Zechariah 

Luke 1:20 “And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”

Zechariah is an interesting case of unbelief.

      When we think of unbelief, we think that the person will not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.   

Those that will stubbornly hang onto belief in themselves…or those that refuse to believe because they do not want to be in submission to Anyone.    

This is true of the lost…

….but for those who believe in God and in Christ Jesus…

….unbelief can still attack us…and do us great harm.

       This is usually an unbelief from “reasons”.    

I have a “reason”….therefore what God said,…..could not possibly happen….to me.

        

Luke 1:5-7 “In the days of Herod,…there was a priest named Zechariah,…And he had a wife….and her name was Elizabeth.

           And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.

          But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.”

Here was a couple who loved God and each other.

          Zechariah went to fulfill his duties as a priest, and was chosen by lot to go in to the golden altar and burn incense.    

          (This was in the Holy place….and the golden altar was right next to the vail which was before the Holy of Holies.  The priests burnt incense upon it, to symbolize the prays of His people.)

Luke1:10” And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the time of the incense.”

As he is doing his duty,….

Luke 1:11”And there appeared to  him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.”

 

Now Zechariah sees an angel….but is afraid.  What could God want from him, an ordinary priest?

        Have we ever asked that question?   God, I am not trained,   I am not eloquent,  Or I am too old….there are many reasons we can begin to question the Lord’s call….but they can lead to unbelief in His Word.

(Now I want to mention that there has been no recorded revelations from God for about 400 years….

….but the very last Word to Israel, was…

Malachi 4:5-6 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.

     And he will turn the heart of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a degree of utter destruction.”

So the next Word of revelation,  to begin Christ’s ministry of Salvation, was about this very person.  Before anything else happened….Zechariah, an ordinary priest, is given this revelation of this prophet.)

First, the angel quiets Zechariah’s fears, for himself,…

….and speaks of the Purpose of God,  in Zechariah’s prayers for a son, for him and Elizabeth.

      “Do not be afraid….for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

      For he will be great before the Lord…and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God,

       And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,  to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”  (Luke1:13, 15-17)

What joyful news!!!!  What a blessing!

     Yet…

….and aren’t we like this….stifling the joy by…looking at the circumstances of now….instead of God’s power.

       First  Zechariah feared,  then wondered about himself,  then questioned the goodness and wisdom of God!

      Once we start looking at ourselves…we can all slide into the questioning attitude….”but, Lord”….and then into unbelief.

 

Luke 1:18 “And Zechariah said to the angel,  How shall I know this?  For I am an old man, and my wife advanced in years.”

      

He was still looking at himself….no wonder there was unbelief!

Luke 1:19-20 “And the angel answered him,  I am Gabriel.  I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and bring you this good news.

      And behold,  you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”

(In the KJV the words “take place” are “fulfilled”.   Much better.   They did not just happen….God fulfilled His Word.   I was without my Bible when I wrote this….I was using the Gideon Bible, provided in my room.)

Now God did indeed fulfilled His Word.         Elizabeth conceived…and the son, born to her and Zechariah…was John the Baptist.

Then Zechariah, whose tongue was finally loosed…blessed God.

    

Luke 1:76-77 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways,

       To give knowledge of salvation to His people in the forgiveness of their sins,”

Praise God, the promise was not hindered by Zechariah’s unbelief…..except for himself.    (He could have praised God’s will from the first.)

(How much joy we lose when we don’t deny ourselves,…and as we begin to doubt God’s goodness.)

Zechariah’s child was to be the forerunner of Christ.   

       The one who would herald to the nation, that they must prepare their hearts and ears to hear the Lord….Who was coming.   To repent of their sins.  

(A forerunner was one whose duty it was to run before the King’s procession and shout to all the people:  Prepare yourselves,  the King is coming,  the King is coming!   All the people would then come out and prepare to bow as the King went by.)

John’s ministry was absolutely necessary for the Awakening of Israel to the claims of God on their lives.

        Israel had become complacent.   They had a religious attitude….they still believed in God…

….but their regular life, was where the trials of providing food, shelter…and keeping out of the way of the Romans…was uppermost in their thoughts and  lives.

John the Baptist changed all of that for a great many Israelites.    A baptism of repentance…..to show they had turned from their sin….to prepare them,  for the Savior,  Who would save them from their sin…Jesus Christ.

Luke 3:2-3”During the high priesthood of Annais and Caiaphas,  the Word of the Lord came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

       And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

John the Baptist not only preached of Christ…he pointed to Him.

John 1:29 “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward  him, and said,  Behold the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world.”

Unbelief destroys joy…replacing peace with doubt.   

