Take Heed

Luke 8:18 “Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.”

If you have the desire to hear what the Lord is saying to you….you will. If you do not really want to hear…you won’t.

Take heed, or pay attention to those things that will hinder our profiting from the Word that we hear.

Jesus just gave the parable of the Sower sowing the Word. There were four kinds of soil which it landed on:

1)The wayside….really the hard ground around the prepared field where the workers walked.

The seed was so little considered, that when it landed there, it was walked on; “trodden under foot”.

This is the way some people treat God’s Word…they might listen to it, but they do not regard it, so they eventually trample all over what it says…and Jesus, Who said it.

2)The rocky ground…the part of the field where they had taken out the large rocks, but there were still smaller ones there.

The seed there was starved for moisture…or the healthful influences of the Holy Spirit.

It “sprung up”….started to hear and to see what was being said, but the hard places in the heart (resentments, hurts, anger) quenched the Holy Spirit….and because they refused to remove these “rocks”, the Word withered within them.

3)The thorny ground…the part of the field where the seed grows up with the weeds.

At first, it looks like you can get some harvest, though it maybe small.

But the “thorns” or the things of the world (worries, riches or wanting them, and pleasures of this life) are too strong….they pull all the life from the plants, and do not produce anything.

(How many times have we felt our desires taking over our thoughts, and actions?

And these desires can be for a better home, job, car, or anything else. It is not the desire, itself….but how much it influences our affections.

Are we becoming depressed because we do not have them?

Are we thinking about them all the time?

These are thorns, which if we continue to let them grow; and do not pull them out, will choke the Word of God from our hearts.

We pull them out by coming to the Lord and turning them over to Him; confess any sin about them, and ask Him to remove the affections from them.)

4)The good ground…the part of the field where the most preparation has taken place (Jeremiah 4:3).

The ground has been turned over, and smoothed, so when the Seed was placed there, there was nothing to hinder it’s growth.

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

There is nothing that God loves so much than a person that get’s honest with Him…..it is an acknowledgement that our hearts are open to Him in everything.

Jeremiah 17:10 “I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”

If a person’s ways are honest with the Lord, He will reward his honesty with spiritual fruit.

This heart produces fruit….for the Word we hear, we keep, and we use to help us.

Any honest man who comes to God as he is, comes to the ground where God can meet with him.

Isaiah 57:15, 18 “For thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, Whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

I have seen his ways, and I will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners (those that sympathized with him).”

On that same ground of honesty, God grants grace….the unmerited favor of power to do something about ourselves, or the situation we are in.

John 1:17 “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

When we face the truth about ourselves, in any given situation….His grace is applied, right then….and we can produce the fruit of the Spirit within us.

Grace changes us….enabling the weakest Christian to remain strong, patient, to forgive, or any ability we need…..when we get honest with the Lord.

(To be frank, this is the hardest part….for when we pray, we often just ask for grace, without telling the Lord all our deepest feelings. Tell Him all, and let Him heal all…that is the truth and grace of Christ Jesus being applied to us…to make us whole.)

If you read this parable, it was only His disciples who asked, “What might this parable be?”

They wanted to understand the Word that they heard.

To “understand” means “to come together”……..to comprehend so that the actions follow the mind.

The crowd seemed happy just to listen and be around Jesus. Like a vacation from their life….but with no change in their life.

Matthew 13:13, 15 “Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their hearts, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”

They did not understand…because they let their hearts become heavy with cares. (Their life was hard….This might be natural)

They let their ears stop hearing Him, because He required more than they wanted to give.

[He asked them to trust and believe in Him….they wanted Him to keep feeding them, and healing all their illnesses John 6:26-27].

(This is a turning away with their hearts)

Their eyes they closed, because they did not want to “see”….that God was calling them to be His, completely. (This was a choice of the will…they closed them)

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

A good and honest heart: Good because it is honest with God.

(In the Greek (“kalos”), the word for “honest” here, means “beautiful, valuable, or virtuous”. I believe the Lord shows, that to be honest with Him, is beautiful.)

Again, any honest man who comes to God….as he is….comes to the ground where God can meet with him….and He will.

“…I have seen his ways, and I will heal him…”. The Lord says “I will” and where He wills, there is power.

The Lord’s Personal Voice to His Sheep

John 10:1-5 “Verily, Verily, I say unto you, he that entereth not by the door of the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers.”

Here is a lovely picture of the personal care and guidance of Christ Jesus our Lord…..who is our Good Shepherd.

John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”

In the days of Christ, there would be one sheep fold for many flocks. The Shepherd would come to the door: state his name, so the porter or watchman from the night before, would let him in to get his sheep.

Then the Shepherd would go to the door, and call his sheep. (There is always a few older sheep which would follow quite close to the Shepherd, and they would be first to come.) “Come on Nathan, come on Levi, come on Gershom, come on Sarah”

And out they would come, behind him.

The other sheep of his flock would then follow, too.

It was their name that brought them out to follow the Shepherd; and so Jesus teaches here, that He calls us by our name, when He calls us to follow Him.

