Romans 8:32-34 “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, Who is even at the right hand of God, Who also maketh intercession for us.”

It is amazing to me…..the plan of Salvation:

Down through the centuries Christ waited till the time He would come forth to the world….to bring salvation to His people.

When the time came,…

….we might think He would come as a man….powerful and clothed in the royal robes of majesty….

…but instead He came as a babe, born of a virgin.

For this was God’s plan….Christ had to become man in the flesh, to save man.

He had to go through every temptation….yet without sin…that mankind is subject to. (Hebrews 4:15)

(A definition of “temptation” might be helpful here:

Jesus was “tempted”….tried, exercised by sin…but did not sin.

The moral evil in temptation is giving into it. In itself, it is but a trial.

Men are tempted (James 4:1) to sin outwardly, by their inward sinful inclinations (lusts).

But Jesus was holy and pure, as Son of God, and Son of man.

Trials and temptations came at Him from without….but they had no effect on Him. (John 14:30)

He was not tempted by sin….because of the holiness of His nature…

…nor did the trials that He passed through produce sin, because He was perfect in His obedience. Matthew 4:1-11)

He had to manifest God’s power….by being an obedient man….speaking only the Word the Father wanted.

He submitted to every test and trial which His Father in heaven gave Him…..

…..showing the Truth, mercy, forgiveness, and steadfastness to duty—even unto death.

For as the scriptures plainly show, He had to die….and be raised again (Acts 2:22-24)……that we might receive the inheritance of life in Him.

Hebrews 9:15 “And for this cause He is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”

God would not justify us without the penalty of sin being paid…..He does not give up His Justice for mercy.

The penalty of our sin must be paid….

….therefore we must pay it ourselves….

….or a Substitute must receive the wages of our sin….and pay it to the full…

….that we might be justified before God, and have peace with Him.

Christ Jesus, the beloved Son of God, came and did just that.

And as we receive Him as our Lord and Savior….our sins are placed on Him, and paid in full.

But our Salvation does not stop there! For He saves to the uttermost, those that come to God….by Him.

Hebrews 7:25 “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

“Shall He not with Him also freely give all things!”

Who is even at the right hand of God…the place of power and authority…Who also makes intercession for us.

For Christ Jesus is now at the right hand of God, as our Mediator….honoring both God’s Justice, and our mercy……through Himself….

…which entails two things:

Showing God the wounds by which He procured our redemption,….that we are covered by His blood…

….and interceding for us….

And who is able to speak about the bounty that is in His intercession for us now?

Hebrews 4:14 “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.”

Our High Priest is Christ Jesus, who had the victory over sin and death….

…He knows what is best for us, and permits our trials that we might come through them with Him.

He watches for our stumbling….prays for us to be strengthened in His might…

He holds us up (one of my favorite sayings….”When it is dark, and we must descend the stairs….reach out to the handrail of God’s love…and step out.”)

He is our righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21) and strength….imparting faith and grace in our time of need, by His merits.

Christ won for us the privilege of the Holy Spirit to live with us continually……that we may be delivered from our sin, by His power.

How many have been bowed down with sorrow or worry, and He lifts them from the grave of tears to the comfort of His presence….as though He wiped away the tears with His own hands.

(I am going to speak of a question which is often asked…..I have asked:

If Christ is praying for me….how can I fail?

Isn’t His intercession effectual?

The answer is…..of course, His intercession is effectual!

But what He prays for each of us is that we might…..in the personalities we are….overcome our natural, personal inclinations to sin (lusts)….and give our whole hearts up to Him.

That, of course, could be done in one “zap”…..but Jesus, instead has chosen to do it by leading….

He leads us as a Shepherd leads His sheep:

Calling….so that we learn that He knows our name…and to come.

Leading us by putting us in the flock….what lessons we learn as we deal with others….who are also following Him.

Correcting us….by pulling us out of danger….that sometimes hurts;

and…by the “rod” which gets our attention that we are going where we should not.

Delivering us from our enemies….personally interceding….or giving us instruction as how to “get out of the situation.”

His leading me…for it is always personal….is the effectual working of His intercession…..which will guide me into having all that He has for me…..His Way.)

With Jesus as our High Priest, we can draw near to the Father. His throne of majesty and holiness, would keep us far from Him……

…but by HIs intercession, it becomes a “throne of grace”….opening up to us all spiritual blessings:

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:”

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

“Boldly” means “saying all”…..tell Him all your thoughts and tell Him what you feel…tell Him your fears, and confess your sins….”come”

How zealous we should be about our purpose….with the Lord Jesus making intercession to the Father for us.

Romans 8:32, 35, 37-39 “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him freely give us all things?

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Nay in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

All…..”in Christ Jesus”.

Do we have our share in Him?

The Lost Sheep

Luke 15:4 “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?”

