David’s Choice, and Ours

David had been king of Israel for years. He had fought the Lord’s battles to gain all the land that God had given Israel, which had not been theirs before.

He had brought the capital to Jerusalem. He had victories on every side.

But, as with every believer, there are temptations. And one of these was a whisper of our adversary, Satan.

1 Chronicles 21:1-2 “And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.

And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.”

[The children of Israel had been numbered in the wilderness (Numbers 1:2-3,18-19), after the Tabernacle had been set up, so that they could each be in their place according to their tribes, around the Tabernacle.

And for each to give an offering for the service of the Tabernacle, according to their tribes. (Numbers 7:1-2)]

But that was the last time God had said, that all Israel was to be numbered.

But now David wants to number them. The record shows that this suggestion was not his idea.

But he did yield to it, and commanded that Israel be numbered.

1 Chronicles 21:7 “And God was displeased with this thing, therefore He smote Israel.”

Now, we will pause here and ask: why did God let Satan tempt David and fall into this sin?

Wasn’t he the man after God’s own heart? (Acts 13:22).

He was, but every man is tempted, when he is “drawn away” from God’s will, by something he wants.

James 1:14-15 “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

Certainly David did not want to sin?

No, but he did want to see how great he had made his country. A little pride, yielded great trouble.

1 Chronicles 21:8 “And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of Thy servant, for I have done very foolishly.”

One thing you could count on with David: once he knew God was displeased, he did something about it.

So God gives David a choice:

1 Chronicles 21:9-10, 12 “And the Lord spake unto Gad, David’s seer, saying,

Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the Lord, I offer thee three things: choose the one of them, that I may do it unto thee.

Either three years famine, or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the Lord, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advice thyself what word that I shall bring again to Him that sent me.”

God was giving this choice to David to test him. What did he really think of his God? Or His Will?

He might think like this:

Three years of famine were harsh, but they might get by. Only the weakest would die.

Three months of fighting, where the enemies win. Perhaps he would think, “I could always take back those lands; and it is only three months.”

Or three days of pestilence—illness, where God indiscriminately kills strong, and weak, old and young, according to His will.

Which would David choose?

1 Chronicles 21:13 “And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the Lord; for very great are His mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man.”

David chose God’s hands. God’s ways. God’s mercy.

To “let me now fall now into the hand of the Lord”.

The pestilence began, and many (70,000) died. And God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it; but the mercy of the Lord, stopped the angel, giving David time to seek the Lord:

1 Chronicles 21:17 “And David said unto God, Is it not that I commanded the people to be numbered? Even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? Let thine hand, I pray Thee, O Lord my God, be on me, and on my father’s house; but not on Thy people, that they should be plagued.”

David took full responsibility for the sin. He did not try and point to another, but confessed fully, and asked that the plague stop for Israel.

And he got an answer right away.

1 Chronicles 21:18. “Then the angel of the Lord commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and set an altar unto the Lord in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

(This is where the angel with the sword drawn had been told to stop on his way to Jerusalem.)

1 Chronicles 21:22-23 “Then David said unto Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshingfloor, that I may build an altar therein unto the Lord: thou shalt grant it to me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people.

And Ornan said unto David, Take it to thee, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes: lo, I give thee the oxen also for burnt offerings, and the threshingfloor instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meat offering; I give it all.”

A generous offer, but…again David’s choice to honor the Lord:

1 Chronicles 21:24 “And king David said to Ornan, Nay, but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.”

David would not give another man’s livelihood, but would only give what was his, by “the full price”. It was David’s responsibility, and he would not skimp or bargain.

(A burnt offering was a sacrifice of love. David would not offer it, without paying full price for it.)

Six hundred shekels of gold was the price, so he gave it. He also built the altar from the lumber of the place, and sacrificed the oxen himself.

1 Chronicles 21:26-27 “And David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the Lord; and He answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offerings.

And the Lord commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into the sheath thereof.”

David had sinned. But he came in full confession and asked for mercy.

