Our tongues

Psalm 141:3 “Set a watch,  O Lord, before my mouth;  keep the door of my lips.”

The prayer here,  is for the Lord to guard our words…..to keep us from speaking before we think,…or speaking to flatter,…or injure.

            To keep us mindful that our tongues can be as sharp as arrows….or  that a word in due season for the Lord,  is blessed.

Our words are our most readily available means for witness for the Lord.       So what and how we say things,   matter.

            I have gone to see people and been talking,  and a moments levity….can quench the Spirit of God….and an opportunity for real witness is gone.

           I have also gone to see people and known the blessedness of having my words used by God to really open their hearts to Him.

Our words….and how we say them,  matter.

James 3:2,5 “For in many things we offend all.  If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

            Even so the tongue is a little member,  and boasteth great things.    Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”

Sadly, we might say some careless word that will cause another to stumble…or in the least hinder their progress in Christ.   How we wish we could take back some things we have said….and even if the person forgives us….praise the Lord….still it mars our witness, for a while.

           “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth….and keep the door of my lips.”

James 3:8-10 “But the tongue can no man tame;  it is a n unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

            Therewith bless we God, even the Father;  and therewith curse we men,  which are made after the similitude of God.

            Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.   My brethren,  these things ought not so to be.”

In ourselves we can not tame our tongues. 

           But in the  power of the Holy Spirit…by His grace,  we can “watch”….and become so humbled to the Lord,  that we learn to speak under the unction of the Spirit….all the time.

It is so easy to “slip” in tongue….and even when we are “right”….we need to rely on the Holy Spirit to manifest the right attitude in our speech:

          Paul, arrested after the riot in Jerusalem…(after his speech where he acknowledges that God has sent the gospel to the Gentiles as well as the Jews.)

          The Roman centurion needed to understand the accusation that the people made….so he let Paul be brought before the council.

          Acts 23:1-3 “And Paul,  earnestly beholding the council,  said,  Men and brethren,  I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

         And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

         Then said Paul unto him,    God shall smite thee, thou whited wall:  for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?”

Paul was right…he should not have been slapped…..yet,  when shown that he too was wrong….he immediately apologizes.

          Acts 23:4-5 “And they that stood by said,   Revilest thou God’s high priest?

          Then said Paul,  I wist not,  brethren, that he was the high priest:  for it is written,  Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.”

Paul, then, relying on the Holy Spirit, “perceived” a division in the council….and “he cried out in the council,  Men and brethren,  I am a Pharisee,…of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.” (Acts 23:6)

          That ended that  trial…..

…..but  Paul, through many “trials”…relied on the Lord to speak through him……before Felix,  before Festus,  before king Agrippa and queen Bernice,  and before Caesar. (Philippians 4:22 saving some in Caesar’s household.)  

2 Timothy 4:16-17 “At my first answer no man stood with me….

           Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known….”

Paul’s ministry was his life and words……and so he  asked that “utterance  may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make know the mystery of the gospel….that I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak”.  (Eph.6:19-20)

Paul asked the Colossians to pray for them….(Col. 4:3-4,6)  ”that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

           That I may make it manifest,  as I ought to speak.

Let your speech be always with grace,  seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

Our words matter….what we say,  and how we say them.  

          Paul learned to speak “not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.  

          For I determined not to know any thing among you,  save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

          And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom,  but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

          That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men,  but in the power of God.”

(1 Cor. 2:1-2, 4-5)

Paul learned “to set a watch before his mouth”….

          So can we,….for the Spirit of God will help us….that we can “perceive” what to say….whatever trial comes up.

Deborah

Judges 4:4 “And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth,  she judged Israel at that time.

The book of Judges is one of the saddest books in the Old Testament.    In it, we see great heroes of the faith….but only because Israel has the tendency to idolatry.

           Only the generation which came into Canaan and took it, ….was faithful to God.    (Though they gave a great occasion to sin for their children,    when they did not utterly destroy the Canaanites…but allowed some to remain in the land, under tribute.)

           After that generation passed away….their children looked at…and then, took after the heathen that were still in the land…..in idol worship.

God then would bring trouble,  usually by way of a conquering nation,  which would make them feel the pains of forsaking God.

           Then they would cry unto the Lord, and He would deliver them….through various individuals….in various tribes.     

(What God wanted,  was each man, woman and child to know the Lord.    He had given them the land….He had given them a place to worship… and feasts to come together and celebrate together….with Him.

