Temptation.

Luke 8:13 “They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for awhile believe, and in time of temptation fall away.”

Here is described some who hear the Word of God; and their hearts respond to it with joy!

They believe for awhile, for they receive the word, not just hear it.

This means that their hearts want Salvation. They understand the promise of it, as well as what it demands of them.

They will to obey it, and go along great…..until something halts their progress.

That “something” is Temptation.

To tempt is to arouse to action or anger; to induce to do something; to persuade.

Temptation comes along and knocks at the door of your life.

Life might be treating you badly. You might already be hurt, or angry, or discouraged (and this is a big one: discouragement)

So the devil, our Adversary, who is behind each temptation, sends “Complaints” to speak to us.

Complaints comes and knocks at our door. When we open to see who it is, he says, “How many times are you going to put up with their ingratitude?”

“You deserve to have that position. You work harder than anybody else!”

“They should never have said that about you. You are so much nicer than they are.”

He says exactly what we want to hear.

Should you listen? (First mistake. Eve was tripped up by listening to the devil, she should have run away at the first suggestion out of his mouth)

Should you open to see exactly what “Complaints” is offering?

Now if we are “sober (serious about standing with Christ),

and vigilant (watchful); we can refuse Complaint’s suggestions.

1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

Because, devour is what the devil wants to do, with this Temptation. To eat up every determination to do God’s Will.

(Believe me, every temptation we yield to; weakens our faith. If you would be strong in the faith, flee temptation.)

Remember, that is what it is: it is a Temptation, no matter what name it comes knocking under.

If we listen, and consider what Temptation is offering; a foothold is made in your heart or your understanding. And once there, they are twice as hard to resist.

Christ Jesus taught His disciples to pray:

Matthew 6:13 “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

There are two parts to dealing with Temptation:

1. “Lord, lead us not into temptation”. Help me to keep asking for the help I need. To lean on You to say and do only what I should.

James 1:19-20 “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear (God), slow to speak, slow to wrath:

For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”

2. “but, deliver us from evil”. For there is a way out of Temptation, once we are in it.

James 4:7-8 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you, cleanse your hands ye sinners; and purify your hearts ye double-minded.”

The first is submit to God: confess your desire to listen and go along with Temptation, and confess your anger (or what ever the sin was).

This submission is a deliberate act of your will, and the real Victory is in the submission.

Then resist the devil: “The Lord rebuke thee.” (We certainly can’t in our own power, but in His name, we can.)

Then draw near to God, and He will draw near to you: This is a military movement. It is going back, to take cover in Christ Jesus, our Rock; and He will protect us, and fight for us in a special way.

Temptations are common to man.

But we can be delivered from them:

1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

And God has promised a blessing for all those who endure. Endure means that you stand with Christ Jesus; and when the temptation is over, you are still standing with Jesus.

(You may fall. But He has provided His forgiveness, and cleansing power to get us up and stand again with Him.)

James 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

All

All is a small word in itself,….yet inclusive to the greatest degree.

These three letters signify the enormity, the magnitude, the numbers, the greatness of power to accomplish….without limits…..for “all” is everything there is.

Mark 9:23 “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”

This is an amazing promise….”all things are possible, to him that believeth.”

Are we believing Him in all things? Are we proving His Word in the situations of life?

I know I have failed here, often. We think of the hard, impossible things for which we need God….but “all things”…..really?

Are we looking to Him in “all” things?

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

(We all know the about when Peter walked on the water. [Matthew 14:25-31]

We know that Peter was doing fine,…..until….he stopped looking to Jesus, and started looking around at the waves and wind.

Yes, those were the circumstances he was in at that time,……but the waves were high when Jesus bid Peter “Come” to Him;……and the wind was howling as Peter crawled out of the boat, and onto the sea.

It was not the wind or the waves,……but the fact that Peter stopped looking to Jesus, that got him in trouble.