Most of our unbelief comes from looking at ourselves;….

….when what we need to do is deny ourselves, believe the Lord’s Word…and praise Him for His Will for us,… and to us.

Lord, teach us to Pray

Luke 6:12 “And it came to pass in those days that He went out into a mountain to pray,  and continued all night in prayer to God.”

After His enemies, the scribes and Pharisees, started talking about….”what they might do to Jesus.”

And right before He chose the twelve apostles,…..the Lord Jesus spent a whole night in prayer.

How comforting it must have been for Him, to be before His Father’s presence, when His enemies were plotting against Him. (“They were filled with madness; and communed one with another…” Luke 6:11)

How strengthening for Him, that in the Father’s Will,  He would be given eleven men that would stay with Him, till the end…(plus the betrayer, Judas.   Luke 6:13-16).

His disciples must have recognized the comfort and strengthening that prayer gave Him…..for…

….one of the times He was praying, His disciples asked:

Luke 11:1 “And it came to pass,  that, as He was praying in a certain place,  when He ceased,  one of His disciples said unto Him,    Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”

Teach us to pray…..

Whether they meant, teach us  the words to say….or the attitude in doing so;……Jesus did…….giving them all the things they should put into their prayers:

(Luke 11:2-4). “….Our Father which art in heaven,  Hallowed be Thy name.”                                          He showed them, and us…..Who we are to pray to.    And the attitude in coming before the Throne of grace….in reverence for all He is.

“Thy kingdom come.”   Let Your kingdom come within me, and then let it come on this earth.

“Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.”  We are to seek after God to know His Will….and to do it in the joy and confidence….that the angels do in heaven.

“Give us day by day our daily bread.”    We have needs, and God does not neglect them….we are to bring them before Him and lay them out before Him….seeking His will in all of them

“And forgive us our sins;  for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us.” We should bring our daily sins….to be forgiven, so that fellowship will not be interrupted,….or joy, lost.   

And we are to forgive others,  reminding ourselves, how much we have been forgiven.

“And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.”   We all have those things that tempt us.    All of us are faced with temptation everyday….it is what we do with it,  that matters.

So He taught his disciples to pray that we would be led away….clear away from it.     But if we are led astray….to be delivered from it.

Next,   Jesus showed them what the attitude of prayer should be:

(Luke 11:5-8). Ask….and receive.      Seek….and find.     Knock….and get the door opened.

Stay after what you need….till you get it.

Then….and I thing this is both wonderful, and merciful…..the Lord Jesus showed them that God was their Heavenly Father,  Who will give “good gifts” unto His children….who ask Him.

Luke 11:11-13 “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone?   Or if he ask a fish,  will he for a fish give him a serpent?

                   Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?  

                   If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts  unto your children;  how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?”

God will not give “look alike” answers. (Stone for bread….a serpent for an eel….and a scorpion, which curls up and goes white; for an egg.)

He gives the need,…..met.

And of all the gifts He gives….The Lord says…..seek for the Holy Spirit….in fullness.

To pray to our Heavenly Father is a blessed right of the born again ones.

To have the Holy Spirit in us….more and more as we yield to Him, is a blessed promise for our journey here, and forever.

 

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

Are we praying?    Are we being watchful? 

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

Ephesians 5:14 “Wherefore He saith,  Awake thou that sleepest,  and arise from the dead,  and Christ shall give thee light.”

                   

We need to learn to pray,…..but the Lord is willing to teach us….

…….giving us His example….and exhorting us to stay after….do not give up on God.

(How weak our flesh is here…..but even in this,  we can ask for help.)

Praise our God for all His Word to us.

Simeon,  and Anna 

God prepares hearts…….to see and receive His blessed Son……sometimes years ahead…..leading them to worship and joy.

Luke 2:25-26 “And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon;  and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel:  and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

            And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death,  before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”

Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus had come to Jerusalem eight days after his birth…..that they might offer Him unto the Lord…..by an offering told in the law(Exodus 22:29)…..and give the offering of purification. (Leviticus 12:2-8)

They had come to the Temple,….and the Holy Spirit had led Simeon to be there, as well…..when he saw them….he went over and….

Luke 2:28-32 “Then took he Him up in his arms,  and blessed God, and said,

            Lord, now lettest Thy servant depart in peace,  according to Thy Word:

For mine eyes have seen Thine Salvation,

            Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people;  

             A Light  to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.”

How lovingly and tenderly does Simeon pick up His Lord…..”and blessed God”….

Simeon praised God’s goodness in letting him see His Son….for being faithful to His promise to him.

He praised God for His Salvation….wrapped up in this little baby.

