Partakers of His Holiness

Hebrews 12:10 “For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure;  but He for our profit,  that we might be partakers of His holiness.”

Let us consider “Holiness”,  for there is a lot of confusion about this word.

Holiness when it speaks about God, is His sinlessness.  

This attribute is the beauty and perfection of all His attributes,  which are many.   He is Good, Mighty, Powerful, Merciful, full of Grace, Purposeful, Wise, and much more.

But Holiness is the greatest attribute, for His purity of thought, will, and action is wonderful.

(Imagine a God who was wicked, or greedy, or impure.  What a hell, created beings would be placed in, under him.)

But holiness, when it speaks about Christians, is when we are set aside to His use.

To send us where He wills.   And to give us the circumstances of our lives, as He wills.

(In essence, it is the same as sanctification.  Holiness is the noun;  sanctification is the process of getting there.)

So when it says “that we might be partakers of His holiness”…..it means that we, by the Holy Spirit within,  begin to experience God’s love of purity.

We begin to seek how to please Him, by the obedience of life and heart.

This is a process, which begins at new birth, and continues on, throughout our Spiritual lives.    

When we fall down,  He will correct us, and we get back up, to walk with Him.

Hebrews 12:11 “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous,  but grieveous:  nevertheless,  afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

It is for our profit…..that we might have the freedom of a life, lived in fellowship with Him.

Fellowship is what God wants to share with us.   

(We go from the fellowship of children, knowing mostly His love and care….

to the fellowship of disciples, learning His ways and commands for “me”….

to the fellowship of friends,  walking and sharing all He has for us….

and it continues on, and will forever!)

(The Lord showed my husband this many years ago,   very clearly once:

Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for my own sake,  and will not remember thy sins.”

I was an alcoholic.   And when I became born again, He removed the desire for the drink.

Praying about the great and wonderful grace He had given me….

…He said,  “I didn’t pick you up out of the gutter, so you could be….”somebody”.

I picked you up, and cleaned you up, so that I could have fellowship with you.”

This was all for His own sake:    And I praise Him for it!)

Hebrews 12:12-13 “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down,  and the feeble knees;  

And make straight paths for your feet,  lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.”

Lift up the hands which hang down.   Tired? Are you weary in well doing?  

Then raise up your hands in thanksgiving and praise….

Remember the many mercies He has given you, and begin there.   

Ephesians 5:19-20 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,  singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

                   Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”

Then the present gifts,   of grace and peace will come to mind,  and thank Him for them.   

And most of all remember to thank Him for Who He is to you.   Savior, Friend, Comforter, and King.

(Don’t you feel your heart being lifted, even now?)

And the feeble knees.   Those things which should be holding you steady, are feeling weak?   

Strengthen them by determining to stand in your place…the place in your life that He has given you.

And not someone else’s place… being like someone else,  never makes you strong.

Sometimes it takes great determination to overcome the fear;  but if you will determine,   He will give you power to overcome.  

And if you do not know God’s Will…….will to know and He will show you.  

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

And make straight paths for your feet.  

If you have been “wobbling” back and forth from the world’s plans,….to God’s will…….Stop!   And give yourself to God, now…

(“A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:8)

Has your experience been like the ship in a storm:  up, one minute; and down the next?

He has stability and established strength for you (1 Peter 5:10).  You can make straight paths for your feet.

This is to set in order before Him the purpose we were created for; and the means, or way that you should take.

Seek the Lord for just what you should do, each day.

Well,  you say,  I have to go to work,  or school.   Or today I do the laundry, or visit Aunt Mary.   

What it means is that we are to bring all our plans for each day to Him, and seek guidance from Him for them….what ever they are.

It is not just where we go,  but in the attitude we take with us.

I have visited many people, not because they were nice, or even because they wanted to see me….

But I went, because the Lord wanted me to.   

Simple as that.   And then,  it was according to God’s Will.  The Lord’s blessing could attend it.

I have gone to my job,  with the same attitude;   Because the Lord told me, I was not there as men pleasers;  but “I serve the Lord Christ.”

Colossians 3:23-24 “And whatsoever ye do,  do it heartily,  as to the Lord,  and not unto men;

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance:  for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

This is to make straight paths for your feet.   You will not stumble or fall, if you follow your Master, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Where He leads,  He has gone before.   When He stops us;  it is so we will not fall off a cliff (even if we can not see it).

Yield to the Holy Spirit’s impressions within,  and Christ’s guidance in His Word to us;  and be “partakers of His Holiness”.

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

His Voice is in our ears, if we want to hear…

This way leads to joy,…and usefulness.

