The ground of our Heart
Luke 8:5 “A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.”

Today we are going to talk about the ground of our hearts. All ground is not the same.
Some, is prepared ground: cultivated, ready for the seed and growth.
Some is hard, for it has been traveled on. The feet of many have walked over it, so it is hard and unable to receive the seed, without a lot of work.

Which ground are we?
Let us consider the Lord’s parable:

Luke 8:5 “A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.”

Here is one of the hard ground hearers. They have been beside the field, but are not part of it. There has been no making the ground ready for the Word. When the word of God comes in the seed, the ground does not receive it. The Word sits on top of the heart.
Luke 8:11-12 “Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God.
Those by the wayside are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”

In other words, the heart hears the word, but pays no attention to the serious warnings about sin , or the Gospel of good news.
The devil is very glad for these people. He has no trouble taking the word from their hearts, and making it disappear in their memories. They have had a life where everything that has happen to them, makes them hard against the world, people, circumstances. Nothing will make them yield. They are defiant against all, though they may appear very smooth. These are the people who hear the Word, but nothing changes, because the Word of God can not sink into their hearts so they could believe, and be saved.

Luke 8:6 “And some fell upon rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.”
This is the ground that has stones in it. Since it is part of the field, it gets seed, and it springs up! But then the roots come against the stones and become unable to grow. They soon die.

Luke 8:13 “They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation, fall away.”
This ground is the hearts of those who, having heard of the Gospel of Salvation, are overjoyed! Their minds are understanding the Word, and all it’s promises, and are ready to go forward in the Christian Life. Or so they think.
Until there are problems, and temptations.(These are things which say, “You want me. I am really great, greater than what God is giving you). And as Christians we have the same problems and temptations, as everyone else. The difference is in the presence of the Holy Spirit within us for guidance; and the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) encouraging us through the difficulties.

But when the decisions to stand with God come, the Stoney ground hearers, give up. Their minds had received it, making their hearts joyful. But now it was time, for the hearts affection for Christ Jesus, to hold fast. But there was no real affection for Christ; only joy at the promises the Word gave, for themselves.

Luke 8:7 “And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.”
Here is the ground which is cultivated, but not all the weeds and thorns were out of it, when it was. They are there, though not seen, when the seed is sown. When the seed springs up, so do the thorns.

Luke 8:14 “And that which fell among thorns are they, which when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with the cares, and riches, and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”
These are the hearts which have hidden resentments, lusts or worries. They are ready to receive an answer for their problems. So when the Word of God comes, promising a NEW LIFE, they jump at it.
They are so anxious to get started with this life, that they “go forth”, eager to tell others of a change in life.
But then, their hidden resentments, or lusts, or worries come to the front, again; and they wonder why they are not different?
The truth is they have never received Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior. They have received the word about the new life–yes, but not the person of the Savior. And when you receive Christ, His Holy Spirit comes to live and empower us .
Our old life, or flesh is to be subjected to Christ.

Galatians 5:16-17, 24 “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”

Therefore the old life choked out the Word, and they never truly had that new life promised: in Christ Jesus.

Luke 8:8 “And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bear fruit one hundred fold. And when he had said these things he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
The ground which is good ground, bears fruit. It too, had been prepared by cultivation, but the difference being: fruit.
And the reason for the difference is:

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

An honest heart.

We are what we are by circumstances, birth, place, and the people around us, who have shaped us.
But when the Word of God comes, and we receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, then all that we are, comes under the rule of Christ. We are to get honest about our past hates, likes, loves, and circumstances; giving all these things to Christ.
And in honesty, we are to do what He wants us to do. Seek to yield to the peace of the Holy Spirit, the patience, and long-suffering for others, that He wants us to do.
The “keeping” of the Word, is holding on to Him in love. And what He has given us by His Spirit, and in His Word, and believing He will see to us.
We bring forth the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23). And that helps us grow and bring forth more fruit…the fruit of a Christian, which is another Christian.

Which ground are we? Jesus said, He that has ears to hear, let him hear.

 

 

The Potter, and the Clay

Jeremiah 18:5-6 “Then the word of the Lord came to me saying,
O house of Israel, can not I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord, Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.”

Paul says the same thing in:
Romans 9:20-21 “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?”