Each was to know the Law of God, and pass it on to their children.)

But time after time,  soon after the deliverance was obtained….the children of Israel would turn to some form of idolatry again.

Under Deborah,  who judged Israel in the tribe of Ephraim….an unusual deliverance was given.

For twenty years the king Jabin of Canaan ruled over them, for their sin.  “And he mightily oppressed” them.

           Sisera was the captain of the army…and a vicious and brutal fighter he was.

But when “the children of Israel cried unto the Lord”….it was time for another deliverance.

           Barak was of the tribe of Naphtali….and had evidently been called of God to go and fight with the Canaanite’s army.      

But Barak had not heeded the call….until…

          Judges 4:6-7 “And she (Deborah) sent and called Barak….and said unto him,   Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded,  saying,   Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun

          And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon  Sisera,  the captain of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude;  and I will deliver him into thine hand.”

Look at this amazing promise!    Yet Barak had not gone…..he had not even called for an army.

          But when he is awakened to his responsibility by Deborah,  again….he says he will go…

…if she goes with him.

         (This is certainly praise for Deborah’s godliness.   

But it is bad way to begin a work,  when Barak can not personally trust the Lord and His Word.)

Therefore,  Deborah agrees….but warns that he is forfeiting the blessing,  by this distrust.

(God can use us, if we obey,….even when we do not trust.   

         But true blessing comes to us through our trusting the Lord,  in our obedience.    Trust is the hanging onto His Word….and seeing it performed in us…and through us, to HIs praise and honor. )

So Barak goes and calls to the men of Naphtali to come to the river Kishon.

         Sisera was told by the Kenites that Israel was arming and gathering to fight…and he comes with a vengeance….nine hundred chariots and a huge army….to the river.

Now you would think that such an army was undefeatable….but the Lord had gone out before Barak.     The Lord was working….but Barak remained at the top of mount Tabor….just watching the huge army of the enemy come up.

          Deborah again awakens Barak   (and how like us, he is!   We need awakening often….and especially when we are not trusting!)

          But Deborah is courageous….because her trust is in the Word of the Lord.   She knows HIm….and is willing to go into battle herself,  to prove He is faithful.

          “Up;  for this is the day in which the Lord hath (not will,  or maybe might…but hath already in HIs Word) delivered then into thine hand!    Is not the Lord gone out before thee?” (Judges 4:14)

So Barak and ten thousand men all run down the mount…swords in hand…

……with Sisera in his chariots trying to cross the river….and then…

…”the Lord discomforted Sisera, and all his chariots and all his host with the edge of the sword before Barak.”   (Judges 4:15)

           It was the river clogging the wheels of the chariots,  it was the sudden shout and seeing men and swords coming….because…”the Lord discomforted” them.     

           The Lord put terror in their hearts,  and their chariots got stuck…or struggled with the force of the river.   “The river of Kishon swept them away…” (Judges 5:21)

Sisera,  got out of his chariot and ran.       

           Barak stayed with his men and fought bravely….chasing the chariots who had turned around and fled….till they slew them all.     And he went on to fight and overthrow the king of Canaan, as well….ending his oppression on Israel!

           At least you can say this about Barak….he was diligent…after the Lord intervened.    

            (And are we asking the Lord to prove Himself,  before we diligently do what we have been called to do?)

Now for the honor of slaying Sisera, the vicious leader of the army (Judges 5:30 speaks of the terrible things he did)..

….it went to a simple  woman…

……not a soldier,….and not to Barak.

           For Sisera, having run away, comes to the tent of a Kenite…and sought to hide there.    Telling the woman of the house to watch…and tell any who came,  that there was no one there.

What Sisera doesn’t know is that this Kenite had separated himself from his people (remember they are the people who tell Sisera that Israel is arming at the river).     But this Kenite had moved to the river Kishon….in alliance with Israel.    

          Jael,  the Kenite’s wife,  gives Sisera something to drink, when he asks for it….and he goes to sleep.    She then  killed him.      

          A great captain of a great army….dead,  at the hands of a woman….

….not at the hands of Barak,  who should have killed him….by trusting the Lord.   

And in the song about this battle:

God is praised….and the people who came to fight are honored…”when the people willingly offered themselves.”        

          And then Jael is honored…

Judges 5:24 “Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be,  blessed shall she be above women in the tent.”