Every Man in his Place

Judges 7:21″ And they stood every man in his place round about the camp:  and all the host ran,  and cried, and fled.”

Here was a great Victory over their enemies, which were many:

Judges 7:12 “And the Midianites and the Amalekites, and the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number,  as the sand by the seaside for multitude.”

These had come into the land to plunder the goods that the Israelites had harvested.

They were a vast number of them which had banded together to go through Israel and take all they wanted.

But God was ready to intervene,  and spoke to a man,  Gideon, about the saving of Israel from them.

In case you think Gideon was godly;  he wasn’t.   He,  and much of Israel had taken up with the gods of the people they dwelt among.   

This was the reason that God permitted the bands of these nations to come and take their harvests, year after year.   

But finally,  God appeared to Gideon and called him to the work of saving Israel.

Judges 6:14-16 “And the Lord looked upon him,  and said,  Go in this thy might,  and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites:  have not I sent thee?

         And he said unto him,  O my Lord wherewith shall I save Israel?  Behold,  my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.

         And the Lord said unto him,  Surely I will be with thee,  and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.”

There was an exchange between the Lord and Gideon; a lot of doubt and unbelief to overcome.  

And it started by the Lord sending him to tear down the altar of Baal, which his family and the men of the city worshipped.  He was then to build an altar to the Lord, and offer a bullock on it.

When he had done it,  the city came against him;    but his father stepped up and said:

Judges 6:31 “And Joash said unto all that stood against him,  Will ye plead for Baal?  Will ye save him?….if he be a god,  let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar.”

This was the beginning of a call to God, and away from idols, to these men, through Gideon.

Next, Gideon blew a trumpet to call men to battle against the Midianites.   They came by the thousands.  

You would think,  “Wow, this is just how the Lord will save us!  We will have a great army against these intruders!”

But  the Lord ways are not our ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9). 

The Lord wanted Israel to know Him:  He can save with few or many.

Judges 7:2 “And the Lord said unto Gideon,   The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the MIdianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying,  Mine own hand has saved me.”

He knew the pride of man’s heart, and knew if many fought against many, and won;  they would say it was numbers, not the Lord that saved them.

So the Lord told Gideon to tell all who were fearful to go home.  Twenty two thousand left.

But there were still ten thousand.

The Lord said, there were still too many.  So He made all the men come down to the water.  

Those that picked up the water into his hand and lapped like a dog, was to be set aside.

Those that bowed down and drank from the water, were to be let go.

There were three hundred men that lapped the water.  

Judges 7:7 “And the Lord said unto Gideon,  By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you,  and deliver the Midianites into thy hand:  and let all the other people go, every man into his place.”

Now, all along, the Lord has encouraged Gideon to do what He has told him to do.

Now after sending all but three hundred men away,  the Lord encourages him again.

(Notice how God is in control over every one;  the Midianite and his dream, as well as the Israelites)

Judges 7:9, 11, 13-14

“And it came to pass the same night,  that the Lord said unto him,   Arise, get thee down into the host for I have delivered it into thy hand.

         And thou shalt hear what they say;  and afterward shalt thine hands be strengthened to go down into the host.   Then went he down with Phurah his servant unto the outside of the armed men that were in the host.

         And  when Gideon was come,  Behold, there was a man who told  a dream unto his fellow, and said,  Behold I dreamed a dream,  and, lo,  a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell,  and overturned it, that the tent lay along.

         And his fellow answered and said,  This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash,  a man of Israel:  for into his hand hath God delivered Midian,  and all the host.”

Wow!  God spoke directly through the enemy!  

After hearing this, Gideon worshipped.  Worship is counting God worthy of our all:  praise, and obedience.

Judges 7:15 “And it was so,  when Gideon heard the telling of the dream,  and the interpretation thereof,  that  he worshipped,  and returned into the host of Israel,  and said,    Arise;  for the Lord hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.”

He divides his men into three companies;  giving each man a trumpet, and empty pitchers with lamps in the pitchers.

He told them:   Look on me and do what I do.   When we come to the outside of the camp,  when I blow the trumpet,  so should you blow your trumpets; break your pitchers,  and shout,  the sword of the Lord and of Gideon.

So they came around the camp:

Judges 7:19-22a “So Gideon,  and the three hundred men that were with him,  came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch;  and they had but newly set the watch:  and they blew the trumpets,  and brake the pitchers that were in there hands.  

           And the three companies blew the trumpets,  and brake the pitchers, and held their lamps in their left hands,  and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal:  and they cried,  The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.

           And they stood every man in their place round about the camp:  and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.

