Jeremiah 23:29 “Is not My word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?”

a fire.

a hammer.

this should cover all that we encounter….for ourselves and others.

a fire, consuming all the dross of our old nature…(Zechariah 13:9)

a hammer, breaking all the rocks of our inbred rebellion.  (Jeremiah 5:3)

This is the Word of God.   

Our hearts are naturally full of other things…like the dross intermixed with silver or gold.

    Malachi 3:2-3 “But who may abide the day of HIs coming?  And who shall stand when He appeareth?  For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap:

    And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver:…”

God can purify our hearts…from all other desires and loves.

Our hearts are naturally as stone…hard and almost impenetrable.

    Zechariah 7:12 “Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in His spirit by the former prophets:…”

But God can give us a “heart of flesh”.

     Ezekiel 11:19-20 “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new Spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh:

     That they may walk in My statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.”

(There have been times, I have felt unappreciated or distressed by others reactions….when I can feel my heart hardening.   It seems to say, “I won’t care.  I will just do what I must…and leave the rest.”   

     When this has happened….I try and stop right away…and ask for a heart of flesh….not of stone.    He often works to show us our hardness…and HIs mercy.  

     Or shows us, from the Word how He was treated, without cause….and the many times He gave good words, and good works….no matter His approval.      His Word softens my heart….keeps me focused on Him, and HIs pleasure for me.   Praise God for His abundant mercy.)

And as He works in us….He can work, through His Word to any and all others….no matter how “hard”  they seem.

Isaiah 55:11 “So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth:  it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” 

Prosper here means to “push forward”….God’s Word does that.   He sees an end in view, and pushes forward to see it done.

First it pushes forward…in our hearts.   (I love this verse…for it explains the immediate…and the delayed “push” in our hearts by His Word…spoken, read, heard.)

       Isaiah 55:10 “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater.”

The rain is sometimes gentle and soaking….and sometimes hard and furious, causing dry places to overrun….so the Word of God waters the heart….and brings forth buds and fruit.

The snow, sits on the frozen ground….and though it seems to do nothing, at first….then it melts, usually slowly…and soaks into the thawed ground….our hearts.

This rain, and this snow is the Word of God, used by the Holy Spirit….and it softens our hearts and leads them to receive His Word and Will.

Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”

     And faith sees God….and moves the heart to reach out for Christ…receiving Him and HIs Word. 

How important for all of us to know the Word of God….to be able to speak about His Word to others!

And for preachers, and teachers:

1 Corinthians 1:21, 23-25 “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by (worldly) wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

     But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and to the Greeks foolishness;

     But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks,  Christ the power of God, and the wisdsom of God.

     Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

God’s Wisdom ordained that preaching Christ and His Word is the way to save others. 

     “Is not My Word like a fire? Saith the  Lord;   and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?”

Is there something in us that has become intertwined in “things”…and needs to be purified?

Is there something in us that has become hardened, just a little, in dealing with others, or with God, HImself?

Let His Word soak into your ears and hearts…

    Ephesians 5:25-26 “…as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it;

    That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of the water by the Word,”

….read, pray over, and let it cleanse your hearts and minds….(sometimes memories, sometimes idle thoughts, sometimes vengeful thoughts)…let His Word to you,   be the invigorating of your affections and diligence for Christ.

And then…

1 Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”

Let this mind be in you.

We often ask the question…..”How can I be more spiritual? How can I bear the trials that I am going through?”

Well, the Philippians were a church born in persecution….yet knew joy.

Philippians 2:1-2 “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”

“Consolation” means anything from comfort and solace….to exhortation. It is anything spiritually or emotionally that gives us what we need…..

…..Christ sends us His consolation in many ways.

A word of encouragement…..a call to a friend to see how they are doing…..a passage of scripture….”a hug “(I call them) from the Holy Spirit saying, I am here with you, in this.

Christ had sought them out…..He had sent Paul to them, to give them the good news of Salvation.

Christ had shown them His love by saving them and giving them the fellowship of the Spirit.

Christ had shown them mercy, and grown the church even under persecution….giving them a testimony in all the city.

Now, Paul says…..don’t become easily offended with others…..or seek a “position” in the church…..but seek to serve in the place you are….

…for Paul knew, that often when our testimony is strong….the devil seeks to get us by “strife, or vain glory”.

Instead, he says…..look to Christ…

…if we do that, we can look on others without judgement….rejoicing in any growth of grace each makes.

Philippians 2:5-8 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus;

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God;

But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto the death, even the death of the cross.”