Now for me, that would have told me that Peter should not have asked to come out on the water….but, the Lord did not correct him, then….but corrected his unbelief. “Wherefore didst thou doubt?”)

“All things are possible to him that believeth”

For our salvation, Christ Jesus has reconciled “all things” and made peace by His blood:

2 Corinthians 5:18 “And all things are of God, Who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;”

Colossians 1:20 “And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”

“Reconciliation” means to remove all those things which hinder fellowship with God.

We cannot reconcile ourselves to God, He did that on the cross….but we can come to Him at His invitation, receiving…and continuing to receive His life….and “be made the righteousness of God in Him”:

2 Corinthians 5:17, 19, 21 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

These “all things becoming new” includes faith and light…..which gives us the “sight” we need to navigate in this world.

It includes the Holy Spirit’s ability for us to get honest with the Lord, and come with our hands emptied of excuses. (1 John 1:7, 9)

It includes peace….a peace which passes “all understanding” for both our hearts….and minds.

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

For our spiritual needs, Christ Jesus has blessed us:

Ephesians 1:3, 2:6 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

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

Are we getting them into us?

Paul wrote that he had learned how to abound, and how to be abased (and if you read what happened to him: being thought a god [Acts 14:11-15]…..being stoned and left for dead [Acts 14:19-20]….a jail opened for him [Acts 16:25-26]….a shipwreck [Acts 27]…..you can see his being abased and abounding!) and he testifies:

Philippians 4:11, 13 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (And that is reconciliation!)

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

That’s Paul, the mighty apostle….but he goes on to say:

Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Again, I will ask, are we believing the Lord? Are we being reconciled to Him in everything….the “all” things of our life?

Well, He said “all things are becoming new”….will we let Him make this day new in our experience with Him….more peace, more joy, more of His Presence in the wind and waves we face?

The Judgement Seat of Christ

1 Corinthians 3:13 “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”

When we stand before Christ Jesus, in that day, the most important aspect of our service will not be how much we have done, but “of what sort it is”.

That will be our motives behind the work we have done for Christ.

So how shall our motives be seen?

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

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

Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

The things of God in our life, will come through as gold.

The things of Salvation which we have shown, will come through as silver.

The people we have helped win to the Lord Jesus Christ (by prayer, witnessing, or leading them to the Lord), will come through the fire as precious stones.

But the selfish, and proud, and willful actions that we have taken, even though they may seem religious, will be burnt up as wood, hay and stubble.

The motives of our work and service, is what God looks for.

He is interested in who we love.

If we love Him, in obedience to Him (whatever it is: “Whosoever give a cup of water to drink in My Name” Mark 9:41)…….that will be elevated to worship. (Which is really worthy-ship…. we count Him worthy of all.)

1 Corinthians 13:1 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (love), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”

Though I speak every language of this earth,….and that of angels……if I can express myself in all these languages to set forth the truth of God;…..if love to the Lord Jesus is not the reason for my action:…..I am so much noise.

1 Corinthians 13:2 “And though I have the gift of prophesy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity (love), I am nothing.”

If I have the highest gift of the Spirit: to know the mind of God and to speak it.

And understand all mysteries: those things hidden from the ages, to be revealed now.

And all knowledge: being able to set forth these great truths, in a way all might understand.

And have all faith: so that I could remove the mountains, or anything which might stand in the way of the Gospel.

And have not love…..I am nothing.

My position before the Church counts as nothing before God, if I don’t do what I am called, out of love for Him;……but for some other reason.

1 Corinthians 13:3 “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity (love), it profiteth me nothing.”

Though I give all that I possess to feed the poor, and my body to be burned in a martyr’s death, without love to Christ as the reason for doing it; it profits me nothing where God is concerned.

We see then that, at the Judgement Seat of Christ, where the born again ones will be judged; it will be our love to Him which comes through the fire.

Love in the work and service that He gives us;…..our love to Him will stand the fire.