This is not our bodies; yes, they are all different, but God is speaking of molding our souls. God has used every experience of our lives to shape our souls.
Our souls are that which makes us unique. They are a gift from God that no other creature has.
Genesis 2:7 “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

The soul is the apartment of self-consciousness. It is where our personality is. There, our individual character is formed, and rules our thought life, our emotions, our will, our conscience, and our social interactions.

When we are born again, we are given the blessed privilege of having the Holy Spirit come and dwell with us, for Christ said He would not leave us comfort less, He would come unto us.
John 14:16-18 “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him, for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

As Christians, Paul is saying that as God’s “clay”, we need to accept what we are, how we are, and, even, where we are, and then be reconciled to Him
in them.

How much of our discontent lies in this.
God wants to make us a vessel unto honor, and has given us His Spirit to enable and mold us:
2 Timothy 2:20-21 “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth, and some to honor, and some to dishonor.
If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”

To move forward with God, you must be in your place before Him. To know that He is there with us, because He loves us.
So many people say, “God knows best”; yet doubt every time trouble comes. They are anxious, burdened, and worried. (Haven’t we all experienced this doubt?)

But we are called to “possess our souls”.
Luke 21:19 “In your patience, possess ye your souls.”

We are to gain, by subjection to the Holy Spirit, real power over our affections:(Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 23:26 “My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.”)
Our thoughts:
(1 Peter 1:13 “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”)
And wills:
John 7:17 “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whither it be of God, or whither I speak of myself.”
For it is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we possess our souls.

To Yield to the Holy Spirit is true freedom; for it places Him first.
It is His Will you want, and by that will, you are enabled to bring your soul under subjection to Him and yourself.
There is always trouble here, in this world; but as you yield to the Holy Spirit, the influence of the trouble is less, and less. His power to help, strengthen, and encourage is more and more.

He is the Potter, we are the clay.
Yielding to Him we have liberty, and begin to have the fruit of the Spirit working in us and through 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.”

Let us yield; or give in; or submit; or surrender; all terms which mean that for us, Christ will choose.

 

 

 

The Path of the Just

Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”

When the sun first begins to break the sky begins to be light. Then the sun comes up, and in the east, the light comes streaming.
But there are shadows, for the light shows all that stands in the way of complete light.

Song of Solomon 4:6 “Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.”

Until the day break, and the shadows flee away. When the shadows are gone, then there is nothing between us and the Son of God, our Light source.

Our Lord, here, is inviting us to come with Him further into the Light of His love, so even the shadows “flee” away.

Now shadows are not the thing itself, but the impress of it. But it is in darkness.

What this means is that the sin itself has been taken care of:
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.”

But the influence of the sin or the resentment because of the consequences of the sin are still there. These are the shadows.
They are darkness, but not the substance of sin.

Many people are confused about this.
They think that if the sin is confessed, and they know they are forgiven; then all the other emotions concerning the sin, are gone to.

Suppose you have a habit of lying: you have hurt your family, people at work, etc. by your habit.
Then you are given real light about this, and you confess it. (Perhaps you say, why would we need light about lying. Surely everyone knows it’s wrong. Maybe they know in a general sense, but the offense of lying when it lays upon YOUR heart, is an eye opener.
Then it is not just “wrong, because God says so”; but then it is wrong, because you have placed the value of your family, friends, and co-workers in contempt. You have spit upon them, in order to cover yourself up.)

But even though you have confessed your sin, and asked God to cleanse you from the desire and habit of lying; the reason for it is still there to face everyday.
These are the shadows, the image of the sin, though not the sin.
The trouble with Shadows is that the influence of our Adversary, the Devil can be felt through them.

But how do we deal with shadows?
First, it is the work of the Spirit of God within you to show you what needs to be dealt with, and what needs to be put away with past things.
Philippians 3:13-14 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

This requires us to be in subjection to the Holy Spirit, for He asks you to be obedient to the Light He gives in these matters.

The mountain of myrrh: myrrh symbolizes death in the scriptures. And it is a mountain of myrrh, we are invited to come to, because it takes a great deal of denying self to set these things right.
It is a hill of Frankincense, because it takes very little of the Power of God to deal with these things, once we have denied ourself.

A child of the Light, confesses the fault, and the attitude; when the Holy Spirit shows it. They have the “good and honest heart”; it is “good” only because it is honest.
Luke 8:15 “But that on the good ground are they which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”

A child of the darkness says, “Oh, I can explain that away; I did that because of them, or that circumstance; it was a small thing, anyway. It was not like the really bad things I used to do. It is really their fault.”