He goeth before them. Christ Jesus always leads us on. So that He meets any obstacle first. He has prepared our way, and He leads us in it.

As a Christian, you should experience this.

His call to follow Him in your everyday experiences. He leads, we follow; it is that simple.

There are enemies. There are dangers. There are also warm days of feeding and following, and resting with Christ.

He leads us through them all; and protects us in these events, as we follow Him.

It is our life here in this world of strife, which is pictured.

He has encamped about us; keeping us in His fold, and calling us forth for each days events.

And saving us from enemies, sliding rocks, steep mountain terrain, swift waters which would carry us away. (The dangers of which we are often not aware, but our Shepherd sees, and leads us around, or protects us from.)

Psalm 34:7 “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

And it is always His Voice which is calling us onward. Have you responded to HIs call to follow Him?

It is an amazing thing, when we as sheep, learn to make each day an adventure with Christ. (And sheep can be pretty stubborn)

Today, is a new day.

Yesterday’s failures have been confessed.

Yesterday’s successes have been brought to Christ in thanksgiving, and laid aside.

Now, it is today.

And today is the time for more going on with Jesus. We can hear His voice today, and follow into the place He has for us.

Maybe the same people we see everyday, but with new conversations.

Maybe new people. Enemies, or friends, we will let our Shepherd decide. (He only can see their hearts, and intentions.)

John 10:27-29 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

And I give unto them eternal life, (eternal life is a condition of life now, and throughout eternity) and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

My Father, which gave them to me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”

He has made all the provision for our lives. He has saved us. He now calls us to follow Him, today, and the next and the next, as His sheep. Following His Voice, and His leading through all our circumstances.

Are we ready to hear?

Faith: what it is and what it does.

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Substance is Reality. It makes real the things of God, to us.

We have so many virtual things offered us today. Things which speak to our imagination or feelings.

But faith is not virtual, but real.

It is the attribute of God which is imparted to us by the Holy Spirit, when we are born again.

The substance which is faith, is Reality. It is actual. It makes a difference within us, and for us.

And our lives should “evidence” that substance, if we have faith.

“Evidence” shows forth the change that is happening to us.

As Jesus said: John 3:7-8 ” Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

Simply, you see the effects of the wind, or what it moves; but not the wind itself.

So it everyone that is born again. You see the effects of the new birth; not the birth itself.

We naturally fight against God; as our King.

Romans 8:7 “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”

You might say: “No, I don’t. I go to Church, and I am active in the ministries for charity, etc.”

But those “good” works are as the Pharisees of old–unless you love God in the doing of them.

(Doing to be seen or approved of men, does not count with God.

Matthew 6:5 “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogue and in the corners of the street, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.”)

Only works done out of love to Christ, count with God. (1 Corinthians 13)

Which brings us back to “enmity to God”. If you have a fit every time the

command of God speaks to your heart, then your “natural” self is showing.

You can “tithe all that you have” (Luke 18:12); but if you do it, to get something from God: you won’t.

Faith, on the other hand, brings all things down from God, to you.

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

True faith makes real every promise given, except those for a future date. (And even these we may taste of right now, though we can not experience them fully.)

Faith pleases God, because 1) it is from God.

2)Because it makes the heart love Him, and the mind trust Him.

Remember, faith given us by the Holy Spirit at new birth, makes real the things of God.

Once we are born again, we receive a new nature.

Our “flesh”, or old nature is not eradicated; but it is instead, brought into subjection to God, and His Word, by the Holy Spirit using faith.

Faith is the most powerful of the graces God gives us; for it gives sight to our spiritual eyes, so we can see the truth.

It gives understanding to our ears, so we can hear what is truly being said, both by God and men.

And it moves or influences our hearts to love and obey Christ.

By faith we, as His children, walk from here to heaven, with Him.

Faith is not: “I hope so, or I think so, or I wish so”; but faith knows, in the only way true knowledge comes: Personally by the Holy Spirit from God directly to you (1 John 2:20, 27).

It makes His Presence real to us, His commands powerful in our lives, and His Will the best way to go.

And His Holy Spirit our blessed companion, who guides us into more faith as we go along.

By faith Abel, Noah, Abraham, etc. did exploits, which manifested God, to the generation in which they lived.

For it is promised in Daniel: “…but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” (Daniel 11:32).

Faith makes us know our God, Who He is, and what He will do for us.

What exploits should we do, in the generation in which we live?

Hebrews 11:33-34 “Who through faith subdued kingdoms, and wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.”

Through faith in God, ordinary believers, by their obedience, did great things.

Again, what great things are we called to do by faith, through the power of the Holy Spirit?

“Subdue Kingdoms, Obtain Promises, and Stop the mouths of Lions.”

Subdue Kingdoms: That is, we are to bring, by exercising our faith in obedience, all other domineering influences in our lives, under the control of Christ Jesus our Lord.

Whether this is our besetting sin, our habits, or other people’s influence; we are to subdue them all, to Christ and His Word.

Obtain Promises: To “obtain”, is to get the promise into your practical life.