All through this,  it is seen again and again…that it is not by might, nor by power,  but by the Lord doing what He said He would do.

          It is certainly our obedience to the Lord that matters most….

….but it is in trusting in the Lord that brings great blessing….of courage, and peace to us.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”  (2 Corinthians 4:7)

“And He said unto me,  My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.   Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  (2 Corinthians 12:9)

I am going to start this by asking….

       Is Paul’s testimony,….ours as well?

Through these last chapters in 2 Corinthians,  Paul is leading them out of themselves and into complete dependence upon Christ….and so he gives an example.

(I say “complete dependence”….because Christians….if they would live for Christ….have a dependence upon Him….for He is there life.

           But is it complete….or can we get along without Him,….sometimes?)

He tells of a “man in Christ” (2 Corinthians 12:2-4)……this is a blessed title,  because he is not speaking as an apostle…..but just one in Christ.  

       He is stressing that God can give comfort and exhortation to each man in Christ.   It is not office before God,  but heart willingness.

This “man in Christ” had been caught up to the third heaven…to joy beyond expression—the value and power on his soul he could not even express to others….

….and yet, though he will glory in God’s power,  he will not glory in himself because in himself, he was a weak and feeble creature…..who was simply in the hands of God Almighty.

Then he tells them that this revelation had gotten for him “a thorn in the flesh”.

(Some say it was the disease in his eyes,  and others a deformity which made him little in the eyes of men.   The tendency to pride is within each of us…and it takes but little to make it come out.)

       Paul asked the Lord to remove this three times….and Paul received an answer…..yet not like we would expect…

….especially with more ministry and work for him to do.

“And He (the Lord) said unto me,  My grace is sufficient for thee:  for my strength is made perfect in weakness…..”

“Paul, I want you to appear weak,….little in the eyes of others….that My power, which is in you and upon you for the work, will shine out.   

        What a testimony, Paul, to all who think they are too little for Me to use…..but do not worry,  I am and will be sufficient for you.”

Here is the very basis of Spiritual Reality:        Christ is sufficient for me.

Sufficient here means that God has placed a barrier around.

If God gave us power to do ourselves,….still that power is only blessed if we are dependent, or “leaning upon the Beloved” (Song of Solomon 8:5).   If we act otherwise we run the risk of self-conceit.

Paul came to experience that the power of God is displayed more abundantly through his weakness,….than through his self-ability.

And then he gave this most blessed response…..may it be so with each of us…..

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “….Mostly gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

        Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessitates, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

    

Most gladly…..

…….not,  “OK,…but it would be better if…”

…..not even simple resignation only….

….but, “most gladly”….

Paul saw…..God’s plan….God’s way….

     Now he  glories in the infirmities that he’d just asked to be taken away, realizing that they cause greater power to be given him….and through him.

Who would exchange the power of Christ for the “power of human eloquence”?

Who would want a grand appearance instead of the glory of God?

2 Corinthians 4:7 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

But we have….every born again one has….(present tense)…has this treasure.

Yes, Paul says, we are earthen vessels…..nothing in ourselves….

…….but we have a treasure within us….which is the excellency of God’s power in us….and manifested through us.

We simply must recognize our weakness….and let the treasure shine forth.

Praise ye the Lord 

Psalm 150:6 “Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord.  Praise ye the Lord.”

Thirteen times in this psalm….praise of  the Lord is spoken of:

“praise the Lord”,  “praise Him”,  “praise God”.

The book of Psalms begins…..with God’s  estimate of the man that is blessed….which is the man who makes God and His Word,  his satisfaction.

Psalms 1:1-2 “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

       But his delight is in the law of the Lord;  and in His law doth he meditate day and night.”

The Psalms ends….with an estimate of God’s due….by the man who has found God as his satisfaction….praise for all He is,  and all He has done.

Psalm 150:1-2 “Praise ye the Lord.  Praise God in HIs sanctuary:  praise Him in the firmament of His power. 

        Praise Him for HIs mighty acts:  praise Him according to His excellent greatness.”

Someone has said,  that the Psalms are the heart’s response to God’s  dealings with HIs people.

        In Psalms we see, not just the spiritual history…..but the feelings and thoughts of the people of God.

Some were written by Moses….and placed in this book. (Psalm 90)

Some were written by others….but most were songs and cries from David.

