Joseph as our example

Some commentators say that Joseph (Jacob’s firstborn son by Rachel) was one of the most perfect types of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Being beloved of his father,  he was hated of his brethren.  

          Genesis 37:4 “And when his brethren saw that their father loved him (Joseph) more than all his brethren,  they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.”   

                     (Jesus was beloved of the Father….yet was “hated without a cause”  [John 15:25] of His brethren after the flesh. [Matthew 21:36-40])

Joseph knew, by God, that he would reign over his brethren.

         Genesis 37:6-8 “And he (Joseph) said unto them,  Hear, I pray you, this dream…

         For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.

         And his brethren said to him,  Shalt thou indeed reign over us?…..And they hated him yet the more….”

                   ( Jesus Christ, the Son of God,  has reigned in heaven…and will reign over all in due time.    When He was here,  His call was:   The kingdom of God is at hand.

                    Rev. 22:3 “And there shall be no more curse:  but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it;  and his servants shall serve HIm:”)

Even though his brethren hated him,  still,  when his father sent him (Joseph) on an errand to find them….he went with diligence to do his father’s will.    (Genesis 37:13-17)  He sought them,  till he found them.

                    (Jesus Christ came to earth “to seek and to save that which was lost”  [Luke 19:10]…..doing all His Father’s Will…”I do always those things that please Him.”  [John 8:28-29])

When his brethren saw him (Joseph)….they plotted to kill him…yet there were some who tried to intervene for him.  (Genesis 37:20-22)   

                     (The majority of the nation rejected Christ, “and sought to destroy Him” [Luke 19:47]  yet there were some who tried to speak out for Him [John 7:50-51]….and who loved HIm, though they could do nothing against the rest.[John 19:25])

They threw him (Joseph) in  a pit….then sold him….to go down into Egypt.  (Genesis 37:24-27) 

                      ( Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver [Matt. 26:14-16]…..sold and then  handed over to Rome.)

Joseph was not forsaken even in Egypt….for he  was blessed…and many saw that God was with him.

  Yet there were problems…his master’s wife falsely accused him of trying to take advantage of her…

….and he was thrown into prison.    

       Yet, again, God blesses him, and he is made keeper under the jailer of the prisoners (Genesis 39:21)…which gives an opportunity to serve two of Pharaoh’s servants.     

       He tells them their dreams….one for the good of the man,….and one to prepare for the execution of the man. 

Joseph asks the wine taster to “remember me” before Pharaoh…to be released from prison…,,.but he forgot….and Joseph is left in prison. (Genesis 40:23)

                    (Jesus Christ was beaten, and crucified….yet it was not for HIs own sake.   He was judged,  and found not guilty by Pilate….yet He was forsaken by the nation and kept in judgement….though not forgotten of God.) 

Joseph was remembered by the wine taster….because of Pharaoh’s troubling dreams….and he (Joseph) was called out of prison, and exalted by Pharaoh…

……finally put in that position of authority and power….at the right hand of Pharaoh.  (Genesis 41:32-40)

                     (Jesus Christ was raised the third day by HIs Father, from death…and given “all power in heaven and in earth.” [Matthew 28:18]

                   He ascended to heaven after forty days of ministering to HIs disciples.     Ascended to the right hand of God with all power and authority. [Mark 16:19, Acts 1:9, 1Tim. 2:5])

Now there is one more thing to mention about Joseph….he dealt with his brethren when they came to him for food, with strictness (Genesis 42:7-8)….only to bring them to repentance  (Genesis 42:21-23, 44:16.).

…then he dealt in forgiveness….(Genesis 45:4-5, 7-8, 15)

…..bringing them to a position with him of some prestige and authority before Pharaoh.

(Genesis 47:1-2, 5-6)

                     (The Lord Jesus Christ brings us to see our sin,  and then to repentance.   And then He raises us up in Him [Ephesians 2:6]….and gives us,  in Him,  all spiritual blessings  [Eph. 1:3]….

….and makes us “complete in Him”  

Colossians 2:9-10 “For in Him (Christ Jesus) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

                     And ye are complete in HIm, which is the head of all principality and power:”)

Now I want to mention here about the example of Joseph for ourselves.

                   Though Joseph was loved of his father,  yet that did not keep him from the hatred of his brethren.

                   Joseph went from one trial to another….yet he was never forsaken of God.

                   Joseph worked for the good of others,  and gave God all the glory.

                   When he could have had “pay back” to his brethren….he still sought to do them good….first for their acknowledging of their sin…..so that the forgiveness he wanted to give, would be received aright.

