him about, and said unto the people that followed Him,

I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

So let us consider this Centurion’s faith.

First his faith sought out Jesus.

The Centurion had a servant, “who was dear unto him”, who was sick. He wanted him well…..and having heard of Jesus, Who had healed many….this Centurion asked the elders of the city to ask Jesus to “come and heal my servant”.

Then, the Centurion’s faith led him to see,….that Jesus did not need to “come and heal” him…..

….Jesus had but to say in a Word, and it would be done.

But why did he come to this conclusion….surely he knew Jesus was coming to his house to do as he asked…..

….why then, did he change the request to: “but say in a word, and my servant will be healed”?

Was it a challenge….testing if Jesus could heal?

No, for that would not be faith….but trial.

When faith really gets into our hearts….it does two things. It shows us God, His Might and Wisdom…..

….and it shows us….us, in our meanness and lack.

Faith had open the eyes of the Centurion to Christ Jesus as God’s Son….and to himself as “unworthy”…..

…..this alone is amazing faith….for it takes us out of ourselves….and anchors our expectation in God.

But notice the message he sends to Jesus: “…but say in a word,…”

A word….not prayer, sentence, words…..but “a word”.

His faith had come by hearing of Jesus (Romans 10:17).

Then it had shown him Who Jesus was…..which had humbled him. (James 4:10)

Then it had anchored his heart in belief in His Authoritative Word….and so he asks for “a word”.

And he showed Jesus by an example that he understood and believed His authority to speak that Word.

“I am a man under authority…..and I say, “Go…and they go”. I say, “Come, and they come”. I say, “Do this and they do it”.

I understand about the word of authority……my authority is from Rome….because I am under the authority of the Empire.

I understand that Your Word will be done……because You have Authority from God, Your Father.

Speak a Word, and it will be done.”

You will notice that this Centurion did not say….”of Authority”….or “in Authority”…..but “under Authority”.

“For I also am a man set under authority…”

This is a faith that is now set firmly on the Rock…..for this Centurion knew that the Man Christ Jesus spoke for God….even as he spoke for Rome.

And this man’s faith was honored….

……as he honored the Lord Jesus before the elders of the city…..his own servants….and ultimately the crowd that followed the Lord.

The servant was “whole”…..completely healed.

Luke 7:10 “And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.”

What of our faith?

Surely, as we have heard of Christ Jesus, and have believed in Him….we have faith.

But how far have we yielded to this faith?

Have we let this faith show us God…..and ourselves, and been humbled?

James 4:6 “But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

Are we founded on Christ…..and His Word…..for us? (Matthew 7:24-25)

At the Centurion’s faith….Jesus “marveled”…..which means in the Greek….He admired it.

Jesus had come to Israel as their Messiah……telling that the kingdom of God has come…

…..they loved His miracles and provision…..and His parables….they loved hearing Him….

…..but faith had not been grasped by most of them….and Jesus Christ had not been honored by them.

“…I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

But the Centurion’s faith was received into the heart….and the results were “amazing”!

Let us, who have faith, yield to the many things it brings to us…..and honor our Lord with it.

Romans 5:2-5 “By Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations (trials) also;

Knowing that tribulations worketh patience;

And patience, experience;

And experience, hope:

And hope maketh not ashamed;

Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

Faith gives us all these things…let us have them and use them.

He that hath an ear to hear,….let him hear

Amos 3:8 “ The lion hath roared, who will not fear? The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?”

(To Prophesy is to tell God’s people what is on His mind for them…whether for now or future)

(I love Amos, for he was an ordinary man….a herdsman—a shepherd of sheep and goats…..and a gatherer of sycamore fruit—which is like figs. Amos 7:14-15.

Yet God called him, and told him to “Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.”

There was still time, before God would bring judgement upon them, (they would be taken away into captivity)…to repent and do what was right.

Yet it was an odd time to send Amos….there was prosperity in that land. Riches and wine…..were everywhere. Yet Amos went….in his shepherd garb….and made a great effect on the people he preached to….so much so that “the land is not able to bear all his words.” Amos 7:10)

The only ones who would not fear, or would not speak His words….are those who refuse to hear.

Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding.”

There is fear….and there is fear of the Lord.

Many confuse the two. They are easily defined:

Fear is being gripped with terror, and panic, for what might happen to you or yours.

Fear of the Lord is reverence and a watchfulness to not offend the One who loved us so much that He died for us.

He is Sovereign,….and all things work to His Sovereign Pleasure or determination.

We would change this or that…..make “improvements” here or there…..

…but what God wants in all circumstances….is to change us.

We want deliverance, out of our circumstances…..He wants to deliver us in our circumstances….and through our circumstances.

(I remember a time, when God was dealing with me….and I kept bumping heads with Him….giving Him all sorts of reasons to not go through this trial.

But when I….finally…..submitted, I was helped….I was given peace…..I was led through….and through I went. I can not say I had the victory…..but I can sure say He had the victory over me! Hallelujah!)

Amos 3:6 “Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people’s not be afraid? Shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?”

Things do not just happen. God has a purpose for each person.

God’s general way of dealing with HIs people is to speak first….”rebuke….and chasten” (Revelation 3:19)….but when those to whom He speaks refuse to hear….

….then He chastens…..to awaken them to His Word.

Amos 7:8 “And the Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said , A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:”

Here is chastening.

God measures how straight we are. Are we in line with HIs Word to us?

If we are not, we are ready to fall…as a wall leaning in places.

All who have ears to hear, let him hear…..is spoken many times in the gospel by the Lord Jesus.

And again in every church age…..He that ears, let him hear.

What is the Lord speaking to us about? Are we running after riches to our hurt? Are we seeking the wine of worldly life….and forgetting to be filled with the Spirit of God?

As Amos said to Israel….

Amos 8:11 “Behold the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord:”

It came to pass for them…..God gave them a time to repent….to turn to Him and HIs Words.

“Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the Lord, the God of hosts shall be with you….” (Amos 5:14)

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

Because He loves us…..He will rebuke….let us hear.

God will have His godly remanent in this age as in all others.

Be zealous therefore, and repent of what He is showing you….Hear and your soul shall live.