The Hearing ear will hear. 

 

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

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

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

Notice how He speaks to us Laodiceans:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 Do we want His constant presence and grace?

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

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

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

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

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

      

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tabitha/Dorcas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

said,  Tabitha, arise.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What of us?

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

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

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

         

Love,  Bless,   and  Pray for our enemies

Matthew 5:44-45 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies,  bless them that curse you,  do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

                 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:  for He maketh HIs sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

A good example of this is Job:

                Job 42:10 “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job,  when he prayed for his friends:  also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.”

Now this says “friends” here…..and they, before his trouble,  were his friends. 

              Glad to be named as a friend of Job,  who they thought to be righteous, and prosperous.

But when his troubles came….his oxen, cattle, sheep, and his sons and daughters were all either stolen or killed.   

              Job 1:20 “Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground,  and worshipped,”

Then Job himself got boils all over his body…and in the ashes,  he sat to scrape them so they could drain.   Boils are painful sores….and scraping the skin off to let them drain would have been exceedingly painful.    Yet he says…

             Job 2:10 “….shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?  In all this did not Job sin with his lips.”

“Receive” here means to take,  to choose.    When we, like Job take from the hand of God, that which He sends….no matter how it comes…..we truly “receive” it.    

            In actuality,  we are receiving God….we are choosing God,  as Job did.

But then his “friends” show up…..and I have put friends in quotes, because they have not come to comfort or even to strengthen in faith….but to point out his failures, because of the calamities that have come upon him.

            At first they mourn with him for seven days….but then…”If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved?  But who can withhold himself from speaking?”  Job 4:2

Basically, they say:  “We are sure sorry that you are like this….but you must have done something wrong to bring these things on you!”

          And then they begin to try and tell him how he might have sinned.

They talk…and talk….(and let me just say, that if Job had sinned,….what they said,  would have been correct…but they spoke without listening, either to God or Job)

         And Job, angered by the lack of comfort they are giving….and the fact that they assume he is wrong….also talks and talks.

Finally,  as we know,  God speaks….but only with Job….and that settles the matter.     Job bows to God’s hand upon him….no matter what ridicule and slander it brings…..and worships again.

Then Job prays for his friends.

         Behold, Job seeking the blessing of God on them and their lives…

…..and when he prays…and only when he prays for them….God turns the captivity of Job….and gives him twice as much as he had before.

                 (I find “captivity” an interesting term.    It means that he was a poor prisoner….who had been prosperous before.    But God turns the captivity of Job….into a double blessing)

Matthew 5:44 “But I say unto you,  Love your enemies…”

                 ( They may still be your enemies…..yet you “love them”…

…..and I want to stress that love in scripture is a willed action of our lives.   It is not just emotion,  or affections….but a will response to God’s Word for another.)

         …”…bless them that  curse you, do good to them that hate you,…”

(This is done in the power of the Holy Spirit….through us.   We can bless, because God blesses us….and we deserved cursing at His hands…yet received mercy, and forgiveness.)

        …”and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you:…”

(We are to pray that the Lord’s Will will be done in their lives…..whether they are to repent or not…what we leave in God’s hands always works to His good.

           But, for us,…we are to forgive them.   

           Not for their sakes,  but because we are to be like our Heavenly Father,  who forgives us…

……we are to be like our Lord Jesus,  who forgave the very ones who crucified HIm….

……and we are to be like our blessed Holy Spirit,  who continues to guide and help us…even though we quench Him,  often.)

Matthew 5:48 “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

God is perfect or complete in HIs attributes.   He has no lack.  

          Therefore…..

…we are to work with Him to attain to the completeness of His character in us.    In other words we are to be perfect  or complete in the attributes that He manifests:

          And the one attribute that He is speaking of here….is forgiveness.

And that it is to be given and shown to our enemies!   Even as He has done!    

         To be complete in this is to come to the place in dealing with our enemies….or our “friends” who come to us like they did Job….that we forgive…and keep forgiving,  till God sees to the matter…in us.   

         They can no longer hurt us,  for we are whole in Christ.   We are praying for them in the Lord’s Will….and we are free from their influence.    

He heals us,  and that is truly what He is after!

          (In some instances this is very hard….but one thing I have found to be helpful…is to seek that the Lord would really speak to me….as He did Job.