He praised God for the Purpose of His Salvation….both to the Gentiles and Israel.

And in this praise Simeon prophesied of the Way of salvation….

…..”before the face of all people”….

……Christ was raised between earth and heaven, outside the city….on a hill…..before all the people, from all over, which came to the Passover!

Simeon showed that Christ was presented as God’s Glory….to Israel.

(Luke 2:14 and the angels praised….”Glory to God in the highest…”

Wise men coming and telling all, in Jerusalem, of the Star which announced the King’s birth Matthew 2:1-3.

The miracles,  again and again…how glorious they all were.

The prophesy of Christ coming in as King to Jerusalem…..and He did.  Zechariah 9:9).

And Simeon showed that Christ would be presented to the Gentiles…..as Light….(Matthew 4:15-16, John 8:12, Acts 26:17-18)

And  then he turned to Mary and Joseph….

Luke 2:34-35 “And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary  His mother,  Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel;  and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

             (Yea, a sword shall pass through thine own soul also;) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

         

God sent His Beloved Son to save all who would come to the the Light….

….many will rise to be joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17)…

…and many will fall…rebelling against their King…and Lord….and destroy themselves in the process. (Mark 12:1-9)

“That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed”.   It is our hearts, God wants…..will we give them, for He knows our hearts!

Luke 2:36-38 “And there was one Anna,  a prophetess,…..of the tribe of Asher:  she was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity.

           And she was a widow of about four score and four years,  which departed not from the Temple,  but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

          And she coming in that instant  gave thanks likewise unto the Lord,  and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”

Anna,  who was at least in her nineties,  came into the part of the Temple that Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and Simeon were.

Hearing what Simeon said…..she rejoiced.   

How much joy the birth of Jesus gave those “who looked for redemption”…in Israel.

She had not departed from the Temple for years, after she became a widow,….but stayed…..feeling her work to serve God was to fast and pray…..night and day.

(Night is first….probably her best time to pray…..for few would be around)

But with the knowledge that Redemption,  in the Person of this baby was come….she told everyone that she knew,…..that was waiting for Him.

Even as a babe,  Christ Jesus separated men and women into two groups…..those who wanted their King….and His kingdom, to come to them….

….and those to whom the news of Christ made no impact….except to interfere with their lives……they did not care that the King had come (Luke 19:14, 27)

To these two,  Simeon and Anna,……Christ was the One they had been praying, and looking for…..Emmanuel….God with us….

……and here He was, a baby,  in His mother’s arms.

How amazing!  

God deserved all praise,….from all….

….yet being wise in the Holy Ghost……they told only those who were looking and waiting for Christ, the Son of God,  the Messiah, to come.

Christ Jesus came a baby,  born in a manger…..for there was no room in the inn….

Heralded by angels….seen and recognized by shepherds,  

By wise men from a far country,…

…Simeon and Anna…..

……and those unnamed,  but known of God, which looked for the Christ to come.

Let us rejoice at His birth…..and what it means for us.

(Notice the names of Christ spoken here:  

Consolation:      2 Thessalonians 2:16 “Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God even our Father which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace.”    

Salvation:   Matthew 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.” 

Light:     Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my Light and my Salvation;  whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life;  of whom shall I be afraid?”

The Glory:    Psalm 24:7 “Lift up your heads, O ye gates;  and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors;  and the King of Glory shall come in.”

Redemption:   1 Corinthians 1:30 “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus,  Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”

Redemption is  to be bought back….bought back from sin, and death, from Satan’s power, and the world.

He is all these,  and more,  to those who receive Him.)

That we may know

        In the Bible, when God speaks of “know”….He is speaking of understanding what He says,  and to get it in our experience.   To know, we actually have part and lot in the matter.

Ephesians 1:18 “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;  that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,”

Now Bible hope is of the Holy Spirit.  When you know the hope of your salvation….you know the witness of the Spirit within you.   (Romans 8:15-16)

Those commentators which study the make-up of the Bible, say that Ephesians is the book of possessing our possessions.    It is as Joshua in the Old Testament…..the people gaining their Promised Land….through God’s workings,  through obedience and battle.

Ephesians is like that.   It begins with:

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:”

There is our promised land…..All Spiritual Blessings….laid up for us to use in the heavenlies….in Christ.    

     He has chosen us,  and predestinated us,  adopted us, and made us accepted in Himself….

     In Him we have redemption,  forgiveness of sins,  the riches of grace,  and His will made known unto us.

We are given the Holy Spirit,  and Himself as Head of the church.

All this we have….and should know as our personal experience.