           And the three hundred blew the trumpets,  and the Lord set every man’s sword against his fellow:”

Coming in the middle of the night,  when the watches were just changed.  New men were coming and going in the camp.  Men entering into their tents for sleep;  when suddenly, trumpets were blowing, lights were flashing, and men were shouting about the sword of the Lord and of Gideon!

What a scene of sudden chaos!  Who would know whether the man entering the tent was friend or foe.   Best not to take any chances, and strike him down!

Fear came upon the Midianites, and they ran;  running into, and fighting their own men, not sure what was happening.

This was a great Victory for the Lord.   

And it was accomplished by one man, standing with God in the calling he was given; and leading the rest to stand “every man in their place.”

What of us?   Has God called us to a work?  A prayer time?  To witness for Him?

Then surely He will encourage us, in the work;  however the encouragement comes.

And we should stand in our place, looking to Him for guidance, and doing as He directs us.

He has given a voice, and the light of the Holy Spirit within us;  let us use them under His guidance.

The Everlasting Covenant 

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

The Everlasting covenant was entered into by God the Father,  God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit……before He created the world.

Before anything that is,  was….God saw  all that was going to happen because of sin, to this world….and made provision for the salvation of man in the Everlasting Covenant.

God the Father agreed to draw all the elect to God the Son (John 6:44, Isaiah 54:13).   If……

….God the Son agreed to come to earth as man,  born of a woman. (Not man and woman…but woman.  God made Jesus a body Hebrews 10:5)

Live a perfect life, and die; taking all of our sins upon Himself….to save us from them, and bring us into peace with God.

His precious sacrifice and blood was the price of redemption (John 1:29, Revelation 5:6)…

…Then God the Holy Spirit agreed to come and dwell within us, when we are born again (John 14:16-17)…….molding us into the character of Christ from with in us….to bring us  to spiritual liberty from sin and self.

Revelation 3:14 “Unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen,  the Faithful and True Witness,  the beginning of the creation of God.”

Here it plainly says that Christ Jesus when He came as a Man, (as promised in the Everlasting covenant)  was the first act of Creation.

Without the promise of salvation for man,  God would not have created.

But He did create…..and our salvation in Christ was “before the world began” (2 Timothy 1:9)

He is the Amen.   Christ alone can say,  “So be it”…..and it will be. 

We must say,  “If God wills…”

Since He is the Amen….and He has purposed our salvation,  and our life with Him,  surely He will bring it to pass.

But what He asks….is our willing cooperation in the process….for He has provided the Holy Spirit to guide us, and empower us…..if we will.  And this He has purposed as the means.

He has purposed,  that our wills must will with Him.

He does not force His way into our hearts….no,  He stands at the door of our lives and knocks…..and speaks,  for it is His Voice that we hear…”Open to Me”.

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

If is always a life, open and receptive to Him, that He claims.

                   For we should be a willing manifestation of His presence….a positive witness of His presence and power.

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:”

We should be able to give a reason for why we do what we do….and can’t do what He has said not to do.

(We bow our heads and give thanks over our food;  whether at home, in public, or in other people’s houses…we give thanks.  They may do it or not,  but we do.

We are not loud or commanding others to do this….but we do, because it is what the Lord wants us to do)

(I can not cut my hair….and it was funny when I had chemo and lost my hair….all but two strands.   I wore a scarf, but when it would fall off, some people asked me why I did not just cut those off.  (It did look funny, as I said)

But I couldn’t.    And I told people the “reason”.)

Jesus is the Amen….He will see His Will done in us:

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 “And the very God of Peace sanctify you wholly;  and I pray God your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

                        Faithful is He that calleth you,  Who also will do it.”

Jesus is the Faithful and True Witness.

And He sees what we do…..are we doing the good works each day, in fellowship with Him?

Jesus is the beginning of the creation of God….because the first thing God wanted was the salvation of those He created….through the receiving of His Beloved Son.

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

(The first promise ever given in scripture is concerning the coming Christ as Man, to save us:

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

And the last promise in scripture is concerning His coming again as King, to reign eternally in joy and peace.

Revelation 22:20 “He which testifieth these things saith,  Surely I come quickly:  Amen.   Even so,  come,  Lord Jesus.”)

The Everlasting  covenant is about our Salvation….formed before times eternal.

God’s thoughts have always been toward us,….He has given (ordained) provision for us,….let us walk with Him in all the good works He has for us to do and say.

Who will come and learn of Me?

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

Jesus taught the multitudes which came to hear Him.
Matthew 5:1-2 “And seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain: and when He was set, His disciples came unto Him:
And He opened HIs mouth, and taught them, saying,” Often their ears were “heavy” or full of their own interpretation and desires, to really understand what He was saying to them. What of us? Are we understanding His Word to us? Are we still children in understanding?

