Spiders, and their Webs

God has three verses which talk about spiders. I believe they are a good illustration of us, as sinners;…..unsaved sinners,….as well as saved sinners.

Spiders spin their webs from inside of themselves. Building a “home” from what comes out of them.

It is connected to things around them. Some large and elaborate; others small and inconspicuous,….till you tear it down.

Then they are sticky, and cling to everything.

Job 8:13-15 “So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrites hope shall perish:

Whose hope is cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider’s web.

He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.”

The “hope” of a spider is it’s web. It builds it to feed itself by the things it catches in it. It nests there wrapping in it’s own web to anchor it in wind and storm.

But it comes from inside itself; and although an amazing creation, it will not endure.

So is every person born. We fashion a life, without God; from within ourselves.

What we imagine, we believe.

What we want, we build to catch.

And we surround ourselves with a protection, which holds for awhile; but does not endure the trials of life.

Our minds become unproductive;…..our affections run wild;…..and our wills become hardened.

Isaiah 59:4-6 “None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for the truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.

They….weave the spider’s web:….

Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.”

God has promised that like the spider and it’s web, the works of all who trust in that which they build themselves, without Him, will not cover them.

The nakedness of the soul of man; can only be covered with the righteousness of Christ.

Nothing else will do.

All else,…….is as the spider’s web;….blown away, or swept away by cleansing storms, or the bristles of a broom. Easily torn down, and stepped on.

So what can we “spiders” do, to have a permanent “home” with God?

Proverbs 30:28 “The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings palaces.”

(Some use this verse for the hypocrite. Certainly there are many hypocrites in the church. People pretending to love God, but weaving a garment of their own making, for show.

But it also lends itself [and Bunyan used it the second Pilgrim’s Progress] to the “spider”, who takes hold of Christ Jesus; and because of it, is in the Palace of the Great King.)

The first thing required of all men, is repentance:

Acts 17:24,27-31 “God that made the world and all the things therein, seeing as He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from everyone of us:

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent:

Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead.”

To repent: to change our minds, affections, and wills about Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives, and receive Him.

John 1:12 “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.”

To turn to Christ, and away from the world, and self.

To repent: to turn from trusting ourselves, or the things within ourselves,……..and to turn to the Lord Jesus Christ.

To repent of the desire to “catch” for ourselves a life, other than His Will, (how independent we are from God)……instead of choosing His guidance.

So, what shall we do?

Keep weaving “webs” from ourselves, and having them knocked out from under us?

Or “take hold” of Christ Jesus by repentance and faith in Him….to have what He has purposed for us? In this life, and the one to come.

Priscilla and Aquila

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

Proverbs 31:30 “Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”

Priscilla and Aquila were husband and wife;…..and partners in their tent making, and their spiritual work. (They are always mentioned together)

It does not say that they were converted by Paul, so they might have been born again before meeting him.

Whether that is so, or they became believers in Christ Jesus after meeting Paul, they became a strong, spiritual ally in the work Paul did; and in the early church.

Paul met Priscilla and Aquila in his second missionary journey, (they were tent makers like Paul.)

Yet they had a helpful impact on him throughout his ministry….he speaks of them in his last letter to Timothy (2 Timothy 4:19). They stayed true to the simple gospel of Christ, and to the believing workers which they met.

Acts 18:1-3 “After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome) and came unto them.

And because he (Paul) was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.”

Paul spent one year and six months in Corinth….”teaching the Word of God among them.”

All this time he also worked, looking after his needs and the needs of those workers with him, by tent making.

His preaching was successful, though there was opposition, for the Lord told him: “Be not afraid,….hold not thy peace: for I am with thee,….for I have much people in this city.”

It was not a likely place for the gospel to come; for it was a great city, having hundreds of thousands of people living there. They were notorious for sin….some using as a slang for wonton behavior, elsewhere,……they were “Corinthians”.

Paul went into the synagogue first, to listen…then when the opportunity was given, he preached about the scriptures in the Old Testament about Christ….then finally he preached that Jesus was Christ. (Acts 18:5)

That the One: Jesus Christ, that was crucified at Jerusalem, had been raised from the dead, and was even now at the right hand of God.

And all that would believe on Him, would be saved….fulfilling all the promises that were given their fathers.

When the synagogue rulers cried out against the message….he went to the gentiles….and preached there for a year and a half.