This man has one hundred sheep. But one has left the flock and gone seeking something apart from the rest.

(Perhaps a distant patch of grass. Or following a butterfly. Or just wanting to be away from everyone else.

But he left to pursue an illusion. For there was nothing out there, that would have been good for him;…..that the shepherd would not have led him into.)

Still, ninety-nine sheep is pretty good. You’re bound to lose one or two; but the Shepherd does not see it that way.

He sees it as the lost one feels: lost, unable by itself to come home. Exposed to the weather, and other animals. Away from the Shepherd’s care.

Perhaps the sheep had taken the care for granted: it would always be there.

At first, maybe, it was fine. The sun was shining, there were new things to explore. But he turns and does not see the flock anymore.

Oh, well, he thinks, I can just turn this way? Or was it that way I came?

But then he feels alone: he does not know where water is, or a safe place. He is lost.

It wanders around, now, not knowing where he is or where he should go.

So the shepherd does for the lost sheep, what the sheep can not do for himself.

The man goes after that sheep.

And how does he do it? He leaves the ninety-nine in the wilderness grazing together; and retraces his steps, till he finds it.

The Shepherd finds it too weary to walk back to the flock, and rest. So he picks it up, and carries it back to it’s place in the flock…..

…..And then leads the flock home.

Luke 15:5-6 “When he hath found it, he layeth it upon his shoulders, rejoicing.

And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.”

Rejoicing is a word which describes a calm, peaceful happiness. I have found what was lost. I have not lost any! (Everything is safe in the fold, as it should be.)

And the Shepherd calls His friends and neighbors to rejoice with Him.

Of course, we know that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd, for He gave His life for the sheep. (John 10:11)

1 Peter 2:24-25 “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto His righteousness: by whose stripes ye are healed.

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”

John 10:28 “And I give unto them eternal life; they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.”

And He is still seeking and shepherding us, as Christians, today.

Christians go astray,…..too often,…..and we are in need of His seeking us again, and again….and bringing us back into our place.

Isaiah 40:11 “He shall feed His flock like a Shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”

Christ Jesus is now our Great Shepherd. He is now “making us perfect” or complete in Himself. (Lambs grow into sheep)

Hebrews 13:20-21 “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,

Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

He is leading us into all the places that are good for us (green pastures),

He is protecting us from all our enemies (wolves in sheeps clothing, things which “devour” 1 Peter 5:7-8)

He is “preparing a table before us, in the presence of our enemies” by giving Himself as an example,…..leading us:

“Follow Me, and I will hedge you about in your everyday trials,….come with Me and I will supply your needs by My grace.”

Maybe we are the lost sheep, or we have been the lost sheep.

Praise God, He has sent His Son to seek and save us (Luke 19:10)!

If you have gone astray, today…….Christ is seeking you, to save you…even now.

Ezekiel 34:12 “As a shepherd seeketh out His flock in the day that He is among His sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out My sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. ”

Romans 10:9-13 “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 will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Songs

In Scripture, only the redeemed, sing. The songs that are sung, tell of the wonderful works of the Lord.

Psalm 9:1 “I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all Thy marvelous works.”

Psalm 118:14 “The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.”

The first song that is recorded, is in Exodus 15. The children of Israel have crossed the Red Sea, dry shod….with their enemies in pursuit….

…and they have seen their enemies, drowned…when they tried to cross after them. So they sing….

Exodus 15:1, 13 “Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea.

Thou in Thy mercy hast led forth the people which Thou hast redeemed: Thou hast guided them in Thy strength unto Thy holy habitation.”

There was no singing through most of the wilderness wanderings….until the very end:

Israel sang a song for a spring to bubble up for them at the end of their wilderness wanderings (Numbers 21:17-18.)

The princes digged with their staves…not the usual means for well digging…..and not the usual well diggers….but it was God’s Way….and it was blessed….and all Israel stood around and sang.

(Right before they left the wilderness, and Joshua took them into the Promised Land…….Moses spoke to them a song to keep them in remembrance of Who God was, but he did not sing it.

They were to teach themselves and their children this song….but you never hear of it….until the end, when the song of Moses will be sung by the Tribulation martyrs….Deuteronomy 32:4, Revelation 15:3-4)

You do not hear of them singing again….until….Judges 5, where Deborah and Barak sang after a wonderful victory over the Canaanites.

Judges 5:2-3 “Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.

Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.”

Again, no singing, until David…the sweet singer of Israel.

His psalms are wonderful and instructive….and were the basis of the songs sung in the Tabernacle and the Temple, which he set up,….for instruction, witness and beauty.

Judah sang again under the godly king, Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:20-22). As they went into battle, as they sang, the Lord worked for them….giving them victory over their enemies.