(You may have a promise for your ministry, your personal health, or your work; but if you are not experiencing those promises, you have not obtained them)

It is not “claim them” only, but to have them really for what they were given for.

You might have the assurance they will come,(blessed assurance-a foretaste of the reality); but until they do come, they are not obtained.

(I have obtained promises by prayer–some prayed for a long time. Other promises, I have had to do the obedience commanded. For as I did, the power was given.)

Stop the mouths of Lions: These lions are not the ones Daniel was saved from; but the roaring lion of the Adversary, the Devil.

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

A roaring lion will seek to frighten you from following the Lord Jesus.

Walking about, seeking whom he may devour. In other words, seeking those who are not walking in God’s Light.

Our means of doing this is:

1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you.”

1 Peter 5:9 ” Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”

We cast ourselves, by faith, on God’s Care;

And we resist by faith the fear, and stay in God’s Way for us.

“Have faith in God.” Jesus said, when He was here. (Mark 11:22). And so we should. He is our all in all. He gives us His Holy Spirit to guide, and comfort us; and His faith to bring us into all He has for us.

Do you have the reality, which is the true faith of God, in your life?

If you are not truly born again, the invitation to come to Christ is still going out.

John 3:3 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

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.”

Receive Him: God be merciful to me as sinner, and save me for Jesus sake; and come into my life and reign there. In Jesus Name Amen.

When you are born again, yield to the Holy Spirit, and walk in the Light of His love.

Without a Vision, the People perish.

Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

“Vision” here, means what they were to keep looking toward, their goal.

This “vision” was the purpose of Israel in Canaan: They were to show the nations round about them, what it was like to have God, as their God and King.

Deuteronomy 28:9-10 “The Lord shall establish thee a Holy people unto Himself, as He hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in His ways.

And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee.”

They failed in this Purpose. (Although the Lord promises that Israel will have this one day: Ezekiel 36:25-28)

But why did they fail? Sin, of course, was involved…but the main reason was:

1 Samuel 8:19-20 “…and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;

That we also may be like all the nations;……”

Because they wanted to be like everybody else!

How often this hinders us in our Spiritual lives!

There should be a “vision” for us, as Christians. A goal or purpose of where we are going in life, and a way of getting there.

There should be something we are working toward:

1) A purpose which we are to obtain through our lifetime.

2)And there should be a goal for today…

Our purpose is given us when we are born again, and this purpose is the same for all. (How much we obtain it, is an individual thing)

It is to be conformed to the image of His Son:

Romans 8:29 “For whom He did foreknow (that means God saw you in Christ Jesus before the world began 2 Timothy 1:9)

He also did predestinate (that means He made full provision for you in grace or power)

to be conformed to the image of His Son,

that He might be the first born among many brethren (All of us, loving and obeying the Father).”

I have broken down the verse, so we can see what is really being said.

God has purposed, that we might be just like Jesus in our character….

But He has also provided the Holy Spirit, and the grace (the unmerited favor of power, and ability) to do this.

If we actually saw how much the Lord has given us, we would be amazed!

And we just need to obtain it…..first, to want it. Second, to receive it…now.

(Sometimes it depends on what He is asking, doesn’t it?

Sadly, and this has happened to me:

we let the opportunity to have abundant measure of His power….slide.

We hesitate….what will this cost me, to say this, or do this…..and it is gone….we have stifled the Spirit.

It is so silly, we have let go a treasure, for what?

But if we receive it, whether you say, Yes, Lord, please give me this. Or whether you just yield and follow….it is given!)

Then…we are given a place in the scheme of God’s Plan…a calling to fulfill. (Everyone is called as a witness to Christ…we are all called to speak about our Lord)

When I was first introduced to “Deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow Me”, (Matthew 16:24)

I struggled a lot with time: my time, and the time I gave to prayer.

Don’t get me wrong, I prayed….but I had been called to pray, and I had a lot to learn.

At that time, my purpose was to obtain my calling….and my goal for today was to learn the lesson of self-denial. (For “my time” was robbing my efforts.)

Later, it was patience.

How many times has the Lord reminded me about patience.

It is His attribute (look how He puts up with me), and I need to get it into me, by denying myself when I get frustrated, or late.

Or when I want Him to answer my prayer….now, not in God’s time.

You get the idea….we all need to see God’s overall purpose for us….to be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).

And then to fulfill for today, our work as His disciples. If we do today, then it is easier to do tomorrow.

When we slip and fall; and we will….as we confess it, He forgives us and lifts us back up, to go on with Him.

The Lord often deals with our besetting sin, first (He did with me)….

Then, with our habits, and attitudes….and onward, till all of us, shows that we belong to Christ Jesus.

Acts 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”

If we remember Peter’s denial of the Lord…not once but three times…we, too, might marvel.

But the answer is….”they had been with Jesus”.

The Holy Spirit reminded them of all they had heard, and learned in the years with Jesus….and when it was needed, they were empowered to use it.

We should all have our “vision” or revelation from God of what He has for us, where we are going with Him, here; and how we are to go…

He has given it in His Word, and will relate it to us personally, by the blessed Holy Spirit.