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

Together,  as Christians, we are the people of God….a building of HIs making, and for His glory. (Eph. 2:20-22)

       We are in the heavenlies, before the throne….in Christ.

       He is working in the world….in us.

(I say in us,….because what is in us, really, comes out.  It is shown abroad…especially the love of Christ.)

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

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

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

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

(A long time ago,  when I was younger and more full of myself….I thought I can surely give explanation of these verses….

….and yes, to a (small) degree I could.   I knew the love of Christ Jesus to me, both in salvation…and in fellowship.

       But I have come to see….the ministry of these verses is in the church.   When those that love the Lord,….are gathered together there is a special love filling the place.   Not all feel or know it the same….but gathered together we may have a better glimpse of the Oneness and Abiding Presence.

      The breadth….as wide as the church on earth itself.

      The length….as long as Eternity.

      The depth….for it reaches down to the lowest hell to save us….and keeps saving us for Himself.

      The height….to Heaven where we will “know” in our fullest form.) 

       

Our ministry is a personal one, to God and others.    And our ministry is a corporate one, in our local church….and beyond….for the church: it’s growth and strength.

God loves His people….and gives us the Holy Spirit that we may know our part of the breadth, length, depth, and height of HIs love….by faith.

And we can never know this as we ought, till we begin to lose our love for ourselves.   

(No this is not self-condemnation…that is just self-pity on steroids.   

       But this is truly to lose all that we worldly love, and place ourselves squarely  in the flood of God’s love.   

       God’s love works for our good, not our wants…..His love works for His purpose in our lives, not our plans.   God’s love molds…and sometimes that is in the furnace…but His love also shows that He is with us there.)

As we do,  we see what it is  to become of use to our God in our lives, and in the church….

Ephesians 4:1 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,”

From the fourth chapter, on…..Paul exhorts about the walk of those that “know”….

We are to walk worthy of our calling…with all lowliness…with longsuffering for others….working to keep the unity of the Spirit….the Oneness we know.

We are not to walk as others do….but since we have learned Christ….we are to “walk in love, as Christ has loved us.”

As we walk with God,  we are built up….further learning….further growing up into Christ….

….how infinite the knowledge of Christ is!

And then…..in our possessing our spiritual blessings…..we come to stand…possessing our armor….and holding what Christ has won for us….in our battles.

Ephesians 6:11, 13 “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand agains 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.”

Twice we are exhorted to “put on the whole armor of God”.    All of it,….for if we use the shield of faith,…..but do not put on the helmet of salvation….we may be wounded in our thought life.   

       

God is interested in us gaining all our possessions…..all He has won for us….all He has set aside in Him.

He want us to “know” Him….and be filled with all the fullness of God.

Will we begin to “know” in understanding and experience all of Him….for us?

We all have a unique work to do for time and eternity.

I can not do your work….and you can not do mine.   We are each made for our Purpose of God….made especially for this time and place.

We have been made uniquely….I am “wonderfully made”

Psalm 139:14 “I will praise Thee;  for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:  marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”

      “Wonderfully made” here, means…”to distinguish, to put a difference, set apart”

That is why our personalities are so important to God…..we must be us….freed from the bondage of sin….and the constraints which we and the world place on us (The world would make us after their fashion:   you can’t like them,   You should wear this,  you must be athletic,   You must agree with me.)

       He does not want us to be robots….or all alike,  except we are all to have the characteristics of Christ formed in us, as believers.

He wants me to be me…..and you to be you….for He loves us.

(I wish I could get this across to our youth…..God loves them….not because they can hit a ball,  or run a race, or because they are being like every other girl or boy in school….but because He saw and made you….and loves your personality….again, freed from sin.)

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.”

Here He is praised as Creator….of all things….of me.

The reason entire for my existence…..is His Pleasure (or in the Greek…”determination.”)

But for this to be done as it ought to be….I must get it down to an everyday existence,  the things I am to do today.

I can never acquire that to which I am to be finally….if I fail to pass through those experiences that must lead to it.   Acquiring now,  to a degree,  that to which I will be fully then. 

Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,  holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

Now it is His pleasure that I be empowered to do what must be done.

      As I can in no way,  do it, of myself.

But to Whom is it, by the mercies of God, are we to present our bodies?

God the Father sits on His Throne.

God the Son has His own body, as the Man, Christ Jesus.

God the Holy Spirit is the member of the Godhead we present our bodies to.

God gives us the privilege and the honor of presenting our bodies to the Holy Spirit to be His dwelling place on earth.

We lost the presence of the Holy Spirit in our spirits, at the fall…

….He comes back into our spirits at Regeneration….”Ye must be born again.”