2 Chronicles 20:21-22 “….he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for HIs mercy endureth forever.

And when they began to sing, and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against….which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.”

Hezekiah and Josiah (2 Chronicles 35:15) had the Passover….where singers were present…singing unto the Lord.

2 Chronicles 30:21 “And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priest praised the Lord day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the Lord.”

Isaiah sang several songs to Israel….to open their eyes to the Lord’s Words….Isaiah 5…a song to His vineyard, Israel, which brought forth “wild grapes” and not fruit for Him…

Isaiah 12…a song that was sung in the feast of Tabernacles, when Jesus stood and cried, If any man thirst come unto Me and drink. [John 7:37]…

……and prophesies of their song in the last times Isaiah 26…Isaiah 30:29, Isaiah 42:10….pretty amazing, really! Especially at such a time in their history!

Jeremiah’s song of Lamentations is sad, beautiful and prophetic to a nation whose last godly king just died. (2 Chronicles 35:25)

Lamentations 1:1, 4:1, 3:21-23 “How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! How is she become as a widow!….

How is the gold become dim! How is the most fine gold changed! The stones of the sanctuary are poured out into the top of every street.

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.”

But the other songs in Scripture are personal. David and his personal songs of praise, and confession.

And Solomon….who had written 1005 songs.

In the New Testament, we are called to:

Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord:”

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

“To the Lord”. Let everything that hath breath….praise the Lord. ( Psalm 150:6)

I was exercised not too long ago about how many times I petition the Lord…yet do not give thanks. I thank Him when I receive the blessing….but when I pray, I am concerned that He hears and answers.

Now I hardly every pray, without also thanking Him for hearing me,….for the answer that will come (His will done)…..and for all He has already done.

But let us, who have experienced so much goodness and mercy at His hand, praise Him most….and praise Him often.

At the last day….when all the saints are gathered before His throne….there will be a song (how could there not be!)….

Revelation 5:9 “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongues and people, and nation;…”

And for all those that had gotten the victory over the beast…they will sing!

Revelation 15:3 “And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.”

Let us add our voices,…now, to His praise and glory.

Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him.”

Man, Made in the Image of God

Genesis 1:26-28 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over everything that moveth upon the earth.”

God is a Trinity: God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit.

Man is made in the image of God, for we are a Triunity: Body, Spirit, and Soul.

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.”

Body formed from the dust of the ground.

The Holy Spirit was breathed into his nostrils. (Called the breath of Life)

And man became a living soul.

No other creature was made the same way.

We are tied to God in a more personal way than any other creature. His hands made Man, personally.

His breath came into us, supplying us with His Holy Spirit.

His creative power gave us our souls, our personalities, the real us.

And let them have dominion, and subdue.

This Adam was given to do.

But it was lost to man, through the fall, when Adam and Eve sinned.

Though he tries to have dominion, yet he always fails, for he can not even subdue his own soul, without the power from God.

But, for the Christian, there is the fact that he is restored to God, and placed in a position to do what was commanded in the first place: have dominion and subdue.

He is to do it in his own circumstances; and for God’s glory.

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.”

We “reign” (have dominion, and subdue) in our lives, by Jesus Christ.

And we will have as much dominion in our everyday circumstances, as we have His Image, in our lives, by the Holy Spirit.

It is not that we make others do God’s Will, but that we are doing His Will, in our lives……and then, others see Him through us.

Our lives should be a constant witness for our Lord Jesus.

When He has had the victory over us, then….

…..we are no longer at the beck and call to our lusts or desires, our anger or hate, and our attitudes or bitterness.

This means freedom of choice. Hallelujah! What a Savior, which gives us so much.

It is liberty of the Spirit, in our lives. It is freedom to be what we ought to be.

This is by His Victory over us.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of His knowledge by us in every place.

For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

To the one we are a savor of death unto death; and to the other a savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?”

Isn’t the knowledge of Christ Jesus a sweet taste in our mouths?

And He makes us show that to others……..by having the Victory over us.

The victory procession Paul is writing about here is Christ having the victory over us……but it is pictured after the parade a Roman General would have when they came into Rome in victory.

First in line of march, were the incense bearers, on either side of the march. The smell of it would go out everywhere.

Then it was the banners of the legions of the General.

And then the General, himself on a great white horse.

From his horse were chains leading back to the captives he has brought to Rome.

First, there were kings, and generals he had defeated.

Then, counselors, and leaders; going back to the common people.

All these were brought for Rome’s glory. Some to live, to serve, as slaves….some to die.

But in Christ’s Victory Procession……He has had the Victory over all.

The Christians to life and service; and the lost(those who refuse His Lordship), to death, spiritual death.

Here the battle is over. But it was a battle.

He is God, and by His Spirit He knows how to bring each of us to yield to Him. For in yielding, there is joy.