“Let this mind be in you….me”

Here is the way we are to think about our path or way before us,….no matter how it is:

Christ Jesus came from the highest glory…..through His own Will and self-denial…

….moved by love of His Father’s Will, and for the love of His own, that He would save.

He came to the lowest depths….every step, giving up something….

….He humbled Himself.

He gave up the outward manifestation of His glory and power….He became man, submitting to His Father’s Will in everything.

(He who could feed 5000, waited by a well for His disciples to bring back some food, and asked a Samaritan woman to give His some water)

In everything He kept the goal in view….to honor His Father, and His law….and save all who would come to Him.

In His self-denial, He stooped to death…..even the death of the cross.

The death of the cross was not just a horrible, painful way to die,….but shameful…..outside the city….mocked, spit upon, cursed,…

…..all that went on, while the strength, and life slowly left Him…

….and it showed man’s rejection of Him and God….

….until the mass of our putrid sin was placed upon Him….but He still went on in self-denial….till all was accomplished

He did this…..He humbled Himself….He became obedient to death…..even the death of the cross.

And we are to think the same way….to follow His steps….for the love of God and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Self-denial needs to be our constant companion.

But that was not the end:

Philippians 2:9-11 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name.

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Because Christ fulfilled His Work….God….(can you hear the trumpets blowing in heaven?)….”highly exalted Him”.

Highly is to raise to the highest position….above all others. (Matthew 28:18, Revelation 3:21)

Here the Father manifests Christ’s Victory over all opposition…..raising Him…not just from death, but to a place in His Throne…with all power and authority….

….releasing His grace to flow out to the redeemed!

And commanding that at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord….

….all for the glory of God.

(As Christians, born again ones, we will bow and confess here in our lives that Jesus is Lord…..our Lord and Savior.

As the lost, they will bow and confess that Jesus is Lord, at the White Throne Judgement….and then be cast into the Lake of Fire.

Their knees will bow…..knowing then Who they rejected here…that Jesus is the Lord and Savior with the power that could have saved them….

….and their tongues will confess it…..their will be no delight….only terror, knowing they refused to receive and confess Him here.)

What is the reason Paul states these truths?

Life is hard…..Christianity is harder. The consolation, that Christ chose them, each of them…..by the preaching of the gospel and the ministry of the Word….

….should yield unity and one accord with each other.

And the example of Christ’s humbling Himself….should yield submission and love…in all circumstances that they are….and will, go through.

To what lengths Christ came that I, a rebellious and wicked sinner might come to Him!

The glory of Christ and the Father is assured….have we entered into our part of it, by bowing to Christ? And confessing in life….His Lordship?

A Certain Disciple

Acts 9:10 “And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.”

In the world….prestige and success is everything. Who you know….or “hang around with” is valued.

But God looks on the heart….and places each of us in our place….to do good there.

So let us look at this certain disciple that the Lord spoke to.

First, Ananias knew the Lord’s Voice. He was a believer and follower of Christ Jesus….and he knew when the Lord spoke to him.

Second, Ananias answered the Lord right away….he did not hesitate, afraid of what the Lord would ask….but said…..”I am here, Lord”…denoting that he was willing to do what his Lord said.

Ananias was a certain disciple….it does not even say the leader of the church in Damascus.

He was not one of great training, or knowledge or experience;….just a certain disciple, that obeyed the Lord.

What follows is a great lesson for each of us as how to have a conversation with the Lord….about direction.

We often think of instant obedience….without question or thought. But God looks on the heart….willingness to obey, leads to submission of reasons and attitudes….and final obedience. I will do what I am told, no matter what happens.

When we come here….we are ready.

(Acts 9:11-14)

“And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus; for behold he prayeth,…

Then Ananias answered, Lord I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to Thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority….to bind all that call on Thy name.”

Though Ananias was willing to do what the Lord said, that did not stop him from asking for more assurance that this was God’s Will.

“For he had heard by many of this man”….

How many times what we hear about something, affects what we hear from the Lord.

Saul had indeed come to Damascus “for evil”….to destroy everyone who proclaimed Christ as Lord….”who called on Thy name.”….

….but….

….The Lord had changed everything…..

…..for He had appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus, and struck down his plans….making him see the truth.

Christ Jesus was the Son of God….He did die for our sins….He was risen, and was speaking to him.

Saul had bowed to Christ….saying, “Lord what would Thou have me to do?”

Now the Lord would use His disciple to teach Saul how important each believer was to the Lord…..