When he left and came to Ephesus; Priscilla and Aquila went with him. He did not at this time stay for long…..though he preached in the synagogue there….but left Priscilla and Aquila to encourage those that believed.

In Ephesus, a man named Apollos came. He had been baptized by John the Baptist and believed that the Jews were to repent and prepare for the Messiah. He was eloquent in the Old Testament scriptures and preached diligently the things John had said about the Lord.

When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and showed him all the things of Jesus Christ; and the Way that Jesus’ death and resurrection, had opened up salvation for all who would believe on Him, by faith.

Instantly he believed, and became a powerful preacher, not just in Ephesus, but in Corinth. (1 Corinthians 1:11-12)

Paul came on his third missionary journey back to Ephesus, and stayed two years:

Acts 19:10 “And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwell in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.”

Paul mentions Priscilla and Aquila, and the church at their house in Ephesus, when he writes 1 Corinthians 16:19.

Priscilla and Aquila returned to Rome, after that, and began a church in their house:

Romans 16:3-5a “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Jesus Christ:

Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

Likewise greet the church that is in their house….”

When Paul wrote the Roman church, he includes a special tribute to these two helpers, he knew there. He knew that they would read his letter to the church in their house, and pass it on to others in Rome.

Paul tells that they risked their lives for him….willingly laying aside their safety, putting “their own necks” in danger. (Quite a descriptive phrase, since in the end Paul was beheaded in Rome)

And in the end of Paul’s life, (he was arrested, sent to Rome,….released, and arrested again,….then executed)….he wrote to Timothy that if he could, Timothy should come and bring a cloak (how cold it must have been in prison); and some parchments.

He asks that Timothy salute Priscilla and Aquila, which it seems, had returned to Ephesus in Asia…..and had a church in their house there.

(Perhaps they were sent by Paul, because the churches in Asia were turning away from his instructions….he had warned Ephesus:

Acts 20:29-30 “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”)

They were not in Rome when Paul went before Cesear the second time.

They and another Christian, had remained loyal to the simple gospel Paul preached, when others had begun to assert their own authority, and added philosophy to the gospel….corrupting it. (2 Timothy 1:15)

As Christians, we need to know the gospel of Jesus Christ:

The Son of God came in the flesh,

born of a virgin,

lived a perfect life,

died a sacrifice to God for the sins of the world,

was raised again the third day by the power of God,

and sits at the right hand of God the Father in power, as our Mediator for all who believe on Him, by faith.

We should be able to tell it to others;…..and encourage other believers in the Word.

Priscilla and Aquila were just two people who worked and lived in the time of the early church….but they became a force for God’s Will, and Paul’s encouragement….always having a church in their house….always giving the gospel of Christ Jesus to all who would hear.

Would you be a Follower of Jesus?

Matthew 16:24. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

This is for born again ones, for they have received the Holy Spirit, and His grace.

If any man will come after Me. What does it mean to come after Jesus?

First, it means that you get up from where you are in your life and leave it. To come after means leaving; But not in the physical sense.

It is a “leaving” of the past attitudes, past sins, and past pursuits to come after Him.

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, “

Second, it means you follow Christ, by being obedient to His commands on your life.

John 14:23 “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

Third, it means to suffer for, and because of Christ. Every follower of Christ will, sooner or later, come to the place where they must choose the world or Christ, and if you choose Christ; the world will make you “suffer” in some respect.

Fourth, it means to stand with those for whom Christ died: other Christians.

John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

Matthew 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

You deny yourself and take up your cross and follow Him. You need to “bear” your cross, to the place in your experience that you no longer resist His will in anything.

Your cross is anything God has required, which cuts across your will. There you need to say “no” to your will; and do God’s Will for your life. This is to bear your cross.

This is a very personal thing, between you and your Lord; for He says, “if any man will”. It is not any Church, any group, any family, even; but any man.

The personal aspect is important. The necessity of it dates back to our beginnings:

We were not consulted in our creation: Where we were born, in what family, or when we were born, and the person we were born as.

We just were,…..and that was that.

As Christians, we are to come to the place in our experience that we don’t just acknowledge God’s Creative Right, but we submit to it.

We will be the creature before the Creator.

Letting His choice for us, be our best.

For some of us, we must acknowledge, we have been having a fit with God about ourselves, in some realm, since we knew God.