We are to follow the example of Joseph……

…..and in all our circumstances,  we are to look to Christ’s glory….to God’s Will….and to see to the correction and forgiveness of our brethren ( Matthew 18:15-17, Gal.6:1).    

Life in Christ, leads us on from strength to strength….but that will include trials,  troubles, and even persecutions and afflictions: that our faith “though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 1:7)

Behold!

There are over a thousand “Behold”s in the Bible.

It means “Stop, Look”….or “Look and see here.”  

     In most of them,  God is speaking to His people to “get their attention” about  His Word to them.

The first “Behold” was spoken by God to Adam and Eve.

      It was for their provision….their supply of good things.

Genesis 1:29 “And God said,  Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed;  to you it shall be for meat.”

God did not just create Adam and Eve,  and set them in a place and say…..

…”Here you go.  Find food, and see to things, yourself….do the best you can.”

No,…..as God shows us,  in the very first time He spoke to them….

….as their God,  He had provided for their needs.

In the last chapter of the Bible….is the last “Behold”.

      Revelation 22:12 “And, behold, I come quickly:  and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”

To us who read it,  or hear it…..Stop and look…..for I am coming again….and all must be prepared for it.

(Actually three times in the last chapter Jesus Christ says:  I come quickly)

All through His Word, the Lord speaks to us….”Behold”.   

“Stop and Look”.    “Look and see here!”

When Jacob ran away from Esau, because he had tricked Issac into giving him the blessing….he lay his head down that first night….and “behold”. (Genesis 28:11-15)

Behold, a ladder reaching into heaven,   Behold angels on it,  Behold the Lord stood above it,….Behold I am with thee and will keep thee.

Over one hundred times the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel,  have “Behold”  in each  of their writings!

Isaiah 7:14 “……Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call HIs name Immanuel.”

Isaiah 59:1 “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save;  neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear:”

Jeremiah 21:8 “And unto this people thou shalt say,  Thus saith the Lord;  Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.”

Jeremiah 23:5 “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.”

Ezekiel 18:4 “Behold, all souls are Mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is Mine:  the soul that sinneth,  it shall die.”

Ezekiel 37:2,5,7,11,12.   Five times in the valley of dry bones, “behold” is used……when God speaks of raising Israel again.

When Christ is come to earth,  there are over one hundred and fifty “Behold”s:

Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves…”

Matthew 20:18 “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be betrayed…”

Luke 17:21 “….for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”

Luke 24:49 “And , behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you:…”

In each of the seven church’s in Revelation He says “Behold”.   

For some, it is to “behold” their sin, and seek Him for deliverance…..

….. some it is to “behold” His answer and a promise,   for their obedience.

And then He shows us:  “And after this I looked, and,  behold,  a door was opened in Heaven:  and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me;  which said,  Come up hither….”(Revelation 4:1. And this speaks of the Rapture of the church)

God wants us to “Stop, look…..Look and see, here”.   

One is for warning to His people for what is ahead for them.

And one is for instruction.

Amos 8:11 “Behold,  the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land,  not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,  but of hearing the words of the Lord:”

Those days are upon us…..let us hear His “Behold” to us….and get about doing the work He has called us to…..

….for the light is waning….and the darkness creeps on….let us hold up our lights….and give light to them that are around us…

One man wrote:   When you must descend the stairs….and the way is dark.  

(And are we not going down into more and more darkness in the world?)

Then hang on to the hand-rail of God’s love,  and walk on.

Paul’s prayer for the Philippians

Paul’s prayers are wonderful.   For in them we see the humbleness of this man….and his firm belief in God’s greatness…

…and the desire of his heart for the churches he prayed for.

Philippians 1:9-11 “And this I pray,  that your love may abound yet more and more in  knowledge and in all judgment;

                 That ye may approve things that are excellent;  that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

                 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness,  which are by Jesus Christ,  unto the glory and praise of God.”

The believers at Philippi were under persecution.    They had been from the beginning,  and yet….this is one of the most joyful books….exhorting the believers to steadfastness in rejoicing!

This first prayer, here, shows the importance of love to God, and Christ Jesus.    Those that love God,   rejoice…even though the circumstances are bad.

Yet Paul prays that their love may abound in knowledge.  

              To have a deeper knowledge of Christ,  and His grace and help.    To have a deeper knowledge of the truth of the Word of God.   To have a deeper knowledge of the working of the Holy Spirit within.    

              Love must be instructed in the things of God,  that it can “abound”.

And that their love will abound…in judgment. 

             This is discernment:   for he goes on to say,  “that ye may approve things that are excellent.”

             All the circumstances of our lives need much wisdom to deal with them rightly.   