David’s choice was God: His way. For he knew God to be merciful, and He was.

What is our choice, when it comes to God’s will and way? Do we try and bargain a better “price” when it comes to our responsibilities?

Or do we chose God, believing that even in corrections, He will deal with us in mercy?

What will you give in exchange for your soul?

Matthew 16:26 “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

We know this is the summary of Christ’s call to follow Him. (Matthew 16:24-26)

It is a call He gave all…(Luke 9:23-25)

Here, the Lord Jesus puts into perspective the choice we truly make….Him or the world.

If you had everything, and lost your soul, of what value could it be?

(Let us speak for a moment of losing our soul: it is not just going to Hell and then the Lake of Fire….although that is the end result.

No. We are in subjection, as mankind,……..to something.

We do not rule our destiny….we can not…..for circumstances, people, times and seasons, and places are all factors we can not rule.

In fact, we can not rule ourselves…..our souls, our personalities.

We can be phony….pretending to like or love things we do not….for “profit” or advantage in the world.

We can “learn” to like things….making ourselves over in the image of someone we want to be like….but we can never be them….but just us—like them.

We can not, at times, subdue our anger, or our affections….both fly away where they want.

But we can, as Jesus Christ said, come and let Him rule in us.

If you refuse this…..as many people mistakenly think this liberty is bondage….then the simple answer is:

You will be ruled by the world, the flesh or the devil.

The world’s thoughts will be yours.

You will always be frustrated, because your way is not being done.

The devil will trick you into real bondage of some sort.

You have lost your soul…..and you are not in Hell, yet.

There is still hope…..you can come to Christ Jesus, and let Him bring you into His kingdom.)

Jesus asked, “Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Many things in this world, say, “Don’t worry about your soul’s well being….after all your young….or after all your intelligent….or after all you go to church.”

Matthew Henry said in his commentary on the Bible: “If your religion is worth anything, It is worth everything.”

Christ says we must lose….to gain Him.

We must “Come”……and then, “Follow”.

Colossians 1:10-13 “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful unto every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness;

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

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

This is what is promised all who come to Christ….who are born again:

Being fruitful…..increasing in the knowledge of God….strengthened with all might….with joyfulness….partakers of the inheritance….delivered from the power of darkness….translated into the kingdom of His dear Son.

It is in the walk we have with Christ….bringing all that we are and have, step by step, and placing it under His control.

By a deliberate act of the will….placing all things at His disposal.

Here, Lord is my anger….I am mad and feeling it worsen….But it not just the anger….it is my resentment toward these people,…..my frustration at the lack of appreciation,….my frustration to You, even.

(By this time, when I pray, I am usually agreeing with the Lord, and giving up the feelings….they are not worth having anything come between me and Jesus.)

Now, Lord, I am sick….I am full of grief….I am weary, so weary….

What ever it is, it is….

…..and must be dealt with by bringing it all….Yes, bringing it all to Christ….to be delivered from this darkness….and no longer under the influence of the Adversary……into Light.

As Christians, we have the ability to bring ourselves into subjection, by the Holy Spirit’s power within us….by our deliberate act of our will.

(I remember talking to a man who was having some difficulties,….and he said:

“I just need more of God in my life.”

Now, I thought that sounded good….and praying for him, the Lord said to me, “What that man needs is a whole lot less of himself.”

God showed me, that He was there for that man….and His power was there for that man….but the man was not letting Him rule……

….pray for that.

And how many times the Lord has reminded me about this….for myself.)

Matthew 16:26 “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Jesus tells all who will follow Him…..it will be the world….or Me.

Which will it be?

It is time to Come, for all things are Ready

Luke 14:16-17 “Then said He unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.”

Who would refuse a great supper, unless they wanted to dishonor the One giving it?

Luke 14:18-20 “And they all with one consent begin to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I can not come.”

These are ridiculous excuses:

Who would examine a piece of ground in the night? With torches? What would you be able to see?