David, the shepherd,(Psalm 23, 100)…..David, in prayer (Ps. 86),….David, the hunted by Saul, (Ps. 59)…..David, the king,….David, the sinner (Psalm 32, 51)…..David, the lover of the House of the Lord (Psalm 84, 24)

In all the situations and trials we come into contact with….we will find a like situation….and feelings in the Psalms.

Moses about the attitude of the Israelites. (Ps.106)

David when his own son was trying to destroy him and his kingship (Ps. 3).

       When the psalmist became discouraged about the wicked…how they seemed to have no trouble, yet the righteous had all sorts of trials.   (Ps. 73)

David when he gave into the wrong means….and tried to “save” himself from Saul’s hate, by going to the Philistines. (1 Sam. 21:10-15, Ps.34)

All through the Psalms there are passages of great comfort…..exhortations to right means….and the cries of God’s people in distress,  trouble,  doubt,  and correction.

Psalm 102…a prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before the Lord.

    Psalm 102:19-20 “For He hath looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth.

      To hear the groaning of the prisoners; to loose those that are appointed to death.”

Psalm 22….a prophesy of the afflictions and crucifixion of Christ.

    Psalm 22:1, 18 “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?  Why art Thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

      They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my venture.”

Psalm 110…a prophesy of the coming kingdom of David’s son….Christ Jesus.

    Psalm 110:2 “The Lord shall send the rod of Thy strength out of Zion: rule Thou in the midst of Thine enemies.”

God and me….is a great title for many of the psalms….

…and so,  in the end,….through all these situations and deliverances…

…there is only one thing to do:

Praise the Lord!  For all His wonderful works!  For all HIs mercy!  

Praise God!  From the sanctuary to the heavens above…..give glory and praise to our Lord!

From me to Him…..let my heart, and mind, and whole being….praise the Lord.

There shall be showers of blessing,….send them upon us O Lord.

Once my husband and another pastor were in a prayer meeting.     They had prayed for certain things…and had begun to receive them.    They were thankful….but felt more was to be sought.

           And then this came to my husband….pray for showers of blessing!

And so they began

          ”O Lord,  we have received the mercy drops,  but where is the showers of blessing that was promised.   We pray for these showers of blessing.”

Mercy is that wonderful attribute of God….for He is merciful.   

                      In the Tabernacle,  the mercy and justice of God was seen side by side.    

The Brazen altar,….where sacrifice for sin must be given,  for forgiveness.    

        Here was justice,  and mercy.

The Brazen laver….where the priests must wash before going into the Holy Place.

       Here too was command and mercy.

Then they would serve at the Table (which spoke of sufficiency and fellowship with God),  

       the golden altar (which spoke of prayer), 

       and to trim the Light (which spoke of God given understanding)…..

…..again speaking of the Great Holy God,   Who was merciful.

And of course there was the Mercy seat.    This was made completely of gold, and sat on the Ark of the Testimony…..wherein was the Tables of the Law.     

        The blood of the sacrifice (looking forward to Christ’s sacrifice) was sprinkled there, on the day of atonement….on the mercy seat.        

        God’s justice and mercy seen side by side….because of the blood of the sacrifice…speaking about Christ’s glorious death and resurrection for us!

….for in HIs mercy God sent forth His Son to atone for our sins…..and give us HIs life….that we might fulfill His commandments….receiving His mercy for ourselves.

Exodus 25:21-22 “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.

        And there will I meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat,  from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony….”

Israel was told to look toward the Temple and  the mercy seat,  when they needed to be forgiven:

2 Chronicles 6:14,21,26-27 “….O Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth;  which keepest covenant, and showest mercy unto thy servants,  that walk before Thee with all their hearts:

              Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel,  which they shall make toward this place:  hear Thou from Thy dwelling place, even from heaven,  and when Thou hearest,  forgive.

              When the heavens is shut up and there is no rain,  because they have sinned against Thee;  yet if they pray toward this place, and confess Thy name, and turn from their sin,…

              Then hear from heaven, and forgive the sin of Thy servants, and of Thy people, ….and send rain upon Thy land,…”

To have the showers of blessing, we need to be obedient to Jesus Christ….our Shepherd. (John 10:27)

              Ezekiel 34:23, 26 “And I will set up one Shepherd over them, and He shall feed them,…

        And I will make them and the places round about My hill (Mt. Zion)  a blessing;  and I will cause the  shower to come down in his season;     there shall be showers of blessing.”

And we need showers of blessing to come upon us….upon our church….and upon our land.