From that time forward….for all eternity….the Holy Spirit is within us.   He is the Paraclete…which means He comes beside us to uphold us, He lifts us up and keeps us.

But the scriptures call us to be filled with the Spirit.

        And this is an act of the will….for we must choose to be emptied of self…..to get out of the way of the Spirit’s influence and power in our lives….for He will free us from sin, and the constraints of the world.

(A brief explanation of “self” might be helpful:  

      Self is not our personalities.   

     Our personalities were formed within us, even in the womb….they are the real us.  They continue to be formed by all that we go through….our likes and dislikes, our “favorites” food, color, place.   If we were honest,  our personalities are often not like the rest of our family….though we share heritage and circumstances.   

      For our personalities,  are what we are really like…a gift from the Creator to us…..we are each unique…each personality especially fitted for God’s Purpose and Plan.

      Self, on the other hand, is that part of me which rebels against authority….especially God’s authority in my life.   

      Self is:    I have been running my life by emotions and reasons….I will, and I do, as I please….in my thoughts and imaginations, if not in my actions.   This is self.   

      Self may do “good” things…..or “bad” things….this is the result of the Tree of Good and Evil….

….but self can never please God….except we deny ourselves, and let Him free the real us,…to be His praise and glory.

      Perhaps, an example might be good….I love to read!  It is a choice blessing that I can still at my age see clearly (glasses included).

      But a few years ago, I was having to do a great deal of reading for a study I was doing….and I noticed I began to be disgruntled about it!    At first I shrugged it off….I was tired,…something.

     But then I began to dislike picking up my study….and reading!    Yes,  self and the adversary had made it burdensome!   Why?

     It began one day, when I went to study, and I remembered I had not done something I had said I would.   Frustration!   And instead of instantly going to God about it….I resented both my saying I would do this…and my study.

     A little sin…..grows.    But self was at the back…..”Why do I forget these things?   Oh, hurry up and get this reading done, and go do it!”

     You can see self was the problem…..which the Holy Spirit would have instantly seen to, if I had gone to Him…..

……but instead, I thought these things, finished my study, and went and did…….but,….what I loved had started to become a burden!     Silly me.    

      Praise God for all His help, to point it out, and when it was confessed…..joy replaced burden!

      Self is that part of us which says….my feelings,  my thoughts,  my anything is more important than taking the time to seek God.)

Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

          And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Will you so present yourself to Him….to be emptied of self,  that you might be filled by Him,  with all the fullness of God?

To the degree you are willing to be emptied,  He will fill you!

       For the fulfilling of His Purpose for you!

Because this is what this is all about.

As He speaks to you, will you will it, to be so?

Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.  And let him that heareth say, Come.  And let him that is athirst come.  And whosoever will,  let him take the water of life freely.”

This is the Way….Walk ye in it 

Isaiah 30:21 “And thine ear shall hear a word behind thee saying, This is the Way, walk ye in it,  when ye turn to the right hand, or when ye turn to the left.”

Have you heard that Word?

Do you know this is the Way, Walk ye in it?

[Paul and Silas had come to a cross road….and been led to Philippi….someplace new…..they had not gone into Europe before…

There….they end up in prison.    

“this is the way, walk ye in it.”

Beaten, and in stocks….they began to pray.   

Did we do what You wanted?  Or had we overstepped ourselves in dealing with the demon-possessed fortune teller?   Acts 16:16-18, 22-23

And when they heard that they had done the Lord’s Will…than….Praise the Lord….this beating is for the greater glory of Jesus!

And they got to feeling so good about it,…that they broke out into song. 

After the beating they had….their backs open and sore,…bleeding and stinging…..they were leaning on the strength of the Lord, and praising Him for the opportunity of suffering for His Sake.

They were in His Way….

….and being in the Lord’s Way….they were given opportunity to deal with someone….the Jailer.

Yes, there were others there that heard their prayers, singing,….and the Word to the Jailer….but it was with the Jailer….tough, efficient, seemingly uncaring….that the Spirit deals most.

Acts 16:30-32 “And brought them out, and said,  Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

         And they said,  Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,  and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

         And they spake unto him all the Word of the Lord….”

[they did not just tell him what to do…..but informed him of God’s Word, so he would know…..Who Jesus was….what He had done…and why he needed to believe on Him]

Paul and Silas heard the Word and walked right into Jail….and led a Jailer and his household to Christ.)

How many people who would gladly hear about salvation…..do we come into contact with?

If we wait for “great days”….they may never come.   

What of us?  

Have we listened for His Voice to guide?

Have we heard the Word….yet not used it?