             So Paul prays that they may be instructed by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit….so that their hearts are not lead astray….but that they know  what they are to “approve” of.

            We are to walk without offense…to avoid doing those things that might cause an occasion to sin, for others.     

Paul wanted them to have an even balance….not just instruction in…”do this”….”don’t do that”….

…but an acquired knowledge or experience of “Christ in me the hope of glory”.    To stand in hope….”to be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;”

            Christians under persecution can still rejoice in hope:  for the Holy Spirit helps us grow in grace….and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ….experiencing HIs grace and love to us….

…and gives us discernment for all our situations.

Romans 5:2-5 “By Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

            ….knowing that tribulation worketh patience;   And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

             And hope maketh not ashamed;  because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost…”

Our hearts are warmed and enlightened by the knowledge we gain of Christ Jesus,   Who is our Lord and King.

            Then we discern and value God’s goodness to us, even in the worst of times….which leads us out of ourselves….and on,   into more of the things of Christ, 

            Love is increased….”abounds”.

Do we know the blessedness of walking with God?   Have we truly:  “taste and see that the Lord is good”?

The more our understanding is enlightened by the Lord….the more our hearts are drawn out to see the Way of the Lord in everything.

“Being filled with the fruits of righteousness,  which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”

Let me say that love leads to obedient praise….to the seeking of God’s glory in all my circumstances.  

And Paul prays for this,  for the Philippian Christians.   

Paul prays that they might enjoy the fruits of their obedience.   

               Righteousness is two-fold.   

First,  there is the righteousness of Christ given to us when we are born again.   Our sins are forgiven, and we are made positively righteous before God,…in Christ Jesus.  We are justified. We are given a new,  righteous nature….within us, so that we want to please God.

Second,  there is the righteousness Christ works out through us,  in our sanctification (Phil.2:12-13)….or our being set aside to God in life and work….in our circumstances.

              Righteousness in this way….practical righteousness, means right living….walking according to God’s rules.   And it is worked in us by the Holy Spirit…so we become fruitful (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, etc.)…and then He works it out through our obedience.

It is all of Christ Jesus,  as Paul states here.   

             Paul wanted to see these Philippians being filled up with the fruit of righteousness.     Overflowing in joy and peace!      In knowledge and in discernment!   

            He wanted them to continue in this grace of joy….seeking the good of others (which is not so easy under persecution.) 

            And he sets them an example:  

            Philippians 1:15,18 “ Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

           What then?  Notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth,  Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.”

For this is what Paul is saying to them:   do all these things  “….unto the glory and praise of God.”

That was his life….and his prayer for their lives.    

            That they might “abound” in love….through persecution and trial….and learn to do all to the glory of God.    

            Being filled with His fruits of righteousness….HIs joy….His peace….HIs patience….His faith,  His hope,   to the glory and praise of God…Who saved, called, and sustains us.

Be of good cheer;  it is I; be not afraid.

Matthew 14:22-23 “And straightway Jesus constrained His disciples to get into a ship, and to go before Him unto the other side,  while He sent the multitudes away.

               And when He had sent the multitudes away,   He went up into a mountain apart to pray:  and when the evening was come,  He was there alone.”

Jesus has had a long day,  for He had preached to a multitude of people….and had fed the five thousand with five loaves and two fishes.   In the evening, about three o’clock in the afternoon,  He began to send the people away.

Then, in the late evening, about six o’clock,  Jesus went up into the mountain, alone, to pray.  (This is HIs general course of action,  to go to a mountain to pray alone.)    Communion with His Father was precious….and He usually did this alone….though often His disciples were close.

He constrained His disciples to go before Him to the other side. 

            (They were going to the land of the Gennesaret.   They had been there before and He had healed a demonic man….and had been asked to leave.    But now they would be welcomed,  because of the many people who needed to be healed  Matthew 14:35-36)

Matthew 14:24 “But the ship was now in the midst of the sea,  tossed with waves:  for the wind was contrary.”

How many times have we set out to do the Lord’s Will…and “in the midst” found that everything seems “contrary” to what we have been told to do?

The Sea of Galilee is about seven miles across….so, though they had been rowing (Mark 6:48) for hours,  they had only gotten about half-way across.

The disciples must have been extremely tired….and  disheartened not to have the Lord with them…

…and about three o’clock in the morning….Jesus came out to them…..walking on the sea!

Matthew 14:25-26 “And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them,  walking on the sea.

             And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea,  they were troubled, saying,   It is a spirit;  and they cried out for fear.”

Now they are not only exhausted….they are afraid.    They saw this figure on the sea, coming closer.   Their minds must have been  playing tricks on them,….or this was a spirit!

