Occupy Till I Come

Luke 19:12-13 “He (Jesus) said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.”

This nobleman gives ten servants, one pound each….ten pounds; to use while he was away.

Of course Jesus is giving this story about His going back to heaven after being raised again; and the ministry He gives His servants here.

“Occupy till I come” is a merchandise term.

It is to use what we have, or what we have been given(as in a loan),….to get more,….just as in a business.

But the thought here, is that you are gaining for Someone else.

As Christians, we are not our own. We have been bought and redeemed with the high price of Jesus blood. (1 Peter 1:18-19)

And we are given His life and power by the Holy Spirit within. He enables us with His grace.

This is the “pound” we are all given as His servants: His faith and grace.

The work is all to be done, as servants of our Lord Jesus Christ, out of love to Him.

So how do we “gain” to show our love to Christ?

He has given us faith by the Holy Spirit when we were born again. This faith shows us Christ, so that we can follow Him:

Jesus was obedient to the Father’s Will; so we must be obedient to His Will for us.

He was kind and merciful; so we must show that same kindness and mercy to others.

Jesus was a fighter for the Father’s Way; not holding on to the traditions, when they conflicted with the spirit of God’s laws (example: healing the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath. The Pharisees and scribes said it was “work”. God said it was mercy. Matthew 12:10-13)

He did not turn from the Way to the cross, though it meant He would go through betrayal, shame, cruelty,……and defilement under our sin.

He went and paid the penalty for sin, that we might be the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

We are to use that faith and gain with it:

(2 Peter 1:5-8)

We are to gain (in Peter it says “add to”) with our faith,…..virtue, first.

This virtue in the Greek is, “Artea”, or power by the Holy Spirit.

The first thing God teaches us is that we are now given power to do, say, and stand, by the Holy Spirit. (It is quite a wonderful thing to realize that God’s Spirit is helping me , now, in this situation of my life!)

The second thing we gain is knowledge. We can not be around Someone, and not come to know Him better.

And as we know Jesus better, we learn more about ourselves; both successes and failures show us, us.

The third thing we gain is temperance. This is to be even-tempered. You learn to not let things “get” to you. To see them as the Lord sees them.

The fourth things is patience. How much in this hurry, hurry world we need this.

Patience with others, and with ourselves. (We do not get discouraged, when in patience, we wait on the Lord, to work things out.)

Godliness comes next: this is growing up into Christ, and taking on the “family of God” resemblance.

Brotherly kindness has to do with our Christian brothers and sisters. (Yes, they can be trying; but with the Holy Spirit’s enabling, we can be considerate and respectful to them,…..even if they are not to us.)

And Charity, or love. And this is to show the same love to others as Christ does to us.

These are the things we are to gain by the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives….as these servants gained with their “pound” for their nobleman master.

Luke 19:15-16 “And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.”

This servant had yielded to the Holy Spirit and done all he could for His lovely and blessed Lord.

(It is not counting souls won, or jobs done; but the diligent effort of a life lived to God’s glory.)

Luke 19:18 “And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.”

This servant had difficulties.

His gain had been smaller,……maybe because of doubts and cares which hindered him at the first;……but he had finally overcome by the faith given him, and he had gained five times more than he had been given!

Luke 19:20-21 “And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin;

For I feared thee, because you art an austere man: and takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou did not sow.”

What!! This servant did not gain anything!

His dishonor was because of the wrong thoughts about the Lord.

He thought that if he did what he was told and tried to gain with the pound he had been given, he might lose it.

He thought that he was better off just forgetting about it….till he could give it back……because the Lord was a very severe, and demanding God.

The Lord would have what he gave….he could not complain….

But this was not what the Lord had wanted for the man.

He wanted this man to use the “pound” (which is the power of the Holy Spirit within), and “gain” in his heart love, peace, and joy in the fellowship with Himself.

This is gaining for the Lord; for we are His inheritance.(Ephesians 1:18)

Luke 19:22 “But he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:”

Sadly the Lord of this man judges him……..according to what that man had wanted to believe about the Lord.

For you see, by the next question, the Lord shows that any gain would have been blessed.

Luke 19:23 “Wherefore thou gavest not my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury (interest)?”

What the Lord was really asking this man, was:

Why did you not show some interest in My gift of the Holy Spirit?

You grieved My Holy Spirit by your not wanting my gift;

So, since you never really had it; you will never have it.

Luke 19:24, 26 “And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.

For I say unto you, that unto everyone which hath, shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.”

There are many who want to appear as the Lord’s servants, which never really love Him, or receive Him into their hearts and lives. (John 1:12)

They want to look good, but never honor the Lord in their hearts. They really hate the thought of doing anything for the Lord Jesus Christ!

This man was one of these; and he was seen at last for what he was.

He was not judged by anyone else, but the Lord judged him according to the man’s own thoughts.