Be a child of the Light, and when the Holy Spirit convicts you of wrong; confess it, and God will deal with what is wrong.

These shadows that remain, are shadows only; but they are there and the influence of the the Adversary can be felt through them.
They are there because of the choices we have made, true; but we can also make choices which remove them, by coming more into the Light.

Shadows do not exist in light
Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”

We are to go to the high noon of Light with Christ Jesus. Most do not; choosing, instead to stay in the shadowy existence of the fear of the truth.
But don’t.
God’s Light shows truth, yes, and when we see the reasons of our actions, it gives us the ability to deal with what is really behind the: “why we did what we did”.

Let’s face it, we all have REASONS we act the way we do. But have you dealt with the reasons? Or just the actions?

True Light; the Light of Life, deals with both. It frees you from both the sin and the reason of the sin.
And gives you joy.
John 16:24 “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

Joy is one of the grandest attributes of God, himself.
Joy is not dependent upon the people or events around me.(That is happiness, which has to do with how things or people treat us.)
Joy springs from the presence of God in my life, for He is the abundant power of good, and peace.

Enthusiasm and deep delight is seen in the one who receives God’s joy.
There is direction in their lives; and purpose, even in the little things. For they are enjoying the Presence of God everywhere.

In this, we know the purifying of the Holy Spirit, assuring me that I am right with God.
I am made right with others,
And, importantly, I know that I all is well between me and myself. (How many things come from the disappointment we have about ourselves? How many times have we hated what we have done, but refused to look at it? How many times have we hidden our hurt behind a phony face of ridicule?)
These all can be brought out into the Light; AND PUT BEHIND US. WE CAN BE FREE FROM THEM.

The Joy of the Lord can become a force in my life.
It is a great light, illuminating the whole of my being; dispelling the darkness, and despair that dominates so often. He has it for us, in His Light.
The shadows do flee away in the Light of the Lord.

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Open Face.

An “open face” in Scripture is an honest one.

How many times God asks us to get honest with Him. To come to Him “as we are”, and not in hypocrisy, or pretending.
Honesty to God is of primary importance.
(It is only the “good and honest” heart in Luke 8:15, that bears fruit, and is blessed.)

2 Corinthians 3:18 “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.”

The Lord showed me this verse once: I was standing in front of a mirror (glass), and looking at my reflection, I saw the Lord’s face superimposed upon it. So that when I saw myself, I also saw Him.

This is what this verse means. As we get honest with the Lord about ourselves, our attitudes, and our thoughts; The Spirit of God changes the inclination of these desires, and we “are changed, into the same image”.
This is to have the characteristics of Christ in you. Worked in you by the Holy Spirit, as you get honest with Him.

This is often not as easy as it seems. We think we are generally honest people, but the Scriptures tell us, and experience shows us that we are dishonest.

This began with Adam and Eve. Their sin separated them from God; so much so that they knew they were naked before Him.
So they sewed fig leaves together, and tried to cover their fault.
Then they tried to hide themselves, among the trees of the garden.
And lastly they blamed their sin, not on their own choice, but someone else.(Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed “the serpent”.). They refused to come to God in honesty, confessing their sin; but tried to cover and lie about it. (Genesis 3:7-13)

We are their descendants. We are all born with sinful natures, and we are generally dishonest with ourselves (the Bible calls it being “deceitful”), as well as with others.

Thankfully, God has made a way for us to have victory here. For without honestly coming to God, you are not coming. (The “pretend you” may be coming, the “excusing you” may be coming; but you are not)

Jeremiah 17:9-10 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”

If you are going to get honest with God, by the help of the Holy Spirit; He rewards you accordingly. He will give you what the honest heart seeks: His Power and Presence in our lives.
Remember the “open face” being changed into His image, or character.

As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit within us, and He will:
John 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of Truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.”

He will guide us into all truth. He will teach us the things of Christ, changing us, into His image, as His face was superimposed on mine. I will still be there, but He will be seen as well, in my everyday life.

Ephesians 4:13-15 “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect (complete) man unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

This is something you acquire, as you yield to the Lord.
We begin to see that we have been covering up our attitude to this, and our anger for that; and turn to Him for the victory over these things only He can give.

We are us. The things that have happened to us, have happened. THEY can not be changed.
But we can. God gives us His life, instead of anger, resentment, lust, and lying.

Will we with “open face” be changed from glory to glory (one characteristic of Christ, to another)?