Sometimes the problem is just that we have not grown-up in grace, enough.

Isaiah 28:9-10 “Whom shall He teach knowledge? And whom shall He make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:”

(If the Lord says something once, we should incline our ear and hear. But when He repeats something, then we should attentively listen for our instruction and growth.)

This is a wonderful promise….for God Himself, through Christ Jesus, promises to teach us.
And God Himself, through the Holy Spirit, promises to make us understand!

And how does the Lord teach us? Through His precepts….which are the doctrinal instruction of His Word.
It is true, we will never know the Great I AM, the Lord Jesus Christ as a God of Promise in our Christian life, until we come to Him through His precepts.

Jesus promises rest to our souls….but it is to those who will…”come” to Him, “take His yoke upon” us, and “learn” of Him.

Paul wrote of “the unity of the faith”….unto the “perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” for the church (Eph. 4:13)….
….by:
Ephesians 4:14-15 “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive:
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

Children cannot see beyond “now”. They need the “milk” of the Word….but when they receive it, they are to grow-up to be enabled by grace to have the “meat” of the Word. (Heb. 5:12-14)

Paul goes on to say that we are not to walk as others…”in the vanity of the mind, having the understanding darkened” (Eph. 4:17-18)….

Ephesians 4:20-21 “But ye have not so learned Christ:
If so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by HIm, as the truth is in Jesus:”

We are to learn of Christ….His Word, His attitude, His peace, His love to the saints.

This is to have “precept upon precept….precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little.”
For though we sometimes grow in spurts….often it is a silent growth from fear to courage, from not knowing to understanding, from worry to peace in Jesus, from looking to the world to believing in faith.

What growth that is!
We are to be “rooted and grounded in love”, “strengthened by His Spirit in the inner man” (Eph. 3:16-17)….and grow up from there.

Reverence to God, Love to Christ, and Honor for the Holy Spirit will lead us to “come, and put our shoulders to His Yoke”, and our hearts and minds will be opened to Him to “learn of Him”.

If we would know HIm aright….Whom to know aright is to have Eternal Life, we must first know Him as the God of Precept.
For He shall save His people from their sins. Not with them. But from them.

Through His Word, the Lord gives fruit to those who will get honest and “keep” the Word that He gives:
Luke 8:15 “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the Word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”
By the Holy Spirit in our spirits, we are to acquire the faculty of honesty with God….and He will enlighten His Word for us….and we will have “fruit” unto God.
(It is only the honest heart…that is “good” before God.)

Ephesians 5:8-10 “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.”

Paul wrote, years into his ministry:
Philippians 4:11 “…for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

Contentment is a great help in our walk from here to heaven. Things are often not as we thought, or even believed. But Christ is at the helm of my ship…..the wind of the Holy Spirit will blow us where He will….and this is God’s world, and ocean I am sailing on. He is in charge of all things……I will to believe and not be troubled.

Paul said he had learned contentment. Are we letting Jesus teach us contentment?

Philippians 4:12-13 “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Everything which came to Paul, he took to Christ. He “came, took up His yoke, and learned” what Christ wanted to teach him, there……and Paul had great rest in Christ.

Will we learn of Christ…and get that contentment and rest He has for us…here, in these circumstances?
Let us not wait for a better time….but take the opportunity Christ has for us now.

Christ is Faithful and True, He is the Amen….He will indeed teach and instruct by His Word, if we will get honest and learn of Him.

The Mighty God, even the Lord 

      

In Psalms 50 we see “the mighty God, even the Lord” call all His people together,……to judge His people.

Psalm 50:4-5 “He shall call to the heavens from above,  and to the earth, that He may judge His people.

                   Gather my saints together unto Me;  those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”

The term “judge” here means the One who has a righteous balance in His hand.    He balances everything against the weights of His Holiness, and His Word.

“Judgement”  in scripture,  does not just mean hell,  or thunderbolts from God…….it is the rules of conduct formed by a Holy God for the well being of men…..leading Him to decisions of approval and blessing;…..as well as correction.     

So God “shall come, and shall not keep silence” (Psalm 50:3).  

Psalm 50:7 “Hear, O My people,  and I will speak;  O Israel, and I will testify against thee:  I am God,  even thy God.”

(There are many things seeking to rule in the world, so it is very important for us to know that “the mighty God, even the Lord” is our God.

Which means that His might, wisdom, and holiness;…all His attributes have been set as a fortress round about us….as we are in Christ.

Which also means that we are His people;….bound by the laws of love;  to hear and obey Him.

It is important to understand…..God is Sovereign over all: in Will and Power…..certainly, to those who believe and trust Him,….