All the other reasons for following Christ, and doing good works, will be burnt up:

There is the reason of getting blessed for it: a bargain of types. I do this for you, God, and You do this for me.

There is the reason of position: either in the Church or in the World. To look good before men.

There is the reason to be “someone”……..even to yourself.

And there is the reason: He told me to do it, so I have to, or else.

Where do we fit in here?

Do you love God? Is He the goal for all your works? To please Him, because you love Him?

Are you fond of remembering His love? Do you want to experience more of it?

Then consider your heart: Who sits on the throne of your heart? Is it a divided heart?

You want to please Christ Jesus, but you also want that attention, or prominence that these works gain you.

Give up that thought of “gain”, for the heart will eventually be pulled apart by it….”you can not serve God and mammon”.

Matthew 16:26 “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”

Someone has said: God’s love is like an Ocean. It is vast and beautiful. Powerful, and wide.

You can stand on the shore and look at it.

You can step in and out of it, staying on the shore.

Or you can get out into it,….by the vessel of faith, and enjoy it.

Rain

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

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

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

Often when we fall into sin after becoming Christians, we can again become “hardened”. So we need to turn to Him again, and pray for showers of His mercy and grace to come to us, and soften our hearts.

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

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

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

So Christ is offered to all who will receive Him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He gives us the fruit of His Spirit within us.

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

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

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

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

Liberty of the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

Liberty of Spirit is to have the ability and will, to do the Will of God, joyfully.

Philippians 2:12-13 “Wherefore, by beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but how much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling:

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

After being born again, we are called to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This calling is personal, between the Lord and you, and has nothing to do with your work for Him, or your witness of Him.

It is the beginning of a relationship.

How far you take this relationship, is as far as the Liberty of the Spirit is yours; for it is based on love, not duty.

It is true, that all those that belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, are called to obey Him.

Acts 5:32. “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.”

We stress obedience a lot for Christians, but this Liberty of Spirit is found in those that love Him.

When we are born again, the Spirit of God comes into our spirits and gives us light for darkness, and a love, however small, for God; not an anger toward Him.

The Spirit of God then uses the Word of God to awaken a desire within us to be holy.

There are two terms for holy in the Scriptures: Holy when it speaks of God is His Nature of Sinlessness, and Integrity.

Holy when it speaks of us as His followers, means that we are setting ourselves aside for His sacred use. He can use us as He will, for His honor and glory.

Holiness comes from the determined will of the believer, to be a vessel unto honor, meet for the Master’s use. (2 Timothy 2:21). This is not sinlessness, but constant communion with Him, who is Holiness.

This Liberty of the Spirit, is the same liberty you feel with your true friends. There is nothing you can not tell, or hear, that would effect your friendship. There is the feeling of acceptance, and power with them.

And the Holy Spirit empowers us in God’s Word, God’s Grace, and God’s Will.

Fear is dealt with.

Anger is defused.

Self-pity is turned from.

Power is given, from within us by the Holy Spirit; and received.

This is Liberty of the Spirit. And so much more; with that personal relationship with Him.

Do you want it?

God’s Light.

John 1:9 “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that come into the world.”

Every man born has light. It is called the “candle of the Lord” (Proverbs 20:27), or the spirit of man.

Some call it “conscience”….for it is natural man’s moral compass.

In natural man, it is “darkened”; for it cannot see God’s Light.

In Christians, our spirits are “enlightened” (Eph.1:18) so we can know and see God’s Light.

Light from God is truth and knowledge;…….which reveals our part in that knowledge.

Because light which comes to us, is always personal.

The very first thing God spoke into being, in His re-creation, was light.

Genesis 1:3 “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”

He did not need to speak, but He did,…..showing that His purpose was to be worked out by the Word. (John 1:1)

He did not need light, for He is Light;….but again God is showing the absolute need of light, by us.