We are told by the Lord to use His gift of faith by the Holy Spirit and gain joy and peace in believing.

In every gain we make in our lives, we rejoice the Lord’s heart….and “gain” for Him.

“Occupy till I come.”

Isaiah 43:21 “This people have I formed for Myself; they shall show forth My praise.”

“Formed” means to mold, as a Potter does the clay…by squeezing, and shaping according to his plan.

So God is saying, here, that He, as the Divine Potter, has molded us that we might perform the purpose for which we were created.

A water pot is for carrying water….a flower pot is for the displaying of beauty….etc.

Every person saved….is saved for a reason.

Not just for heaven…..yes, Jesus Christ wants us to be with Him forever, and has prepared a place with Him in heaven…

…but the preparation….or the molding of us for our Purpose….is here.

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

If we could “go down to the Potter’s house” with Jeremiah….and watch the Divine Potter form a vessel on the wheel (Jeremiah 18:2)….what would we want Him to make?

I would ask you….what do you want Him to form you into?

You see there is creation….and there is forming:

Isaiah 42:1 “But now thus saith the Lord, that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.”

Jacob, the schemer was born….he was the second twin…always behind his brother in his father’s eyes….but not God’s.

God purposed him to have the blessing of the covenant….and be formed into Israel….

…and after years of Jacob planning and scheming to work things out….God spoke, wrestled, and worked on Jacob with His Word, and circumstances….till Israel was formed.

We are who God has created us to be by birth…..we have no choice in this….our parents, our home life, our place of birth…

Romans 9:19 “Thou wilt say, then unto me, Why doeth He yet find fault? For Who hath resisted His Will?”

Who had any say in what He created us to be? Why then does He require obedience? He made me this way….He could have made me different….

Romans 9:20 “Nay, but O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, Why hast Thou made me thus?”

“Why has Thou made me this way?”

Down through the centuries mankind has asked God this…

Adam blamed God for his fall….”the woman Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me to eat”….(Genesis 3:12)

….”You gave her to me…..and she gave me the fruit to eat…so it is Your fault.”

This is a favorite rebellion….one, the Adversary of our souls, the devil, uses.

Why did You give me this situation?

Why did You permit this to happen, when You could have stopped it?

When, what He wants, is that we will with Him to “stop it”……and be formed more into His character.

Why does God create us the way we are? To show forth His praise.

(It is interesting to note, that when it spoke of “pots” in the Old Testament, that a lot of the references were for the Temple…and it’s use.)

We are created….and formed by Him….for He has a good reason….even though we may not know what it is.

When the Potter molds a vessel….the clay is made pliable by mixing in water with it….it is really kneaded in; for it has to become pliable, and smooth…

….all the hard lumps removed.

Then it is placed on a wheel….and formed by the hands of the Potter.

The wheel turning fast or slow….that is up to the Potter.

But the “forming” is not given up on….till it is done.

The Potter does not take it off the wheel, and say….”I will finish this tomorrow or next week”….for the clay would become too hard to mold….and the vessel would be worthless.

Isaiah 64:8 “But now, O Lord, Thou art our Father, we are the clay, and Thou our potter, and we all are the work of Thy hand.”

We started with “this people have I formed for Myself”.

Romans 9:21 “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?”

Of course He does…..so why are we so discontented with His plan?

I believe the reason is……the plans we will not let go of.

Romans 9:22-23 “What if God, willing to show His wrath, and to make His power known, endured with much long suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

And that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore prepared unto glory.”

By the process of molding, the Lord is able to show the thought of His mind, and make known the desire of His Will.

He molds us by circumstances…..this is a hard one….for we would rather He change the circumstances….but He wants to change us, and give us victory in them.

He molds us by Scripture….as we read His Word….the Holy Spirit opens our minds and hearts to receive the power and blessing of it.

He molds us by His love….how many times when I have been angry, that He would remind me of His merciful love to me….and I would deny my anger….for His sake.

He uses every day things to bring us to the place that we are: “a vessel unto honor….meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21)

He has an end in view….with much to be accomplished, along the way.

That “end” is:

Jeremiah 29:11 “And I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

The Brazen Laver

It is the maintaining of fellowship with Christ, that we wish to speak of.

And one of the examples of this, is:

Exodus 30:18-20 “Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.

For Aaron and his sons shall wash there hands and there feet thereat:

When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the Lord:”

The brazen Laver was made for cleansing.

It was set just outside the door of the Holy Place, in the court of the tabernacle. This was in the natural sunlight.

Both the priests, and people could be in this court; but the people could not minister at the altar or the laver; only the priests could.

When Aaron and his sons were given for the service of the priesthood, they were brought to the laver and given a bath by Moses; once.

Exodus 29:4, 9 “And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall wash them with water.

And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.”

This pictures our regeneration; when we are born again. It was never repeated.

They and their decedents, were priests from then on.