Or who would check on five yoke of oxen, to see if they pulled together, in the night?

Wouldn’t they take a chance of hurting some of them?

And this last was the worst: In Israel, when you were first married, all you did was go to parties, and dinners. Relatives, and friends, all sought to have you come, to honor your marriage.

But they all refused the invitation; and forfeited the privilege of feasting with Christ.

Luke 14:21-22 “So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.”

The call has issued down through the ages. All who would, have come.

To the world: they were the poor, downtrodden; and the maimed, halt, and blind. Those who realized they were lost and hopeless without Christ.

They were ushered in, to sit at the table, and feast with Jesus.

But there are places yet to be filled.

The last invitation is now going out.

There is an urgency to this last call, as the feast can not begin, until every place is filled.

Luke 14:23 “And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highway and hedges, And compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”

So, he sends his servants again. It is late, there is no time now. They must compel them to come in.

“Compel them” means constrain them, or stop them in their tracks and bring them in.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

And that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.”

To stop them in the highways……going on in their own ways, unknowing or uncaring of Christ and His invitation of grace.

To make them hear the invitation.

Stop them in the hedges……hiding out, from all the chaos of the world; and speak to them of the invitation, which is being offered to them.

And the Holy Spirit will bring them in, “compel them”; that every place in the feast will be filled.

Luke 14:24 “For I say unto you, that none of those men that were bidden shall taste of my supper.”

We don’t like to think of God’s Voice this way.

We don’t like to think of the “down side” to our rejection of God’s invitation to us: the fact that we have put off doing anything,…even though we know we should do something.

We have given excuses for our lack of desire; to know God, or even about Him. Wanting instead to pretend He does not exist, or that He is cruel and not to be yielded to.

But, unfortunately, one day, we will hear His Voice very clearly.

What we hear Him say will be most important, then.

We think of the merciful God; and He is. That is why this invitation is still going out.

The invitation to fellowship with Him is still be given out.

Some are being stopped, now, in their ways, and being presented with it.

What will you do? “Come, for all things are ready.”

There is a place for you, at Jesus table…..if you will come, at His invitation.

Is the Holy Spirit compelling you with Christ’s love, today?

The God of Peace

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

At least six times in the New Testament, God is called the God of Peace.

(Romans 15:33, Romans 16:20, Philippians 4:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Thessalonians 3:16 [here it is said “Lord of peace”], Hebrews 13:20)

Christ Jesus, Himself is the source of our peace.

We are not given peace by self effort….but it is given by the Holy Spirit as we “stay” ourselves on Him.

Perfect peace of mind……and freedom from the gripping hand of “cares”;….can only be known only as we learn to commit all our ways to Him.

(“Cares” grab ahold of us, and say: “You need to do something about this!”

“Mind” here is the imagination; which can think of all kinds of thoughts about the things that…will happen….could happen……the “what ifs” of the situation.

1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.”

Casting,….it is a energetic action….we are not to think of them awhile, then think about giving them to the Lord…

…no, we are to cast them upon Him….He is able….He has seen to these cares and worries already….and will see to them in us, through us, and by us…

…..for He cares for us. (this is a term for “taking care of us”)

Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and He demonstrated this so marvelously on the cross.

1 Peter 2:23 “ Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously:”

The first part of the verse, is what He did before the Sanhedrin, Pilate, the soldiers, and on the cross….here was His obedience…

..He reviled not…He threatened not.

And it was because…He “committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously.”

He did this at Gethsemane, when the thoughts of the shame and defilement of the cross came fast and furious…each, an attack against Him.

Matthew 26:38-39 “Then saith He (Jesus) unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with Me.

And He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.”

But His answered these attacks on His peace, with: “Not as I will, but as Thou wilt.”

This should be our stand, as well….when the attacks of concern, worry, doubt, and panic come against us.

We, too, should commit ourselves to God, for all that will come to us…and let the peace of God guard us….keeping our hearts and minds.