But then Jesus speaks.    He does not calm the storm, right away….but walks on it,   toward them!

But He speaks….”Be of good cheer;  it is I;  be not afraid.”

          And how many times a Word from HIm,  puts everything into the right perspective for us.

Three small phrases….

….yet it was not just what He said….but that it was Jesus who said it.

          “Be of good cheer”….or “have courage, or boldness”.    

          Jesus was not telling them to “put on a happy face”….but to muster all the courage they had….for…

….He had come. 

          “It is I”.    The disciples had been with Him for about a year and a half…..and had just seen Him feed five thousand.    His Voice, “it is I”,  called for them to acknowledge Him as the Messiah, the Christ of God.     

          “Be not afraid,”     He knew their hearts….and that they needed to hear this word from Him. 

(My husband went through the Bible   and noticed how many times the Lord said “Fear not”.   And mentioned that when the Lord said it,  there was usually something to fear.   

          The Lord does not say words to pacify….but to awaken us to the facts that He knows what is going on,  and that He is here with us.)

Peter was so awakened….and asked the Lord to “bid” him to come to Him….on the water.

Here is the courage Jesus told them to have…boldness in Him!   

          So Jesus told him to “come”….and here we need to explain….this Word does not just contain permission….but grace,  or the power/ability to do.

For when Jesus gives a command,  He gives the grace to do it.    

           And Peter did walk toward Jesus….on the waves and water….

…till he saw the wind boisterous.

Perhaps Peter thought that when he would start to walk,  Jesus would calm the sea for him.   Perhaps Peter had his eyes on Jesus till he got smacked in the face with the reality of the storm of wind,  still.

Whatever his thought was….when Peter stopped looking at Jesus,  and started noticing the velocity of the wind,   he became afraid again….and began to sink.

And he cried out….(and here is an marvelous action).  Peter cried out to Jesus….putting all his trust in Him.

Matthew 14:31-33 “And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him,    O thou of little faith,  wherefore didst thou doubt?

            And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

            Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped Him,  saying,  “Of a  truth Thou art the Son of God.”

One commentator says that Jesus pulled Peter back up into a walking position…and they both walked to the boat, and got in…the Lord hanging onto Peter all the way.

We sometimes wonder at the way the Lord taught His disciples.   (sometimes I wonder at their unbelief….till I sorrowfully remember my own “little faith”.)

How He challenged them, and let them be tried ….to bring out from their hearts,  faith and trust. To bring out from their lives,  obedience and love.  

And so He does to us.   The circumstances He leads us into…..or sends us into…are all to show us….that with HIs Word, He gives grace.    That He will come to us, even in the middle of the storm, and will lift us back into our stand with Him.

My Voice

Genesis 3:8 “And they heard the Voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day:  and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.”

I would like to make something very clear…..and do not let the Adversary, the devil, trick you in this…..God has always desired fellowship with us.

What a time of fellowship they could have had with the Lord God in the garden, in the cool of the day!

            It is interesting to note that God comes, just as He always had with Adam….knowing full well their sin,  yet presenting Himself as their Lord and God…..so that they could make the choice of confession….after making the choice of sin.

He did not come, with a Voice which was full of thunder or lightening….but quietly, walking and with HIs usual Voice, He called to Adam.

           Genesis 3:9 “And the Lord God called unto Adam,  and said unto him,  Where art thou?”

Now,   the Lord God wasn’t asking Adam  where are you hiding?   He knew that already….

….but where are you in your relationship with Me?

In what shape are you now, concerning your life?    What purpose are you headed for, now?  

We sometimes forget that sin is a great destroyer….it leads us out of the Way and Purpose for which we were created.    

And it is interesting to note…that though Adam and Eve knew they had sinned….that they were naked before the creation that just a few moments ago they were to be rulers over, under God….yet sin had already deluded them into thinking that they could hide behind fig leaves and trees….from God, Himself.

        And sin does the same to us.    For it is from God we hide….until He seeks us, through HIs Word…..read, spoken, preached, teached, and witnessed to.

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

“I dwell” with the humble (of low estate, voluntarily),  and contrite (crushed under the burden of sin)…what a Word of promise.    

When Jesus was here,  He showed that His Voice called HIs sheep…..and they knew HIs Voice and answered it.

           John 10:2-5 “But He that entereth in by the door is the Shepherd of the sheep.

           To HIm the porter openeth;  and the sheep hear HIs Voice: and He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

           And when He putteth forth HIs own sheep,  He goeth before them, and the sheep follow Him:  for they know HIs Voice.

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

Every Christian should have experienced this already….we should have heard HIs Voice…and responded to Him.