Maybe it was our family: Why put me with these people?

Maybe it was our abilities: Couldn’t you at least make me great in something?

Maybe it was our looks: My nose is too big; my eyes not blue enough; You could have made me prettier than “them”.

Whatever it is; we are not satisfied with our circumstances, or (often) ourselves.

So, here is a good place to follow Jesus:

Matthew 11:25-26 “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.”

Jesus came to do the Father’s Will, and never tried to do otherwise; even to His shame and death.

Jesus said He came to give life, and to give it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

If you are a Christian, He offers this abundant life within the life He gave you in your beginning;……and in what He gives you now as His servant.

In this abundant life there is joy of spirit, peace of heart, courage in peril, love of others, and a personal relationship with the One Who loved and saved you. (More personal than any other relationship you will ever have: for He knows everything about you,…..and loves you.)

Would you be a follower of Jesus?

Then come after Him, by denying yourself, picking up your cross and following Jesus into your abundant life.

Not without troubles,……but always with His presence and power by the Holy Spirit to help.

The “tree” and “mountain” in our way

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.”

Mark 11:22-23 “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast unto the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”

There are many things which can hinder our walk with the Lord….but these two are specifically said to be removed….by faith….by believing the Lord.

Sycamine trees, or sycamore trees are trees with fruit like figs…..with deep roots.

For the emphasis here….in the removal of it…is the roots.

“Be thou plucked up by the root…and be thou planted in the sea…”

(Most trees have as much root beneath them as the limbs coming out from it.)

For the scriptures say,…we need to be diligent in dealing with our “roots of bitterness”.

Hebrews 12:15 “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”

These points of bitterness, “trouble you”. They spring up at an unsuspecting time, and hinder our attitude, prayers, and love.

We all have these points of bitterness…..something from our past—whether long past…or not long ago—where someone has hurt us….and we have not forgiven them.

Maybe we have tried to “forget it”…..or shrug it off….but the Lord says, “forgive from your heart”…

For if you read the beginning of the chapter…..Jesus is talking to his disciples about offenses and forgiveness.

“Take heed to yourselves:”. Again be diligent

“If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him…”. Tell him his fault, and maybe you will find that it was not a willful act (trespass)….

…but an oversight…a mistake.

….not that it will hurt the less…

…so Christ says, “by faith..the faith of a mustard seed…you can say to this hurt….this resentment which has rooted in your heart and mind…these thoughts against this person or persons which have hurt you…..be thou plucked up and cast into the sea.”

How freeing this is!

Truly, forgiveness is the casting of the injury and sin against us,…the trespass…into the sea…out of our sight….and out of our emotions…

…as the Lord casts our sins out of HIs sight.

Isaiah 38:17 “Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but Thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for Thou hast cast all my sins behind Thy back.”

Forgiveness is the making the thing broken….whole or healed.

Therefore forgiveness is first for the Lord’s sake….for He wants us to be whole…with nothing between He and us.

Then it is for the other person’s sake….for a sin against their soul, injures it, whether they believe it or not.

Then it is for our sake….for forgiveness is tearing away the bonds they have placed on you…and being healed.

And our forgiveness…is whether they ask for it or not.

We need faith to forgive….for forgiveness is difficult.

Faith lays hold on God’s power…..and when faith is even as small as a mustard seed…it can encourage the other graces within us….under the power of the Holy Spirit….and give us the victory in this situation. (1 John 5:4)

Then there is the hinderance of a mountain.

(Mark 11:21-22 “…whosoever say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt…but shall believe…he shall have whatsoever he saith.”)

Three times the removal of “this” mountain is spoken of.

(The other two are Matthew 17:20, 21:21)

It is a specific mountain….a hinderance….an impossible, hard, unflinching hinderance.

And it is to be removed! A mountain….that thing that hinders me….removed!

(And three times in the scriptures (Genesis 18:14, Jeremiah 32:17, 27) it is spoken…”Is there anything too hard for the Lord?”)

“This” mountain maybe misunderstanding….which has hindered our hearts from believing the Lord completely.

Mark 8:17 “And when Jesus knew it, He saith unto them….perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?”

When we do not understand the Lord’s Word….our ears are dull to what He is telling us….and we do not follow Him as we should.

“This” mountain maybe grief… Proverbs 15:13 “….but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”

Psalm 147:3 “He (the Lord) healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”

“This” mountain maybe a certain set of circumstances….something which is hindering your getting the Lord’s Will accomplished….