            Showers in scripture indicate the blessing of revival or awakening to the godliness which God requires from His people.

My husband was praying about our calling in the church….and he received that the most important work of our ministry was to awaken His people to the Lord’s claims on their lives.

In mercy, the Lord prepares for showers of blessing….yet we often don’t ask for them….or seek the reason we do not get them.

Praise the Lord for His mercy-drops…..but let us,  as the Lord told my husband years ago….let us ask for the showers we need…..whether it is personally or for others.

The Feast for Today 

Today we can “feast” on Christ Jesus, all the time.

We can enjoy fellowship with Him, and have the abundance of the Holy Spirit filling us up with joy, peace, love, strength, etc.

But often He has set a feast before us, and bidden us to come and fellowship with Him, and we  have not come.  

Or come, and taken a sandwich,  when so much more was offered.

I’m going to speak about the Feast of Tabernacles which Jesus attended.

John 7:2 “Now the Jews feast of tabernacles was at hand.”

This feast was to remember the time of the wilderness wanderings,  when Israel came from Egypt to the Promised Land.

They were to come to Jerusalem and build booths,  and camp out, so to speak;……..rejoicing in God’s goodness, in bringing them through the wilderness, with it’s trials;…..into the land.

There were ceremonies to celebrate different parts of His Salvation;  and seven days were sent aside to do this.

John 7:14 “Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple,  and taught.”

Many people had looked for Him to come,……some to accuse and others to hear.

But now He was here, and He was teaching God’s Word in the temple.

The people were being confronted with HIs Words,  His teachings, and many believed He was the Christ, who was to come.

But many did not. 

Many among the authorities,  wanted only to kill Him and get rid of Him.

During the feast,  everyday the priests would take the temple jars and go in a procession out to the wells outside the city, and fill them up.

Then they would bring them up and into the temple area;…….a place right before the stairs which went up to the Brazen Altar,…..where the sacrifices were offered.

There, on the floor,  they would pour out the water, quoting in song a prophesy from Isaiah (Isaiah 12:2-6):

“Behold,  God is my salvation;  I will trust, and not be afraid:  for the LORD JEHOVAH  is my strength and my song;  he also is become my salvation.

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation….

Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion:  for great is the Holy One of Israel  in the midst of thee.”

This would be repeated everyday with the water for six days.

The last day,  the great day of the feast,  they would gather at the same spot, without water,  and wait:

Jesus moves to the steps between the men and the Brazen Altar….and says:

John 7:37-39. “In the last day, that great day of the feast,    Jesus stood and cried,  saying,   If any man thirst,  let him come unto me,  and drink.

                           He that believeth on me,  as the scripture has said,  out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

                          (But this spake he of the Spirit,  which they that believe on him should receive:  for the Holy Ghost was not yet given;  because Jesus was not yet glorified.)”

I used to think:   What an announcement!  Wow!    

and so it was! 

But did they believe and receive Him?    No.

Like so many times with us;  they discussed it. 

Talked about Him,….but did nothing about the offer of Life.

How sad.   An opportunity with out the resulting Life.

Some sought to do Him harm:

John 7:44 “And some of them would have taken him;  but no man laid hands on him.”

The chief priests and Pharisees called the officers of the temple to go get Him,  but:

John 7:45-46 “Then came the officers to the chief priest and Pharisees;  and they said unto them,    Why have ye not brought him?

                            The officers answered,   Never man spake like this man.”

They knew His power and authority!   So they did not arrest Him.

Here,  Jesus was offering,  to those who would believe on Him,  a constant source of life from within.

His life,  by the Holy Spirit,  to those who would believe.

The feast of the tabernacles ended.   

Jesus had called to all who will.   Some thought about it….some talked about Him….others just rejected out of hand His Word, and offer.

But most….sadly,…did not continue with Him.

He calls today.    To come and have a constant supply of life;….

His life,  within us.

To feast with Him every day,  by the Holy Spirit within.

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

He offers Himself again to you,  today.   

    “If anyone thirst….are you surrounded by things, even religious things,  and still not satisfied….well, Jesus Christ has that satisfaction for you, if you will come unto Him”

What will you do with Jesus?

Accountability and Responsibility

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God….”

And all our beginnings must be traced back to God.  

            (It is interesting to note, that in the first chapter of Genesis….only God in His trinity is seen.    He creates….and even when it becomes void…still nothing is directly said about anyone else. 