“He goeth before them”…..This He did for us, when He came to earth,   fulfilling the Law and then dying as a sacrifice for our sins…giving us a Way to God.

….and this He does for us, today.   The Way is prepared, for we travel along the way He leads us.  (Ephesians 2:10)

It is always HIs Voice, calling us onward,  toward His goal for us.

Philippians 3:12 “Not as though I had already attained,  either were already perfect:  but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”

Attained here is to get hold of,  to seize.    Paul was saying…and we can too….that he had not completed the work or life Christ Jesus had for him….but that he follows after Christ…

…that he may apprehend….(I love this word!   For you can not think of it without getting the meaning of actually grasping and holding it!)

Christ Jesus has apprehended us…..He holds us in HIs hand (John 10:28 “…neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.”)….and He will not let us go!    

          Here is a Word of stability and strength….of love and settled peace!

 He has apprehended us….and we are to “follow after”.   

        ( This “follow” is suggestive of union,  for it means to accompany,  to be in the same way with, as a disciple.)

(There are times when I am praying,  I feel as the woman coming behind Jesus grasping ahold on the hem of HIs garment….for healing of spirit, mind, and body.

         There are times when I am praying,  I feel as though I see His hand reach out for mine,  and I take hold in subjection and yielding….to whatever His Will is.  

         For that is what a walk with Jesus Christ is….His Will being done…in me, by me, and by HIs Holy Spirit, through me.

        I can not accomplish anything….but He can accomplish everything! )

Think of it!….He has apprehended us!  (Hallelujah!)…

….and now He asks us to reach out and apprehend what He is offering…

……a walk with Him….through many and varied circumstances…following HIs Voice,…for He ever calls us on,  into what is next. 

John 10:27 “My sheep hear My Voice, and I know them, and they follow Me:”

Are we like Adam,  still trying to hide from God?   

 Or are we like Paul,…knowing we have not all we could have,….or even should have….

….but following after Christ’s Voice,  to get all that is next….however it comes?

Sure,  but…Christians 

Matthew 21:28-32 “But what think ye?  A certain man had two sons;  and he came to the first, and said,   Son, go work today in my vineyard.  

                      And he answered and said,   I will not;  but afterward he repented, and went.

                       And he came to the second, and said likewise.  

He answered and said,  I go, sir,  and went not.

                       Whither them twain did the will of his Father?   They say unto him,  the first.   Jesus said unto them,  Verily I say unto you,  that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

                       For John came unto you in the way of righteousness,  and ye believed him not;  but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it,  repented not afterward,  that ye might believe him.”

We call this “Sure,  but…Christians”,  because we are often as these sons in the story.

We say one thing,  “sure, God”….and do another.  

We love or praise God much with our mouths,  but not so much with our attitudes and obediences;  which is the way the Lord said we really love Him.

John 14:21 “He that hath my commandments and keepeth them,  he it is that loveth me:  and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father,  and I will love him and will manifest myself to him.”

The Father in the story had two sons.  Now they are both sons,  both belonging to the household of the Father.

But one, rebellious at first; recognized his wrong attitude, and repented, and was obedient to the Father’s Will. 

       (You will notice that this son did not go back to the Father for direction…..but did what He said at first.   Sometimes we just need to do what we know to do….no questions….just do, for His sake.)

The other, said the right things in front of the Father;  but never followed through.  Never fulfilled the Father’s Will…..for whatever reason. 

       (And there always seems to be a “reason” we do not get around to doing what we know to do…..that is why sanctification includes our hearts and minds, as well as our wills.)

Which one really loved the Father? 

Of course, we would say, the one who did what the Father wanted.

Then why do we hesitate to do our Heavenly Father’s Will?

Or why won’t we repent of our rebellious attitude, and do what He says?

As our Heavenly Father,  God has the right to command us to do His Will.  We all agree to that.

But the real value to God in our doing,  is the love shown Him by our willing obedience.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,  and have not charity (love),  I am become as sounding brass, or tinkling cymbal.

                      And though I have the gift of prophesy,  and understand all mysteries,  and all knowledge,  and though I have all faith,  so that I could remove mountains,  and have not charity (love), I am nothing.

                     And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,  and have not charity (love),  it profiteth me nothing.”

Love to Christ Jesus, shows the power of the Holy Spirit within, as nothing else does.

And this requires us to repent.   Both sons should have repented.  One for the rebellious attitude.

The other for disobedience.

To repent is to change our minds about the subject,  our affections for it, and our actions toward it.

As sons to our Heavenly Father,  we should recognize our own personal need for repentance,  and do it.