….but He is Sovereign to those who do not; whether they see it or not.

He is in charge….He is from Everlasting to everlasting.  He is Almighty, the God of all Grace, the Merciful One,  the One who holds the world in the hollow of His hand…

Isaiah 40:25, 28-29 “To whom then will ye liken Me,  or shall I be equal?  Saith the Holy One.

                    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.”)

God goes on to say to Israel:

Psalm 50:9 “I will take no bullock out of thy house,  nor he-goats out of thy fold:”

(The bullock had to do with whole burnt offerings…which symbolized the person giving themselves to God [Leviticus 1:3]. 

The he-goats were used in the sin offering [Leviticus 16:9-10])

Isaiah 1:11 “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me?  Saith the Lord:   I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts;  and I delight not in the blood of bullocks,  or of lambs,  or of the he goats.”

God did not want sacrifices which did not mean anything….but only served to make the person look good before others……

….but He wanted the sacrifices to be offered from the person’s heart…..the person looking forward to the coming Christ.

Psalm 51:17, 19 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:  a broken and contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.

                Then  shalt Thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness,  with burnt offering and whole burnt offering:  then shall they offer bullocks upon Thy altar.”

If you read Psalm 50:17-20 The Lord corrects those who follow the world’s ways of stealing, lying, and slander.     Every Israelite was to treat a fellow Israelite as a brother…..helping him if he could,…..but never hurting him.

Psalm 50:21 “These things hast thou done,  and I kept silence;  thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one  as thyself:  but I will reprove thee,  and set them in order before thine eyes.”

I will not let you continue to follow the Way of the world, but will correct you as a parent corrects his child. 

Then I will show you the right way……hear it….and live.

Isaiah 1:16-17 “Wash ye, make you clean;  put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes;  cease to do evil:

                Learn to do well;  seek judgement,  relieve the oppressed,  judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.”

Jeremiah 31:33-34. “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel;  after those days,  saith the Lord,   I will put My law in their inward parts,  and write it in their hearts;  and will be their God, and they shall be My people.

                     And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor,  and every man his brother,  saying,  know the Lord:  for they shall know Me,  from the least of them unto the greatest of them,  saith the Lord,  wherefore I will forgive their iniquity,  and I will remember their sin no more.”

(And Jesus promised this in:

John 14:26 “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,  Whom the Father will send in My name,  He shall teach you all things,  and bring all things to your remembrance,  whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Paul speaks of this in Hebrews 8:10-12……in Christ Jesus, this new covenant has come to all who believe…Hallelujah!)

In Psalm 50,  God speaks to all His own…..all saints.

In this day and age….He calls to His church to judge themselves according to what He said.  (John 12:48)

1 Corinthians 11:31 “For if we would judge ourselves,  we should not be judged.”

The Lord calls everyone of His, to come to Him….and  “come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord….”(Isaiah 1:18).

Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me,  O God,  and know my heart:  try me, and know my thoughts:

                   And see if there be any wicked way in me,  and lead me in the Way everlasting.”

One day the church, and the whole universe will stand in silence, to hear God’s judgements…..”that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” (Romans 3:19)

He will judge all,….in the righteous balances He holds. 

(The born again ones at the Judgement seat of Christ [1 Corinthians 3:11-15].    And the lost, at the White throne judgement [Revelation 20:11-15])

Paul preached this almost nineteen hundred years ago:

Acts 17:30-31 “And the times of this ignorance God winked at;  but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent:

                     Because He hath appointed a day,  in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man Whom He hath ordained;  where of He hath given assurance unto all men,  in that He hath raised Him (Jesus) from the dead.”

“Judgement” in scripture, does not  just mean hell, or thunderbolts from God…….it is the rules of conduct formed by a Holy God for the well being of men…..leading Him to decisions of approval and blessing;…..as well as correction.     

Romans 2:6-7 “Who will render to every man according to his deeds:  

              To them  who by patient continuance in well-doing  seek for glory and honor and immortality,  eternal life:”

In that day,  I want to hear:

              “His Lord said unto him,   Well done, good and faithful servant;  thou hast been faithful over a few things,  I will make thee ruler over many things:  enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”  Matthew 25:23

It always comes down to the heart of the matter….what does your heart want?

To honor the Lord,   or yourself,…..in this time,….in this place….in this life?

Standing before the God Who is there. 

 

Romans 11:29 “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”

If the Lord has ever called you to a ministry or work (we call it work, because so many people feel “ministry” is only for preachers), He has not changed His mind concerning you.

Our whole existence should be:  to will to please our Lord, as His creature and servant.