With that light, He divided it from the darkness (Genesis 1:4); and then He made the first day,…..calling the division of time by the light….showing how the light was to have preeminence.

Genesis 1:5 “And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.”

Then He manifested how light should “rule”….by making two lights (sun and moon):

Genesis 1:16-18 “And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: He made the stars also.

And God set them in the firmament of heaven to give light upon the earth,

And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.”

(Three times God mentions a division between light and dark [Genesis 1:4,14, 18]…..and three times God uses the word “rule” in connection with these lights [Genesis 1:16,18])

The Lord spoke to Adam, giving him his ministry and the commandment, which would test his faith and subjection to God…..by His spoken Word: Genesis 2:15-17. (Again this is personal)

But Adam rejected His Word….so every person born afterward, has had to struggle with darkness.

Every man had the true light of God at one time, for all knew that God existed, and was the Creator.

Darkness came with sin,….and drew men into exceeding darkness;….so much so that when the Lord of Life and Light came to save men from their sins; they “comprehended” it not.

John 1:5 “And the Light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”

Sin has so blinded the “eyes” or understanding, of our hearts….so that we are unable to see our terrible and lost condition. We are in darkness as to our great peril, and the tragedy and emptiness of our lives, without the Lord.

2 Corinthians 4:4 ” In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

John 3:19 “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

But God is Light….so He shines into the darkness of sin, by His Word:

Psalm 119:130 “The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple.” (The “simple” here are those untaught about God)

And when we come to the Light of Christ…

He calls us out of darkness into light:

1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that we should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light:”

He gives us an inheritance, as joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17):

Colossians 1:12-13 “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.”

Light gives knowledge.

2 Corinthians 4:6 “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts , to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Light gives understanding.

Ephesians 5:14, 17 “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

Light brings us to fellowship and cleansing:

1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. “

Light gives more light:

Psalm 36:9 “For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light.”

Light shows us our stand in Christ:

1 Thessalonians 5:5, 8 “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.”

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

For: “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:4)

God is still giving light by His Word….by His Son, Jesus Christ. Will we receive Him? Will we receive His Word?

This song comes to mind:

“Come to the Light….‘tis shining for thee. Sweetly the light hath shined upon me. Once I was blind, but now I can see….the Light of the world is Jesus.”

The First Principle, Obedience.

Acts 8:1,4-5 “…And at that time there was a great persecution against the Church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.”

Jesus had told them to be witnesses to Him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

Until the persecution, they had concentrated their activities in Jerusalem.

But now they were forced to flee; and so began the spread of the gospel throughout the world.

Philip was one of the deacons appointed to see to the daily needs of the Church. (Acts 6:3-6)

But now he goes down to Samaria, to preach of Christ.

Acts 8:6-8 “And the people with one accord gave heed unto the things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

For unclean spirits crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

And there was great joy in that city. ”

Here was a real Awakening. There was great joy in that city. Surely there would be, since Jesus Christ has come into the hearts and lives of the citizens.

Acts 8:12 “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women.”

Soon after this, Peter and John came from Jerusalem, to help Philip, after they heard that Samaria received the word of God.

In the midst of this Awakening, Philip is told to leave there and go down to Gaza, which is desert.

Acts 8:26 “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip saying, Arise, and go toward the south, unto the way which goeth down to Jerusalem to Gaza, which is desert.”

And what was his reaction to this? Did he argue and say,……”Lord, I am in a great revival here. I can’t leave now.”

No.

Acts 8:27-29 “And he arose and went: (That is Obedience)

And behold a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had a charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem to worship,

was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Isaiah the prophet.

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.”

The Holy Spirit tells Philip, Go near, and speak to this man.

And Philip runs!

And is given the opportunity to speak of Jesus Christ.

Acts 8:30-34 “And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Isaiah, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he should come up and sit with him.