…for Saul’s instruction would come simply through a fellow believer….a brother in Christ…..obedient to Jesus.

What a lesson!

(What can be accomplished by our simple obedience, we may never know!)

(In Paul’s letters to the churches….he used the term “brethren” over seventy times! We are all part of the family of God, in Christ Jesus. What a lesson was taught for Saul, from the very first.)

Acts 9:15-16 “But the Lord said unto him (Ananias), Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

Ananias, was sent to Saul , the mighty persecutor….who became Paul the mighty Apostle….mightily persecuted…suffering many things for Christ’s sake….and he was told this, from the beginning.

Here, Saul heard the first prayer of a fellow believer for him….”Brother Saul,”

(Hallelujah! The Lord hath gotten Him the victory! And we can say the same Hallelujah! When any becomes a brother or sister in Christ.)

…the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way….hath sent me, that thou mightiest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.”

Saul was healed, filled with the Holy Spirit because Ananias went and prayed…..and then Saul was baptized….and preached Christ, that He is the Son of God….

…which began his ministry of Apostleship.

And Ananias, a certain disciple at Damascus, was the instrument to show Saul the way to begin….and will receive a part of Paul’s reward for all he did.

Many times later, in his letters, Paul asks for prayer from his fellow believers for him (Ephesians 6:19)…..how important prayer is Paul learned from a certain disciple!

How many are waiting to hear a word from us?

We may think we are no one of importance….or maybe think that the Word you have been given, or the prayers you have been told to have, should be done by someone else….more experienced.

Then learn the lesson of blinded Saul….and a certain disciple. When God choses you to speak or pray….

…talk to God about it….then be obedient.

….the blessing is waiting for both you and them.

Remember and Return

Isaiah 44:21-23. “Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art My servant: I have formed thee; thou art My servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of Me.

I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

Sing, O ye heavens; for the Lord hath done it: Shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified Himself in Israel.”

Transgressions are our moral revolt against God’s government….we will not be in subjection to His laws.

Sin is the decision to rule ourselves….to put ourselves over God,….however the thought, attitude or action….we are going to be in charge.

(Romans 14:23 “……for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”)

Our transgressions and sins, block the Light of God from us, as clouds…..thick clouds block the sun, and sky.

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.”

Both are “blotted out” by the Lord….they are erased from the books of our works.

How? Why?

“…for I have redeemed thee.”

The whole creation has cause to praise and sing in joy….for the Lord has redeemed His people….from the bondage of sin…to liberty.

The greatest work in the world….is the establishing of the kingdom of God….

The definition for redeemed in scripture, here is:

To buy back: when a rich relative, as kinsman…….would buy the poor relatives property, life and the life of his family, when he is in debt…..and give them back to him.

The Lord is saying that He sees them in the debt of their sins,…and has paid their debt….to free them….as their kinsman.

It does not say….past sins….or just the future sins….but “thy transgressions”…”thy sins”.

This is beautiful…..after all Jacob and Israel had done…..turning from Him, to idols…..yet….He still considers His covenant, and treats them as a near kinsman…..paying their debt….and redeeming them from their transgressions and sin.

(All of our sins have been put away by Christ Jesus….through HIs precious blood.

1 Peter 1:18-19 “For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition by your fathers;

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot:”)

But here, He calls, “remember these…..and return unto Me”.

Remember the clouds upon your heart and life…..remember what the sins brought you……

….and then remember that you are My servant…

…and return.

To return from your transgressions and sins…..to return to Me.

For when we turn to God, we turn away from everything that displeases Him.

This is a call to return to Him….to fellowship with their Redeemer…..

….and the call is the same to us….

Isaiah 48:17-18 “For thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the Way that thou shouldest go.

O that thou hadst hearkened to My commandments! Then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:”

Imagine it!….

Peace like a river flowing through us in all our situations!

And our righteousness (right living before Him) as the waves of the sea…some higher, some smaller, yet all moving at His Will!

Is the Lord calling us to remember and return?

Have we let the world taint our thoughts of true freedom?

We need to get our heads out of the sand of this shifting world….and remember our Redeemer….and return.

For the closer we are to Him….and away from sin….the more freedom we have.

Freedom to be all, He meant us to be….freedom to enjoy the true life….bubbling up and flowing over….into joy and peace…..bearing the fruits of righteousness, and courage.

Isaiah 45:22-24 “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is no one else.

I have sworn by Myself, the Word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness and shall not return, that unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Surely they shall say, In the Lord there is righteousness and strength: even to Him shall men come,

and all that are incensed against Him shall be ashamed.”