Then we will fulfill our Father’s Will. 

“..and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him and will manifest Myself to him.”

The Widow’s Mites

Mark 12:41-42  “And Jesus set over against the treasury, and beheld how people cast money into the treasury:  and many that were rich cast in much.

                             And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites which make a farthing.”

Jesus had been preaching in the temple to the people,  and had warned them about the those who love to be religious……. (and look religious),……but whose main goal was to have men think well of them,……while often sinning against their fellow man.

Then He watches as the people bring offerings to God.

Mark 12:43-44 “And He called to Him His disciples,  and saith unto them,   Verily,  I say unto you,  that this poor widow hath cast more in,  then all they that have cast into the treasury; 

                            For they did cast in of their abundance;  but she of her want, did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”

For an Israelite, there were certain things which must be given:  tithes, and certain offerings at certain times.

But the offerings to the treasury,  were made,  because you loved the Lord.

This she did, and it was recognized by Jesus, for it.  

Many put in more:  they put in “out of” their abundance.  

But she gave “out of her want”,  or the money she would have bought the things she needed.

For this widow, it did not matter if she had anything.  It did matter if the Lord’s house was lacking. (This is what they took the money for.  For the upkeep of the house of God.)

We often think,  “If we could do some great thing for God.”

But the Lord wants us.   Two mites are not great.   Hardly anything in the world’s estimation.

But the Lord Jesus said she had put in more than they all did…..in His estimation.

Because she put in all that she had.

What are we giving to God?    Are we giving our all?

No,  I don’t ask about your money.

 

I am asking about your love.   How much love are you showing to God?

Do you love Him?   And how much time do you spend with Him?

Morning prayers (and they don’t have to be long)

Evening prayers, to set everything from the day in order before Him. 

(So you don’t wake up the next day, carrying the same burdens you went to bed with)

The widow’s mites were cast to the Lord’s treasury.   In among the rich and affluent;  she came.

Giving to God, all she had, because she loved Him and His work there.

Again I ask,   How much of ourselves are we giving God? 

Are you doing,  for admiration from others?

Or are you giving God your life?

May we all get the same praise from Jesus, as she had.  

The Shepherds experience

The first thing I wish to say here,  is:  I have always been amazed at the choice of people God made to show the birth of His Son.

The birth of Christ was the miraculous beginning to a life,  foretold from the beginning (Genesis 3:15).

          The birth of Christ was just as His life was….humble yet triumphant…..obscure yet manifested “abroad”…..according to prophesy, but not according as people thought.

The most amazing people were the shepherds.

Luke 2:8-9 “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,  keeping watch over their flock by night.

         And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.”

First let me explain that these shepherds were just ordinary men, doing their jobs….but that God sent the messenger to them…..to enlighten and give them His Word.

Fear was their first thought…..then reasoning to themselves about the Word (Isa.1:18)….

then…

Seeking the Lord…till they found Him.

All through scripture,  the Lord has loved good shepherds….those that would put their life down for their flocks.   

         These men, staying with their sheep, out in the open at night….were such men.

Why they were not in a fold….for they would not be feeding them at night….but giving them rest…keeping them together…and “keeping watch over” the sheep….

…is not known.     

          But to these men, the angel of the Lord came….and heralded the good news of our Savior’s birth.

Luke 2:10-12 “And the angel said unto them,  Fear not: for, behold,  I bring you good tidings of great joy,  which shall be to all people.

          For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,  which is Christ the Lord.

          And this shall be a sign unto you;  Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

Jesus was not born a normal King…in a palace or large home….but was given no room in the very city He was prophesied to come to….Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:5-6).

Luke 2:6-7 “And so it was,  that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

          And she brought forth her firstborn son,  and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in  a manger;  because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Now there was a “reason” for the city being full….and that no room was given to Mary for His birth.  

         The whole world was to be taxed…and everyone had to return to their ancestral city.   Both Mary and Joseph were of the line of David,  and so they had to go to Bethlehem to be counted, and “taxed”.

         (I find this amazing also….the whole world was moving, being unsettled,….at the time of the birth of Christ Jesus.    Plainly,  nothing would ever be the same again….for the Savior of the world is come….whether they knew it or not…

…..and God was shaking up things….and making every circumstance to do His Will.)

But the fact that Mary and Jesus was in a stable, was very convenient for those that God called to “come and see”.

Luke 2:15-16 “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another,   Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass,  which the Lord hath made known unto us.

           And they came with haste,  and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”

Again,  how amazing that God chose shepherds to “come and see” that very night….

…..for it would be several years before the wise men came. (the wise men came into a house, and saw a young child…not a babe.   Matthew 2:11)

So the shepherds came with haste….and found.   