         For resentment and bitterness go hand in hand with backsliding.    Get as close to the Lord in this as possible….and keep asking for that Word from Him.   He will not leave us desolate, or forgotten…but will come to us in Word and deed.)

Our God is our Father….and He can take us by the hand and give us what we need….for He loves to do so.

Does the “city” of our hearts,  have “walls”? 

Proverbs 25:28 “He that hath no rule over his own spirit  is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”

This verse deals with our spirits…..

….we are to reject the will of the unholy spirit,….and yield to the the Holy Spirit within. 

In the days of the Old Testament,  each city was built with tall walls and gates.  That was their protection.   

Often houses were built right into the walls,  adding stability and strength. 

But, any city which did not have walls….was indefensible.

Without walls a city was subject to any and all marauding bands…which could come and loot and kill.

Without the “walls” of separation from the world,…..we are indefensible against it’s influence.   

This influence comes in, at times…..like a blanket thrown over our joy…..or like a flood which drowns our light….or simply like thieves which rob us of our peace.

What are our “walls”?

First, let me explain that God has very definitely commanded us, to be separate from the world.

We are to be in the world,  but not of it. 

Our walk is to be through this world,  but…not with it.

2 Corinthians 6:17-18 “Wherefore come out from among them,  and be ye separate,  saith the Lord,  and touch not the unclean thing;  and I will receive you. 

          And will be a Father unto you,  and ye shall be My sons and daughters,  saith the Lord Almighty.”

(The Name Lord Almighty means Sovereign….He is in charge of everything.   Nothing takes Him by surprise.  He has set aside all that is needed for every situation.

This name is important…..for as He called men to be Watchmen on the city walls of old…..so He watches for us…..if we separate ourselves to Him.)

Again,  what are our walls?

The Holy Spirit is a wall around us:

John 16:13  “Howbeit when He,  the Spirit of Truth,  is come,  He will guide you into all truth:  for He shall not speak of Himself;  but whatsoever He shall hear,  that shall He speak:  and He will shew you things to come.”

The Holy Spirit within leads us into truth….so we will be separated from the lies of the devil and the world.

        

The knowledge of God’s Word is a wall…..

….what it says….the stories that are in it….for it is a guide book in our walk through this life.

The same sort of people that we are….and that we will meet with…are there,….if we will hear what He is saying to us.

(I once heard a young man saying that the Bible was out of date.   That the things contained in it….did not relate to this age!

I was a child,…we were at a family gathering….with cousins and aunts and uncles that you usually do not meet often….

…..and my grandmother asked him if he had read it. 

He said, no he did not need to….he knew that what Abraham or Moses did….if they did….wasn’t any use to him.

My grandmother, was a firm believer that when God, or His Word was being challenged….you should say something.  She loved the Lord,  and was….(to my family)…outspoken for Him.

Well, my grandmother said….”he was probably right….the Bible would do him no good….because he was too dull to hear what it said.”  (Like I said,  she was pretty outspoken).

But then she said,  and I will not forget it.

“What God has said, is for every age.   Just because we have cars,  and  telephones, and TV…..does not change our hearts.

We are still lonely,  greedy,  angry,  and discouraged.    

Those are the people in the Bible.   And though we may not have their names…..or situations, just like them….

…..still the basic message is to us….today.

Jesus Christ came ta save every sinner…..from the first to the last….even you.”

He walked away laughing….but….he stayed away from her all that day.

Later, he joined the Navy,  and years later I heard that he had wrote home to his  folks to tell grandma that he had gotten saved!)

There is also the wall of Christian fellowship.  It should be in a good Bible believing Church…….and is is good to cultivate Christian friends.   

They often encourage us and strengthen us….in good conversation and with their prayers for us.

Prayer  is a wall.   

We are rarely fooled,  if we are praying about everything.  If we are confessing our sins….and keeping them up-to-date….

….and we are bringing the things of our lives to Him….then we are kept from the traps of the devil…..in peace, even in storms:

Philippians 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

            And the peace of God,  which passeth all understanding,  shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Each of these “walls” are there to help us to walk through this world,  knowing our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20)…..enjoying all that the Lord gives us,….without holding on to all the world would offer us.

These “walls” separate us inside…..we do not keep distance from people as though they are lepers…..

….but we do not “join in” with them, for we belong to Christ Jesus….