            Adam is seen being formed in chapter two, altho all the creatures…us, through Adam are created in chapter one:   yet….no other Presence is spoken of in chapter one…..till God Himself proclaims all He has made as….”very good”.      

            It is as if God is making sure that He is seen in every aspect of creation.    In sun, moon, stars, air, earth, birds, fish, animals….and man.     He,  and His creative Will is sovereign….and “very good”)

Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power:  for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure (determination) they are and were created.”

At the beginning of the vision in Heaven….the Lord is praised concerning His creation….and His determination…and Purpose for each of us.    

          We will indeed praise Him around the throne for this, then….let us also,  in submission,  do it now.

Let me just say that God has set each of us…men and women….on a footing of accountability and responsibility…. to Him.

He created us as rational creatures: 

           Having reason and understanding to think after Him.

           Having affections to love HIm reasonably.

           Having will to place into action our thoughts and love.

We are accountable because of the individual gifts He gives us.

           We are responsible because of His Word to us.

1 Peter 4:5 “Who shall give account to Him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.”   

           Romans 10:18 “But I say,  Have they not heard? Yes verily,  their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.”

We are the only creatures in His creation to be so made!   

          We are not animals with God given instincts only.  

He could have made us so….but He did not.    

He placed us on a footing that we may be raised above every other creature,  to have communion with Him,….because of the choices we make.

It is His determination….which He willed for us,  individually.   

          We are placed in the circumstances and parentage… “as He pleased”.

Given the ability… “as He pleased”.

          Given the external circumstances and the internal understanding of them…”as He pleased.”

Yet we are indeed accountable to use our will, ability, understanding, and reason to learn of God, and serve Him…..with all the gifts He has given us….physically and spiritually.

1 Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required in stewards,  that a man be found faithful.”

          A steward is one who is placed over the goods, or services of another.   He is in charge of them, and to use all that is given,  to bring forth an increase. (Matthew 25:14-29)

We are stewards of the manifold grace of God….to use all we get for the Lord:

        1 Peter 4:10-11 “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

         If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God;  if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth:  that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ,  to Whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever.  Amen.”

We are responsible to HIs Word to us.   To hear it….however it comes….and to do His commands. 

         For that is how we love Him….and we are responsible to love God “with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matthew 22:27)

         And that is when we obey His Word to us.  

         John 14:15 “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.”

(I want to say here,  that every person….saved and lost….is accountable and responsible to God.    

          Ecc. 12:13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:   Fear God, and keep His commandments:  for this is the whole duty of man.”

          But the wonderful difference is:  when we are born again,  we are given the Holy Spirit to enable by His grace to bring forth fruit unto eternal life.  To guide and help,  to encourage and strengthen,  to settle and make our hearts rejoice…in the privilege of serving the Lord.

          Philippians 3:8 “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:  for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung,  that I may win Christ.”)

What is better than to love God?   What is more satisfying than to know that we, by His Spirit, have honored Him?      What can’t we praise and glorify Him in?

          For He has given us Himself,  HIs determination, His Purpose, and HIs Will….let us seek to be faithful in our gifts, and to His Word.

Clear instruction as to prayer

Mark 11:22-24 “And Jesus answering saith unto them,  Have faith in God. 

         For verily I say unto you,  That whosoever shall say unto this mountain,  Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart,  but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass;  he shall have whatsoever he saith.

        Therefore I say unto you,   What things soever ye desire,  when ye pray,  believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

Prayer is us, as God’s sons and daughters,  talking to Him,   to ascertain and find help to do HIs Will,   for ourselves…or others.  

         Coming before His throne for mercy and grace (Hebrews 4:16)

Prayer is a great privilege.    It brings us before HIs throne, through Christ’s merits, and lets us have  a blessed fellowship,….a time of intercession for our troubles, or others….a time of telling God what is in our hearts (whether joy,  hurt,  or sorrow).    

         Though He knows all things….yet in prayer we enter His Presence in spirit,  and find HIs Will and grace.

         And when we do not know even what to pray…..”..the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”    Even our moans and sighs,  in sorrow, worry, or pain are heard.

         But there are a few conditions to prayer….in scripture:

          The first is….”Believe”       It says plainly that we are to ask,  believing that we will receive them….and ye shall have them.