If you are born again, you have the Holy Spirit within you, ready to guide you into all truth; Will you have it?
For surely God will reward your yielding, many times over, in fellowship with Him.

Are we enjoying a love relationship with The Lord Jesus?

Song of Solomon 1:2 “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.”

You can only kiss one person on the mouth at a time. This shows the personal relationship we should want, and have with our Lord Jesus.
Have you found His love so? Some have, and wanted more of the same sweetness of life, only this relationship can give.

Revelation 2:4 “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”
Our first love should be the Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us and saved us from our sin.

These are two opposites. Which do you fit in to?

When we are in love with Jesus, we want to spend time with Him.
We come, not just with a list of wants (for us, or others); but to spend time in fellowship with the One who “loved me and gave Himself for me”(Galatians 2:20).

Ephesians 5:2 “And walk in love, as Christ also loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.”
This fellowship is strengthening, comforting, and most of all fulfilling.
This is that abundant life Jesus told of:
John 10:10 “The thief cometh not but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

The word love is used more in 1 John, in the New Testament; than any other book; so we will see about this relationship there:

First, our love relationship brings joy to our lives:
1 John 1:3-4 “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.”

To have fellowship with the Father and Jesus Christ brings joy. “Fellowship” in the Greek means the social relationship between close friends; and husband and wife.
In fellowship with Jesus, we spiritually lean our head upon His chest, and tell Him everything. He, in turn, uplifts us by the Arm of His strength; and gives us courage, the courage only the friend of Jesus can have.

Second, our love relationship helps us be obedient:
1 John 2:5 “But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”
(Jesus said this to John years earlier: 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 will manifest myself to him.”)
Obedience is absolutely necessary for our Christian walk; but it is not only a duty, when the love of Jesus calls us: It is a privilege.

Third, our love relationship purifies us from the world’s influence.
1 John 3:1-3 “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, (in God’s sight), and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: (we are not what we ought to be): but we know that , when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”

Pure is to be consecrated; or blameless. One speaks of our setting ourselves aside for God’s use. The other speaks of our attitude, of living peaceably with all men, and not rendering evil for evil.
Romans 12:17-18 “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceable with all men.”
Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount, that “the pure in heart shall see God.” This means now. We shall “see” Him in every moment of our lives, He shall be there with us in a personal way.

Fourth, our love relationship keeps us from fear:
1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
Our love of God, and our knowledge of His love for us, brings with it such peace and joy, that we are unafraid of coming before Him with any confession, any petition, any need of help.
We know He will not only hear us, but desires to help us with all we ask.

What is love?
1 John 4:9-10 “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.
Herein is love, not that we love God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
1 John 4:19 “We love him, because he first loved us.”

Love is Agape. And it is the fruit of the Holy Spirit within us.(Galatians 5:22). He works that love within our hearts and lives, as we yield ourselves to Him.
God’s love for us sent His only begotten Son to die for us.
Our love to God will lead us in the paths of righteousness, forsaking the world, and self, for His companionship.

 

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.”

Mark 6:35-44. (Verse 37) “He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?”

Luke 9:12-17. (Verse 13) “But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.”

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.” Showed them that they couldn’t.
Second: If they give what He has blessed, and given them; 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).
We are learners of Jesus:
Ephesians 4:20 “But ye have not so learned Christ;
If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:”

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. This is another agreement made and another part of ourselves given to Christ to rule.

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. Jesus had asked that His disciples be let go:
John 18:8 “Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:”

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.
And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:
And he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.”
This young man, I believe was John….but look what he did right after that.

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 he was allowed to go 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.

 

To Stand

All of God’s People have been called to stand. To “stand” is to hold our position before the Lord. Whether we stand against sin or the wiles of the devil, our position is to stand, holding onto the Lord and His Word, there.

Israel was called to “Stand still, and see the salvation of God.”
Exodus 14:13 “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show you today: for the Egyptians that ye have seen today, you shall see them no more forever.”

If they had tried to effect their own salvation: they would have been utterly destroyed or brought back to slavery, for Egypt was still one of the greatest powers on earth at that time.

 

The priests were told to stand in the Jordan River till all the people of Israel had crossed over. And the river was at flood time. All it’s banks were overflowed. They had to get wet, and trust in the Lord, before the miracle of the dry ground crossing was done.
Joshua 3:8 “And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.”