God is God…..He has not changed….He has redeemed all Who will come to Him and receive Him as Lord and Savior.

Remember and Return.

Take us the Foxes

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

The Song of Solomon shows the personal relationship between the Lord Jesus and the believer (seen as the maiden).

He had, at the beginning of the second chapter, called to her to “come away”.

Song of Solomon 2:8, 10 “The voice of my beloved! Behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.

My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.”

He was calling her to come away from the enclosure she had stayed in. She had come into His banqueting house in the first chapter (Oh, the joy when we first believe, and know our sins forgiven), and had wanted to stay.

But, the Lord Jesus always calls us on to new and better things; though they may prove harder things.

This He does now. “Come away”, He says.

But it is not just to some thing: no, it is always “Come away with Me”.

But He did not just call; He also showed Himself to her, though He was on the outside of the wall which separated them, and she was inside, still. (Song of Solomon 2:9)

He had come, in power, leaping on the mountains of difficult things in life; and skipping on the hills of little problems which come up.

He was showing her that to “come away” with Him, was to go along in the path He chose, and since He would be with her;……His power would be as well.

Then He ends the call, for she had hesitated, and hesitation is always the enemy of obedience. It causes us to check and see if there is another way; or another time.

So then He says, “Take us the foxes.”

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

The Lord Jesus is saying to His beloved believer: Let us work at those things which cause you to hesitate. Those things which hinder you from bearing fruit.

They are “little” foxes; which come in through the fence anywhere, and eat the tender blossoms of grapes.

(Big foxes often are kept out my fences. If they get in they will eat on the fruit of the grapes, but the little foxes nip in the bud, whole clusters of grapes in one single bite, because it is still in the blossom stage.)

But if these “little foxes” are not seen to; then there will be very little fruit….if any.

So Jesus says “Let us see to them, together”.

These “little foxes” are the natural way we do things. Instead of relying on the Holy Spirit, we “think things out” and come to a “conclusion”.

We often do them, by choice, automatically.

They are the natural us, and it takes effort to set them aside, and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance and help.

Instead of seeking for joy and peace, we look for “happiness”.

(Joy comes from knowing the Presence of God in my life, and it does not rely on circumstances. Joy is just as strong in bad times, as in good.)

Happiness comes from without. It is the feeling we get from the things….circumstances and people….which happen to us. There is nothing “wrong” with it, but it makes us look to what is for me, or us….now.

And when we get “happy”…..it usually makes us want….more happiness.

Instead of following close to Christ, we rely on the experience we had Sunday, yesterday, even this morning. Those experiences are good, but not when Christ is calling you on to what is next.

Real fruit comes from the Holy Spirit within. There is the fruit of the Spirit, in our lives:

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

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

And there is the fruit of a Christian, which is another Christian; for we are all called as witnesses of Christ Jesus:

Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

But to bring forth the fruit of the Spirit, we need to “take us the foxes, the little foxes, which spoil the vines.”

Christ is calling all His people to a more personal relationship with Him:

“Come away with Me.

Let us take care of these things which hinder, in our life together.”

What a way lies before us: Come with Me, and let us tackle these mountains of difficulties, and hills of troubles….with Me, says Jesus.

The Way of the Righteous

Psalm 1:6 “For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”

Surely the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous…for it is HIs Way.  It is a matter of being right-wise with God.

Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”

As Christians, the light we use in our own lives,  affects others.   

      (As my daughter says often….”We are harbor lights….showing the Way to Christ.   Or we are warning lights…pushing people away from Christ”.)

First, let us define “righteous”.  It means to be and do  right,  to be clean in God’s sight… it means to be innocent.

None is righteous in themselves….no, not one. (Romans 3:10)

For all who come to Christ Jesus by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9)….Christ’s blood and sacrifice cleanses us from our sin….and makes us positively righteous in God’s eyes.

This is our standing…which is in Christ Jesus.

But there is a righteousness which we are to be and do in this world…which has to do with our state.

Therefore, when it comes to being righteous….God  has to be our example….He must show us all that we should do…

…..but also He has to give us the grace or enabling to do.   Our part is to yield to what He shows us….including the Way we should go… and obey.

Hebrews 4:13 “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”

If we would only come to the full realization that this is true….we would acquire the full faculty of honesty in our souls.

God sees all.   

And He would have everyone of His own to come to Him knowing that He has seen,  does see, and will see all….where we are concerned.

Hebrews 4:12 “For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Praise God for His Word!   It divides!  