1 Peter 4:19 “Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”

He created us for a purpose, we need to submit to that purpose, for today…..not my will, but thine be done…and be obedient…for this is the “way of peace”…

Isaiah 48:17-18 “Thus saith the Lord, Thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit (by My teaching), 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:”

Obeying His Word we will be lead into His peace.

The listening and obedient ear knows true peace….for it knows the Voice of the God of Peace….and follows Him.

Unbelief…and what we lose by it.

The Hebrew Christians in Jerusalem had suffered many things for Christ.

They had been cast out of the Temple worship;….often they had been betrayed by family, and deserted by them. Yet, they had rejoiced…

Hebrews 10:34 “For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.”

……but after years of waiting for Christ’s return (for they thought it would be in a few years)…..they became weary in well doing. (Galatians 6:9)

Doubts came in…..and many had either settled down in misery….or had gone back.

Instead of going on in Christ…..growing in grace…..they stayed the same.

Because of this, they needed someone to teach them again the first principles of God.

Hebrews 5:11-12 “Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.”

Milk is for babies…..but meat is for adults.

Hebrews 5:13-14 “For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

They had not continued to follow close to the Lord….or His Word…

If they had, they would have continued in the joy and peace they once had,….even among the tribulations.

And they would have grown in more grace,……which sustains us in the midst of terrible days,…..as well as good days.

But they became stagnant…..and really went backwards.

The great sin of unbelief is the problem:

So let us look at unbelief.

We think unbelief is just not believing something said…..a mental thing.

(But the Lord showed me once, when I was struggling with promises which I thought should be fulfilled….and were not, yet….that unbelief is a thing of the will.

That scared me…..no, no, no, Lord…I would never will to not believe You.

But I was.

How could I do that?

First I want to explain that the will is our powerhouse.

And when our will unites with the Lord’s Will, the Holy Spirit gives us amazing grace for the situation now.

I was not getting that grace….and the grace that I was getting I was not using….

….and the Lord showed me why.

I wanted Him to do this promise….to get it done. I got convinced that I had waited long enough….had done my part….

….so now it was time for Him to do His.

Wow! Sometimes when I look back at how stupid and willful I have been, I wonder at the love of God!

And, of course, when the Lord showed me this…..I confessed it….and stopped it. “Lord, You can do what You will…..when You will”.

And fresh grace was applied to me….grace I used to believe my Lord and Savior.)

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

“His rest”. When He said, “It is finished”, on the cross….it was.

Our salvation was full and complete….we need to “enter into” it…..fully.

When we get born again….often with joy and love…our hearts are so full, we think that we can not love the Lord Jesus any more.

So did the Hebrew Christians.

As we grow in knowledge of the Lord,….and are called (each is called to witness, if nothing else)….we are led into the “if any man will” stage of our spiritual growth…

…as long as we will to “deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Christ”, we continue to grow…and enter into new promises, new experiences with Him, and (this is really wonderful) new attainments in grace (the unmerited favor of power).

Here, some of the Hebrew Christians began to fail….by unbelief.

As we go along in our spiritual journey, we are given trials of faith,…

…we are given joy and peace….

…we are given corrections for our falls…

…we are given people to help us…..and to help.

This is growing up into maturity….”entering into His rest”….the rest of mind, heart, and will…He has for us.

This, the Hebrew Christians were missing out on….they had gone through trials….but became miserable,…

….because they let unbelief come into their lives.

Hebrews 6:9 “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.”

Come, now, Christians…..Paul says,….we know that those who have held on, though they are miserable….have that life of Christ within them….

….therefore take hold on Him with both faith and love, again….and let us enter into all that His salvation gives us.

Hebrews 10:35-36 “Cast not therefore away your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”

What about us?

Where are we in our walk with the Lord?

Are we following along….in trials and joys….in believing obedience?

Or have we, too, stopped short of entering into all that the Lord has for us?

Hebrews 13:20-21 “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Make you perfect (complete) in every good work to do His Will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

With that same power that He raised the Lord Jesus from the dead….He will

make us complete in Him,…

….if we will follow on….and continue in His Word (John 8:31-32).