Elijah came into the kings’s presence, to announce that there would be no rain or dew, because the people had turned to idols.
As he stood there unafraid (and certainly there were soldiers to guard the king); he said “the God before he stood” sent him.
1 Kings 17:1 “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Arab, as the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew or rain these years, but according to my word.”
Because Elijah stood before God, he was not afraid to stand before this wicked king.

Because of their sin, and turning away from God, Israel was led away captive into other lands; even the Temple and Jerusalem was destroyed.

But at the appointed time, God again brought them out; and those who would, returned to the land: to the place of the Name.
Those Israelites which returned after the captivity, and who helped rebuild the temple, stood at the reading of the law.
Nehemiah 8:5-7 “And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:
And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
….and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.”

 

Paul wrote that we, as Christians, should:
1 Corinthians 16:13 “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”
For he said (2 Cor. 1:24) “by faith ye stand”.
Someone has pictured faith as the arms we hold on to Jesus with. As we hold fast to Him, we can stand and be strong.

 

He wrote that we should: Galatians 5:1. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
Liberty is freedom from sin. We are free from the penalty of sin, when we are born again. We are free from sin and it’s power as we yield to the Holy Spirit within. For He gives us the power to choose not to sin, and to be obedient.

 

We are to “ stand against the wiles or tricks of the devil.”
Ephesians. 6:11, 13. “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
We stand where He has placed us, as we hold on to God and His Word, using every grace that He has given us.
Not running.
Not charging ahead, but standing.

We are to “stand fast in one spirit”.
Philippians 1:27 “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ:….that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”
As Christians, we are to encourage others to stand with Christ Jesus, and His Word. To strengthen their faith, by prayer and help.

 

To stand is to hold onto what Christ Jesus has given us.
And how much He has given us; and gives us each day, by His presence with us!

We should hold on to Him, in faith. He saved us: He will sanctify us, and bring us home to Him.

We should hold on to the Word of God, His revelation of Himself and works, to us.

We should hold on to His personal fellowship with each of us…for He calls each of us to:
Luke 9:23 “And he (Jesus) said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

And we should hold on to fellowship with other Christians:
John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

 

 

Christ’s Birth

God’s Preparation:
Hebrews 13:20. “Now the God of Peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,”

God knows everything. He knew before He created the world, that the man he would create, would rebel and sin. So……
God in eternity past, made a covenant with His Son for the Salvation of a people for His glory.

That covenant stated that God the Father, would draw out a people to be saved; if God the Son would come to earth, be born as a man, live a sinless life, and die; shedding His blood as a sacrifice for the sins of the people.
Paying their penalty for their sin.

The Son agreed; and the very first act of creation was the setting aside of a body for His Son.

Hebrews 10:5 “Wherefore, when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me.”

(No animal sacrifice could take away sin; but they could point forward to the only effectual sacrifice of Jesus’ body and blood),

This was God’s Preparation
.

Galatians 4:4-5 “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

Under the Roman Empire with it’s government and roads, which was access to send out the gospel news to the world; God saw that it was time, and He sent Jesus Christ His Son, to redeem the world.

But how did he come?

As a baby born of a virgin:
Luke 1:26-27 “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, named Nazareth.
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.”

When there, the angel Gabriel told Mary that she was favored of God. That she would conceive in her womb, a son; which was to be the Son of God. (Luke 1:28-33)

But she was concerned: How could she? She was a virgin, and had not know a man.
So she asked the angel.

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

The angel Gabriel told her that the Holy Ghost would come upon her and deposit within her womb a child, which shall grow within her and be born: the Son of God.
That is how. Would she agree?
She was engaged to Joseph. What would people think? What would he think?

Would she agree?
Luke 1:38. “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”

 

And so it happened: But God would see to His Purpose, in every way.

Matthew 1:18-20 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together; she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
But while he thought on these things, Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary, thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”

So Joseph agreed. He arose, made her legally his wife; but knew her not intimately until her firstborn son was born; Jesus.

All Israel was called to go to the birthplace of their house. So Joseph and Mary, went to Bethlehem, the birthplace of David.

When getting there, the city was so packed with people; that there was no place for them to stay.
The owner of the inn told them they could go into the stable with the animals, only because Mary was going to give birth.

There in the stable, Jesus was born. He was placed in a manger; the feeding trough of the animals, along side the hay, to keep him warm.

But God also saw that people knew that His Son was here on earth:

Shepherds, first were told, and that by angels.