…..which often times can be traced back to our unbelief about the work…

…as when the disciples failed to heal a man’s son….

“And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.” Matthew 17:16

“And when the disciples asked Him why they could not….Jesus said, Because of your unbelief:… “ Matthew 17:19-20

We do not often see the gravity of the sin of unbelief….

…that is why we must have faith in God…

….and our faith must be in exercise.

We must keep turning our eyes to Jesus Christ.

You can describe faith (as I often do) as seeing God always before you.

But you can also say that faith….holds on to God.

Faith is the foundation of all other graces….and without the exercising of it, these other graces of hope, love, peace….fall.

Faith is the act of seeing, and believing, and knowing, and reaching out for….

…and it is all toward God….who can do all things.

Lord, increase our faith.

His Pleasure for me.

Revelation 4:10 “The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,”

The glory of having a crown in that day, will be, to cast it at the feet of Jesus.

He deserves all the honor: for He created us, saved us, sustained us, and brought us to the place of all joy: heaven and His Presence forever.

This crown is truly our own; we have “earned” it as a reward for our devotion to the Lord Jesus. We could walk around heaven with it on, if we wanted to.

[There are three crowns for us in heaven, spoken of in scripture:

the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8) to them that love His appearing;

the crown of life (James 1:12) to them that love Him;

and the crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4) by feeding the flock of God, by being examples to the flock.]

But the real glory of having a crown; is to cast it down at His feet.

He has shown me this verse, I read it everyday:

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

He created all things: By His Almighty Power He made something out of nothing.

And for His pleasure they are , and were created.

“Pleasure” here means determination.

If, indeed, we exist for His Pleasure/Determination, what is His Pleasure where we are concerned?

What has He determined for us?

It is to be reconciled to Him…..in all things.

(Is there something you are not reconciled to God, about? I wish to tell you….He comes to meet us….as we come to Him. [the prodigal])

2 Corinthians 5:19-20 “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and have 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.”

This is to put first things, first.

And it is in today’s situation that this must be done.

We can not wait for “better” opportunities, or a “more convenient season”.

“Lord, I am here now, by Your pleasure……In this set of circumstances.

May I adjust to them,…..seek Your will in them,…..and see Your will brought to pass in me, by them.

And may I know Your joy and peace in them.”

(How many opportunities have I missed because I thought that this situation was just like before? Too many. )

But we can be “crowned” here, by the Lord, as well:

Psalms 103:2-5 “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all they diseases;

Who Redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowned thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

The “crownest” here, means to encircle for protection.

Here, we are crowned with God’s lovingkindness and mercy for our protection…..crowned also suggests noticeable, for testimony to others for our God.

In heaven, we are given crowns to reward our devotion to Christ…..the joy of which, will be to give them back to Jesus….Who won us to Himself….by His sacrifice and life.

We are created for a purpose. Saved for a purpose. Guided into that purpose, which is His Pleasure/Determination, by the Holy Spirit.

Will we be reconciled to Him in all things,…..and our purpose….day by day?

Let us have the crown of love and mercy encircle us now….and look forward in devotion to Christ, to be able to throw our crowns down at His feet.

Praise ye the Lord

Psalm 150:6 “Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.”

Thirteen times in this psalm….praise of the Lord is spoken of:

“praise the Lord”, “praise Him”, “praise God”.

The book of Psalms begins with God’s estimate of the man that is blessed….which is the man who makes God and His Word, his satisfaction.

Psalms 1:1-2 “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.”

The Psalms ends with a estimate of God’s due….by the man who has found God as his satisfaction….praise for all He is, and all He has done.

Psalm 150:1-2 “Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in HIs sanctuary: praise Him in the firmament of His power.

Praise Him for HIs mighty acts: praise Him according to His excellent greatness.”

Someone has said, that the Psalms are the heart’s response to God’s dealings with HIs people.

In Psalms we see, not just the spiritual history…..but the feelings and thoughts of the people of God.

Some were written by Moses….and placed in this book. (Psalm 90)

Some were written by others….but most were songs and cries from David.

David, the shepherd,(Psalm 23, 100)…..David, in prayer (Ps. 86),….David, the hunted by Saul, (Ps. 59)…..David, the king,….David, the sinner (Psalm 32, 51)…..David, the lover of the House of the Lord (Psalm 84, 24)

In all the situations and trials we come into contact with….we will find a like situation….and feelings in the Psalms.