It is when we throw down the weapons of our warfare against Him, that He manifests all the fullness of His grace, peace, and joy.

Once, preaching a message on Christ, standing before the congregation, my husband felt the shackle of Christ’s victory chain around his throat.

It was not strangling, as some think working for Christ Jesus to be.

He could feel the weight of it setting on my shoulders,…..but it was such a liberating feeling.

“You belong to Me”, Jesus said. “I will use you to show Me. My power over your life, My peace in your life, and My Word worked out in your life.”

And He wants the same for each believer….

That is the chains of love, which He uses to bind us to Christ.

Have Dominion, and Subdue.

It is to have dominion in our own lives….and subdue everything which hinders us…..from experiencing His freedom.

Isaiah 53

No other prophet foretold as many things about the coming Christ, as Isaiah did…..in so many details.

He tells about Christ’s birth….Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7

He tells about John the Baptist’ message…Isaiah 40:3-5

But in this chapter, Isaiah gives God’s Word about the life, and ministry of Christ Jesus….as God’s Perfect Servant.

The first thing is……Isaiah is amazed, at the rejection of the One Who comes to save them!

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

Here is both a question and exclamation!

What, after so many prophesies telling about the incarnation and work of the Lord Jesus…..you still do not believe what you see, right before you?

John 12:37 “But though He had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him:”

The “Arm of the Lord” is a showing of God’s Mighty Strength….and that was shown again and again in Christ Jesus.

By the miracles He did,….but especially by the powerful “arm” of salvation, which He spoke of,…if we believe on Him.

Isaiah shows about Christ’s life:

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

Here is the reason Israel did not at first recognize Him….He came disguised as a servant…..of the kingly line, yes…..in Bethlehem, yes…..but lowly.

Even the first words of the Lord we hear are that of a servant…..

(Luke 2:49) “How is it that ye sought Me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”

He grew up as “a tender plant”…..which is the word for a “root-sprout”. It means a sprout or sapling from the stump of a cut down tree….

…God had cut down the kingly line of David, because of their continued rebellion….

….yet now….here is a tender plant….unappreciated by most,…of the line of David……beautiful in kindness and purity…but not grand to the eyes of sight.

Yet Christ Jesus grew up “before Him”….before the eyes of His Father…under HIs care and protection.

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

It is hard to understand their hatred and rejection of the Son of God.

Why did we despise Him? Was it not because He showed us our sins…..and we did not like to see them?

We did not esteem, or honor Him.

To Israel……He came to save, yet they refused to be saved.

He fed five thousand……yet was often hungry and thirsty Himself.

He came preaching the kingdom of heaven was at hand, healing the sick and blind…..yet instead of praise….He was questioned and called names.

He was a man of sorrows….for He saw and felt the sorrow of the sin of this world, as He walked here…..

(He was often grieved at the unbelief and hardness of heart of the people [Mark 3:5])

…….until He bore the penalty of the sin of this world on the cross.

(Though He knew the sorrow of the sin around Him,…..He rejoiced in spirit with the Father, fulfilling the work to remove both the sin and the sorrow of sin. Luke 10:21-22)

This was our Savior’s life here on earth…..(John 1:10-11 “He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.

He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.”)

Isaiah then tells of His death….yes, he foretold the Messiah would die….

Isaiah 53:4-5 “Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.”

All sickness, sorrow, and pain are the effects of sin.

And on the cross, Christ Jesus suffered the penalty for all our sin….pain, grief, aloneness, death….all that we should have borne because I am a sinner…..He did. (Wounded, bruised, chastisement, stripes!)

Yet…..

….what a telling word.

Yet, though He did that, they misunderstood His sufferings….and mocked Him.

They cried out, at the foot of the cross (Matthew 27:42-43) “….He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now, if He will have Him; for He said, I am the Son of God.”

Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

Here is our guilt….we have gone astray from God.

(“Gone astray” means to vacillate…to stagger or stray because of deception, excitement, agitation, or seduction.

It is a picture of a wanderer, with no fixed destination……lost, but always moving to something else.)

We have turned from Him, and the knowledge of Him. (Romans 1:19-20)

Isaiah 53:7 “He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before His shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.”

He was the Lamb of God,….

He was very willing to speak on behalf of the faint and weak…Matthew 14:14-18

He was very willing to encourage and acknowledge faith….Matthew 8:10, 15:28,

He was very willing to speak up so that the disciples would be let go when they arrested Him…..John 18:8-9

Yet, He never spake a word in His own defense…..Matthew 26:62-63

Isaiah 53:8 “He was taken from prison and from judgement: and who shall declare His generation? For He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was He stricken.

And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich with His death; because He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth.”

He had done the rulers no harm…..only spoke the truth….but they sought His life.

He was hurried from arrest, to judgement…..let us be rid of Him.