[ Pilgrims Progress:

Christian and Hopeful had just come from the Shepherds in the Delectable Mountains….a place of rest and security…about in the middle of their way to the Celestial City.

       As they left, the Shepherds gave them three things:  

A warning….beware of the Flatterer.

A map….if they came to a place that was confusing.

A Word….Godspeed. (This is a old English word meaning….Go with God…at His time and speed.)

     As they went on, rejoicing in such a beautiful place that the Lord had made for the wayfarers….they came to a place of turning…

….but the turning was in a “Y” shape.    

Which way to go?  

        (Now I want to say….they had a map….which they should have used….but it was nicely tucked away in their pocket….)

      As they looked at this turn….a man…covered from head to toe in a bright garment came up….and asked,  “Where are you going?”

      They said to the Celestial City….trying not to look too confused about the turn….

…..he said….”I am too, follow me”….

…so they did,…..

…..without asking him who he was….or seeking to know how he knew…..they just followed…because it was easier….and this man did seem quite confident in what he knew!

       Soon,  they seemed to be twisting around….the way seemed to go from straight…to curved backward….but they kept following, thinking it would probably straighten back out….

….when suddenly they were caught in a net!    And the man threw off his bright cloak….to reveal an enemy of the right Way!   

      This man left them there, stuck in the net……and there they continued, for several hours when….

…….a “shiny one”….one of God’s messengers came by….asking them why they were in the net…..

……they told him about following the brightly clothed man….

….and the messenger said, “He was the Flatterer”……and rescued them out of the net.

      God’s messenger then took them back to the Way….the same place of turning….and then chastened them for listening and following the Flatterer.

     Didn’t you get a warning and a map?  He asked.

     Yes, they said….their heads down, realizing they had been given all they needed….but did not use it.

      The messenger warned them, from now on,  to use what they had….and let them go on…in the Way.)

We often think of special enlightenment,  when He has already told us.

Perhaps through a message,  a Bible study,….a verse the Holy Spirit brings to mind….

….there is in our everyday paths the means of the fulfillment of God’s Way for us…..

….and we need to be faithful there…..in what we have in hand….

…and faithful to God in those we come into contact with.

1 Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts,  and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”

When He is Lord, there should be no problem with your answer to any.

They may be able to find a way around what we say…..but they cannot get around what He says through us!

I know the first time I lead someone to the Lord,  I was full of trembling and fear….(I had “not passed this way before”)…

…I was confident in the Lord….and His salvation….

…but fearful that I might make a mistake….and I told Him so…..

…He told me to follow in His Word, verse by verse,   that she might be founded on what God’s Word said…..

…..and I followed His leading……and she became a child of God.   

Joshua 3:3-4 “And they commanded the people saying,   When we see the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your God,….then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.

        …..that ye may know the way by which you must go:  for ye have not passed this way heretofore.”

There are many “side roads” which we come to,  on our way to heaven…..and they must be seen for what they are.   How?

Plainly we need to keep our eyes on our God…..and use the map of His Word….

….heeding every warning….and using every promise.

If we wait only on the Lord,  in our everyday lives and walk….then…thine ear shall hear a word behind thee,  this is the Way, Walk ye in it.

When the fullness of the time was come 

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.”

“But…”.   This is a connective term,  which changes the direction of the narrative……having to do with what is before:

          Galatians 4:3 “Even so we,  when we were children,  were in bondage under the elements of the world:”

Paul is explaining that when we “were children in bondage”……this goes back to the traditions of Rome.

        A man may have many children….his, or those he chooses…..but they are just children….till….

….the adoption of sons.    He would go before the court of Rome….and openly declare that this child….was his son….his heir.

God has done this to us…..He has adopted us….and legally declared us to be His sons.

We were in bondage to the elements of the world….

     What elements?   The world’s attitudes,  sins,  anger and jealousy,….the world’s greed and self-exaltation…..the world’s lust for self-seeking pleasures.

     We were under their control…..living and moving with the crowd to destruction…..

“But….”.    Blessed change!   But when the fullness of God’s time was finally come…..He did something so wonderful….

….so magnificent….

so different than expected….

….He sent forth on the greatest errand of mercy and hope….

……His Son, Christ Jesus,  well beloved and holy….to redeem us….that we might be openly adopted and known as His sons.   

Amen….Hallelujah….amen.

When we believe, then we are adopted and given HIs Spirit….as the certification of His salvation….and given an inheritance:

               Romans 8:15, 17 “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;   But ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry,  Abba, Father.

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

               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 the Holy Spirit of promise, 

               Which is the earnest (down payment) of our inheritance…”

And now we will talk of the “fullness of the times”….now….in this time.