The Power of God in our Lives

Colossians 1:27-29 “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you the hope of glory:

Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

Whereunto I also labor, striving according to His working, which worketh in me mightily.”

God’s original plan for man was stated in…

Genesis 1:26 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion

over the fish of the sea,

and over the fowl of the air,

and over the cattle,

and over all the earth,

and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”

Image and Dominion….this is what God wanted for man originally (though lost by Adam’s sin);…..

……and what, through Christ, we can have now.

As we gain the image of Christ’s character in our lives…

….we gain dominion over our self-life,….and overcome in our outward life.

Romans 8:29 “For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

We will have about as much Dominion in our circumstances as we have the Image of God in our lives.

Paul knew this power in His life…..and the results of that power for his own personal experiences,…..and in His ministry to others:

(Colossians 1:29) “……..striving according to His working, which worketh in me mightily.”

And the secret of this power is:

1Thessalonians 5:19 “Quench not the Spirit.”

The Williams Version says, “Stifle not the Spirit”.

Don’t choke off the impressions of the Holy Spirit within you;…..but yield to them.

We can never know the power of the Holy Spirit while we choose to “stifle” Him.

And how can we stop doing that?

Well, the Lord showed me this, when I asked this question for myself….”The answer is right up there….right above it.”

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

This is so simple, and yet so very hard to do….to really give thanks to God for this situation….these people…this very hardship.

Not in words….but in heart joy.

This requires us to deny ourselves….and trust the Lord that He knows best, and……as I said…

…this is sometimes hard.

Now if we want the power of God in our lives? Then we must learn to “give thanks…in everything.”

And that means I am to give thanks….for everything.

This is a real step, in the accomplishing of the Lord’s Purpose for my life….for all that comes to me,…..comes by permission of the Lord,……and is part of the total experience of my life, with Him.

I can not be what I ought in the Purpose of God, for the future, unless I pass through these things of today.

Remember, that Paul said the Holy Spirit “worketh in him mightily”….and he stresses to the churches he writes, the importance of thanksgiving.

If you want to have the Holy Spirit working in you…mightily…..deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow the Lord Jesus…..

…..and come to the place where you give thanks to God for everything…..

Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

Ephesians 5:18, 20 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

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

Philippians 4:4, 6 “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Colossians 2:6-7 “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him:

Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”

Here is one of the secrets of the power of God for us…..

….heart thanksgiving….to God, in everything…..for everything.

Our Place in the World

Romans 13:1 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”

This was written in a day when Rome and the Caesar’s ruled. Their reign was often terrible. The soldiers could be cruel, or kind. Their judges could imprison or set free, at a word.

Yet, as Christians, we are to respect authorities, because of their office. And be subject to them. (God always has His due order. Think of the chaos without the police, fire department, and government.)

1 Timothy 2:1-4 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercession, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

For kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty.

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

This is the secret for a quiet life: Prayer for all.

We should pray for our family, our city, the church on the earth,…..for our nation, and it’s leaders.

It is not because we believe, necessarily, in what they do; but rather it is what the Lord wants.

And when we pray, God hears.

Proverbs 21:1 “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will.”

The Lord can turn the heart of any ruler, politician, judge, etc. as He turns the rivers in there course; to do what ever He wants.

(There are times He allows rulers to go on in there wicked way; simply to increase their punishment, or to make the deliverance of His people from their hand even more amazing!)

Our place in the world is to be lights for Jesus Christ.

To shine God’s life in us.

To do this we are to pray for those we know, who are Christians; and those who have not yet come to Christ Jesus.

To seek the good of our family, neighbors, and city by prayer.

And to pray for our country.

That revival might come to our churches, schools, institutions that are suppose to do good; and to all….

To seek the good of all, in prayer; is a down payment on a peaceful life.

Keep Thy Heart

Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

The heart in Scripture is the soul, or personality of the individual. It is what makes us, us.