He was killed…cut off…violently put to death.

They intended His death,…….God intended salvation through His blood and sacrifice.

He was crucified between two thieves….but even there, saving one (Luke 23:39-43)

He was buried in the new tomb given by the rich man, Joseph of Arimathea. (John20:38-42)

On the cross Jesus Christ was a victim…..but in His resurrection He is Victor.

And here is His resurrection and ascension!

All the life, and power that Christ Jesus had before,….and more honor…..is given to Him.

And in the end, this is what God thinks of the life, death, and resurrection of His Son…..for this was ever His plan for the salvation of His people, as it was foretold here:

Isaiah 53:10-12 “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief: when Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.

He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities.

Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He hath poured out His soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors: and He bear the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

These verses are very precious….for God tells of the delight in His Son, at the cross…

Delight…..because the cross….the sacrifice, was the only way for joy and redemption to come to man….for God is a God of righteousness and justice….and by Christ, God’s righteous demands for justice…..are met.

Therefore God saves us…..Christ Jesus shall see His seed….those believers which come to Him. (John 1:12, Hebrews 12:2)

God shall prolong His days…..For God raised up Christ from death and the grave….and He shall ever be our Mediator…..justifying us before God. (1Timothy 2:5)

God has promised a Kingdom to His Son,……now, in the hearts of the believers;….

….with whom He shares His grace and glory (Romans 8:14-17)…..

Ephesians 1:17-22 (condensed) “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you….in the knowledge of Him:…

…that ye may know….what is the riches of….His inheritance in the saints,

And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power,

Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in heavenly places,

And hath put all things under His feet, and have Him to the head of all things to the church,”

…..but also, one day….

….Christ will reign here, over the whole earth.

(Psalm 110:1, Acts 2:34-36)

1 Corinthians 15:24-25 “Then cometh the end, when He shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father, when He shall have put down all rule, and all authority and power.

For He must reign till hath put down all enemies under His feet.”

Christ is the Victor…..because He won the victory over sin, the devil, and death.

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

As a Servant of God, Christ came lowly, and in humiliation….and won the greatest Victory…..that we might come to God in peace.

Believe

God has always wanted His people to believe Him…..but the stress of believe is in the New Testament….we are to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

(In the Old Testament, all together, there are 45 times….believe, believed, believeth are said.

In the New Testament believe is said 121 times; believed 92 times, believeth 41 times, believing 8 times, believest 8 times, and believers 2 times.)

John 11:26 “And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

To believe is to put the whole weight of our existence upon. Most illustrate it as a chair….to sit down and put your feet up, so that your whole weight is on it.

I have always like this definition…..the term weight is so right…..for our life is made up of all sorts of weight.

We are made of a spirit….which when we are lost is dark…..and that is great weight.

We are made of a soul which is our personality, which is usually clothed in many layers of “fashion….of the world’s fashion”. What weight is there!

And our body….the weight of which is so worried about these days!

When we believe on Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior, we need to put all our weight upon Him.

We believe He will save and keep us….spiritually, personally, and physically.

To believe is not a mental exercise….

I have reasons, so I believe.

No, to believe is to see Christ Jesus….whether He is placed before you by the Bible,…or by witness;….

….we ‘see’ Him.

He is the Son of God, Who died for our sins…and was raised the third day, that we might have newness of life, in Him.

Our hearts are then drawn to Him by the Father (John 6:65)….and we believe….resting on Him….for ourselves.

John 6:40 “And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Once we are born again….we are to continue to believe Him (put the weight of our existence upon Him)….for He alone can give us the life we should have.

If we are to preach….He must not only be the message, put the power.

If we are to teach….He must be the lesson, and the give the understanding of it.

If we are to witness….we must show Him.

If we are to take care of our household, He must strengthen and guide us….hold our hands as we speak to our children….and let them go into adulthood.

(It matters not the job….My husband used to work on a boat, [much later he was called to preach]….and the Lord told him, there……”for ye serve the Lord Christ” Colossians 3:23-24.

On the boat, he was serving Christ, as well as anywhere else.)

Our believing, has a direct impact on the results of what we ask:

Matthew 8:13 “And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.”

Matthew 21:22 “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

Mark 9:24 “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”

One was spoken to a Roman centurion…..

…one to His disciples,….

…..and one to a Israelite father, distraught over seemingly everyone’s inability to help his son, including himself

(The father said, “I believe, help mine unbelief”. And there is a place for this prayer: when we are in distress and at the end of ourselves.)

The answer is the same.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ….for the request given….

….for we place our weight….ourselves…..on Christ Jesus…in this.

Believe Me, Jesus said, all through HIs ministry….for I am come “to save those which are lost.” (Matthew 18:11)

The last time He spoke to the multitudes of Israel, He spoke again of the one requirement for light and life:

John 12:36-37 “While ye have the light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide Himself from them.