Moses about the attitude of the Israelites. (Ps.106)

David when his own son was trying to destroy him and his kingship (Ps. 3).

When the psalmist became discouraged about the wicked…how they seemed to have no trouble, yet the righteous had all sorts of trials. (Ps. 73)

David when he gave into the wrong means….and tried to “save” himself from Saul’s hate, by going to the Philistines. (1 Sam. 21:10-15, Ps.34)

All through the Psalms there are passages of great comfort…..exhortations to right means….and the cries of God’s people in distress, trouble, doubt, and correction.

Psalm 102…a prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before the Lord.

Psalm 102:19-20 “For He hath looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth.

To hear the groaning of the prisoners; to loose those that are appointed to death.”

Psalm 22….a prophesy of the afflictions and crucifixion of Christ.

Psalm 22:1, 18 “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me? Why art Thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my venture.”

Psalm 110…a prophesy of the coming kingdom of David’s son….Christ Jesus.

Psalm 110:2 “The Lord shall send the rod of Thy strength out of Zion: rule Thou in the midst of Thine enemies.”

God and me….is a great title for many of the psalms….

…and so, in the end,….through all these situations and deliverances…

…there is only one thing to do:

Praise the Lord! For all His wonderful works! For all HIs mercy!

Praise God! From the sanctuary to the heavens above…..give glory and praise to our Lord!

From me to Him…..let my heart, and mind, and whole being….praise the Lord.

Rain

Hosea 6:3 “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So Christ is offered to all who will receive Him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He gives us the fruit of His Spirit within us.

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

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

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

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

1 Corinthians 3:10-11 “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

Paul says he is a masterbuilder….an ambassador of Christ.

Simply he has gone about preaching the foundation of salvation through grace and faith….in Christ Jesus.

All is through Christ Jesus….but we must have the foundation of being born again…..then we too may build upon Him our part of His Purpose. (Matthew 7:24-27)

We are to be be watchful, as we preach and teach the kingdom…..to build on that foundation….all the things of Christ.

Titus 2:11-12 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lust, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”

Oh, the fullness of the grace of God that bringeth salvation….from sin, and ourselves, and the world! There is saving grace…Hallelujah! And there is enabling grace….Praise God!

Paul preached grace…and often sought in prayer a greater supply of grace for the churches…..that Christians might be spiritually awakened, and vigorous….in a healthy and obedient state….that they might be “to the praise of His glory.”

(You will notice here, it is the denying of ourselves…first,…in anything that opposes God (ungodliness)….and in anything that runs after the world’s attitudes and opinions (worldly lust)…

…that we might live…unto God.)

Soberly here, does not mean sadly…..

…it means concentrating on the things of the Lord….not letting things distract us.

(Some people say Christians are sad and mournful.

But Christianity….though often full of trials….is a joyous life….a life of:

“Turn my eyes upon Jesus….look full into HIs wonderful face….and the things of earth will grow strangely dim….in the light of HIs glory and grace.”)

Righteously,…walking in the light of HIs Will….keeping safely close to Him….and turning others to His light.

Godly, means reverent….honoring the Lord in word and life…..being a faithful servant to our Lord…..a faithful brother or sister in Christ.

(The word, “reverent” has somehow gotten to be spoken of in a bad light in this world….

….but reverent is a sweet term showing the hearts awe of our wonderful Lord. It is placing Him above and first….and laboring to give glory to Him in character, as well as words.)

This is how we should live….eyes to Christ, walking in light, and our hearts full of honor to God.

Titus 2:13-14 “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.

Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

Paul’s heart wells up….as he is thinking of the goal of all our lives…

….to be in a ready state….for Christ’s return.

To be ready for the reign of Christ on the earth….by having that kingdom within us now! (Matthew 6:10)

For Christ Jesus gave Himself for us…..He became the sacrifice which would once take away our sins! (Hebrews 10:10, 12)

Christ now purifies us….by HIs blood and His Spirit….that we might be…

(It is “might be”….for the power by His Spirit is there….will we use what He paid the price for?)

…that we might be a peculiar people…zealous of good works.

We understand the good works….

…and we understand to do them in the chaos of this world…we need zealousness….or to be boiling hot!