Know His Will for you….and grow in grace and knowledge.

The Healing of Ten Leper’s

Luke 17:11-12 “And it came to pass, as He went to Jerusalem, that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

And as He entered into a certain village, there met Him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:”

Jesus is in His last year of ministry, and He is going to Jerusalem, knowing full well what will happen there. (His betrayal, suffering, death, and resurrection)

But He did not just forget everything, or everyone along the way…no..He ministered till the end.

Luke 17:13 “And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”

So here He comes across ten lepers, all standing “afar off”….but crying out for help.

(It says “there met Him”, as if they knew He was going to pass this way, and waited to see Him)

Luke 17:14 “And when He saw them, He said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.”

Simple directions for their healing, if they follow them. And they did….and they were indeed healed, by obeying Jesus.

(Interesting fact: Leviticus 14:2 “This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing; he shall be brought unto the priest:”.

So their going to the priest was to fulfill the law, and by obeying Jesus, they were cleansed on the way.)

Luke 17:15-16 “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

And fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.”

Whether the other nine saw they were cleansed or not, right away, as this one did…..his “loud voice” would have told them…..but they did not turn around to give glory to God, or to thank the Lord Jesus.

No thanks is ever recorded from them. They obeyed and were healed from their leprosy…..without even a word of thanks.

(How do we react to the many blessings God gives us?)

But the one, a Samaritan, saw…returned to Jesus, praising God and giving thanks to Him…..and received further blessing.

Luke 17:19 “And He said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”

But why does Jesus say “thy faith hath made thee whole?” Wasn’t he healed already?

Because….

This healing was of the whole man…he was saved by faith in the Lord right then.

He was healed in his body, from the leprosy….when he obeyed Jesus.

And healed in mind and heart, by joyful thanksgiving…to God.

And healed in spirit, by salvation….when Jesus declared him whole!

Then he was given direction to return to his old life, in faith! “Go thy way…”

Amazing blessings…and that for the life ahead, because he came to Jesus in thanksgiving.

The ten knew God had healed them…..and their healing was enough for them, for that is all they wanted with Jesus.

(It was certainly a picture of the nation of Israel, and many; who wanted the things Jesus would do, but did not want Him)

(Are we crying out to Him for what He will do for us, and not who He is?)

But the Samaritan knew Jesus was the Son of God, and that He had healed him.

And he wanted….before anything else, to give Him thanks, for it.

We are told to:

1 Thessalonians 5:18-19 “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Quench not the Spirit.” (Don’t put out the fire of joy of the Spirit within you)

“For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.”

Are we fulfilling this part, of the will of God, in our lives?

The Ark of God

There are three Arks in scripture:

First:

Genesis 7:1 “And the Lord said unto Noah, come thou and all thy house into the Ark; for thee have I seen righteous before Me in this generation.”

Noah’ Ark proclaimed salvation from the wrath to come, upon the whole world, because of the wickedness and violence of man.

Genesis 6:5, 11 “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

The earth also was corrupt before God; and the earth was filled with violence.”

“Imagination” here means desires and plans….they were always planning some new way of hurting others, gaining from someone else, or destroying something.

Even the earth was becoming spoiled, and wasted.

[God had set a way to meet with Him, in sacrifice as Abel had (Genesis 4:4), but they had refused it.

God had warned Enoch, and he had been a preacher to his generation (Jude 14-15).

And when Enoch was translated…for he “walked with God, and was not, for God took him” (Genesis 5:24)….they knew what had happened…..but still resisted the Holy Spirit.]

Genesis 6:3 “And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.”

Twenty years later God called Noah to build an Ark…(he had found grace in the eyes of the Lord Genesis 6:8)….

[It is interesting to note: he “found grace”….had he considered to follow the world, yet was convicted of the Holy Spirit, and found grace?]

Noah built and preached for one hundred years to the mockers, and people who came to watch. (2 Peter 2:5, Hebrews 11:7)

He preached as he brought the animals….a miracle before the people, as well….yet they refused God’s Word.

The Ark was given as a beacon: a revelation to man that God was not mocked (Galatians 6:7-8)……

And a light…..He set a way of salvation, in the Ark, to the world from this destruction…..if they would turn, hear, and believe it.

The Ark saved all who entered into it…through rain, flood, and decay; yet all inside were safe…till they came out into a new, clean earth, one year, and two months later…(Genesis 8:13-17).

So our Great Ark, Jesus Christ is preached to a lost and dying world…Come and enter into life….in Him.

Acts 4:12 “Neither is their salvation in any other: for there is none other Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Second:

Exodus 2:3 “And when she could no longer hide him (Moses), she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s (Nile’s) bank.”

Moses’ ark of bulrushes…. to save one soul, from the most powerful man in the known world.

We need to first remember, that at that time, Pharaoh had planned to kill all the male Hebrew children, because the Israelites were multiplying…and he was afraid of an uprising.

They were often killed, by throwing them into the Nile.

Exodus 1:22 “And Pharoah charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.”