The place of the Scripture which he read was this,

He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;

and like a lamb dumb before his Shearer, so opened not his mouth:

In his humiliation his judgement was taken away:

and who shall declare His generation?

For his life is taken from the earth.

And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? Of himself, or of some other man?”

This eunuch had been to Jerusalem, to worship. Even though he had been there at the time of Pentecost;……he was untouched by all that was going on there.

(Remember, Pentecost was when the Holy Spirit was given: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost,…

Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together….

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:1-2,4,6,38)

And now, this eunuch was returning home, not knowing of the invitation Peter gave to all who gathered around them. He was looking to the Scriptures, but without understanding.

He felt that this particular scripture he was reading was important…..but how it was…..he was not sure.

And Philip, using that very Scripture, spoke to him, of Jesus: Who He was, and what He had done, for the saving of the soul.

Acts 8:35 “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.”

Obedience is the first principle of all of God’s Principles.

It Honors God, because it is for the Lord.

His Presence is with the one doing it, in a real way.

He honors the one doing it.

He blesses the obedience, whether it is seen at the time or not.

(Obedience in the Greek means “willingly doing what you are told”.

You can do, because you have to, or to gain something.

But Obedience is the willing heart doing, to please our Lord Jesus Christ.)

Acts 8:36-38 “As they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water, what doth hinder me to be baptized?

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.”

Philip was obedient, and the eunuch was obedient, and the eunuch went on his way rejoicing.

Acts 8:39 “And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.”

(Some people say that this is how the Christian Church in Ethiopia was started.)

To know about Jesus, is good.

But to truly know Him, is joy.

There was joy in Samaria,……and with the eunuch, because of Philip’s obedience.

The first principle is Obedience.

For Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15)

Samuel Hears God

1 Samuel 3:1 “And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.”

Samuel is a young boy…maybe in his teens. Samuel had been “lent” to the Lord from Hannah, his mother….for the ministry the Lord had showed her. “…And he worshipped the Lord there.” (1 Samuel 1:28)

He stayed with Eli, and learned God’s word of the law. He knew the beauty of the Lord’s Tabernacle, and understood the duties Eli performed.

He was Eli’s helper; and when Eli (who was the high priest), went into the Holy Place to maintain the oil in the Lampstand, which had to be kept filled during the night,…..Samuel went with him.

Samuel slept by the Lampstand, to notice the lights flickering.

This was a sad time in Israel….the people did not know the Word of the Lord: their laws and their meaning….it was “precious”…..very rarely talked of in families and among people.

Also there was no “open vision” (Proverbs 29:18)…..the purpose and plan for Israel, under God, was also not universally known….only a few remembered that God was to be their King.

Only a few remembered that they were to be separate tribes, yet brothers in kindness.

(I want to mention something here,….about training our children in the Word of God.

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

“Train” here means to initiate and discipline. To bring into and teach.

My son had a rebellious time when he was in his teens….not terrible stuff….but he turned away from God, for a while. He was brought back, by God speaking to him, getting his attention concerning his life ahead.

God’s Word sheds light….and I believe we need to show our children what we think of His Word….how much we believe it….that is an impression they will never get around…though they certainly may try.)

Samuel was not of the priestly family….yet God had seen beforehand the perverseness and rebellion of Eli’s sons…..and provided a substitute, in Samuel, to speak to Israel about God.

But first….Samuel would have to hear, for himself, the Word of the Lord.

God was going to speak to him….and give him a task….would he obey?

1 Samuel 3:2-4 “And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;

And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the Ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;

That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.”

This sounds good….

1 Samuel 3:5 “And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou callest me. And he said, I called not, lie down again, and he went away and lay down.”

Samuel had not heard the Lord before, and mistakenly thought that Eli had called him….so he ran over to him and asked him what he needed.

Eli, half asleep, said….”I didn’t call you, go back to sleep.”