We are to rule our own spirit, by rejecting the will of the unholy spirit, and yielding to the Holy Spirit in all our walk, here.

In Jerusalem,  the gates were opened up to trade with all who brought goods….and before sunset,  these were to go out, and the gates shut.   On the Sabbath, the gates were never opened, to trade.

We are to keep a firm grasp on our spirits, yielding to the Holy Spirit,….so that all the influences that we feel from the world….are shut out from entering into our hearts.

 

When life takes an unexpected turn

Daniel 1:1 “In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.”

           (Let me just say here,  that Nebuchadnezzar was not the bloody monarch that just killed to be killing….but was very smart in all his world conquests.  

           He took crops, silver, gold, and the most intelligent of the people….as a spoil.  

           And the educated among the people to enlarge the wisemen that would serve him, and as treasurers and counselors in many subjects.

           And he left the others in the nations to plant and harvest grains and produce…particularly for him and his army…and some for the conquered nation, themselves.)

Daniel 1:2-4 “And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his (Nebuchadnezzar) hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God:…

           And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the kings seed, and of the princes;

           Children in whom was no blemish,  but well favored, 

and skillful in all wisdom and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, 

and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace,  

and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.”

Here was a list of requirements to go into education at Babylon…..and at least four young princes of Judah made it there:

           Daniel,  Hananiah,  Mishael,  Azariah.    These were their Hebrew names…all were changed.    (Altho Daniel is called Daniel most of the time)

Daniel,  Shadrach,  Meshach,  Abed-nego….these were four Hebrews which were given to this education…for three years.  

 They would have been in the household of the king….and part of the feasting of the palace.   

          Daniel may have been older,  but whether or not he was,  he was leader of their group….but they all were wanting to honor God in their captivity…however that was to be…

……for during their education…they were to be conformed to the requirements of language,  intelligence and knowledge,  and form, or countenance (for it was important that nothing ugly or sickly looking, be put before the king.)

Daniel 1:8, 12-14 “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat (which would have been sacrificed to his gods, first…then given to the king’s household)….

….nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

          Prove thy servants, I beseech thee,  ten days;  and let them give us pulse (grains) to eat, and water to drink.

          Then  let our countenances be looked upon….and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

          So he consented to  them  in this matter, and proved them ten days.”

We can see that though Daniel was the spokesperson….all four of the Hebrews were in agreement…..that they not defile themselves.

           (This defilement  is spoken of in Deuteronomy, in the song of Moses:

Deuteronomy 32:31-32,38           To have entered into eating these meats and wine,  would have been entering into their worship)

These four woke up one day and were taken away from their home….everything they knew,  changed:

But they  wanted to serve God,  even in the foreign land!   

And their time of testing their belief in God, was successful….they looked healthier and stronger than the others.

        So they were allowed to continue, without defiling themselves…eating the meat and wine.

(And we, too, can not be friends with the world and be a friend of God.  1 John 2:15-17)

Daniel 1:17 “As for these four children,  God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom:…”

This was not their ability….but the ability that God gave them to be useful in the work there.      And they were.        

 They were well thought of….

….except in their love of God, and their stand with Him.

They had been “tried” a little in the food that they were to eat….but as their faith grew,  so did the trials that they were to face.

             Yet in each trial,  God was sufficient for it….for them.

Shadrach,  Meshach, and Abed-nego were called to bow to the golden idol of Nebuchadnezzar….yet did not.

             Tempted by the threat of death….they stood before the king and declared, (and it says that all three answered)…

……”If it be so,  our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace,  and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

             But if not,  be it known unto thee,  O king, that we will not serve thy gods,  nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”  (Daniel 3:17-18)

We know that God saved them….alive in the furnace….Him being with them.

            But He would have been saving them,  if He had allowed them to be killed by the furnace….Him being with them.

            (How many of our brothers and sisters in Christ have died at the hands of the world?)

For the message was clear…..in life or death, they would not dishonor God:

           (Philippians 1:20 “According to my earnest expectation and my hope,   that in nothing I shall be ashamed,  but that with all boldness, as always,  so now also  Christ shall be magnified in my body,  whether it be by life ,  or by death.”)

I entitled this:  When life takes an unexpected turn.

How many Christians wake up one day, and find out they have cancer,  or another disease?

How many suffer loss…whether money, position, friends, or family?