So with us. When we are born again, we are forever His children.

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

But as priests, they would minister, by sacrifice, at the brazen altar. There, the sacrifices for sin and peace would be given.

Their hands would be bloody, and their feet would be dirty from walking on the bare ground.

So, they were commanded to come to the Laver to wash both their hands and feet, before they went into the Holy Place to burn incense at the golden altar, or light the lamp (M’nourah).

This, they were to do every time they went into the Holy Place.

The Holy Place signified fellowship with God:

the golden altar and the burning incense showed the prayer which ascends to God

(the fire to burn came from the brazen altar everyday, tying Christ sacrifice and our prayers together)…..

…the table of shewbread,eaten “before the Lord” showed forth the sufficiency of God for all our needs….

…and the lampstand showed forth God as the only light for our work.

All showed forth fellowship with God.

But before they could go in and have this fellowship, they must wash at the brazen laver.

As Christians, we need daily cleansing from the defilements of the way, if we are to maintain fellowship with God.

In our walk, we constantly have dealings with those who are dead in trespasses and sins;……and their influence defiles us.

(You can not go very many places without hearing cursing, filthy references, or anger. How much anger is about.)

In honesty, we are also aware of the blemishes of our service (which speak of our hands), and the failures of our walk (our feet).

We obey; but we often hesitate. (as though we were ashamed of Christ)

Or we don’t do what God wants us to do, as He wants. (We have good reasons, we think.)

These do not interfere with our standing as Christians. We are still born again.

But it does interfere with our communion and fellowship, with God. (For every time we step back from God, we are further away from His help)

Ephesians 5:26 “That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.”

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The Laver, like everything else in the Tabernacle speaks of Christ’s sufficiency to meet our every need; for the priests could not enter the Holy Place, without washing there.

The Laver was there, but they had to wash in the water that it provided.

Christ Jesus has made a way for us to come and wash, and be cleansed according to His Word.

Do we want that fellowship and communion which enlivens us? Will we go to the Word of God and judge our ways before Him?

1 Corinthians 11:31 “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.”

Water is also to invigorate.

And the Word of God gives us comfort and refreshing.

It revives our spirits.

It makes us feel whole, and clean again. Ready for the next moment, the next day.

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

He offers His life “freely”, to us…..will we come and be cleansed and have that light and fellowship He has for us, today?

Philemon

Philemon is a private letter sent by Paul to a householder and friend….a brother in Christ…one, it is suggested, that was won to Christ by Paul.

Philemon 19 “….albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.”

The subject is one of Philemon’s servants….who had run away from his work, and run far away, to Rome.

His name was Onesimus.

(It does not say, exactly, what Onesimus did or took when he left….but the letter suggests that he wronged Philemon in some way.

Philemon 18-19 “If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee aught, put that on mine account. I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it:…”)

There in Rome, Onesimus had heard Paul preach and had been converted. (Philemon 15-16)

After his conversion, he has become a faithful friend and servant to Paul….running errands, and giving his testimony and witness to others.

(1 Thessalonians 4:7, 9 “All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you….with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you….”)

Onesimus was changed by the new life of Christ within….becoming a “beloved brother”.

But the letter is not called Onesimus…..but Philemon; for the real meat of the letter is with this man,…..and what Paul was showing him….

Philemon is a Christian….he has a church in his house….most likely of friends and servants; meeting together to worship.

He is also one which has been a good witness of Christ Jesus…..and sent goods to the saints abroad….(Philemon 5)

But, let’s face it, it is not easy to receive one who has treated you badly…..or forgive them…which would put this “run-away” on a totally different status.

Also, now, Onesimus is beloved of Paul….and one who had done works for God.

He was being sent back to ask forgiveness of him (Philemon)….and to speak to the church in his house of Paul….that, too, puts him on a totally different status.

Paul, considering this good man, sends Onesimus back, with this letter….so that Philemon might forgive him…..in person….and grow in grace, and character.

The grace of equality.

Before God, Philemon and Onesimus were brothers in Christ. One was not more loved than the other. This is a hard lesson to learn…..for we are usually quite competitive when it comes to God’s blessing and the respect of others.

And Paul wanted Philemon to have the the character of God….rejoicing over a rebel, returned to God…

….(think the Father with the prodigal running to kiss and restore him….Luke 15:20-22…

….and not the elder brother’s attitude, which was full of anger that the Prodigal got forgiven….so much so, that he would not enter into the rejoicing….even complained of his “service”……which was ridiculous, because he was the owner of all…Luke 15:28-31)

You see, Onesimus still belonged to Philemon…..it was his right to do what he wanted…

….Paul wanted Philemon to know that Onesimus was his, legally…..but was also his brother in Christ. (Philemon 15-16)

Philemon 6 “That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”

By forgiving Onesimus, Philemon might grow in faith and love, in himself….and his witness to his church will become more effectual.