This happened two more times: “And the Lord called yet again, Samuel.” (Verse 6)

Now Samuel was hearing…..but not hearing the Lord, yet. He kept thinking Eli was calling him….and each time, in diligence, Samuel went to see what Eli wanted.

Twice Eli, told him to do back to sleep….but the third time:

1 Samuel 3:8-9 “And the Lord called Samuel again the third time; and he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me.

And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.

Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if He call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth.

So Samuel went and lay down in his place.”

(I was praying once about “teach all nations/ make disciples” [Matthew 28:18-20]. And the Lord showed me these verses…..Eli pointing Samuel to hear and answer the Lord.

The Lord showed me……If we can bring those we pray for and teach, to hear the Lord for themselves….and answer Him with obedience; we have fulfilled our commission.)

1 Samuel 3:10-11a “And the Lord, came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel.

Then Samuel answered, Speak; for Thy servant heareth.

And the Lord said unto Samuel,…..”

The fourth time, the Lord calls Samuel….this time standing beside the Lampstand….He said “Samuel, Samuel”.

He repeated his name, for there was an urgency now that Samuel knew it was the Lord was speaking to him.

Samuel says…..as Eli told him….”Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth”.

And the Lord told Samuel that He was going to do away with the priesthood that was in charge, including Eli….for the sin Eli refused to deal with, in his sons.

It would be a wake-up call to the nation, now…….but, later, He would make an end to the judgement on the priesthood……”when I begin, I will also make an end.”

In the interim, Samuel would minister to the nation, turning them back to know God, and His claims upon them…for each other; and other nations.

In the morning, after hearing this….Samuel got up and went about his chores; opening the doors; but he said nothing to Eli.

Eli sees Samuel’s quietness, tells him,……to speak plainly to him:

1 Samuel 3:18 “And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he (Eli) said, It is the Lord: let Him do what seemeth Him good.”

And Samuel told him everything that the Lord had said. He loved Eli, but spoke God’s Word,….faithfully.

(Eli submitted to the Lord’s Word, through Samuel.

Actually, Eli had been a good man,….but a bad father to his son’s. He had tried to correct them,….slightly. But as the high priest, he should have taken them out of the priesthood, for their sin against the nation.

And for their trespass against the Lord, ….they should have been stoned. 1Samuel 2:17, 24-25; Leviticus 24:16)

Samuel’s faithfulness was blessed.

1 Samuel 3:19, 21 “And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the Word of the Lord.”

The Lord again was speaking to the nation,….through Samuel. He was telling them what God wanted of them, as His people. (How important for us, as Christians, to keep in constant touch with Him, and His will for now.)

We, too, can hear the Lord calling and speaking to us….sometimes through others, and sometimes personally through His Word to us.

This is what He wants for us…..to hear Him, and know His Will, Word, and the way we should go. It is always personal….the Lord knew Samuel’s name….He knows ours, as well..

John 10:3 “To Him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear His Voice; and He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.”

When we hear Him, we should say: “Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth”…….and then be faithful to what He has said to us.

“O Wretched man that I am”

Revelation 3:17 “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”

The wretchedness of Laodicea spills over into it’s miserableness, poverty, blindness and nakedness.

The Lord says we are wretched….which means deplorable or deserving disapproval…….for we are not zealous (boiling hot) for God’s Will (Rev.3:19)….but lukewarm.

We are ‘warm’ enough that we think we are alright….and cool enough to save ourselves from the “shame” of the gospel-way.

Wanting God’s blessing,…..but, along with friendship with the world. (1 John 2:15)

Paul writes Timothy, a young preacher, who had been a companion of his, before Paul was imprisoned:

2 Timothy 1:8 “Be thou not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner; but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.”

Yet,…..God does not require at our hand, what He does not supply grace for:

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Paul writes of his testimony a lot in Romans (remember he was a persecutor of this gospel….till God spoke to him)…..and he begins with:

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

And he proved this,….after he was converted…by…

Acts 9:20, 22 “And straightway he (Saul/Paul) preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.”