           Our God is still with us!

Or how many wake up every day with the same routine?

          Our God is still with us!

Daniel and his friends….seeking to honor God,  found that His kingdom is everywhere…that He reigns everywhere…..and that God saw them and helped them….everywhere.

They were there to serve Babylon’s king….but they saw that his kingdom was transient….and would pass away.

         Whereas God’s kingdom and glory was everlasting….and was just as much a reality in Babylon, for them…as in Judah.

His grace is sufficient…..is what we must learn…through our many trials:

         2 Corinthians 6:1, 4-5, 9-10 “We then, as workers together with Him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

         But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,  in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

         In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;

         …as dying, and behold, we live;  as chastened, and not killed;

         As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;     as poor, yet making many rich;  as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

Wherever we are in our life….God is still with us!    Let us seek His honor and glory…and do the work we are called to.

How am I filled with the Spirit? 

My husband gives this testimony:

      Years ago, I asked the Lord this very question.  Feeling a need in my ministry…I prayed and kept praying till I got this answer:

“To be filled with My Holy Spirit…you need to be emptied from the fullness of yourself.”

I said,   “I have consecrated my life to you….I have given my life to be your preacher; I witness and pray for others, I work at being obedient to Your commands…..what more should I do?”

(Did you notice how many “I”s there are?  Ouch!   Obviously, being emptied of self is a tall order!)

So I asked….”How do I empty myself out?”

The answer was quite simple….I cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and bring everything that says,  “This is me…and my way of doing a job,  my way of preaching on a text, my way of saying things”……to God….until, everything I am (habits and characteristics) and everything I do,  says “This is Him.”

He showed me that this is my life’s work….to be conformed to His image, here and in all my days.   

He must reign in my life, by a deliberate act of my will….my willing it, for all the things of my life.

Matthew 6:10 “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

Subjection has become a “bad word” today.   (Of course to the wrong elements, it is.)

But subjection to Christ is freedom.

“What!, you say,  that can’t be.  

Subjection is bondage;…..you have to do.”

But the reality of the subjection to Christ,   is a love relationship.   

It is to know that He loves….you 

(No, it is not just the knowledge of the head, having heard it so many times).      

It is a closeness of His Spirit,…..a sweetness of His Voice (even when He corrects us),….and such a sense of rest of heart, and mind (and my mind usually goes around in circles pretty good).

Hosea 11:4 “I drew them with cords of a man,  with bands of love:  and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws,  and I laid meat unto them.”

Jesus Christ came as a man to show us the great love He had for us: 

         By His life in subjection to His Father. (“…for I do always those things that please Him.” John 8:28-29)…

         By His sacrifice to save us from our sins (and they are the real bondage)….

         And by His resurrection, to give us all things in Him.

Song of Solomon 8:7 “Many waters can not quench love,  neither can the floods drown it:  if a man would give all the substance of his house for love,  it would utterly be contemned.”

We can not give anything for the Love of God, for He has loved us with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3). 

Before we were born,  God loved us;  by the Love of His Will.  

It was not because there was anything in us that drew Him to us.

Nor was it because He saw what we would do for Him, after conversion.  Or because of what we would become.   

         No,  He loved us because of one reason:  He willed to do so.

Matthew 6:10 says, His kingdom come,  His will done in earth, as it is in heaven.

And Jesus taught that we should pray this.

In heaven it is done willingly, joyfully, completely.  But also with power.

He has this sort of power for us;  but to get it down here into us we need to have His kingdom come with in us.

He showed me, that we should not ask……How much do I have of God?   

But,   how much does He  have of me?

For we are filled with the Holy Spirit to the degree or extent, that we are willingly emptied of ourself life.

Imagine jars filled with water.   Now, imagine you are going to fill them with another liquid.

They won’t mix, so one of them will “push” the other out.

The one comes in; and the water flows out.

This is the filling of the Holy Spirit.   He flows in, at new birth.

But if we just let Him have that much of us,  it is like a skim of oil on top of the water.

But when we yield to Him, be obedient to His direction, and give up our way…….then He keeps flowing in,…..and our self life,  flows out.

We have more “want to”, ….more power to do,….and more knowledge and joy in the doing.

This is to be being filled with the Holy Spirit;….and it is only as we submit to Christ’s rule in us;  as subjects to King Jesus….

Under His command,  doing His Will.