So his mother made a ark of bulrushes, and sent him into the same river that the children had been drowned…hoping no one would hear his crying…and set his sister to watch out for him.

We know the rest: the daughter of Pharaoh saw the ark, and when she opened it….God moved her heart to have compassion on a child her father would have killed. (Exodus 2:5-6)

Moses was to grow up, and was called to be the leader of God’s People to deliver them from Pharaoh, and Egypt’s slavery, by obedience to God.

To lead them to the land promised Abraham and his children. (Hebrews 11:23-29)

[We, too, are like babes in this world of cruelty and anger, but kept safe in the arms of Jesus]

This Ark saved a single soul, and was a hiding place in the storm of fear, and death.

So Christ Jesus came to save all who would shelter in Him…”whosoever will” (John 3:16)

Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come.

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

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

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

Third:

The Ark of the Covenant, which was to lead His people, and be the gathering place for the worship of God.

Exodus 25:10-11, 17-18, 21 “And they shall make an Ark of shittim wood:….

And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shall thou over lay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.

And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold:….And thou shalt make two cherubim of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.

And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the Ark; and in the Ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.”

It was the presence of God in the midst of His people. (The Tabernacle was actually set up in the middle of the camp…with three tribes on each side.)

Exodus 25:22 “And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the Ark of the testimony,…”

The Ark of the testimony was wood…a picture of Christ’s humanity; and overlaid within and without with gold….a picture of Christ’s Divinity, within and without…even when He was the Son of Man, He was the Son of God.

The mercy seat was all gold. It was the lid of the Ark.

It had two cherubim on it. One on each side, looking down to the center. Their wings covering them.

The center of the mercy seat was the place where all looked to pray….and where the blood of the atonement was poured out.

Leviticus 16:14, 30 “And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.

For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord.”

In the Ark, was the two tables of stone on which the Law had been inscribed, sheltered under the blood.

The Ark lead them from Sinai, to the Promised land:

Numbers 10:35-36 “And it came to pass, when the Ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, Lord, and let Thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate Thee flee before Thee.

And when it rested, he said, Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel.”

The Ark lead them through Jordon, and around Jericho to victory. (Joshua 3:11, Joshua 6:11)

And came to rest in Canaan, first in Shiloh; and then in Jerusalem, under king David, where all were to gather for worship at least seven times a year (the feast days).

All are a picture of Christ, and His work as Lord and Savior:

First, as a Light to the world……for all who will come and believe:

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; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead.”

Christ is presented as the Savior from sin…..if they will come to Him.

Second, as a Personal Lord and Savior:

Romans 5:8, 11 “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom we have now received the atonement

Third, as our Center and Guide:

He leads us through “rivers, battles, and gives us rest”:

Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye.”

Isaiah 43:2 “When thou passes through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

The Arks of the Old Testament showed what the Lord would do for all who came to Him, and put their trust in Him.

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.”

Are you sheltered in Christ Jesus? Are you following His guidance?

Gather Together, and know His Presence in the Midst

Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Here is the true definition of a local church…gathered together in His Name.

When we are drawn to a place of worship, (and we believe there should be the Word of God preached there), and know we are there because that is where the Lord wants to be…then you are gathered in His Name…and He is in the midst.

There is a special manifestation in the corporate ministry of the church…for there is power there, to the accomplishing of His purpose, through that group.

It is not “super” Christians, but just those gathered together to know and do His Will.

It is the combined power of few or many, wanting His Will, and listening for it.

Hebrews 10:22-25 “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for He is faithful that promised;

And let us consider one another to provoke (incite or encourage) unto love and to good works.

Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

(First a word about “backsliding”. It is a term you do not hear so much about these days….but it is a term which means “to retreat from”, or “to go back, with the determined effort not to go on with God”.

It is interesting to note, that it is a term used once in Proverbs as a warning; and all the other times, is in Hosea, the prophet to the ten tribes of Israel in it’s last days before their captivity…..

And Jeremiah, the prophet to Judah in it’s last days before their captivity.)

Years ago, when I had come back to God, and I was reinstated back into the church, I was in a evening service (and frankly I felt, I was totally out of place).

Me, with these godly people, seemed ridiculous.

I was there, and when the time for testimonies and confessions came, I felt like I should speak….but…again how I felt, stopped me.

The preacher, a good man, felt there was more was to be done, and started right then to give an altar call.

The Lord was dealing with me to stand and speak up….but also with others…teenagers who had been in the church…but had started to fall away.

No had seemed to notice these problems…..but the Spirit convicted many that night…about backsliding sins….

…(not as serious as mine)…but problems that could have pulled many of them from God.

For some it had started to, for others it was a coldness which had come into their lives…..by anxiety and worldliness.

But all that came forward had heard the Lord’s voice to “Return unto Me.”

As many of them came forward, the preacher said that these were “good kids”, and he was right; yet the Spirit was drawing them….a lot of them.

I, too, went forward, and spoke:

I told about my backsliding sin, and how the Lord had got my attention and demanded my repentance….(He did not want to hear from me how I wanted to repent…no…I need to stop and get it out of my life, now.)