As creatures, we are responsible for all He has given us.

Who I am and what I am,  rests with the God before Whom I stand.

I can not make myself what I am not;  nor can I excuse myself for what I have been.

But I can give myself over to the molding of the Holy Spirit within, and do God’s Will in obedience, now.

He will work within to increase faith, hope, peace, and joy that I need, as I yield to Him.

It is:  I stand, as His servant, before Him in each situation.

It is not as someone else,  or someone I might be someday,……but who I am, using the faith that God has given me, now.

Example:

Acts 3:1-2 “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer,  being the ninth hour.

                     And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried,  whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful,  to ask alms of them which entered into the temple;”

Peter and John,  had been filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

But they were still Peter and John.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit, is to be filled to the capacity in your soul at that time, to receive the rule and power of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit never stops you, being you, in your personality,…..but only guides you away from sin, and into knowledge of God’s Will.

Then He gives grace or the empowerment to do God’s Will. (We still have to use it)

Peter and John were going along to prayer service,  when they see this lame man.

He sat at the gate of the temple to beg alms.

He saw Peter and John, and as usual,  he asked them for some money.  

Acts 3:4 “And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John,  said,  Look on us.”

The lame man saw nothing different in them,  for he expected some small change, as others gave him.  

But Peter wanted to direct his eyes away from the coin,  to what he said.   For he knew that the Lord wanted to heal him. (“Fastening” here, means looking with a purpose in mind.)

Acts 3:6-8 “Then Peter said,   Silver and gold have I none;  but such as I have give I thee:   In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

                      And he took him by the right hand,  and lifted him up:  and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

                      And he leaping up  stood,  and walked,  and entered with them into the temple,  walking,  and leaping,  and praising God.”

Notice Peter said,  “such as I have give I thee”.  What did he have?

He had the knowledge of Jesus Christ and of the power of His name. 

For Jesus Christ can change men’s lives.

And Peter knew the Lord’s Will, and used what he had, to obey.

What do we have?

Notice also,  he took him by the hand.   Peter did not wait for the man to believe, but “lifted him up” in faith, himself.

And God did the rest:  “his feet and ankle bones received strength” to walk and leap.

Then faith in the man caught up and he did not run home;     but went into the temple to praise God.

If you read further,  you will see how God used this to enable Peter to preach about Christ to others.  Many believed.  (Acts 4:4)

(Yes, they were put in “hold” for a night, but even that gave them the opportunity to preach in Jesus Name to the rulers, elders, and scribes.

They were threatened,  but told the council,  “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.    For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”)

After such an experience,  Peter and John  went back to the company of believers and told what had happened.

All the gathered believers,  prayed for boldness to “speak Thy word”.  

Acts 4:31 “And when they had prayed,  the place was shaken where they were assembled together;  and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost,  and they spake the word of God with boldness.”

Weren’t they already filled with the Spirit?   Yes….

….but….here,  they were filled to the greater capacity in their souls.   

They had a larger capacity because of what they had done and experienced……and they needed more of His help.  

And He gave it.

Standing before the God Who is there,  is simply being His obedient servant;…….and receiving and using the faith and help,   He gives.  

When we go on in this way,…..more grace and help, is given, as we need it

The Little Foxes

Song of Solomon 2:15 “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines:  for our vines have tender grapes.”

A little background might be helpful.   

        When the grape vines are first in blossom….all the grapes are in that flowering blossom, in miniature.

        They will grow and become grapes….small and green….then larger and ripe.

        

Large foxes will not be interested in the blossoms….they are not enough for them…they will wait till that blossom becomes fruit….then try and wiggle in and eat the grapes.  (Though you can erect fences that will keep out most large foxes)

         Though this is bad for the end harvest, yet there will be grapes they do not eat.   It will not be as it should be,   but there will be grapes enough to pick.

          But little foxes,….those spring foxes….squeeze in the smallest holes,  and eat the blossoms…..and when they do, the whole cluster, that could have made grapes….is destroyed.

These little foxes are little things which discourage,  or annoy,  or little troubles,  or little sins,  or little resentments…..

……things which seem not big enough to take to the Lord…..things we think we can “handle” ourselves.

        This is wrong.   For these “little” things can destroy our fruitfulness.   

We are to bring forth the fruits of love, joy and peace….(Galatians 5:22-23)

First, peace is disturbed….joy vanishes,….and our love is often overshadowed…when theses things happen…

….and we often do not do anything about it….they are such “little” things.

     

(You see, we often think God wants us to do things for Him,…..and obedience is required of all God’s servants)..

But what the Lord wants from us is “abiding”…..a personal relationship with Him….