But what does Paul, the mighty Apostle, have to do with “wretchedness”?

Surely he could never be accused of this!

Well, Paul said he was wretched….giving his testimony to the Romans:

Romans 7:24 “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”

What does this mean?

(Under Roman law, if you killed a relative, the judge could chain that dead body on to you…..and send you away from the city. You could not remove it, till it fell off itself, after decaying.

Well, Paul felt that way….he was carrying the body of his old self, which he had “killed” when he was born again.

But he felt it’s weight, it’s noxious influence when he tried to do God’s Will….he wanted freedom from it.)

Paul describes his experience, in vibrant colors:

Romans 7:7 “…Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”

He had discovered that this brilliant Pharisee, full of desires to fulfill the will of God…..good in all points….except coveting. He coveted….and that “slew” him.

He realized that even in religious things, his attitude of coveting was there.

(We think of certain sins as “bad”…..and others….well, to be overlooked. And worse, we think…..God thinks that way.

No….sin is sin. No matter how large or small…sin is rebellion against a Holy God and His Way.)

“Thou shalt not covet”, knocked him down with all the other “sinners”. He realized, if he was going to live a life to God….he needed help.

He really wanted to do God’s will…”for to will is present with me: but how to perform that which is good I find not.” (Verse 18)

(Galatians 5:17 “For the flesh lusteth (fights) against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary one to the other; so that ye can not do the things that ye would.”

Even after we are saved, our natural life [“old man”, “flesh”, “self”] fights against us being in subjection to God.

That is why we are given a new nature….the Holy Spirit. For our new nature helps us to yield to God, and the Holy Spirit gives us the power as we yield.

Sometimes, our battles against sin and self are relatively short….others long and hard.)

So Paul confessed and cried out: “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”

Paul knew to continue in sin is death to fellowship with Christ….so he looked again to his Lord and Savior.

And the answer came,……Paul, you are already “dead” in Christ’s crucifixion. (Romans 6:6-7, 11)

You have to “reckon” it…….believe Me, and rely on the Holy Spirit within as the power to prove it, by living above the world, and out of sin.

Yield and obey the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:16 “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.”

Romans 8:1-2 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.

For the law of the Spirit in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

Romans 8:14-15 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”

And again, in Rome, “sons” have authority, for they represent the family they are from.

Paul is saying that God gives us freedom, and authority in our new life with Him…..and it is all given in love; for “Abba, Father” means “Daddy”.

An affectionate, personal Name for our Father God.

That was Paul’s testimony…..he knew he was wretched…he knew he coveted, he saw the lust within himself;…..and wanted deliverance.

And got it.

What about us? Are we lukewarm…just getting by?

Do we want to get zealous? Well, it requires:

Revelation 3:19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent.”

But the rewards are great:

Revelation 3:21 “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.”

The Lord promises those that overcome every obstacle in their lives, in the power of the Spirit,….throne authority.

To represent our King, here…..not by command or demand….but by power—real power of His Life,….in us, by us and through us.

Nebuchadnezzar’s Humbling

Daniel 4:1-3 “Nebuchadnezzar the king unto all people, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth, Peace be multiplied unto you.

I thought it good to show the signs and wonders that the High God hath wrought toward me.

How great are His signs! And how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation.”

Here is the story of God against a powerful…maybe the most powerful ruler of the times.

And of course, God wins. The stories of God’s victories are all around us, but we do not get news flashes about them.

So in the Scriptures, God has set aside a record of His humbling of a heathen world-ruler.

Not by mighty armies, or by high intellect; but by the will and word of God.

Why is this important?

Because God still rules, and “He does according to His will in the army of heaven and in the inhabitants of the earth…”

How we yield to that fact shows our subjection to the True King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ.

Daniel 4:4-5 “I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house and flourishing in my palace:

I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.”

It seems funny that someone so powerful would feel afraid by a dream, but many believed that they were signs of things to come.