(It is one thing to show mercy, or send goods or money to someone who is far away…..but have them stand in your face,….and forgive someone who wronged you….and let them take a prominent role in the church;…..is sometimes quite different.)

Philemon 8-9 “Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

(Paul would rather have kept Onesimus with him, for he was a help….but…he would not use his authority and seek to keep him, without Philemon’s blessing)

Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now as also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.”

Paul was writing as a friend, a fellow believer…..not in his authority to do this….but beseeching, as a fellow Christian…..for Philemon’s sake.

You see this is the meat…..Paul was not just an advocate for Onesimus…..but for Philemon, as well.

Wanting,…for love’s sake,….to do the best thing for him….and that was to guide him into true forgiveness…..and joy of any circumstances which honor and glorify God….even with a former rebellious servant.

Philemon 14 “But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.”

Here is the crux of our forgiveness…..is it willingly…..for Christ’s sake?

Philemon 17, 20 “If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.”

This is what Paul wanted:

Joy, in knowing that these two Christian brothers had been reconciled in the Lord….this was more important to Paul….even in prison, needing the help….than anything else.

The Lord Jesus said:

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

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

This kind of love, is always in the Lord….it goes beyond hurt, loss, boundaries of place or title….It is as Jesus loved us.

Philemon 21 “Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do more than I say.”

Let us have this testimony, as well….that we will be obedient….and more so….we will rejoice in it.

Sneaky Sins

I call this “sneaky sins” because these sins creep in with other things…..

…sort of behind them…and become a snare to us.

Sleeping when we should watch:

You could have gone through a trial….been watchful….then it is over, and you just want to rest….a little…

Proverbs 6:10 “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

So shall thy poverty come as one that traveleth, and thy want as an armed man.”

(Notice all the “little”s, here.)

sleeping,……when we should be alert and working for Christ.

It may come from over confidence in our position, or what we know,……

…..or it may come from fear; it is better to close our eyes and wait the battle out.

Anyway…..the “rest” we seek, becomes sleep…..

We are not going on with God, here…..only agreeing to go on.

There are several examples of this rest turned into sleep….

David “rested” at Jerusalem, when he should have been at the head of his army…..and grievously sinned with Bathsheba. That sleep cost him a great deal….all through the rest of his life.

The disciples slept for sorrow…..and ran when they arrested Jesus and took Him away.

Ephesians 5:14, 16 “Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

Resentment:

Anger is a sin you can easily recognize…..

…..but resentment is that whispering voice which reminds you of the hurt you experienced a day, a week, a year ago…or longer…anytime you are around this person, or remember it.

Resentment says: “I don’t know how you can put up with them…..after what they did.”

Frankly, we should not be “putting up with” anyone…..we should be forgiving them….even if they never asked us, or admitted their wrong.

“Putting up with” is the attitude of the world…..a sort of superior, “I am better than you”, looking at people…..especially those you do not want to be around.

Hebrews 12:15 “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”

Pride….

In the Bible, pride is never in a good sense.

Pride means “arrogance, swelling, ornament”. It is that which we put up for all to see….to make us more than we are…better than another.

…..whether ability, or looks, or intelligence…..those things are not us….they are part of our make-up, which God gave us….

….but our character/soul is the real us….that which is developed by choosing God’s Will…or ours….

…..and for a Christian, we are to have the character of Christ….so that He may have the glory in all things.

1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

Like Eve, we are often tempted to pride (Genesis 3:5-6)…..to be “like” someone else…

….When God wants us to be us….sanctified to Him….but always us.

Lying… God is the God of Truth. (John 1:17)

The best example of lying, to me, is Peter….

Matthew 26:69-70, 74 “Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying. Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

(Maybe Peter thought, “This was a half-lie,….not really denying knowing Jesus…..just not knowing what she said…”)

Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.”

Peter got himself into this lie, by being in the wrong place….with the wrong people….

We are to get honest with ourselves…..and get honest in our dealings with God, and with others….and of course, the Holy Spirit helps us to do that.

Colossians 3:9 “Lie not one to another, seeing ye have put off the old man with his deeds;”

James 3:14 “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.”

To refuse correction:

The Lord corrects us as His children….often many times,…to show us how to act.

But when we refuse His correction….we are double sinning…for we are not just refusing His Word,….which is terrible….but we are refusing Him.

Proverbs 13:13 “Whoso despiseth the Word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.”

Proverbs 15:10, 32 “Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the Way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.”

Hebrews 12:5 “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him:”

Worry….

We often let our concern for something or someone (which might be of God….to pray for)……become worry. (This usually happens when we do not pray, but think about the problem)

Worry is to let something in between us and God’s Word.

It is to let emotion or reasons, wear away our peace….then our trust….then it effects our belief in the Lord.

Psalm 37:1, 3 “Fret not thyself because of evildoers,….