     It separates between soul (what we feel or think) and spirit (what the Holy Spirit shows us).

     It separates between joints (the workings of things, which we often see) and marrow (which is the real meat of the matter…the reason we do what we do).

     And after it separates for us, so that we can see…..it gives us discernment of our thoughts about things….and our intentions…which are not just our plans…but our desires.

     How many examples of what we are going through are in His Word?

     How many of His people have failed….yet been lifted up from that failure to grander heights of knowledge of Him?

Proverbs 4:18 (ASV) “But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”

This is the path of all who have been born again.   We have light!   We have the means to get more light.

And  if we are not getting greater light…then…it is time to consider at what we stumble.

Proverbs 4:19 “The way of the wicked is as darkness:  they know not at what they stumble.”   

Because we have some light….even the gray light of dawn….we should know at what we stumble.   We should know what we have been tripped up in….and we can be enabled by the Holy Spirit to set things right.

Righteousness is imparted to us, because we are born again….we are in Christ Jesus.

Righteousness is grown in us, because the Holy Spirit is teaching and empowering us to be conformed to Christ Jesus’ in character.

By His righteousness we are accepted before God the Father.   

By the righteousness we do, in yielding to the Holy Spirit, we show Christ to the world.   

2 Timothy 2:19 “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal,  The Lord knoweth them that are His.   And,   Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

God’s Word always separates. 

    ( As the angels told Lot  when taking him by the hand out of Sodom….

Genesis 19:17 “And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said,  Escape for thy life;  look not behind thee,…”)

We are to depart from iniquity….get out from it.   Escape….look not behind us.

The Lord’s eyes are always toward the righteous….ready to encourage, strengthen, and enable.  

     Let us:  turn our eyes upon Jesus…and grow in light.

Psalm 25:15 “Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for He shall pluck my feet out of the net.”

We are without excuse…

Excuse here, has to do with our giving our account of ourselves before God, one day.

Psalm 19:1-3 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork.

Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

There is no speech nor language, where their voice in not heard.”

It is not just “glory” that the heavens show….but the glory of God….for the orbit of moon, and the stars….the clouds and rain….and the sun….are all under His control…in regular and orderly ways.

They declare it to all mankind.

We were created, to stand on our feet….to look up and see all that creation manifests…..

….yet….

…..if men will not see….eventually, blindness will set in, to the very things in front of them. (2 Corinthians 4:4)

I mention all these, because I was struck by something in Romans:

Romans 1:20-21 “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse:

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; and became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

Vain imaginations and darkened hearts begin with unthankfulness to God.

How much we let into our hearts, when we stop being grateful to God….

…..for that is what thanksgiving is:…..manifesting in word and deed, our gratefulness to God….for what He is….and what we have from Him.

It clearly says that they “knew” about God: His power and His Godhead.

But they refused that truth, not wanting to be thankful to Him.

They wanted to measure their stature by other men, and creatures….instead of looking up to the Lord…….and bowing in subjection to His Will….so they looked out to other creatures….and made idols of them.

Eve refused to be thankful for every other tree to eat from, but one….and became tricked by the devil into doubting God’s goodness…and sinned. (Genesis 3:2-6)

Cain knew from the shedding of blood to clothe his parents (Genesis 3:21), that he could not come before the altar of God without a sacrifice of blood…..

….but he refused to be grateful for the instruction….

……and chose to come before God in his own merits….not in subjection and thanksgiving. (Genesis 4:3)

…..then he refused to be grateful for the correction about his sacrifice……God giving him a second chance…..God told him, if he would only bring the right sacrifice….he would be accepted, like Abel…..

….But he was not grateful….

….and he became angry and became the first murderer (Genesis 4:8)

The children of Israel first praised God, after the deliverance of the Red Sea….

…then murmured. Twenty-two times it says that they complained….and murmured against God, Moses, and the circumstances.

“Murmur” literally means to stop….to be obstinate, to complain. To halt a forward movement (either spiritually or physically) till I get what I want.

These are examples of some who refused to be thankful and submit to God….

…but what about now….what about us?

Certainly, as Christians, we are without excuse before God for our words (Matthew 12:37)…and what we do with them…..for we have the Holy Spirit within us…

We are told:

Hebrews 13:5 “….be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Our contentment should be in God….and our thanksgiving for all He gives us, should be in praise to Him.

We know God: as Savior, as Creator, as Lord, as King,….

…the more we know…the more He becomes what we need……the more we should give Him thanks.

(Twenty-three times, according to my count, Paul gives thanks, to God for something….or exhorts the churches he writes to, to give thanks.)