But though He had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him:”

What of us? We have seen many things He has done. Are we believing on Him?

The last time He spoke to the chief rulers and Pharisees before His arrest, He spoke of believing on Him, and His Father God:

John 12: 42-46 “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on Me, believeth not on Me, but on Him that sent Me.

And he that seeth Me seeth Him that sent me.

I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness.”

And in His discourse going to Gethsemane, He spoke of believing to His own disciples….

….believing is putting our whole weight upon. They were soon going to be tested in ways they had not even considered.

They all said they would stand with Him….even in death (Mark 14:31)….but it is hard to know what is in our hearts in the hour of temptation….

….that is why “believe” is so important.

(When we believe, we place ourselves on Christ, the Rock. We often shake and tremble on the Rock, but He is stable, solid, faithful….and will recover us, strengthen us, and restore us.)

John 14:1, 10-12 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.”

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works.

Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works’ sake.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works that these shall he do; because I go unto My Father.”

After this, He spoke of abiding in His love…..and of the Holy Spirit…..but He did not speak of believing.

Now they just had to do it.

Were there failures? Yes, but they believed….and went on to abide in His love, receive the Holy Spirit in power, and show Christ Jesus to a lost world.

Where is our belief taking us? Let us follow Christ’s example, and go on in His love, by the Holy Spirit,…and show forth our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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

We shall know…..if we follow on to know.

Do you want to know the Lord, more?

Isaiah 54:13 “And all Thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of Thy children.”

Do you want to be taught of Him?

God does not yield to experimentation….He does not say….”try Me, and see whether I am God.”

No, He states….”I am God,….believe Me.”

Isaiah 40:28-29 “Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of His understanding.

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.”

To know God, is to have a more personal relationship with Him.

Let me ask you…..do you talk with Him, everyday…..bringing both your sins for confession (1 John 1:9), and your deliverances and victories to Him, in praise?

“His going forth”

This speaks of His Purpose…….which is ever going forward….

……..though we may not see it clearly……..yet,…

His going forth in His Word (Isaiah 55:11);…..His going forth by His Spirit (Romans 8:13-15);……His going forth in battle for us (Ephesians 6:10).

“And He comes unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rains on the earth.”

Rain speaks of His temporal mercies…..for He sends “rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45)

These latter and former rains were essential for a good harvest in Israel.

The latter rains in March-May, when the crop was coming to fruition….to give the best harvest.

The former rains in October-December, when the crops were first planted….to give them the best start.

And this was by the mercy of God.

Hosea was calling God’s people to know Him…..God was giving them a chance to rekindle the fire of zeal…but not in sacrifices…..but in fellowship and relationship.

Hosea 6:4 “O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? For your goodness is as the morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.”

The morning cloud and early dew promise much for the crops and vineyards…..they look real good…..but deliver little.

For as soon as the sun comes up…..they disappear…no rain then….the dew gone, and the plants drying out.

They gave no lasting benefit.

So were the changes of Ephraim (one name for Israel, the northern kingdom) and Judah.

They showed promise of repentance….they became very religious….but it was not a lasting change of the heart.

Hosea 6:5 “Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth: and thy judgements are as the light that goeth forth.”

The Lord sought to restore them….that is why Hosea, and other prophets were sent…..to speak His Words to them, if they will hear, and follow Him again. He sent judgements to show light on their sins.

“Then shall they know, if they follow on to know…”

The sacrifices were only as good as the hearts that brought them.

Hosea 6:6 “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”

“I desired mercy”…..”mercy” here is a word which speaks of affection and loyalty under the covenant.

And this affection and love is for both God, and all the sons of the covenant.

This is what He wanted of them,…..to get their hearts right with Him…..and with their brothers.

“And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings”.

For them to really know their God…..that is what He has always wanted….not just from Israel…..but down through the ages in His church.

For His people to know Him…..

……..and that can not be done without fellowship….and following after.

To worship Him in Spirit and in truth….this He wants from all His people….heart worship.

And worship is worthyship…..counting the Lord worthy of our all.

He seeks this from us, today.

And He is still calling,……all who will, to……

(Hosea 6:1-3):

“Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for He hath torn, and He will lead us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up.”

(How often He had to stand by and let their enemies hurt them….to wake them up to their sin!

Isaiah 54:7-8 “For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies shall I gather thee.

In a little wrath I hid My face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith Lord thy Redeemer.”)

“After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight.”

(Some, (I do) see the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ here…and all that it gives us. Promised so many times to those who would know Him!)

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

To follow on…..because He is going on…..will we go with Him?

As sure as the light in the sky tomorrow….His going forth for us, in His Purpose is prepared and ready.