…..and to bear the fruit of that relationship….”abiding in My love;….My joy might remain in you….love one another.”

(These are the blossom and fruit of every Christian….they are both seen and the fragrance of our relationship is spread abroad to others.)

John 15:8-12 “Herein is My Father glorified,  that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.

       As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you,:  continue ye in My love.

       If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.

       These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

       This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”

(Notice the words….”continue”,  “abide”, “remain”….these are words that are express our willing with the Lord…

…following Him…

…and talking to Him…

…and helping one another…

…again that personal relationship with Him.)

Big problems often come….but we know what to do with them:  we are to come to Christ…and deal with them, with Him.

     “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

But small irritations of life….small sins of omission or forgetting our duty to love one another…small hurts……these we should see as very dangerous.

      

As one preacher used to say:   “A small hole will sink a boat, as well as a large hole”

What will we do with our “little foxes”?  

     

“Take us the foxes,  the little foxes, that spoil the vines.”    It is “us”…..Christ Jesus and me,….Christ Jesus and you.

Take them together….and deal with them together.   He will not do it alone, and you can not do it alone.      

It is “Take us”….will we?

       

Calling all one-talent Christians!

Matthew 25:14-15 “For the kingdom of heaven is as a Man traveling into a far country, who called His own servants, and delivered unto them His goods.  

        And unto one He gave five talents, to another two, and to another one;  to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took His journey.”

I want to mention here, that God has a way of giving everyone exactly what they need….”…according to his several ability…”.   God gives us each “ability”….or power to do,  what we are called to do.

You will notice that this Man, Christ Jesus….before He ascended to heaven….He gave gifts unto men…

       Ephesians 4:7-8 “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

       Wherefore He saith,  When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.”  

“And He delivered unto them His goods.”    

      Again this shows that we are provided for, before the emergency arrives……”ordained” as Paul says:

      Ephesians 2:10 “For we are HIs workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

This, the Man Christ Jesus did to all…..

      He gave five talents to one,  two talents to another, and one talent to the other.

      

These talents  are the currency with which to trade with….in order to gain for their Master.    

        We all have been given the Holy Spirit when we were born again….it is how much we yield to Him which gives the increase, by grace,….in our lives….and in the lives of others we come into contact with.

        Since He gave one servant, five talents….does that mean He gives more of the Holy Spirit when they are born again?   No…

….but notice….they were all servants before He gave these talents.   

       This talent then is the faith and grace of God…..for it multiplies, just like an investment….if we use it.

Grace is the unmerited favor of power….the power of God in our lives.   The peace, strength, courage, sight, joy,….all come by grace.

       We are saved by grace….by “grace are ye saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8)

       We are sanctified by the grace of God…His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3)

       We are kept by grace….who are kept by the power of God through faith (1 Peter 1:5)

      

Faith and grace  is the “money”, the capital…we invest in our lives,…

….to receive the benefit of the reward…”Well done, thou good and faithful servant”.

      

And this faith and grace is all from God.   It is the use of it, that gets us more.

Not everyone grows in grace,  the same…..God knows that.

    But He gives us a charge to be faithful to the faith and grace we have….to listen to the Holy Spirit and obey.   To do, trusting in the Lord.  

But the one-talent servant chose to “dig in the earth”.

Matthew 25:24-25 “Then he which had received the one talent came and said,  Lord, I knew Thee that Thou art an hard man,  reaping where Thou hast not sown, and gathering where Thou hast not strawed:

      And I was afraid, and went and hid Thy talent in the earth: lo, there Thou hast that is Thine.”

Frankly,  this man claims to know the Lord….as many entangled in the world,  do….

….but he does not.   

      It wasn’t just that the Master had given him everything he needed….that was true, and therefore as a servant he should obey…

….but it was his attitude to his Master.

Jesus Christ paid all our debts,  gave us everlasting life,  sent the Holy Spirit to indwell and comfort by faith,  and gave us grace—the unmerited favor of power….

….yet the Lord Jesus is accused….of being “mean” because He requires obedience in one thing….

……….use what I give you!

This is the attitude of the servant entangled in the world.

         This one talent servant had buried not only the talent in the earth…..but his heart as well.     

      For this servant basically told the Lord,  I would rather be buried in worldly things then do anything for You.

He claims that he was afraid….

….and fear does make us do stupid and terrible things…..

….but there was an answer to that:

Matthew 25:27 “Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.”

Usury is interest, as from a bank.

        

      He should have taken the faith and grace of God and shown some interest in it……Should have gone to church to try and learn how to use it.

Should have read the Bible, and let the Holy Spirit speak to him from it.