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.”

Colossians 3:16-17 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts in the Lord.

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.”

(Often my husband, as we were going places for our ministry, would burst out in song…..a hymn,…..or the Hallelujah Chorus…..one of his favorites….and we would all join in.

Thankfully, we were traveling down the road….and not in the middle of a lot of people….although my husband’s voice is pretty good….

……..but as we sang, I would always feel more of the Lord’s presence with us.

It is amazing how a genuine praise, opens up our hearts to Him!)

Let us not grow “blind” to God’s mercy and goodness to us (2 Peter 1:9)……in good times, or under trials…..

…..but let us use these times to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of Him Who is worthy to be praised….in everything.

Psalm 23

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)

Here is the beginning of our relationship to Christ.   We are born again (John 3:7)…

….and we have found that He has put away our sin in His sacrifice on the cross….and given us true life in Him.   

Everything we need is in Jesus, our Lord!   We are amazed and joyful…and exclaim to all!

Christ is to us:

John 10:11 “I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.”

                  (Christ Jesus is also the “great Shepherd”  Hebrews13:20;   and the “chief Shepherd” 1 Peter 5:4)

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:  He leadeth me beside the still waters.” (Psalm 23:2)

                 One of the first things Christ gives us as His children, is peace.   Peace with God, and peace in the situations of our everyday lives.

                 He is leading us out into “green pastures”.  (Ezekiel 34:14-15)

( He “maketh” me.     “Maketh” is a interesting term….for when we are first born again,  we need, at times, to be made to lie down.  To stop and just steep ourselves in His provision…His Word.  We are all so very busy….but He maketh His sheep and lambs to lie down,  that they may absorb and assimulate all that He has led them in, and given them in HIs Word…that they may grow thereby.)

No matter what we think of our lives….when Christ comes in….He leads us into peace with them.  They become green pastures because of His Presence…and influence.  Sometimes, it is not great peace….but a peace that gently distills into my soul…no matter what is going on.

        The “still waters” are quiet times with Him.  The Holy Spirit quenches my hunger and thirst for more knowledge of Christ. 

(1 Corinthians 2:9-10 “But as it is written,  Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.

        But God hath revealed them unto us by HIs Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”)

“He restoreth my soul:  He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3)

As we go along with Christ…He needs to heal us…spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.   We are many times in need of correcting….and just as many times in need of restoring us to the joy of the Lord.(Nehemiah 8:10)

       So many things in this world drag us down….into doubt, fear, and even almost to despair.  Things of the past, which need to be healed.   Things of the present, which we need to be seperated from….or which need to be put in the right place in our lives.

       But He lifts us up out of the miry clay….and imparts His purpose and joy again.

Psalm 40:2-3 “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a Rock, and established by going.

       And He hath put a new song  in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.”

Then He leads us the right way.   He is the pattern,  and the way….so He begins to build His character within us….giving us the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)…

Psalm 5:8 “Lead me, O Lord, in Thy righteousness because of mine enemies;  make Thy way straight before my face.”

Psalm 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.”

Though I believe that this is true when we come to die…when the cold, dark waters of death swirl around us…and praise God, He is there at the time of death, whatever way we die…to bring us home to the Father.

        Still I believe this is speaking of this world and it’s many dark places we must go through in our pilgrim way….as His soldier.

       We are all led through trials to activate our faith.        We all have spiritual battles we need to stand and hold on to Him in.       We are all led through times of seeming darkness….waiting for God to enlighten our eyes and to strengthen our mind, hearts, and bodies.       There are times,  we must wait for the Lord to be gracious.  

       Isaiah 30:18 “And therfore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you:  for the Lord is a God of judgement:  blessed are all they that wait for Him.”      (Lamentations 3:6,  Job 12:22)

      Remember we are being led through here…..

John 10:27-28 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me:

      And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.”

This I believe is the valley of the “shadow of death”.   It is a shadow….only…not real darkness…where we are seperate from the Lord, therefore…

       We need not fear the evil (evil times)…

      “For Thou art with me.”       He goes ahead, and shows us that He is between us and all that would come against us.

“Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.”   

       (The rod was a short heavy stick which was used both to correct a wayward sheep….and protect from lions and bears.   The staff was a tall crooked stick, which was used to grab the sheep when they had fallen into pits, or fast moving water.   If the sheep who was not so near the Shepherd, could not see the Shepherd….they could see the tall staff, moving forward.

 In all times, but especially when the Way becomes difficult….we become thankful for His rod and staff….they are comfort to the weary soul.