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”

Luke 8:14 “And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”

I called this “sneaky sins”, because for the most part we are not aware they are sins…..until they have a hold on us, or have led us into a fall.

There used to be a saying…..I like it, because it is practical….

“Anything which disturbs our peace in Jesus, should be dealt with right away.”

We sometimes are unaware of the way we are walking…..everything seems fine.

But we should be aware of any dimming of our light…

…of any time we feel further away from Christ…

Luke 11:34 “The light of the body is the eye:…

(To see, we need both sight and light)

….therefore when thine eye is single, they whole body also is full of light;

(“Single” means keeping our eye on One….the Lord Jesus Christ)…”

That is what we need to do….Keep our eyes on Him:

If He is guiding….follow Him.

If He is awakening us….let us rouse ourselves to the work.

If He is correcting…looking at Him, Who loves us….we will yield more easily.

In His light, we will recognize these “sneaky sins”…..and be free of them.

Trials of Faith

1 Peter 4:12-13 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

There are trials of faith which we just have to go through. They are sent to help us to grow stronger in faith; to learn joy in trouble; to realize the power of peace—His peace in it all.

Thank goodness, we do not go through any trial alone. For Christ Jesus is with us, guiding, strengthening, and encouraging us; as we walk through them with Him.

There are also trials which come upon us…..which we have brought on ourselves.

Let’s face it, we often “stick our foot in our mouths” and say things which are wrong….or at the wrong time (I am guilty of this a lot….you want to help…so you jump in….where only God should be speaking.)

We speak or act in anger (and have you ever noticed how much anger is around any more?), and why?

First, that never helps…..

James 1:20 “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”

Second, we lose the opportunity to say…..what really needs to be said.

Sometimes the Lord uses these trials to remind us of these things we have put off…….so they can be confessed, and taken care of….done.

And then there are “fiery trials” which come upon us because we are Christians—we belong to Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 4:14, 16 “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you; on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”

Peter knew about being ashamed of Christ….he had missed the blessing of standing with Christ in suffering…..when Jesus was taken in the garden…

He had tried to defend with a sword…thinking that was what he should do…but instead….Jesus had corrected him….”My Father’s Will….that I will do….no matter what.”

John 18:10-11 “Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear….

The said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword in the sheath: the cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?”

The sword was not the way to help Jesus, here…..Peter should have just stood with Him…..that is what Jesus wanted…

….And it is the same with us….Christ Jesus wants us to stand with Him in every trial.

And that is what He says: Stand with me, and go through these trials, with Me at your side, to show to the world that you trust Me.

That will glorify Me.

Do you remember when Jesus asked His disciples in the garden to watch with Him? (Mark 14:33-34, 37-38)

And instead they fell asleep.

He came and asked, “Could you not stay with me one hour?”

He asks us the same thing:

Stand with me in a world that does not believe in Me,…

…..and if that brings ridicule, or persecution;……still stand with Me, and I will stand with you, in peace, strength, and guidance.

Shew me Thy Ways, O Lord

Psalm 25:4 “Shew me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths.”

Prayer, when we are led and taught of the Holy Spirit, is never selfish….

…when we ask for mercies for ourselves….we also are reminded and seek mercies for others, in situations like ourselves.

Jude 20-22 “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

And of some have compassion, making a difference:”

“Shew me Thy ways, O Lord”

“Your ways are so opposite mine….turn my eyes to see, in Your Word…and by Your Spirit, what Your way is.

And blessed Holy Spirit, sanctify my understanding, so that it will be enlightened to discern…for myself…..what You want me to do.” (Ephesians 1:17-18)

1 John 2:20 “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.”

“You are able to tell me what to do, You are able to show me what to do,….help me to “see” it,….and teach me to walk in it.”

Psalm 25:5 “Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day.”

“Lord, I am so backwards sometimes….I ask that You would take my hand, as if I was a little child, and lead me….not just in the path of truth, in general…..but lead me into Thy truth, for me.”

“Teach me, and make me teachable in the situations we are going in…for You are my salvation….save me from myself, the world, and the Adversary of my soul.

….I will wait all through the lighted times, and even though it seems to grow dark….I will wait for You.”

(The first mention of “teach” is God’s teaching…..He is speaking to Moses that He will teach him “what to say” [Exodus 4:12], and “what to do” [Exodus 4:15].

And five times in this Psalm, David speaks of God “teaching” those who want to be taught.

Psalm 25:4 “….teach me Thy paths.”

Psalm 25:5 “Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me…”

Psalm 25:8 “….will He teach sinners in the Way.”

Psalm 25:9 “…the meek will He teach His Way.”

(Meek means “seeing yourself as you are”…..not boastful, not timid, not pretending humility…..but as you truly are…honest)

Psalm 25:12 “What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall He teach in the way that He shall choose.”)

And what is our part in this teaching?

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

To keep our eyes on Him…in trust…for He is a God of tender mercies:

Psalm 25:6 “Remember, O Lord, Thy tender mercies and Thy loving kindnesses; for they have been ever of old.”