I told them how I did, right then…no more excuses. And how the Lord forgave me. Then I gave them the verses, He gave me:

1 Corinthians 1:18, 26-29 “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness, but unto us that are saved it is the power of God.

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

That no flesh should glory in His presence.”

It matters not who you are, or where you came from….but have you brought yourself to Christ’s cross, and received Christ as Lord and Savior?

Is His life, by the Holy Spirit, leading you? Or are you trying to lead Him?

There can be no fence sitting with God….you are either for Him, or against Him (Matthew 12:30)….we can not be ruled by two masters.

Matthew 6:24 “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye can not serve God and mammon.”

(Mammon, here speaks about the “wealth of the world”…any of it.)

True life in Christ is being born again, being saved from sin, the world, and self.

His life is being called to work as His servants, and to continue to stand with Him.

His life is hard times, and joyous times, of following Him. (mounting up as eagles, running, and walking. Isaiah 40:31)

Everything that comes to us, either will make us stronger in the faith, or make us step back, and retreat.

When faced with the thought of fighting giants to gain the Land, God brought them to…..many Israelites rebelled, and wanted to turn back…even to slavery in Egypt…

Numbers 13:31, 33 “But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers: and so we were in their sight.”

Numbers 14:4 “And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.”

But Joshua and Caleb saw Someone else: they saw the giants, they saw the battles ahead…..but they also saw the Lord, and that was enough for them.

Numbers 14:7-9 “and they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.

If the Lord delight in us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which flows with milk and honey.

Only rebel ye not against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.”

“They are bread for us”.

As we stand with the Lord, and have the victory in today…that will strengthen us for the next one.

Gather together, and know the Lord’s Presence in your assembling with other Christians.

Set things right with the Lord, and know His Power, there, and in your everyday battles, ahead.

The Test of Devotion/Where is the Lord God of Elijah?

2 Kings 2:1 “And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.”

Elijah was God’s Prophet. He had been called, when Israel was at one of it’s worst times.

He had proved that God was “the God”, before all Israel in a “showdown” with the four hundred priests of Baal, who were supported by Jezebel, the queen. (1 Kings 18:36-39)

His success there, thwarted the efforts of Jezebel to destroy the worship of God.

There were still those who were idol worshippers……but she could no longer kill, and torture those who believed in God, as she had before.

There had been a renewal of the worship of the Lord, because of Elijah.

But now it was time for Elijah to be taken to heaven. Years before, Elijah had been told to anoint Elisha as prophet, in his room. (1 Kings 19:16, 19-21)

And Elisha had been a servant to Elijah, as his helper, while his training had been going on. (Some say this took about ten years…for Elijah’s ministry went through Ahab’s reign into his son’s 2 Kings 1)

2 Kings 2:2 “And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Beth-el. And Elisha said unto him, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Beth-el.”

So Elijah and Elisha traveled from Gilgal to Beth-el together.

Elijah had asked Elisha to stay at Gilgal, but Elisha would not leave him. Where he went, his helper would go also.

Elisha knew that God was going to take Elijah, and he wanted to hear every instruction, every prayer, and every help he could, before that happened.

He also felt that being with him till the end was his duty.

That God would show him what to do nest, by it.

We have been called to follow Christ Jesus. Through His Word, He has shown us many things.

We know we are born again, but often, we are conscious of a lack of power in what we do….

How are we to do all we have been called to do? Of course, it is through the power of the Holy Spirit within….manifesting Himself through us….are we letting Him?

2 Kings 2:4 “And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.”

They travel on, together…they are traveling south and east…toward the starting place where Israel first came into the land of Canaan…to the River Jordan.

2 Kings 2:6 “ And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the Lord hath sent me unto Jordan. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.”

Stay here? Elijah asked, at both places…….But again came the reply, “I will not leave thee.”

Did Elisha know exactly what would happen?

I do not think so.

But, I believe, Elisha knew that the ministry of Elijah was ending…..and his, as God’s prophet to Israel, was beginning.

He knew that he would need to see the work Elijah started, done.

There were many who had come out of hiding, and now worship the Lord openly….but they needed instruction….so Elisha was to teach them.

God would part them….that was His Will……but Elisha would continue on as Elijah’s servant, and companion, till God did.

He would not leave him, till then.

2 Kings 2:7c-9 “…and they two stood by Jordan.

And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.

And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, that a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.”

Here Elisha sees once more the power of God Elijah received, and put to use.

And here, Elijah asks him “what shall I do for thee?”

Without hesitation, Elisha asks for a double portion of the power of God.

Why a double portion?

He felt that he needed more of that power of the Holy Spirit, to help him finish the work Elijah had started.

It is one thing to begin following the Lord….it is another to persevere through testing and trials….so…

If Israel was to be guided according to the Word of God, then Elisha would need double the power that Elijah had been given.

It is one thing to show God, as “the God”; as Elijah had.

But to guide the believers of God, into the life which they ought to have, stay with them, or visit them, to help them again and again.

This was Elisha’s ministry.