It is made up of mind or thoughts; heart, or affections; and will, or the limited power we have to do.

If we are born again (the Bible was written for God’s people), then we are warned to “keep our hearts”.

We are not to let it wander around into things it should not go near.

We are told to hold it close to God, by the exercise of willing love.

(If you say you can not will love; I disagree.

If you are talking about the affections which fly here and there; no you can not do much with them, until they are brought into subjection to Christ Jesus.

But when we are born again, we are given power to exercise our will for God in a new way. The will becomes the holder of all precious materials for God. One of these is love. And as such, we will to love, what God loves.)

Then we will to stay close to the Altogether Lovely One, Jesus Christ.

We have become so surrounded by the World’s terms and definitions about them; that we have forgotten the reality of the power of God in our lives.

The world says love is an emotional response to someone or something.

God says love comes from Him, into our hearts, and is returned to Him by an act of our will.

1 John 4:16,19 “And we have known and believed the love God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

We love him, because He first loved us.”

Believe is another word, the World has misused. It says it is a action of the mind, which grasps the concept of something that has proved itself.

But God says it is an action of the will, whereby we place our whole being on Him, and His Word.

Mark 9:24 “And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”

This father willed to believe. Even praying Jesus to help his unbelief.

To believe is the action of faith.

And faith is placed within us by the Holy Spirit, when we come to Christ.

It works in us to believe: place our whole selves on Christ.

That is the action part, where we do His Will.

So we are told to “Keep our hearts” and we are to do this “with all diligence”.

It takes a lot of effort to keep our hearts close to Christ.

We have a tendency to “slide” away from Him. There are many temptations in this world.

Jeremiah 3:14 “Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord;…”

Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

But, as we love Him, we grow stronger and stronger in that love. We are never out of danger, till we reach our home in heaven, but He has made a way of escape, even in the temptation:

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

For out of it (our hearts- our souls) are the issues of life.

Issues, or the source of life.

When we are saved, we are given eternal life, which is a condition of life.

(It is not just to live forever. Everyone will live forever, someplace. The born again ones, in Heaven with God, in bliss. The lost, in the Lake of Fire, in torment.)

This condition of life is Christ’s Life within us by the Holy Spirit.

We are to hang on to Him. Steady ourselves with His Arm. (We need a lot of steadying)

And we are to use all the grace that He gives us, to keep hanging on to Him.

He never leaves us, but we often leave Him.

That is why hanging on, keeping our hearts for Him, is so important.

Love Him, for He loved you with an Everlasting Love.

Trust Him, for He is Faithful.

Believe, and Obey Him, for He leads us in the best way to go.

What Fruits do you bear?

Matthew 7:20 “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

Galatians 5:16-17 “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”

Once we are born again, and are given a new nature….a battle begins within us:

The old nature (our self-life), and our new nature (the life of God within us); start to battle back and forth for control of our actions, our thoughts, our emotions…

….which involve our reactions (how easy it is to do the things we have always done).

Frankly, we have lived in the soul’s sphere all our lives…..

…we think things out….

…we react from our emotions…

…we will to do what we want, if we are not stopped by some outside force.

This has been our life.

And our self-life does not stop wanting to “tell us what to do”, after we are born again.

James 4:1 “From whence comes wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?”

(Lust is: I want this, and I want this now….whether in thought, or action.)

Ephesians 5:24 “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”

“Crucified” has to do with the cross….our cross, which Jesus invites us to “deny ourselves, and pick up”. (Matthew 16:24)

Our souls must be brought into subjection to the new nature….which is from God…by our wills, willing with God.

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

And in this, God requires us to submit to the inworking of the Holy Spirit…..Who guides us into righteousness, and works within us to will after God’s good pleasure.

Philippians 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”

It is yielding, again and again….to the Holy Spirit….till it becomes the heart-beat of our lives, to yield.

For it starts as a matter of the will, willing….and becomes a matter of the whole being….mind, heart and will…giving place to the blessed Holy Spirit.