But peculiar people? This simply means….”being beyond usual….special”.

He wants us to live up to our privileges as HIs son and daughter…to gain every promise….come to HIs throne of grace and get grace and mercy…

….and live obedient, joyful lives.

And as we look for Christ’s return for us…..let us also live for Him….and build on the foundation of Christ….those good works He has for us to do.

Thankfulness

In this Thanksgiving day, let us consider Who it is that gives to us of His fullness…..our blessed Lord Jesus Christ.

And let us remember the price He paid to redeem us, and bring us into His righteousness and glory.

John 1:16 “And of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.”

Romans 11:36 “For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to Whom be glory forever. Amen.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing.

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Quench not the Spirit.”

As Christians we are to seek God’s glory first. We are to shine His light through us, and to witness of Him.

One of the most effective means of “spreading abroad” His light is to give thanks;…..to be thankful.

I was quite unaware of how much the Old Testament spoke of rejoicing with God, until I read the scriptures through. It is amazing to see how much God wanted fellowship, even under the restraints of the law, with His own.

Leviticus 7:11-15 speaks of the peace offering.

It was one big party with God.

You were to bring your peace offering when something good happened. And you were to sacrifice part of the offering, then eat the rest of the offering with your family, friends, and the priests.

It was to eaten the same day, unless it was for a vow…..everyone was to have enough and abundance.

Moses in his instruction concerning their life in the land God gave them:

Deuteronomy 12:5, 7 “But unto the place which the Lord your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put His name there, even unto His habitation shall ye seek, and thither shalt thou come.

And there ye shall eat before the Lord your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the Lord thy God hath blessed thee.”

(Three times in this chapter, they are told to “rejoice” before the Lord. Deuteronomy 12:7, 12, 18)

The Psalms are full of praise, and glory to God. Most of them are written by David, a man after God’s own heart.

Psalm 30:11-12 “Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

To the end that my glory may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto Thee forever.”

Psalm 150:6 “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.”

Daniel was constant in his thanks to God, even when it meant he might be thrown into the lion’s den.

Daniel 6:10 “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house, and his windows being opened in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”

Praise and thankfulness is the result of yielding to the Spirit of God. He gives us the fullness of praise.

Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

Prayer and praise often goes together; for fellowship with the Lord encourages our joy.

Colossians 4:2. “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;”

Philippians 4:4, 6 “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, rejoice.

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God.”

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Paul says, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

God’s will is always our privilege to do.

But the giving of thanks to our blessed God in the Trinity of His Persons, is the strengthening of our bond with Him,

the encouraging of our faith,

fruitfulness in our life,

and a way to grow more in love with Him.

To Whom is the Arm of the Lord Revealed?

When God speaks of His Arm…..He refers to HIs might.

Isaiah 53:1 “Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the Arm of the Lord revealed?”

To whom indeed was His Arm revealed?

Not to many….and not to many of any consequence to the world.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 “For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are nought, to bring to nought things that are:

That no flesh should glory in HIs presence.”

“But God chose”….if you are one of the chosen of God, by salvation in Christ Jesus the Lord….you will have His Arm (HIs power and might) revealed to you……and for you.

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

“Underneath”…to uphold and catch us.

But He is not always seen as He is…

Isaiah 53:2 “For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.”

This speaks of Christ in His humiliation…..when He came to earth to take away our sins on the cross….He did not come with pomp and pageantry…..but:

Philippians 2:7 “But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”

If you had seen Him on the dusty road of Judea, He would have seem quite like everyone else.

Yet He was the Son of God…..and as a Servant to God, He went about doing good and healing people.

He spoke of the Kingdom of God…..inviting men to believe on Him….calling men to follow after Him, if they would.

Isaiah 53:3 “He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.”

For the three years of ministry and service to Israel, He had few real followers, although many would come to hear Him,…..or receive something from Him.

And when He presented Himself to them, as the Son of God…..even riding into Jerusalem as the Scriptures said (Zechariah 9:9)….”lowly, and riding upon a colt the foal of an ass”…to Hosanna to the Highest! (Matthew 21:9)

…still they rejected Him.

And have not we done the same….rejecting Who He is…..turning away from Him….until the Holy Spirit has awakened us to His claims on our lives?

To whom is the Arm of the Lord revealed? Only to those who will submit themselves to that Arm…..

And follow Him.