And He shall…..He shall come unto us in mercy….if we follow on with Him……we will begin to have all that He has Purposed for us.

One day He will come to judge the earth….but today He still calls in mercy….

…..are we hearing Him?

Empty your Hands;

What is that in thine hand?

Exodus 4:2 “And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.”

Moses’ shepherd’s rod was what he had.

This rod was not the task that he was to do; but it was a means of bringing that task to pass.

Here the Lord is calling Moses to go and speak to Pharaoh, to let the Lord’s people go…..to deliver them from bondage, to go to the land, God gave Abraham their father.

But Moses is hesitant. (Isn’t this like us? We pray for the furtherance of the gospel….but when God says for us to speak…..we hesitate.)

Exodus 4:1 “And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee.”

Here was the reason for the Lord pointing to the rod…..Moses was to be given means to use to convince the Israelites that God had sent Moses to them.

And that was the rod. The signs were to be done by the rod….in Moses hand.

Exodus 4:17 “And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs.”

God would bless the means, (He always blesses the means He chooses)

But Moses would have to go and use it.

The task given to Moses, was to free the Israelites from Egypt; and to lead them to the Promised land.

(And how many times do we read that he used it, in Egypt….to the promised land.)

Let us consider this means: “this rod”…..that God chose:

Exodus 7:17 “Thus saith the Lord, In this thou shalt know that I am the Lord: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.”

This was the first judgement against the oppressors; done by the means of the rod.

It was against their greatest pride; the Nile and it’s tributaries. They felt they were superior, for they did not even need the rain from heaven to fall; they had the Nile.

Exodus 8:5 “And the Lord spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch for thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.”

The second judgement was against their comfort, as a great and wealthy nation; by a plague of frogs.

Exodus 8:16 “And the Lord said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.”

The third judgement was against cleanness: lice on man and beast, showing them how they were unclean in God’s sight.

But the rod was also used for the Israelites escape across the Red Sea:

Exodus 14:16 “But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.”

The rod used by obedience, was the means; God’s Power was the force.

Then in their journey across the wilderness:

Exodus 17:6 “Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.”

Here, Moses was to hit the rock…..by the means of the rod…..to bring forth the water that they needed,…..and God provided the water.

During the first battle Israel was called to fight….the rod was one of the means:

Exodus 17:9, 11-12 “And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.

And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”

Moses holding up the rod was a means to victory. Joshua was needed to fight, and do his part…..and God gave the victory.

As a shepherd in exile, Moses had a rod…..And when he was called to deliver God’s people….Moses was given the means of his rod; it was right at hand.

What is the means God wants to use, to bless us?

Is it, too, right at hand?

Or do we need to empty our hands of other things, to pick up what He has for us to do?

I started this with, “Empty your hands”.

This used to be a favorite saying of my Grandmother: “Empty your hands, you can’t carry any more, without putting down what you have.”

So what are your hands full of? Works the Lord has placed there?

Or is it time for you to follow my Grandmother’s advice, empty your hands; and get ready to be given the means of blessing, from the Lord.

Abraham and the Great Sacrifice

(This is a “picture” of God’s great sacrifice of His beloved Son.

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.”)

Genesis 22:2 “And He said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, who thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.”

Abraham and Sarah finally had a son by a miracle. Sarah had been enabled by God to have Isaac. They both had been past age for child bearing, and Sarah had been barren, as well.

But God had given them Isaac. And now, some years later, God calls Abraham to sacrifice this well beloved son.

The obedience of Abraham is necessary for us to see.

We often hesitate, or try and get around what God wants (and yes, this happened to Abraham, too, especially in the early life with God.), but Abraham believes God’s word: that in Isaac shall thy Seed be called….Abraham believed God’s promise to him….and so in faith,…obeyed.

We often mistake faith….as a way of thinking about God. If that was the case….by that faith, Abraham could have offered Isaac sitting at the door of his tent….in his head.

No, faith obeys; for it always sees God, and His Will….and knows God is able.

Genesis 22:3. “And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place which God had told him.”

Abraham gets up early. Not eager to go; but eager to return, and that would not happen without going.

He takes two servants to keep the donkey that carried the wood, and to carry the fire in a container.

He and Isaac go. It is a three days journey to Mt. Moriah, where God has told him to take Isaac.

Three days to contemplate his failures: was this in consequence for his many failures?

Three days to look at the promised son, and remember the love he and his mother have for him.

Three days to remember his first step, first word, and the strong quiet young man he had become.

Three days to consider this command, and therefore the obedience was more reasonable……and honorable.

What did they speak of? Of the promises of God, I believe, for Abraham was counting on God to fulfill His Word.

Hebrews 11:17-19 “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

Of whom it was said, that in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.”

They could have talked of the promise of the land in the future. The promise God had told him of future generations. And the promise that the coming Savior would come from them.