This yielding, works new characteristics within us, to replace the old attitudes and actions which we set aside.

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

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

Now these set forth what the Holy Spirit will work within us….

…and He begins with love.

I think this is most blessed, because in ourselves, we love the wrong things.

But in Christ, we are taught the important things of life….and learn to will to love them.

(I have said this before, that “agape”, or Christian love is not emotion…although certainly we feel it.

But it is the willed tendency of the heart to devote ourselves to Christ Jesus.

Jesus Christ always forces a choice of the will….

…..never does He say, “Well, if you feel like it….you should follow Me.” Or. “If you think this is a good idea, then follow Me.”

No, it is…..”If any man, woman, boy, or girl will,…then follow Me.”)

So, when we are born again, the Holy Spirit shows us the beauty of Christ, and says, “Will you love Him?”

When we will, then the Holy Spirit opens up our hearts to receive….and to give love…”agape”….both to Christ and to our fellow Christians.

He places it within us, and says….”work it out”….obey Him.

Then there is joy: joy is the felt presence of God in my life….it comes in any circumstances…and lifts us up, to the fullness of life, in Him…at that time.

Then there is peace. Peace gives rest….and rest of soul (mind, heart, and will) is strength, for it gives us knowledge that God is our Fortress….now. (Philippians 4:7, Psalm 18:1-2)

Then there is long-suffering…waiting for others, remembering how God has waited for us.

gentleness,….being kind.

goodness,…acting right toward others.

faith,…keeping God in front of us in all circumstances.

temperance,….even tempered.

meekness….seeing ourselves the way we are before God.

…all of these characteristics of Christ are worked within our personalities by us yielding to the Holy Spirit within.

They build on one another….each supplying in our personalities a strength….so that we can use all the grace God gives.

Are we bearing these fruits?

Martha

Luke 10:38 “Now it came to pass, as they went, that He entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house.”

She did not just listen as He went by….but she welcomed the Lord into her house as well.

She, Lazarus, and Mary all lived together in Bethany.

Martha was probably the one who ran the house….keeping it, and seeing to their food.

When Jesus came to Bethany; Martha welcomed Him into their home….

….this was a happy occasion, and she went about trying to get everything just right, so that she could enjoy His company.

Lazarus sat with the disciples, and Mary, Martha’s sister, came and sat at Jesus feet to listen to His Word.

Martha was trying to get things done….

It was not that she did not want to hear the Lord….but she had let the desire to serve the Lord weigh her down….

…..so that instead of enjoying the time He was there….she became “cumbered”. (This is a term that means something she is dragging around, a weight.)

Then, she began to wonder why Mary was not helping…..which led her to complain to the Lord….about His actions!

How one thing leads to another!

Luke 10:39-40 “And she had a sister called Mary, which also say at Jesus’ feet, and heard His word.

But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said, Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.”

How like Martha we are!

She began by wanting fellowship with Jesus….so much so she invited Him to come to her house.

Then, she let “things” build up in her thoughts….

“I should really do something special….He is so great a person.”

“I really need to hurry….He is already speaking to the others.”

“If only Mary would help me….I could be in there too.”

“Why isn’t the Lord saying anything to her,….so I could hear what He is saying, too?”

These are the “imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Our thoughts run away….going from one thing to another….and before you know it….we are accusing the Lord of not caring about us!

Luke 10:41-42 “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful (full of care) and troubled about many things (and they are just things):

But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Notice, how Jesus gently corrects this lovely woman: “Martha, Martha”….saying her name twice to get her attention.

She was still focused on things….

….”Look at Me, Martha….Listen to Me, Martha….you are getting all worked up about things….

…but Mary has seen that the important thing about having Me in your house….that is to hear Me….

….this I will not take away from her…..but instead invite you to come and join us.”

Jesus loved Martha. Martha was a true believer.

John 11:5 “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.”

They were true friends and disciples of the Lord.