This time he was right.

So he calls for all his wise men, and astrologers; but they could not tell him what the dream meant.

Then Daniel came in and the king told him the dream.

(Daniel had made known another dream to him before.

Daniel had given all the glory to the “God in heaven that reveals the secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be…” Daniel 2:28)

So Daniel heard from the Lord, what the dream meant:

Daniel 4:20, 22-23, 25 “This tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heavens, and the sight thereof to all the earth;

It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto the heaven, and thy dominion unto. the end of the earth.

And whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him.

…till thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth to whomsoever He will.”

Daniel gives the interpretation:

The tree is you. You have grown so powerful that the whole world is under some part of your influence. But….because you think that you have done all this, there will come a time that God will make you out of your mind, and you will be as a beast…..till…..”thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will.” (Daniel 4:25-26)

Daniel also tries to give the king some counsel:

“Break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy days.” (Daniel 4:27)

But pride (whether of person, or of accomplishments) is a great sin.

Paul writes “Who hath made thee to differ?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).

Simply, is not all that we have from the Lord? If He gives beauty, or ability, or opportunity? Is it not all from Him?

[Does not God give to us, from His wealth?

What we do with what we have been given, is important—even if you do not believe in God…He takes note.]

Daniel’s counsel suggests that Nebuchadnezzar did nothing about the cruelty of the victors over the conquered people.

The lives of many destroyed, or changed at a whim.

But now the question is: would he change?

The next verse says it all.

Daniel 4:28 “All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.”

May I say here, that though many have reformed their actions; real change comes from God, within the person.

Nebuchadnezzar was given time to come to God. A year, twelve whole months…but then:

Daniel 4:29-31 “At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.

The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and the honor of my majesty?

While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; the kingdom is departed from thee.”

We must remember that Nebuchadnezzar is telling the whole world about his experience!

Pretty amazing that he would do so;…..and that he would include the details of his sin, and what God did to him:

Daniel 4:33 “And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beast of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until that thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will.”

He was driven out, a mad man! He ate grass… till seven times—a complete time for him to get a taste of God’s power and kingdom over all;…and repent.

But, “until”…….how great a time-word….when repentance is spoken of:

Daniel 4:34-36 “And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High and I praised and honored Him that liveth forever, Whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation:

And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?

At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honor and brightness, returned unto me; and my counselors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.”

Nebuchadnezzar was a great king….but it was God’s purpose that he be so.

He was at the head of his army. He led into battle, and overpowered other great nations. He built his country into a great world power. He built a beautiful city. [Babylon’s hanging gardens was one of the world’s wonders]

So when Nebuchadnezzar was told that all he did was only because God allowed it to happen!?

He heard, but refused to submit.

It is a hard thing to submit to,…..especially when we would like to get at least part of the credit.

But when Nebuchadnezzar did submit to God, then….”I lifted up mine eyes unto heaven”….mine understanding returned unto me”….”my reason returned unto me;”.

[This is like the prodigal, “When he came to himself”. Luke 15:17-18]

Most people do not like to think of the damage sin does to our minds. The ideas it gives, or the murderous thoughts, or the imaginations it leads into: but sin destroys and corrupts every good thing it can.

We think of “bad attitudes”, or “being illogical”,….but sin twists the truth.

Only when we submit to God as we should, does the truth begin to be seen.

And when we apply that truth to our hearts and lives: we find our minds leaving anger, imaginations, and despair; to find peace, gentleness, mercy and joy…..For ourselves, and others.

Daniel 4:37 “Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all Whose works are truth, and His way judgement: and those that walk in pride He is able to abase.”

Here he praises God! For bringing him into submission!

May we all come to the place where we too are submitting to God, and His purpose…..and praise Him for it.

Leaving the pride of life (1 John2:16), and entering into the fullness of the Spirit.

In joy and peace, going on with Him….in praise.