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:  Thou anointest my head with oil;  my cup runneth over.”  (Psalm 23:5)

       (the word “enemies” here means to cramp, to bind, to distress, to put in a strait.)

This happens.  There are times of stress and persecution….that the Presence of God is an abundant feast of His joy.  

       And as we go on with our Lord,  our life becomes a Table in the Wilderness…a constant place of fellowship…even before our enemies. 

       Isaiah 43:19 “Behold, I will do a new thing;  now it shall spring forth;  shall ye not know it?  I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”

John 15:11 “These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

       We know His Holy Spirit filling us with His strength and grace….”my cup runs over”….up to the brim and overflowing in faith, hope and love.

Ephesians 3:16 “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;”

Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:  and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

We know His leading and guidance….but we also see that His goodness…His great purpose for us….and His mercy are keeping me all around…..and shall do so all the days of my  life.

He leads us home….ever onward, till we are forever with Him in heaven. “I will dwell”…..as a citizen of the Kingdom of God….I walk here, now…as a pilgrim. But one day, I will dwell forever with my Savior and Lord…what a day that wil be!

Bless the Lord, O my Soul

Psalm 103:1-2 “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:”

This is a psalm David wrote.

Some believe he wrote it when the Ark was moved successfully to Jerusalem. (after the sin of trying to move it on a cart. 2 Samuel 6:3, 6-10; 1 Chronicles 15:12-15,28)

This is a psalm expressing the goodness and mercy of God to sinners.

David calls upon himself, and the people to love and praise the Lord for all His benefits.

(Psalm 103:3-5). Praise the Lord…for…

His forgiveness…He forgives His people’s sins and iniquities.

His healing…both spiritual and physical.

His saving us from so many places of danger and destruction.

He shields (crowns) us with His loving-kindness, and treats us as His children….with tender mercies.

He has not only saved us, but given us contentment and joy.

He strengthens us by His grace.

(The eagle lives many years, and naturalists say….when they grow old, the eagle casts off her feathers [at molting time] and fresh ones come on,…..so that the eagle’ feathers are as young again)

Psalm 103:6 “The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.”

David praises the Lord for showing him his error, forgiving his sin…….and allowing him to finish bringing the Ark to the Tabernacle in Jerusalem, so that all may come and worship before God.

(Psalm 103:7-12)

As it was shown Moses at the giving of the Law, God is merciful and gracious.

(We do not think of grace being in the Old Testament….but it is always, “by grace are ye saved”…..there it looked forward to Christ, for those who believed God….now, we look back, and grace is given us by the Holy Spirit who abides with us, forever.

Grace is the unmerited favor of power….the power God gives us to look to Him, believe and be saved.)

God is slow to anger….praise the Lord for His longsuffering to us, wooing us to Himself, showing us our faults, and taking us by the hand when we are going astray, to guide us into the right way.

Though He signals His displeasure at our sins; He waits, giving us time to repent.

For He has not dealt with us according to our sins….for Christ took the penalty for them, which was against us.

(Where can you say the east ends and the west begins….for the east to us, is west to someone else.

As the line between them can not be found, so our sins can not be found for all who are in Christ Jesus.)

Psalm 103:13-14 “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.

For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.”

“Pitieth” means compassionate love. A father never pushes his children to go beyond their true capacity…..but encourages them, leading them into new things, with him at their side.

All the things which come to us, come through the Lord’s hands; He measures our trials, and joys that we might become grounded,…steady in our walk with Him.

Proverbs 30:8-9 “Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

Lest I be full, and deny Thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”

“Keep me, O Lord, from anything that will hinder my walk with You.”

Psalm 103:15, 17-18 “As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto the children’s children;

To such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His commandments to do them.”

Our lives are short, in comparison to God’s mercy. He saw us in eternity past….made provision for us in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 1:9) that we might be with Him through eternity future.

He extended mercy when we were yet in our sins and rebellion against Him (Titus 3:4-5).

He saves us, and delivers us from our sins….washing us in His Word, and giving us His Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 5:25-27)

Psalm 103:19 “The Lord hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all.”

How wonderful that He is ruler above all, unswayed by circumstances, or crisis.

We do not need to fear that we will be forgotten, or left to our own strength…..He invites to draw near His throne in prayer.

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

(Psalm 103:20-22). Seven times in the whole psalm;……and four times in the last three verses, David calls upon all the created beings….angels, those ministering as His servants, and all His works….in all places, to bless the Lord.

“Bless” here means “kneel and praise”. God can bless us with great benefits….but we bless God when we truly worship Him.