He felt that such a work, would need great power. The enemies of God were still at work. Idolatry was always a problem.

Elisha felt, if he was to serve acceptably as God’s Prophet, he would need much of the Holy Spirit.

2 Kings 2:10 “And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.”

Now if Elijah had said this at the first, we could understand Elisha’s sticking close to him.

But that was not the reason for him staying with Elijah.

His devotion was to the man who lead him into a deeper knowledge of God.

Elijah had taught Elisha many things, shared his experiences, and manifested to Elisha the great faithfulness of God to His people.

Now it was time for Elisha to do the same with the sons of the prophets (groups of believers which met together in various cities), and with Israel.

Elijah’s ministry would now be passed on to Elisha, to be finished.

2 Kings 2:11-13 “And it came to pass, as they went on, and talked that, Behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went by a whirlwind into heaven.

And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My Father, My Father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them into two pieces.

He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;”

Going on, walking and talking, as they had done so many times; God parted them, with a chariot of fire and horses of fire.

Elijah was taken up to heaven, without seeing death, and Elisha saw him no more.

Elisha then tore his outer clothes in two pieces, to show he was no longer just Elisha…..and he picked up the mantle Elijah had dropped (which had been cast upon him when Elijah had called him. 1 Kings 19:19).

He was now Prophet in Elijah’s place.

2 Kings 2:13-14 “He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of the Jordan;

And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said,

Where is the Lord God of Elijah? And when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: And Elisha went over.”

He asked, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?”…..are you with me as You were with Elijah?

He had received a double portion of the Holy Spirit which had been on Elijah.

He was now to finish the work of leading the believers of God, in Israel, on to a more full, and joyful life with God….even in these trying times.

In his ministry, Elisha dealt with kings, captains, and those which would be kings.

But his ministry mainly centered around the circuit he walked with his servants, to preach and instruct those that believed in God and stayed true to Him.

From Gilgal, to Mt. Carmel, to Samaria, to Beth-el, and around, Elisha went delivering the message of God; saving such as came to seek God’s help, and leading others to a fuller knowledge of God.

Elisha died an old man….ministering till the last to those who came to him. (2 Kings 13:13-21)

We, too, have a ministry for which we should seek the empowering of the Holy Spirit.

He is in us, if we are born again; but to have His power in our lives, we need to submit to Him.

The condition of Elisha receiving the double portion, was that he stay with Elijah to the end, and see him go.

So we, too, need to “stay with” the Holy Spirit, by obeying what we have been given to do, removing all that hinders His influence within us, and standing in the place Christ Jesus won for us in His Victory on the Cross.

Where is the Lord God of Elijah? He is the same, yesterday, and today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:8-9b “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace;…”

He is ever ready to give power to the faint, and to them that have not might, He increases strength. (Isaiah 40:29)

But it is as we “stay with”, and yield to the Holy Spirit within.

Forgive

Forgive in Scripture, in the Greek, means: to send away whole.

Plainly, sin and offenses leave “holes” in our lives; so to forgive, is to make each place healed….as though there was no hurt. (It does not take away the knowledge of the offense….but the wound is healed.)

Matthew 18:21 “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?”

Jesus had been talking about people offending children, and other people. As He said, “it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!” (Mat. 18:7)

In that light, Peter asks the Lord, how many times should he forgive an offending brother?

Jesus then sets down a clear statement about how we are to forgive.

Matthew 18:22 “Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, until seventy times seven.”

I don’t know what Peter thought of this number…..but I would have thought, “How am I to keep count? I’ll never remember what number I am at.”

But that was the point: we are to forgive, and to forgive, and to forgive, without trying to count to a certain point, because God forgives us and our offenses to Him, without measure.

Matthew 18:23 “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.”

This begins a parable which shows the willingness of God the Father to forgive us.

And that He requires that same willingness within us, for those who sin against us.

Matthew 18:24. “And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.”

Here is a huge debt! This is a picture of the debt of sin we all have. (Romans 3:23)

Matthew 18:25 “But for as much as he had not to pay, (and none of us could pay the debt we owe to God), he commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.”

What was to be done?

To get as much from the investment in this man, this king would have to sell the man and his family, into slavery; and confiscate all that he had, to be auctioned off.

Matthew 18:26-27 “The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

Then the Lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.”

Sometimes we think that we can earn God’s approval by doing better, by becoming religious, or by good works.

But the only means whereby our debts are removed before God…..is His forgiveness.

But God, through Christ Jesus, does forgive our debts.

And how should we act, because He has forgiven us?

We should forgive those that trespass against us.

If you read the rest of the parable, you will find this forgiven servant, went out from where he might have been put in slavery…….and finding a fellow servant which owed him money (a very small amount compared to the amount he was forgiven).

What did he do to this fellow servant?

Matthew 18:28-30 “…he laid hands on him, and took by the throat, saying, Pay me what thou owest.

And his fellow servant….besought him, saying, Have patience with me and I will pay thee all.

And he would not: but…cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.”

What?!

What unkindness, and ingratitude for the forgiveness he had received!