          “found” is an interesting term.   It does not say,….”they saw”…..but “found”.   

           It suggests first that they really searched the city’s stables till they “found” Mary and Jesus.   

           It also suggests that these men “found” the Savior that night personally….and received Him into their hearts and lives as Christ the Lord….

…for the next thing they did was:….they went out to tell all about Him.

Luke 2:17-18, 20 “And when they had seen it,  they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child.

          And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

         And the shepherds returned,  glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”

The Shepherd’s Testimony was:   

We have heard the Word of the Lord….and we have “found” it to be true.    

        Therefore we are telling you what we have heard….what we have seen….

….and that the Lord’s Word is true…..Christ the Messiah has come.

What a testimony….but can not we say the same?    Have we not heard of Jesus Christ,  Who came to save us from our sins? (Matthew 1:21)

        And have we not “found” HIm to be exactly what the Word has said?

Let us also, then, be as the shepherds….and “make known abroad” HIs Word….so that others may find HIm as well.

“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard…..and seen,  as it was told unto them.”

Let me mention here….that they returned to their flocks.   The Holy Spirit made note of this…they had flocks to tend…and they did not desert them.   

        But they were not the same men….they were glorifying and praising God!

How precious a Word that leads us to Christ….how precious that we can return that Word to God in praise and adoration for all that He has said, and shown, and done for us!

The Faithful and True Witness 

Revelation 3:14 “And unto the angel of the Laodiceans write;  these things saith the Amen,  the faithful and true witness,  the beginning of the creation of God.”

This is Jesus Christ.

He is seen here as the Amen:  the only One who can say “Let it be.”

He is also seen as the beginning of the creation of God:  before the Godhead created the world;   God the Father and God the Son made an Everlasting Covenant, 

(For they saw all that would happen to their Creation in the rebellion and fall of the devil,  and the fall of Adam.

That Everlasting Covenant was the agreement that the Son of God would come as perfect man,……in the fullness of time (Galatians 4:4-5),…..and pay the full ransom price for those that would be saved,  that God the Father promised Him.)

Jesus Christ is also seen as the Faithful and True witness;  and this is what we are going to deal with here.

(It is interesting to note:  that in these three names of the  Lord Jesus, it is His Word that is stressed.   

In Amen,  it is future.     In the faithful and true witness, it is present.  And in the beginning of the creation of God, it is past.    All are His Word,  for He is The Word.   John 1:1-3)

Now a witness states the facts;  nothing more.

He tells what He sees and what He knows to be true.

So Jesus tells us what He sees in this church;  the last of the church age, before it is raptured. (taken up to heaven. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

And what does the Lord see in His last church?

Revelation 3:15-16 “I know thy works,  that thou art neither cold or hot:  I would thou wert cold or hot.

                                   So then because thou art lukewarm,  and neither cold or hot,  I will spue thee out of my mouth.”

He sees that we are lukewarm.   Neither cold or hot,  but just a natural body temperature.   

If we were cold,  we would see and feel the deadness of our spiritual life and do something about it.

If we were hot,  we would be what He wants:  zealous from “zeto” or boiling hot,  and He would bless us.

But we are just normal body temperature,  or lukewarm.   We feel no coldness,  so think we are alright….after all we will make it to heaven, won’t we?   That’s what matters,…right?

But to the Lord,  who is outside of this church,  it is not alright.

It is all wrong.

For our religion is a relationship to Jesus Christ:  a love relationship.

Yes, we come as sinners to a Savior, to be born again.

             But then, after being born again, we begin a great journey:  with Christ.

It is a journey of our lives,  through trouble and blessing……in a love relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

And here, as the Faithful and True witness,  Jesus Christ says,,….

“You are acting toward me as you were in your natural state:  indifferent,……neither seeking Me,…..nor outwardly rejecting Me,….just indifferent to My words, and My call.

It is as if,  you do not need to hear Me.”

And why are we indifferent?

Revelation 3:17 “Because thou saith, I am rich,  and increased with goods,  and have need of nothing;         and knowest not that thou art wretched,  and miserable,  and poor,  and blind,  and naked:”

Perhaps we have forgotten, that the true riches that we have,  are in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 3:16)

When He gives us promises, or experiences of success,……it is so we may bring them back and lay them at His feet in praise and thankfulness.

       It is not to hang on to them, and make ourselves “rich” in our own eyes, or in the eyes of others.

We get to thinking, “We have need of nothing more.    We know enough.     We pray enough.     We praise enough.     We do enough.”