And God waited…..till the fullness of the time came for me,…for you….for us.

       They saw our birth, and the gospel given…..how many times?

       They saw our call…and our twists and turns in the way.

       They saw our spiritual steps till now…..some small, some large….

Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

                And be not conformed to this world:  but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

The body is the instrument of the Spirit….so that if it be held for Christ,  then the practical life is His.

         The feet for walking at His bidding.

         The hands to work His Way.

         The tongue to speak for Him.

         The ear to hear His Words….promise and command.

         The eye to look at everything as under His control.

When we are born again,  the body is the Temple of God, for it holds the Spirit of God within—and we are to bring our body to the Holy Spirit, and deny ourselves.

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

This is how the body….the whole life, finds itself under the government of the Kingdom of Christ.

Now the fullness of the time has come for me, for you…..for us…..now.

           As joint-heirs of Christ will we take our  place in His kingdom, now….and be found faithful in that which He has called us to do?

              

A More Convenient Season 

Acts 24:25 “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgement to come,  Felix trembled,  and answered,    Go thy way for this time;  when I have a convenient season,  I will call for thee.”

Felix was the Roman governor of Israel.  He lived in Caesarea, near the sea.

Paul had caused a riot in Jerusalem, when he preached that the gospel of Christ was given to the Gentiles also. (Acts 22:21-22).     He had then been taken by Roman soldiers, and though there was no charge, he was kept in the jail house; because they did not know what to do with him.    They were afraid to let him go, to cause another riot.

Normally they would never send a prisoner to the governor, except under extreme conditions:  but this seemed to be one.

Paul’s nephew had come and told the Roman chief captain, of a plot to kill Paul, even under Roman guard. (Acts 23:16-22).       This would have caused the captain a lot of trouble,  maybe even death, so he sent Paul to Felix the governor,  for review.

Felix had heard both sides of the accusation by the chief priests against Paul.

He understood that it was about this new way of religion;  about Jesus Christ.

Realizing that there was really nothing to judge,  Felix held off judgement.

He knew that Paul had done no harm,  that it was really a matter of who believed what.

But he also wanted to pacify the chief priests;  so he kept Paul in prison,  but let him have visitors. (Acts 24:22-23)

On one occasion, he called for Paul to come and talk to him and his wife concerning the faith in Christ.

Acts 24:24-25 “And after certain days,  when Felix came with his wife Drusilla,  which was a Jewess,  he sent for Paul,  and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

                            And as he reasoned of righteousness,  temperance,  and judgement to come,  Felix trembled,  and answered,   Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season,  I will call for thee.”

But when is a “convenient season” to be born again?    When could be a better time, than now?  

Was Felix afraid of believing in Christ because his wife was there?  Or in front of his soldiers?

Or was it because he was “someone” of importance, and was afraid to submit to God?

Though Felix often heard Paul,  the more convenient season never came.

Acts 24:26-27 “He (Felix) hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him:   wherefore he sent for him the oftener,  and communed with him.

                            But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix,  willing to show the Jews a pleasure,  left Paul bound.”

How many times we have heard the gospel message:  Christ Jesus came to earth to save sinners. 

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death;  but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Born of a virgin,  born under the law to redeem us; that we might receive the adoption of sons. (Galatians 4:4-5)

We are to believe and receive Him into our hearts and lives. 

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

We have heard, let us also confess Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Romans 10:8-9,13 “For what saith it?  The word is nigh thee,  even in thy mouth and in thy heart:  that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

                                  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,  and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead,  thou shalt be saved.

                                    For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

For Felix,  the convenient season never came.  He left:  afraid to confess Christ, afraid to let Paul go,  afraid to anger the chief priests.

Have we received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?  Have we come to that convenient season to believe?

The Chambers of our Imagery or His kingdom Come 

Ezekiel 8:12 “Then said He unto me,  Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark,  every man in the chambers of his  imagery?  For they say,  The Lord seeth us not;  the Lord hath forsaken the earth.”

Notice that it is “in the dark”…..yet it is in their thought life!

A man’s god is that to which he gives final obedience.

In the chamber of your imagery……what is portrayed upon the wall round about?

To what do you give obedience there?

      (It can be plans or dreams you have had for years….kept separate from your regular plans…..just sitting there…..and your desire for them….and or resentment that they never happened…..

……instead of bringing them to the Lord and surrendering to His Will or time for them.)

      

      (It can be associations that we have hung on to,  even though they are hinderances in our spiritual life.)

      (It can be lusting after things, people, or to be like someone else….instead of who the Lord has made you.)