Did he think he merited to be forgiven? And others did not?

The fellow servant’s debt was small in comparison to his, and he did not need that money to repay his own debt…..Should he not have forgiven freely, as he was freely forgiven?

(Yet how many times we act the same way to our brothers and sisters in Christ. We get angry and say things. We ask forgiveness and it comes…..but when others say something about us? Do we forgive?)

But the Lord found out what he had done. It saddened Him to hear.

Calling the servant back, he required at his hand the same treatment he gave his fellow servant.

Why?……because he had not “compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee.”(Matthew 18:33)

Jesus was stressing to His disciples the importance of not offending each other…..and if the offense has come:

to forgive, as our Father in Heaven has forgiven us.

Much blessing is given those to do forgive (hard as it seems at the time).

And much sadness and depression comes to those who do not.

Forgive, as I forgive you, Jesus said. And joy and blessing will follow.

Mark:

2 Timothy 4:11 “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”

It was not always so. Mark the writer of the Gospel of Mark, was first named in:

Acts 12:12 “And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.”

He was a believer, young and right in the middle of things from the first.

The verses where he is first mentioned, was where Herod began a persecution against the church.

James was taken and killed by the sword. (Acts 12:1-2). And Peter was taken, and put in prison.

But Peter, was kicked awake by an angel, and brought out of prison (Acts 12:6-11).

Then he found his way to Mary’s house, a Christian who had kept a prayer meeting going for his release.

Acts 12:5, 12 “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; for many were gathered together praying.”

Mary was John Mark’s mother, and Mark saw many wonderful things in those early days.

But his personal faith was not so strong. (Which suggests that seeing miracles, or great spiritual acts does not always increase faith…by themselves.)

Paul and Barnabas had John Mark for their helper, when they went out on their first missionary journey.

Acts 13:5 “And when they were come to Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.”

But as they went on in their missionary journey; John Mark became frightened and decided to go back from the work, to Jerusalem, where he thought he would be safe.

Acts 13:13 “Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.”

Paul and Barnabas continued their journey, experiencing many wonderful and terrible things (this missionary journey was where Paul was stoned: Acts 14:19).

But no John Mark.

After the first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas went up to Jerusalem to speak about the growing problem of Judiazers.

(Those that taught they could not be saved except they follow the Law, as well.)

Acts 15:1 “And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”

Paul and Barnabas were sent by the brethren to go to Jerusalem, and having spoken about what the Holy Spirit was doing among the Gentiles…..it was determined that God had received the Gentiles…

so they made the decision to admit them, without making them follow the Law.

John Mark must have come with the men which came back to the church at Antioch, for he is Barnabas’ nephew.

Some while later, Paul and Barnabas begin to talk of visiting the churches they had preached to before (Acts 15:36)

But before they get started, “a contention”.

Acts 15:37-38 “And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

But Paul thought not good to take with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia and went not with them to the work.”

You will notice the terms the Holy Spirit uses here:

Barnabas “determined”.

Paul “thought not good”.

John Mark was Barnabas’ nephew, and he would want to give him another chance to do what he should have.

But his “determined”, meant, he already had his mind made up.

He was going to do this. No matter what anyone said….this is never a good attitude.

Paul “thought it not good”. He was looking at the churches.

How would it appear to them, to have someone who would not hazard his life for Christ to come and minister to them?

These churches had begun to experience persecutions……how could Mark stand before them?

Now notice the Holy Spirit’s terms for the results of this “contention”.

Acts 15:39-40 “And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.”

Barnabas “took”. His mind had become hard, unmoving on this point; this was what he was going to do.

Paul “chose”. Thinking what should be best for Christ’s work.

Barnabas took off with Mark. It seems as if the Holy Spirit is emphasizing his willfulness. What a shame! You never hear of Barnabas’ work in the Scriptures again.

Paul chose, having the recommendation of the brethren, unto the grace of God.

Two different choices…two different ways.

But what about Mark?

Was there really a second chance for him? Of course….with the Lord, in His Way, there is always a way of forgiveness and restoration.

Some say that under the hand of Peter, he grew up into Christ.

For he was Peter’s helper.

1 Peter 5:13 “The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.”

Some say the Gospel of Mark is actually Mark, writing it for Peter.

Whether that is true, Mark was restored to a work, for the Lord.

He grew up, and began to understand the true value of the life in Christ Jesus, no matter what the place or circumstances.

For it is not just miracles, and signs; but life, real life in our spirits, souls (personalities), and bodies.

Paul wrote later of Mark:

Colossians 4:10″Aristarchus my fellow prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom you received commandment: if he come unto you receive him:)

2 Timothy 4:11 “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”

Mark has become “profitable”….a vessel meet for the Master’s use (2 Timothy 2:20-21)

Later Paul writes about bishops:

1 Timothy 3:6-7 “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

He also wrote:

1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation (everyday actions), in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

We are to keep growing by yielding to the Holy Spirit, in encouragement, correction, and guidance.

We will never have sinless perfection…but we can be forgiven…grow…and go on with Christ.

Mark did.