Luke 2:8-12 “…there were in the same country shepherds…And, lo, the angel of the Lord came…and the glory of the Lord shone round about them;
And they were sore afraid.
And the angel of the Lord said….Fear not: for behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy,…….for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

Wise men were sent to find this new King. They had seen His star, and followed it to Judah. They went to Jerusalem, the capital; thinking He would be found there.
But Herod was king, and tried to trick the wise men. (For he wanted to kill anyone, even a child, which should have legitimate claim to the throne.)

Herod told them to find the king, and then come and tell him, so he could worship too.

But it was only after leaving Jerusalem, and the court of Herod, that the wise men saw the star again. It led them to where Jesus was.
Matthew 2:10-12 “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.”

With this wealth, Jesus, Joseph, and Mary was provided for in Egypt.
God told Joseph to get up and go to Egypt for the safety of Jesus. For Herod would seek to kill him.
Jesus would come back into Israel after that Herod died.

Jesus Christ was born to be the Lord and Savior of all who would come and receive Him.

HIs birth was prepared for, and seen to in every way.

Why wasn’t He born in a hotel room? Or with every luxury?

Because He came to save every person; not just the rich, or powerful, or poor, or trodden down.

He came to save to the uttermost ALL who will come to Him.

His Salvation is personal, and complete.

He asks you simply to, “Come”, and then “Follow”; For He, Himself leads us through our lives with peace with God, and guidance.

He never leaves us, nor forsakes us.

He has prepared for you, for me.

Will we agree?

 

Are we indifferent to God?

Isaiah 45:22 “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”

In the world, there are many gods.
But for the one who is truly born again, there is no other God, but the Triune God.
God, the Father.
God, the Son.
God, the Holy Ghost.

They are three persons in One.

God the Father formulated our Salvation.
God the Son purchased by HIs redeeming blood, our Salvation.
God the Holy Ghost works that Salvation within us; day by day, moment by moment.

Indifference in religion is the worst of attitudes. (Indifference means a lack of decision, for either for or against something.)

Really?! How can this be for a Christian?
We should either be, “all in”; Or “all out”.

When I was younger, many preachers used to mention the proverbial “fence-setters”.
As a true Christian, you really can not be on that fence. You must choose which side you will walk on.

Joshua 24: 14-15 “Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whither the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

You see, everyone will serve a god:
Either the true God.
Or a god of their own making. (Which includes themselves…making themselves a god of their life.)

We are not in charge. There are circumstances which come up we are not prepared for.
There are people who have an effect on us, for good and evil, come into our lives.
There is the “bug” that bites: greed, success, and power.
And there is the emotional roll-a-coaster of the choices we make.

As Christians, we should gladly submit ourselves to God.
He has saved, and in a real sense, saves us everyday; as we yield to His Holy Spirit, within.

We should give up the attitude of the world to our God:
Psalms 14:1 “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.”

In the original Hebrew, it means that they say, “No, God.” For they work very hard to say that there is no God, and as they work, they seem to more and more believe it.

We can not afford to be hesitant about our life with God.
We must stand with someone.
We will come with the zealous attitude of following after our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Or, in indifference, we will take on the attitude of the world, and lose our greatest strength.

Where do we stand?
Are we indifferent to our God?

If THOU Wilt

James 4:13-14 “Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and bye and sell and get gain
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeared for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

Only God can say “So be it”. For it is His Will alone, that stands every test.

We, as Christians, may say, “If God wills”, we will do this or that.
How many plans have been destroyed or laid aside, because we have not considered what God wanted with our time?

That we should not walk through life “Willy nilly”, this way then that way; is right.
We should have a definite goal to head toward, and God’s way to get there.

Philippians 3:12-14. “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

This should be the goal we are headed for: what Christ Jesus has saved us for.
How can I grow up into Him? (For we are all called to go from babes in Christ to full grown Spiritual Adults)
What is our calling?
How should I witness of Him? (A witness is a personal testimony of what Christ has done for me.)

 

And this should be the way we go: forgetting those things which are behind me—really putting them behind me—failures and successes;
And reaching forth (in heart, in mind, and in will) to those things He has before me, today, tomorrow, and on.

We have family. We have jobs. We have friends. All of these we are not to neglect.

But before all of these, as Christians, we have our personal duty to God, and His Will.
1 Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required of stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

God’s stewards, are Gospel Stewards. Their duty is to live the Truth of the Gospel.

Truly, if we put God first, He will see to it, that all the others, are not neglected.

Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

God never forgets our faithfulness to Him. Never.