God’s spiritual mercy is based upon the covenant with His Son, Jesus Christ.

God would be merciful, because Christ would become our Redeemer, Savior, and Intercessor.

And God’s heart is full of “tender mercies, and loving kindnesses” for those who turn to Him.

(Elisha Coles 1678). “Divine love is an eternal fountain that never stops running while a vessel is empty, or is capable of holding more;…

….and it stands open to all comers: therefore, come:…”

This is what David felt….God was full of mercy and loving kindness….therefore he pleaded to be taught of God….

…confessing his sins (verses 7, 11, 18)

….and trusting in “O my God”…..

…for He is “good and upright (righteous)” [verse 8].

(Psalm 25:24 “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant.”

This covenant is, of course, Salvation through Christ…..

….and it is more….for it is the secret workings of the Holy Spirit in those that are born again…working in them the blessedness of intimate communion,…showing them the traps ahead,….or by passing on to them the hope and grace needed. John 14:26, John 16:13–14)

David’s final prayer for himself, here, is:

Psalm 25:21 “Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on Thee.”

“I know I am not through this trial yet,…..but I also know that You will give me Your truth to guide me….let me hang on to it…

…and You have placed me into Your covenant….and You will preserve me….from sin, and my enemies……that I may do Your Will.”

And so David turns, in trust, from himself….to pray for all Israel, and their troubles….

…God, Who would save him, would save all His believers.

The Good Samaritan

We all know the story Jesus told here.

It was told to a man who wanted to “justify himself” or excuse himself from the responsibility of really fulfilling God’s law of love.

He wanted to talk of high things…

Luke 10:25-26 “And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tempted Him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

And He (Jesus) said unto him, What is written in the law? How readest thou?”

“What does the law say about what God requires of those that want to have a right relationship with Him?”

Luke 10:27-28 “And he (the lawyer) answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind;

And thy neighbor as thyself.

And He said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.”

(Now, I wasn’t there, but I imagine this lawyer,…..when he repeated what the law had to say…..did it in a droning, monotone voice…..after all he was just repeating what it said….it was not a Living Word….but what he had memorized…)

Yet….Jesus told him that if he did what he just said, he would have eternal life…

(You can not love God….in a half-hearted way….it does not work….something will overshadow your affection [if you can call it that], and it will be destroyed, or put aside….

…love of God is all consuming. True it may start out small….our hearts are often full of other things….but it will grow….all heart, all soul, all strength, all mind….all to Him, Who loved us fully.)

But this lawyer was quick to find an excuse: Who is my neighbor?

Luke 10:30 “And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which striped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.”

Now this poor man who was robbed, was only half dead, so there was hope for his recovery: If he could get some help.

Luke 10:31 “And by chance there came down a certain priest that way; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.”

This priest was no help. Although they were to offer sacrifices in the Temple; they were to also help the people draw near to God in understanding and praise.

Yet he did not take the opportunity to at least see if there was anything he could do spiritually for the man.

After all the man was wounded, and maybe dying.

Instead, he walked to the other side of the road, and passed by.

Luke 10:32 “And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.”

This is worse: the Levite came to the man, looked on his misery, and said nothing. No comfort, or questions. He did not ask if he wanted him to contact his family, nothing.

He just left.

Levites were to help the people who came to the Temple in any way they could. They were the ones who could explain what God’s Word said for them to do, and would be the ones to help them. But there was no spirit or action of help here.

He came, looked at the man, and left. On the other side.

Luke 10:33 “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,”

Finally, some compassion! But wait! This was a Samaritan.

The Samaritans were half Jews, and as such, unclean to have fellowship with.

Some Samaritans resented this,…

..(and how many times have we not helped, when we could, because of some resentment to a person, or situation?)….

….but this man did not worry who the wounded man was. He just helped him.

And what help!

Luke 10:34-35 “And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him: and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.”

He bound up his wounds, taking his supplies to do so.

Taking time,….in a dangerous place (who knows whether the thieves would come back).

Then he placed him on his beast, which meant he walked…..and took him to a inn….and personally took care of him through the night.

He then gave the inn-keeper money: two days wages, to care for him.

And promised to pay any other fee for caring for this man, when he returned….which probably meant that he was a frequent traveler….and that the innkeeper trusted him.

The Samaritan did not know this man,…..and if they had met on the streets of Jerusalem before this incident, the wounded man would probably have not even looked his way.

Yet the Samaritan cared for him, as if he were a brother.

After telling this……Jesus turns to the lawyer, who wanted to justify himself:

Luke 10:36 “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?”

The question was meant to awaken his heart to his own responsibility…first to God, to do all the law where others were concerned….(and most of the law God laid down, was written to show respect, equality, and justice, to one another)…

….then to show brotherly kindness to others.