2 Peter 1:5-8 “…giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;….for if these things be in you,…they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

This is God’s plan of growth….”add to” what you have….and you will gain more.

So, calling all one-talent Christians! 

         You may not think God gave you much……perhaps your heart is cold toward Him….perhaps you think you are better off “digging in the earth” of this world….

….burying your talent of faith and grace.

But you are not.    God gave you one talent to use….to gain by it,  and frankly, there is no limit how much we can gain….not in faith, grace…or love to Him.

Come….pick up that faith and grace given you and use it….let His love bring you from the hole in the earth….to the Way and walk toward heaven’s gain…

…for He does love you.

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are HIs workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Let us come boldly

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

[In the Old Testament,  believers looked to the Tabernacle….toward the mercy seat upon the Ark in the Holy of Holies…for there was where the blood of the sacrifice for atonement was poured forth.

      They could not go any further than the outer court….but could look toward it from there….to receive mercy (God’s kindness to sinners,  Exodus 25:22).

After Christ’s death and resurrection, believers are bidden to come boldly to the Throne of grace….right before our Father God’s throne in prayer….

….to obtain that mercy from God we need….(we all need mercy…for we are all sinners:  saved sinners and lost sinners.)

…. and to find that grace (power in our lives to do God’s Will) to help us in the time of need.]

Christianity is an ideology……an ideology is a body of ideas reflecting the needs and aspirations of an individual, or group….

…..and to many, it is nothing more than that….for they have never been Born again.

       It takes the element of faith to make these things real.

The Way of the fullness of the Spirit and His gifts,  is….to have His Kingdom come within us….

Matthew 6:10 “Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.”

God cannot be honored by us….until we voluntarily submit to His rule over us.

        We cannot be an expression of His kingdom,  while rejecting His reign over us,….practically.

(I once asked the difference between subjection and submission….and for most, it seemed, there was none.    And it is true, they both end in the same way….us bowing before God…..and doing His Will.

        But subjection is the where God has had the victory over me.   When it happened to me….I had  come to the place where God could do what He wanted with me….I was no longer going to do what I wanted.

        Submission, on the other hand, is my will yielding to Christ….going along in the Spirit…more like hand in hand.)

Hebrews 4:1 “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.”

Every promise in the Word, and every promise given to us personally is nothing until entered into by faith.

        God may have given you this, and this, and that….but until you have the reality of these things…..they are only promises, still.

        

“Let us therefore fear”…..or be alarmed.  We need to hear the alarm sounding from God and His Word….about HIs promises to us.   Wake up,  get up,  and get these.

Who does not remember the heroes of the Bible who claimed God’s Word….and got what they needed.

      Jacob….God’s promise of staying with him and bringing him back to the land   Genesis 28:15

      Elijah….who prayed for no rain according to scripture…got what he prayed for. James 5:17, Duet. 11:16-17

      Daniel….who knew of the promise to return the Israelites after seventy years…praying for it.  Daniel 9:2-3

       Peter, who by the Lord’s word walked on water…though he feared when he got his eyes off of Jesus. Matthew14:29

       Paul who heard from the Lord that there was much people in this city….and this was about Corinth….a very wicked city…Acts 18:9-11

       

And what of us….how many promises have been given to us…..are we entered into “rest” concerning them.

      First, when we receive a promise,  the Spirit gives us hope (that confident expectation that God will do what He says)…and we believe.

          (But if we stop there, we come short of real rest.)

      Then there is the  rest is of possession….like the Israelites getting their land….they went in and by God’s enabling….took it.   

      So must we,  reach forth to grasp it…otherwise we seem to “come short of it”.

       We must find out how we can get it…..some by prayer,  some by obedience….some by both…we get what God promises.

Hebrews 4:9, 11 “There remaineth, therefore a rest to the people of God.

       Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”

Let us labor….”labor” here means to give earnest diligence to move forward.

       We are not to look back….but when God gives us a promise we are to move forward toward it.    

       We are to cross what lies between….whether, as the Israelites…the Red Sea,  or the wilderness,….we are to keep moving forward with God toward the promise…..till we get it.

And so the writer points to Christ,  before the Throne of God for us…

Hebrews 4:14-15 “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.

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

And then he tells us….not to stay afar off….but “come boldly to the throne of grace”….telling all to Christ….

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

In our Christian life,  there are many “times of need”….yet the throne of grace is open to us….to come…..to come boldly…to get what we need.

      

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

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

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

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

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

….and resist the Adversary of our souls.

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

…Judicial peace because we are born again…Hallelujah 

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

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

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

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

Not just temptations….although they are there…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Peace “keeps” us….

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And get them done.)

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

This is God’s sure footing for us.