The literal interpretation of the last verse in the fellowship book of 1 John:

     1 John 5:21 “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.  Amen.”

1 John 5:21 (Amplified version) “Little children, keep yourselves from idols….false gods…from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God….

…from any sort of substitute for Him; that would take first place in your life.

Amen, so let it be”

To have spiritual reality,  every idol must be destroyed….otherwise we may be shown in the day of judgement….when all is revealed….to be just like the Pharisees in Jesus day:

     Matthew 23:27 “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,  hypocrites!  For ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but  are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.”

Christ must reign in me.

And that is brought about by:

Romans 5:17 “For if by one man’s offense  death reigned by one;   Much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by One, Jesus Christ.”

Notice, it is “which receive”…..it is in the present tense.

Paul began the chapter talking of being justified by faith….so he is speaking to those who are born again….(once your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, nothing can erase it….but you must be born again)….

…yet he stresses that we must continue to receive the  the overflow of His grace and righteousness,….that we must continue to grow in grace….in order to have the reality of His kingdom come within me,…you,…us.

Man has multiple faces…..his face at home,  his face at work, or with his buddies,  or his face in church…..

…but a true Christian strives to conquer that within him which makes him a hypocrite to his Lord.

     He sets aside to God…..not only his outward actions…..speaking the truth,  being right in our dealings;….

….but he sets aside to God….all his inward attitudes and seeks to be honest before God there.

Now is Light shining in…..now is the Holy Spirit’s power given…..now is Christ’s kingdom come within us…..and we become an influence of righteousness,  wherever we are.

Will we willingly open up our whole lives to Christ?  And deal with the chambers of our imagery……till we have His kingdom come within us……and are prepared for His kingdom to come to the earth one day.

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

Matthew 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for HE shall save His people from their sins.”

Luke 2:7 “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Luke 2:11-12 “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.”

I have quoted these verses to remind all of us….that no matter how long it seems we have to wait for God to fulfill a promise…..He will.

God sent HIs Son….on a mission so vital to us….with a message designed to show us our hearts….withdrawn, alone, distressed…

….and draw us to God.

When God sent HIs Son,   is very important.   

Israel was barely a nation anymore….they were under Rome….mostly despised….and the people and country trampled under foot of all the soldiers, laws, and trappings of Rome.  

Yet God sent His Son to save us…..to manifest His glory and grace to a nation, a people, and a world that had refused His authority for almost two thousand years.

As the song says 

“O little town of Bethlehem…how still we see thee lie.  Amid thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent hours go by.    Yet in thy dark street shineth the Everlasting Light….

….the hopes….and fears….of all the years, are met in thee tonight.”

 Christ Jesus was sent…yet He came as a “helpless” babe.      

      God could have sent HIs Son….full grown and capable of taking care of Himself….but God placed His Son, by the Holy Spirit within a woman….fulfilling the first promise He gave concerning the coming of the Savior.  

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

When Christ came,  He became to us, all that was told of Him.

Isaiah 9:6 “For  unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder:  and His name shall be called:

     Wonderful. (How many times have I thought this about my lovely Lord Jesus….about Him…and what He has done for me!)

     Counselor.   (His Word comes to us as guidance and encouragement…to come boldly to our Heavenly Father….and to show us the way to go,  since He traveled this road, too.)

    The Mighty God:   (He has always been in control….for His Word spoke the heavens and the earth into being.   And He is in charge now,  for me.)

     The everlasting Father:  

(Christ is one with the Father….and when He was risen, He said,  “I ascend unto My Father, and your Father;  and to My God and your God.”   John 20:17

And He has made it possible for us to know the love of the Father…”I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me and  hast loved them, as Thou hast loved me.”  John 17:23)

    The Prince of Peace:  

(Peace is His gift to us….but it also is His element, and way.  He is the God of  peace….and when He comes to a heart….He gives His peace to “..keep our hearts and minds..” (Philippians 4:7)….as when He stilled the raging sea by, “Peace, be still.”

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

        His kingdom now, within us is a kingdom of “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Romans 14:17)

Isaiah 9:7 “Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and justice from henceforth even for ever.    The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

We started this by reminding all of us,  of God’s faithfulness in sending Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.   

And I will end in reminding all of us of God’s faithfulness to us this past year….even into the coming one.

He will perform…would be enough.

But it says the zeal….the ardor and fervor of the Lord of hosts…will perform it.

Let us praise HIs Name….Jesus, who came to save us from our sins….

….Christ, anointed with fullness by the Holy Spirit and with gladness to do the Father’s Will…to fulfill the Purpose of God for us.   

Let us remember and stand with Him in the days, months, and years ahead….and praise Him.

      “Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace good will toward men”