Then he finishes, as he started:

Psalm 103:22 “….bless the Lord, O my soul.”

And shouldn’t we bless Him….kneel down and praise our God….for all His benefits to us?

He that hath an ear to hear,  let him hear

Amos 3:8 “The lion hath roared, who will not fear?  the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?”

Amos was a man, who was content to dwell in Judah.  He was a herdsman and a gatherer of sycomore fruit…which is like figs.

       Yet he was called to go up to Israel,…the ten tribes which had separated themselves from Judah, and had set up golden calves…calling them “God” in Bethel and Dan.   

       Amos’ testimony was:

Amos 7:15-16 “And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me,  Go, prophesy unto My people Israel.

       Now therefore hear thou the word of the Lord:…”

The Lord “took” me.   He got my attention,…and told me to do this.   I will therefore speak His Words to Israel.   (And we all know Amos was threatened because of this.)

Amos 3:8 “The lion hath roared, who will not fear?  the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?”

The person who knows no fear, is out of touch with spiritual reality….for…

       Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom:  and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding.” 

      Fear is reverential awe.  It places God as God, and ourselves as His servants.   This is what happened to Amos…Amos feared the Lord…..and so he could pass the message of the Lord on to Israel. 

      Israel knew about the true God….yet went along in worshiping the golden calves….and God wanted them awakened and warned about continuing in this evil.

     (Paul said,  “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;…” 2 Corinthians 5:11.   And what is this “terror”?  

      2 Corinthians 5:9 “Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him.”   This is what made Paul afraid….that he might not please the Lord Jesus, Who loved him and saved him!)

And if any can shake their fist in the face of God, and by their actions say….”I will not!”….

      Then it is certain that they have not known the beginning of Wisdom….for they have not known the fear of the Lord.

Let me explain,  what happens when you come to “fear the Lord”.    

      First, there is a bowing of the heart.   

      Second, there is a desire placed within our hearts….not to run away….but to come closer to the Lord.

      Third, there is a sight given  of all that hinders our coming close to the Lord….and when confession is made…a seeking to keep all that would come between….out of our lives.

      Fourth,  there is a growing zealousness given  to do all that pleases Him…. who has sought me…and brought me closer to Himself.

This is the fear of the Lord….and worship is diffused throughout our everyday lives….for “the knowledge of the Holy is understanding.” (Prov. 9:10)

God is Sovereign!   And all things work to His Sovereign Pleasure.

We would want to change this….or that.  He wills to change us.

We often want deliverance out of our circumstances.   He wants to deliver us in our circumstances…and through them.

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

This is one of my husband’s favorite verses….because it was given to him at a time when he was questioning some things which had happened….which even might happen…

….and it focused his eyes….not on himself, or these things…but on the Lord…the Creator and Sustainer of everything!

      So he asked….and we should all ask….

What is Thy pleasure in these circumstances?

        Where I am concerned…what is Your pleasure for me?   

What lesson would You teach me…how can I honor You, in these circumstances?

Amos 3:8 “The lion hath roared, who will not fear?  the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?”

“Speak My Word faithfully.”  was the Lord’s answer.

      And the answer is the same for all of us.  We can never tell the end of a matter….we have but to speak HIs Word….and leave the results to the Lord….as Amos did.

Three times in the fifth chapter of Amos….the Lord says to “Seek” Him…..that ye shall live. (Amos 5:4, 6, 8)  “For thus saith the Lord unto the house of Israel,   Seek ye Me, and ye shall live:”

       The fourth time…the Lord says “Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live:…”

Nowhere is there true life, without Christ Jesus the Lord, in that life.

        (I want to say here, that Israel, at this time was a prosperous nation.   Wicked but prosperous.  But Amos preached faithfully….and many were moved at his preaching,…but there was no true repenting of the nation.

        Less than seventy years later….all Israel was taken away out of their land…removed for the sins Amos preached to them about!    2 Kings 17:7-15)

And what is it that the Lord says to all us in Laodicea?  For His Words are there for us….

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

What are we to repent from?    Our lukewarmness (Revelation 3:16)….which is an illistration of our indifference to Christ’s commands for our lives.  

But He rebukes,….and He chastens….that He will have His godly remnant in this age…as in all others.    

He wants us zealous….boiling hot for Him.   Our hearts bubbling over with the desire to give glory and honor and praise to the One Who still calls us onward.

    It only comes by repenting of that which holds us back….that which steals our hearts affection from HIm.

Be zealous therefore and repent.