They come to the mountain, and Abraham leaves the servants with the donkey at the foot of the mountain and says:

Genesis 22:5 “And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again unto you.”

“We will come again”

To believe is to place the whole of our being upon the thing or person we say we believe in.

Abraham believed God. Isaac and he would come back down the mountain.

Abraham believed that God could raise Isaac from the dead.

So they climb up Mt. Moriah (in the New Testament, it is called Calvary), together.

Genesis 22:6-8 “And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.

And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father, and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is a lamb for a burnt offering?

And Abraham said, My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.”

“Together”, Abraham is trusting that God will bring Isaac back to life; and Isaac is trusting that God will supply the sacrifice.

Genesis 22:9 “And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.”

Abraham bound his sons hands; those that had been held out to him when he was learning to walk.

He bound his legs, and placed him on the wood. Perhaps taking a final kiss on the forehead of Isaac.

Let me mention here, that Isaac was a strong young man—not a child. If he had willed to, he could have resisted Abraham, anytime.

But he did not……which is a picture of the willingness of God’s Son, Jesus Christ to do all His Father’s Will….even unto the death of the cross.

Genesis 22:10 “And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.”

Abraham begins to do exactly what God told him….

He does not hurry, nor delay, to sacrifice his well beloved son.

Sacrifice means: to place on an altar, with the intent of giving all to God.

When you place it on the altar, it is dead to you.

Genesis 22:11 “And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.”

The angel calls Abraham twice, to make sure he got Abraham’s attention.

God had wanted to test Abraham’s devotion to Him, by his obedience to Him.

Genesis 22:12-13 “And he said, Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything to him: for I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from Me.

And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns; And Abraham went and took the ram; and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.”

The test was done. God had provided the sacrifice.

Genesis 22:14. “And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.”

Jehovah-jireh means in the mount of the Lord it shall be seen to, or provided for.

God did provide the true sacrifice through His Son, Christ Jesus; to take away the sins of the world.

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

God, the Father, sacrificed His well beloved Son that we might be provided for.

We might be provided salvation: full and free.

We might be provided His Holy Spirit: and all the power and guidance He brings us.

We might be provided a place with Him forever.

Let us praise His Holy Name for all He has given us in His Son…..even the trials He leads us through, to manifest Himself in us.

Guard your Heart

Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Above all that you guard…..guard your heart; for out of it comes all the ups and downs….all the joys and griefs,….all the issues of life.

(Our natural hearts are spoken of in Mark 7:20-23, and in:

Ephesians 2:3 “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lust of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”

But God has plans for our hearts…..they are to be filled with Him…..His joy and peace; His love and kindness….so we are warned:

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

Jude 21 “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”)

The “issues of life” are those things that count for eternity….for real life has it’s foundation in fellowship with God.

Our action concerning the Will of God, comes from our will….but our hearts either move our wills to run after God…..or after the world.

So God looks to see: Who or what do we love?

Proverbs 4:20-22 “My son, attend to My Words; incline thine ear unto My sayings.

Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart,

For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.”

Proverbs 4:11-13 “I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.”

Most believe that love is a whimsical emotion that comes unbidden.

But “agape”, is that love of God that comes from our yielding to the Holy Spirit within….for it “rejoices in the truth, bears all things, never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:6-8)

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.”

Guarding our hearts for God, is our duty to Him. He claims our whole being…..for He redeemed all of us.

He then asks us to guard it for Him….and it is a “guard” or wall of separation from the world.

(In the Song of Solomon the believer is seen as a “enclosed” garden (Song of Solomon 4:12)…..one which is for the pleasure of the Lord.

“Let my Beloved come into His garden, and eat His pleasant fruits.” (Song of Solomon 4:16).

But if we guard it not….then the things of this world can enter into it….and stay there, influencing our willed actions:

lust (I want it and I want it now),

and pride (the arrogance and lifting up of self interests, over God)

1 John 2:15-16 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

So, we are to guard our hearts……but how?

First we are to have that wall of separation from the world…..a wall made of:

Prayer, praise, and peace….

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

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

At the gate of our hearts, we will ask the Holy Spirit to place faith and grace as guards…..

Faith sees God….and helps establish us…

Colossians 2:6-7 “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him:

Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Grace is our support and help….

2 Timothy 2:1, 3 “Now therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Now therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

Let us guard our hearts….for Him; keeping ourselves in His love……and learning to: (1 Corinthians 13)

“Suffer long, and be kind”

“Envy not”

“be not puffed up”

“Thinks no evil”

“Rejoices in the truth”

“Bears all things”

“Believes all things”

“Hopes all things”

“Endures all things”

“Never fails”

These are all the things which can come from our hearts…..when it is separated to Jesus Christ., and guarded.

How much He has for us…..will we begin to learn?