What would this lawyer, who knew the law, answer?

Luke 10:37 “And he (the lawyer) said, He that showed mercy on him….”

(Mercy here is kindness, brotherly kindness. So he gave the right answer.

But if that is the answer, what should he be doing!)

“…Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”

You see, it is not just what we say, as Christians, that makes a difference.

It is what we do.

The lawyer knew the words of the law….as words…..

….but the life of the law is love to God, and our neighbor…

(You can not love God….in a half-hearted way….it does not work….something will overshadow your affection [if you can call it that], and it will be destroyed, or put aside….

…love of God is all consuming. True it may start out small….our hearts are often full of other things….but it will grow….all heart, all soul, all strength, all mind….all to Him, Who loved us fully. Matthew 10:27)

Christ on the Isle of Patmos with John

Revelation 1:1-2 “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him,….and he sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John:

Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.”

The Apostle John was on the Isle of Patmos, sent there as punishment….exiled there to keep him away from continuing his ministry.

John was now old…..

….he had been a young man when Jesus called he and his brother James from the fishing boats of their father, to follow Him.

Being so young, Jesus had taken extra care of him,…..Peter, James and John were the three closest to Jesus….His inner circle.

John was the one who was leaning on Jesus shoulder at the Last Supper….who had asked Him,…..”who will betray You?” (John 13:21-26)

John, though he had run away with everyone else in the garden, when Jesus was taken;…..had come back to follow Jesus into the Hall where Jesus was being tried by the Sanhedrin. (John 18:15)

He was the only one of the apostles at the foot of the cross….(John 19:26-27)

The two terms found a lot in John’s gospel and his epistles are: Light, and Love. Light must be first….we must “see” the Lord, and then, we will love Him, and His Word.

But now, he was an old man…..having had a ministry with Peter (Acts 3:1, Acts 8:14-15), and with others…..writing letters, warning of apostasy from Christ (2 John 7)……and the rise of false “authorities” in the church. (3 John 9-10)

…..but then he was arrested, and exiled.

Here, he thought he would die….his public work for the Lord over with….

….but the Lord had other plans….

….manifesting to John some of His resurrection glory and Authority…for His church,…..and for the evil days ahead.

Revelation 1:9-10 “I John, who also am your bother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,”

Jesus voice always had authority….but, people were given the choice to receive it or not, when He was here.

But this Voice is speaking in a power not to be ignored….as a trumpet….

…to awaken His church to His Word (“Voice” here means to disclose or lighten. His Voice makes us see the truth.)

Revelation 1:11 “Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last:

and What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.”

John turned to see…”the Voice that spake with me.”

Here standing before him,…..an old, persecuted believer, thinking his work was over…….was Christ, pictured in His manifestive glory, as Ruler of His church.

He stands in the midst of seven candlesticks (each representing a church that was named…..and the seven church dispensations in the Church age)

The Church is to be lights to the world, and Christ is to be the Light within us:

Matthew 5:14-16 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Who John saw, was “the Son of Man”…..with the authority and power given to Him of His Father (Matthew 28:18)

(Revelation 1:13-16) He stands “…..clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the chest with a golden girdle (as the High Priest wore…He stands as our Mediator, 1 Timothy 2:5….interceding for us)

His head and HIs hairs were white as snow; (He is the Ancient of days, Pure and Lovely)

…His eyes were as a flame of fire; (His eyes see everything where His people are concerned…judging their sin,……and those that come against them.)

…His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; (As His walk here was in subjection and devotion to the Father, so He judges the walk of His people according to their subjection and devotion to Him.)

…His Voice as the sound of many waters. (No matter the languages used; if we are speaking His Word….He is speaking through them)

….in His right hand seven stars: (the completed number of those called to preach His Word to the churches: called “the messengers of the Lord of Hosts” Malachi 2:7)

…out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: (His Word is powerful,…”discerning thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12)

…His countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength.” (When it speaks of His face shining upon us; Numbers 6:24-26, Psalm 80:3; it means blessing to us.)

John sees Him, in His glory…..and “fell at His feet as dead”.

This was the same as Isaiah had (Isaiah 6:4-5), as Ezekiel had (Ezekiel 1:28), as Daniel had (Daniel 10:5-9)…….when we truly see the Lord in His power, we die to all our own “glory” or strength…

Revelation 1:17 “….and He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:”

(Any time in scripture that God says, “Fear not”….there is usually something to fear, though He has taken care of it….and we are to keep our eyes on Him, for that deliverance and help.)

“I am the first and the last”.

He was ruling before all things….and when time, itself is gone….He will be controlling all in eternity….

….He wanted His church to know His unlimited power.

Revelation 1:18 “I am He that liveth, and was dead, and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

When Christ Jesus fulfilled His the work the Father had sent Him to do…..all power for life was reestablished with Him by His resurrection from the dead….giving Him Victory over death and hell (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)

Revelation 1:19 “Write these things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;”

Here are the three divisions of the book:

“these things which thou hast seen”…..the sight of Jesus Christ, as Ruler and High Priest in the midst of His Church…..commanding, judging, and interceding for His Church.