(In fact the last week of Jesus life was spent going from their house in Bethany, to Jerusalem, during the day, to teach in the Temple….and back to their house at night.)

When Lazarus got sick….Martha and Mary could think of nothing….but taking their concern to Jesus:

John 11:1, 3 “Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

Therefore his sisters sent unto Him (Jesus), saying, Lord, behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick.”

Jesus was beyond the Jordan River (where John the Baptist had begun his ministry John 10:40) in Bethabara.

But when Jesus heard of Lazarus’ illness…..He did nothing….yet.

John 11:6 “When He had heard therefore that he was sick, He abode two days still in the same place where He was.”

During these two days, Lazarus dies….then it was time to go, so Jesus says:

John 11:7 “Then after that saith to His disciples, Let us go into Judea again.”

It was a journey of several days to Bethany….so when He gets there, Lazarus is dead for four days (John 11:39)….and there is a crowd of mourners which were there to grieve with Martha and Mary.

Leaving all….Martha, as soon as she hears Jesus is coming….goes to meet Him. (John 11:20)

Notice the faith of this woman:

John 11:21-22 “Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

But I know, that even now, whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God, God will give it Thee.”

Answering this kind of faith, Jesus says, “Thy brother shall rise again.”

He was telling her what He was going to do….

She declares her faith in God’s Word….”I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

And then Jesus reveals to this dear woman one of His names: “I am the Resurrection and the Life”.

John 11:25-26 “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

Jesus was speaking directly to her faith….Lazarus will be resurrected because of his belief in Me…..and you, who believe in Me will also have this everlasting life….

….do you believe, Martha?

John 11:27 “She saith unto Him, Yea, Lord: I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.”

This is an amazing testimony….”I believe Thou art the Christ….and I am leaving all into your hands….do as Thou wilt.”

She goes gets Mary; and she and Mary, come to see Jesus. They are followed by the mourners….

And they take Him to where Lazarus is, and He tells them to take away the stone….

Martha speaks up about how long he has been dead, and that he would stink….

…one of the laws of Moses said (Numbers 19:11-16):

Numbers 19:16 “And whosoever toucheth…..a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.”

She did not want defilement to come upon Him, or those there….

…but Jesus reminds her

(how gently He rebukes those that believe in Him, to hang on to His Word to them).

John 11:40 “Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?”

Then, when they remove the stone off the grave….He prays, looking up (John 11:41-42):

“Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me.

And I knew that Thou hearest Me always: but because of the people that stand by I said it, that they may believe that Thou hast sent Me.”

Jesus could pray silently….but He prayed out loud, for a testimony for the people that were there. He was God’s Son.

(We could say grace silently, but often pray out loud for a testimony to the people around. Not to correct, but to testify that we belong to the Lord.)

Then, as God’s Son….Jesus commanded Lazarus….

John 11:43 “And when He had thus spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.”

No one had to touch him, or bring him out to Jesus…..Christ’s very voice commanded life, and it was done.

(This was a revelation, to those there, that Christ had power over death…..yet the folly of sin made the Pharisees and chief priest believe they could destroy Him and His kingdom. How sin blinds and deceives!)

And Lazarus came forth…still bound with the grave clothes of death….but very much alive. (John 11:44)

Then Jesus said, “Loose him, and let him go.”

(And isn’t this what Jesus speaks to our death and sins, for us)

Martha had great faith…..

…she sometimes let herself get burdened with “things”….but she received the gentle rebuke of her Lord, and trusted in Him as the Son of God.

(Her faith led her to be the only woman to declare that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of God”.

Peter had (Matthew 16:16), and many believed on Him…..but Martha was the only woman who scripture shows to have made this public confession.)

Jesus loved Martha….

…He had fellowship and friendship in her house,

…He corrected her gently….yet every time He did, she gladly responded with more faith, and trust.

…He gave to her one of His names.

…It was for this family, that He showed His power over death.

Are we like Martha….growing in our love and testimony to the Lord Jesus Christ, even through rebukes, and sorrow?