But when we do this,  the spirituality we were gaining,  turns to natural pride, and selfishness;……

…….we quench the Holy Spirit of God……for we have forgotten the basic principal of following the Lord,  which is….

Luke 9:23 “And He (Jesus) said to them all,  If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

And that following, is from here…..to heaven.

But when we refuse to follow Him, by denying ourselves,…..

…we are actually becoming “wretched” before God…..in a dire state….sickly, and weak.   

     And the saddest part:  we do not know this is happening…..for we are looking to ourselves, not the Lord.

And when this happens,……then all that He witnesses to…shows up in us, as well…

Miserable (how can you be joyful, without God’s active Presence)

Poor (for your true riches are in Christ: in Him is our portion)

Blind (when we refuse to see, we are blind)

Naked (the only “garment” of righteousness that is acceptable to God is Christ’s righteousness applied to us,  and then worked out through us in willing obedience.)

The Faithful and True Witness says this is what we are….

What to do?

First,  turn your eyes back to Jesus.  And ask for sight.

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 “For God,  who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,  hath shined in our hearts,  to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

                                     But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,  that the excellency of the power may be of God,  and not of us.”

Isaiah 45:22 “Look unto Me,  and be ye saved,  all the ends of the earth:  for I am God,  and there is none else.”

Second,  look to yourselves, to repent (repent means to turn around.  Since we are obviously going contrary to God,  turn around and get in step with Him again.)

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

2 John 8 “Look to yourselves,  that we lose not those things which we have wrought,  but that we receive a full reward.”

And all this begins with “hear My Voice”. (He is the Word!    Halleluia, that He is still speaking to us!)

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.”

This “door” that we open is the door of our lives.   A life open to and receptive to Him.

Hear, and Live.   Look to Him, and Live.

Our relationship to Jesus is our life as Christians.   

How do we stand in it?

This is the Way…walk ye in it

Isaiah 30:21 “And thine ear shall hear a word behind thee,  saying,  This is the Way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand,  and when ye turn to the left.”

Have you heard that Word?

Do you know this is the Way?    Then….”walk ye in it”.

Walking in the Christian Way is the real work.   It is the going along, taking each step as it comes with the Lord….continually,  without growing weary or faint in the steps.

Not becoming impatient,  or sleepy…..but just continuing to walk along with the Lord….in His Way.

To walk sets forth the fact of everyday living.   The tasks and duties of today, and tomorrow.

We often think of special occasions….of doing some great work for the Lord….when our reality before Him, is in our everyday living to His honor….in our words and in our deeds.

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

There is in our everyday paths, the means of the fulfillment of the Way.

If we are born again, we do not need to seek special arrangements, but we just have to be found faithful in what we have at hand….(His Word, the Bible…..and prayer….gathering together….or faithful ministers giving out His Word…)

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

To be faithful, we need to take stock of our supplies:

Are you ready to give a word in due season to those in need?  

Do you know God’s Word?   

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

There are many who hunger for reality….for the knowledge that there is indeed God, and that He is Lord.   

Do they pass from us still hungry?

Acts 16:30-32 “And brought them out, and said,  Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

          And they said,  Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,  and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

          And they spake unto him the Word of the Lord,  and to all that were in his house.”

Are we showing them that He is our Lord?

Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men,  that they may see your good works,  and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

There are others, shaking their fists in the face of God,…..but cross our paths.

(Can anyone win an argument with God?   For God always has the last Word.)

2 Timothy 2:24-26 “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men,  apt to teach, patient;  

         In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves;  if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

         And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil,  who are taken captive by him at his will.”

Philippians 2:15 “That ye may be blameless and harmless,  the sons of God,  without rebuke,  in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation,  among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”

(I have found that people  may find away around what we say,…..but they can never get away from what God says,  through us)

How many people do we meet with…..who God is dealing with….even though we may not know it?

If we wait for great days…..amazing works….or special times…..

…..we may wait….and they may never come.

The twelve disciples followed Jesus for three years.   There were miracles,  and healings,  and many came to hear….to follow for a while…and go away…

….yet the real value of those three years……

…..where most of the twelve were concerned,…

….was their personal, growing affection and devotion to Jesus Christ, and His Word to them…..

…..that Word they were able to preach about the Lord Jesus,  after receiving the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

John 6:68-69 “Then Simon Peter answered Him,  Lord, to whom shall we go?

Thou hast the words of eternal life.

            And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”

What of us?   Are we following after the Lord,….and is our affection and devotion to Him and His Word growing?

Are we hearing His Word to us…..and able to give it to someone else?

Well, all we have to do is “walk” in His Way….and He has promised that we will hear His Word to us.