“The things which are”….the Church age. (John was the only Apostle that died a natural death. The others were martyred for their faith in Christ.) The Church age was just really beginning, even now when John is old….and it has continued for two thousand years….

“The things which shall be hereafter”….after the Rapture of the Church out of the world (Revelation 4:1)……then the Tribulation Period.

(It is only seven years, but it will be a horrible period, full of death and judgements on a world that rejected God’s Son and His salvation…..

…..and who strived against God’s Holy Spirit [Genesis 6:3, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8 “…until He be taken out of the way.”

When the Holy Spirit leaves the world with the saints at the Rapture, the world will be dark indeed!].

The only merciful thing is the calling of the Jewish remnant to go out and preach the gospel….that Jesus Christ was, and is the Son of God which taketh away the sin of the world. The difference being: all who believe,…will seal their testimony with their blood. [Revelation 7:14]

As I said, it is the worst time the world has ever seen.)

John, saw all this….and was to write it down…sending it to the seven main churches….as a warning…..and into the Holy Scriptures for us.

As for John….he was commissioned again….a ministry of repair to the Churches….

Revelation 10:(8-10), 11 “And He said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.”

He was an old man, but he would do it….speaking God’s Word, and letting His Voice through His Word, call others.

For all of us, as Christians, the most blessed sight we can have is of Jesus Christ…..at the right hand of God,….for us.

1 John 4:17 “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgement: because as He is, so are we in this world.”

John was given new boldness….seeing Christ ruling and overruling in His Church.

1 John 5:20 “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”

Where are you in your work for Jesus?

Settle You

1 Peter 5:10 “But the God of all grace, Who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

Life is full of ups and downs,…..people who are friends and people who are enemies.

Yet the way of the Lord for you, is life. Life is not a dream, or an illusion of some feeling.

Though all of us have, one time or the other, followed illusions, mostly to our hurt.

The Lord gives us truth and reality.

We think of that as hard; but to yield to the truth is freedom.

Freedom from darkness or shadows, into light.

Freedom to know…….and move on.

Life in Christ is a action-packed adventure in reaching forth in faith; and then obtaining what you reach for.

Hebrew 11 is called the “faith chapter”.

Here is recorded a few of the Old Testament saints….in brief…of how they made it through……by faith they did what God called them to do.

Was it easy? No….

…Abel died for believeing God’s way of sacrifice (verse 4).

…Noah believed God, that something that had never happened before, was going to.(verse 7)

…Abraham left all he knew, and followed God, who called him to a place “not knowing whither he went.” (Verse8)

…Joseph believed God’s promise of bringing Israel out of Egypt (though they were well thought of and prosperous when Joseph lived)….and told them to take his bones to the promised land….rather having a place there, than in entombed in Egypt. (Verse 22)

….Moses, kept the Passover, believing God would save them, and deliver them from bondage. (Verse 28)

….the walls of Jericho fell down, because they believed God, and obeyed Him (verse 30)

…and many more that were not mentioned, except by their actions (verse33-38).

And this record of faith is ongoing….

Hebrews 11:39-40 “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: (of the Christ to come)

God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”

Faith and grace go together….one sees God, and believes Him…..the other empowers us to do what God says.

“Without us”……not complete without us…..in other words the Old Testament saints were the beginning of the exercise of faith….to their generations…

….and we in the New Testament are to continue to exercise……by our everyday lives,…calls,…and struggles….God’s faith and grace, to our generation…

….to complete the showing of provision through Christ Jesus.

To “settle you” is to put in order and establish yourself on a permanent foundation.

To let go of all the instability of emotions, worldly thinking, and willful behavior of children….and to “hear what Christ calls us to do….and do them”.

Matthew 7:24-25 “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who build his house upon a rock:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.”

Our foundation is Christ Jesus, and His Word. He is the Rock on which we can build our life.

To “settle” things, we need to bring them out into the light of God. We need to tell Him exactly what we think, and let Him tell us what He knows.

Then we can become grounded upon His Truth, upon Him for us.

David said that he poured out his complaint before the Lord:

Psalm 142:2-3a “I poured out my complaint before Him, I showed before Him my trouble.

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path…”

Why did he need to do this? He felt completely deserted by true friends. Only God could help.

Psalm 142:4-5 “I looked on my right hand and beheld, there was no man who would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.

I cried unto Thee, O Lord; I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.”

Peter wrote “settle you”; but he started the verse with: “The God of all grace”.

Grace is the unmerited favor of power…..and grace only comes from God.

Power to help us get honest with God.

Power to hear the truth.

Power to build on His Word to us.

And Freedom to enjoy the adventure ahead, with Him.