                 (Think of the father who brought his son to the disciples and they could not heal him.   When Jesus came…the father begged   “If Thou can do anything…help us”.     Jesus said,  “If  thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”  Mark 9:20-24

                  And Jesus showed that it is acceptable to ask for help to believe.

Or think of the centurion,  for Jesus said,  “…as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.  And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.” Matthew 8:13)

The second condition to prayer is:   to forgive.

          Mark 11:25-26 “And when ye stand praying,  forgive,  if ye have ought against any:  that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

          But if ye do not forgive,  neither will you Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

                       To forgive here is to send forth,  to put away.   When we forgive we are set free from the influence of the “trespass” against us.     We send it away,  put it away from us….by forgiving. 

                       (And again this is an act of the will, for Christ’s sake….not of the emotions.   It is something which is done in us by the Holy Spirit…and through us by our will cooperating with the Holy Spirit.)

                       The trespass is a “side step”….whether in error, or intentionally….the trespasser is the one wrong…out of place,  whether in word or deed.   

                        But we are forgive,…remembering that we also have done many  “side steps”  or trespasses against God.     And we want to be forgiven….and have our prayers answered.

                      (As Paul wrote the churches: “To  whom ye forgive…I forgive also..” 2 Cor. 2:10.)

The third condition is to do no evil.

                      1 Peter 3:12 “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous,  and His ears are open to their prayers:  but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”

Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His  face from you,   that He will not hear.”

                     We have been called to confess our sins,  and to turn from them.  (1 John 1:7-9)   And when we do,  we walk in the light….and have that fellowship with the Lord and with each other that encourages and build us up in the faith.

Prayer is our privilege. 

                      Prayer keeps us from temptation (Matthew 26:41, Luke 21:34-36)

Prayer brings down the blessing for ourselves and others 

                     Paul asked for prayer for himself 2 Cor. 1:11, Phil. 1:19, 1 Thes.5:25,  2 Thes. 3:1, Eph. 6:18-19….

….and one of the first things spoken about Paul after his conversion is….”Behold, he prayeth..” Acts 9:11…

….Paul tells of his  prayers for the believers  Ro. 1:9, Eph. 1:16, Col. 4:12, 1 Thess. 1:2, 2 Thess. 1:11, 2 Tim.1:3, Philemon 4.)

                     Prayer was the first thing that those in the upper room, before Pentecost, were doing. Acts 1:14

              After the first threats against Peter and John (Acts 4:21-23)…they went back to the gathered church and prayed.

James says,  “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another,  that ye may be healed.     The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”  James 5:16

In the last book before the Revelation….Jude, in his final exhortation says,  

              “But ye, beloved building up yourselves on your most holy faith,  praying in the Holy Ghost, 

               Keep yourselves in the love of God,  looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”   (Jude 20-21)

It is our great privilege to pray to the Lord Jesus….and our great blessing to have our prayers answered.

The Hearing ear will hear. 

 

Proverbs 20:12 “The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them.”

The first thing I want to stress is the Lord hath made even both of them.

      So you see we are responsible to hear because He has given us  hearing ears.

Notice how He speaks to us Laodiceans:

     Revelation 3:19-20 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten:  be zealous therefore, and repent.

     Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:  if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.”

For all who hear His rebuke and repent….a great deal is promised.   Constant fellowship and overcoming authority.

But what is it that we need? And how is it that we repent?

    What we need is Reality, and where we need to repent is our lukewarmness.

Do we want His constant Presence? Or would that interfere too much with our thoughts  and plans?

      Isaiah 55:6-7 “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near:

      Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts:  and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him;  and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”  

If we close our eyes….we can not see.    If we put our hands over our ears…we can not hear.   

       But, If we will but seek the Lord,  even though we are wicked (rebellious)…and unrighteous (sinful)……yet mercy is offered…and abundant pardon.

To seek the Lord is to stop seeking the world and the lusts thereof, and turn by prayer and searching the Bible,   for His Word to us.

      The Lord will have mercy….our God will abundantly pardon.

Paul thought Eternal life (which is a condition of life, now….as well as for eternity with God)…..was worth the loss of all things.

Philippians 3:7 “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.”

       Paul had lost his old life, his standing and prestige, the moment he stood up for Christ.   

       But he did not look back or yearn for them….but counted them but refuse/garbage/dung….that he might have Christ.

 

Philippians 3:8-9, 11 “Yea doubtless,  and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.

      And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

      If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”

The excellency of the knowledge….this is the way Paul thought about knowing and hearing Christ….what of us?  Is the knowledge of Christ….and His Word to us worth anything?  

 Do we want His constant presence and grace?

Ephesians 3:17-19 “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,  

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

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

Many  people mistake the promise here.    It is a promise of constant fellowship….both with Christ Jesus….and with other Christians….and the power (grace)  it gives our lives.

      “Dwell” means to abide, to become part of the life….not just on Sunday….but become a part of everything, where I am concerned.  

      

       “Rooted and grounded…in love”  means to come to the place where love to Christ and His people…strengthens you.   It does not take from you….but gives to you.   (Notice, we are filled with the fullness of God…as we know the love of Christ more)

We need to get honest with ourselves…and with God!   

        We receive as much light as we are obedient to….

…when we stop obeying for whatever reason….the light becomes dim.   But when we repent and obey….the light becomes bright again.

        Again, we must get honest with ourselves and God….in our prayers, in our thoughts, and in our actions…and reactions.

John 1:16-17 “And of His fullness have we all received, and grace for grace.

         For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

Christ came, lived, died, and was risen again,  that we might become His….of His fullness have we all received….the fullness of righteousness, of mercy, of faith….

….and grace for grace.   Grace is given…and as we use that grace in our lives….more grace is given.

          Moses gave the law…and it showed us our sin….how far we were from God.

But Jesus Christ came to give the Truth….and as we submit to the truth about ourselves….grace (the unmerited favor of power) is given to overcome.

Will we hear Christ?  Will we see what He has for us?

     Well, the hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made both of them.   

Tabitha/Dorcas

Acts 9:36-38 “Now there was in Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha,  which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did.

        And it came to pass in those days,  that she was sick, and died:  whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.

        ….and the disciples heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.”

Notice two things:  she was a disciple….a believer and follower of Jesus Christ.

Whether she had been saved before the Lord’s death….or after, in the outflowing of the giving of the Holy Spirit to the church….it does not say.

But she was living proof of what Jesus said,….

John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give unto you.  That ye love one another; as I have loved you,  that ye also love one another.

        By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,  if ye have love one to another.”

….for she loved God, and others in word and action….doing all she could for those who had no one to care for them…..the widows. 

(Widows were often destitute….unless they had children who would care for them, as well as their own families.)

Acts 9:39 “Then Peter arose and went with them.   When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.”

Second, she had two names…..one Hebrew, and one Greek.   Both mean “gazelle, or beautiful”.   

She had two names, I believe,  because she ministered to any and all widows.

As a believer….she had not confined her ministry to the Hebrew widows but to others as well.

She made coats and garments for these…..things of her own hands….not a penny here, or there as if they were beggars…..but providing coverings for the cold nights, and garments for dignity.

(As Christians, we too, should provide for those we minister to…..we should cover them by our prayers, and seek for their good….not just outward, but inward blessing.)

Peter, who had just healed a man in the neighboring city (Acts 9:34 “…Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed.  And he arose immediately.”)…

…… was  hurriedly called to come to see if he could do anything for Tabitha.

Peter had healed…….this would be resurrection from the dead in Jesus Name.  Was it possible?    

Peter comes, as he is called, and goes in…..not stopping to admire her good works….or grieve with their loss….

….he knew what he had to do….and did it….according to the Lord’s Will.

Acts 9:40-41 “But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed;  and turning him to the body  (she is still dead, at this point) 

said,  Tabitha, arise.

And she opened her eyes:  and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

          And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows,  presented her alive.”

Jesus had brought back to life,  several, when He was here…..but no one had been risen from the dead since the Holy Spirit had been given on the day of Pentecost.

Yet, praying in the Name of Jesus Christ,  Peter then speaks the same word as Jesus did to the ruler’s daughter (Luke 8:54-55)…”Arise”.

Because of this, there was not only joy in those widows and the believers there…..but this was a witness to Jesus Christ throughout the city…..

Acts 9:42 “And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.”

We think that this happened because she was so good…..

….but it happened because those around her sought for her…..the Lord’s Will.

They might not have believed that their prayers alone would have brought her back to life…..but they believed that Peter would know what to do….so…

They called for Peter…..and Peter did just that….the Lord’s Will.

What of us?

Are we hesitating to seek in prayer for the spiritual life of someone….because we are not very important?

Then let us call for the One we know  will do….

…..Jesus Christ…..and seek His Will done in every situation.