Ephesians 5:17-18 “Wherefore be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

                  And be not drunk with wine,  wherein is excess;  but be filled with the Spirit;”

     Are we ready to let our self life flow out and let His Spirit flow in?

For good

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,  to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

               As God, He has purposed everything for our “good”….or for our value.   And He knows what will be of value to us….what will bring forth the fruits of the Spirit….what will bring us closer to Him….no matter what valleys or mountains we cross.   

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

              For we are the called according to His Purpose….His leadings,  His determination.   

              (Purpose here in the Greek means “a setting forth”….as the shewbread was on the top of the Table in the Holy Place…at all times:  when the Tabernacle stayed put,  and in travel. 

               The shewbread was not taken down, but kept on the Table….but the Table had a border on it.   Though it slid around,  it could not fall….for God had already seen to it’s care.

               So is our Purpose….we may go through many various circumstances….yet God has already seen to us…that we fall not.)

“All things work together for good”.   Certainly it is for God’s good….and that should be what we are always looking to….for God’s honor and glory.

              For Paul is speaking  “to them that love God”.   

How gracious and providing our God is!

Psalm 46:10-11 “Be still and know that I am God:  I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.  

                 The Lord of hosts is with us;  the God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah.”

“Be still”….we think of our words….when it also means to still our inward thoughts,  and inward turmoil….no matter what the reason.      

How?

        “…and know that I am God:…”   

         This is the way to a stillness of spirit, soul and actions.

We may say,  “I know God…that He is God,  that He is Sovereign….that He is Almighty.   I have experienced many things…and I certainly know that God is God.”

But God is infinite….and our knowledge of Him can grow.

           As  our need is shown,  our sight of God is enlarged and widened.    

           But this also suggests that He knows us, as well.   

Here also is a word of great encouragement:   “The Lord of hosts is with us;”    For surely He knows our fears and worries.

           The Lord that has a thousand armies at HIs disposal….Who can call upon the beasts of the field to do His Will….Who can speak to the hornets to do HIs bidding….

….Who also can make one person,  standing with HIm,  in prayer or speech….to fulfill HIs Will.

Do we know HIm as such?   Have we experienced HIs great deliverance when we were among enemies?

“The God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah.”

            Jacob was a schemer,  yet God was his God….and brought him through many dangerous situations….till he became Israel.     So our God can bring us through….till we are “changed into His likeness” (2 Cor. 3:18)

As God,  He has purposed everything for our “good”….or for our value.  

There are times that we are busy….we are praying…and we know God.    

           But here,  the psalmist shows that we are to know God also,   in stillness.

There are times we just have to stop and “be still”.   

It is not just a sense that we can not argue with God about the circumstances….but it is,  a complete giving of ourselves over to the circumstances….until God changes them.

(We could use the Israelites at the Red Sea as an example.   We know what happened….but they did not know why God had led them this way….especially when they saw the armies of their enemies coming after them.

                     We could use Joshua against the five kings as an example.   Way out numbered,…after an overnight march….they were told to fight them….and so they did.   Completely unaware that God would send hailstones on their enemy.   That day God had the sun stand still…and they fought all this time.

                    We could use Paul being taken to Rome….and a storm, a shipwreck, followed by a snake….yet Paul is the one comforting his captors.)

Where will God lead us in our Purpose?    What will we have to do,….endure….suffer….or be delivered from….only God knows….and yet that is a comforting thought:    God knows….

….and He has worked all things for our good.

Romans 8:28 “…all things work together for good to them that love God….”

                    Paul is writing to them that would soon be under persecution (think of the Christians fed to the lions)…

All things….work together  for our value   to them that love God.

               Here is the wind in the sails of our Purpose…..our love to God.   

For assuredly,  God loves us.

“..If any man will..;  or Whosoever will…”  

Let us talk of Jesus’  invitation:   “If any man will…”

Have you ever come to the submitting of your will,  to God’s revealed will?

It is stated by our Lord Jesus to His disciples:  If any man will.

He says there is a choice involved.  It is not something that is forced upon us.   No, Jesus said,  If any man will;  therefore you can say  “no” to the act of bringing your will into conformity to God’s will.

And those who are born again, are the ones who can make that choice in reality; for they are the only ones who are enabled to know and do God’s will.

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

Jesus said:

Matthew 16:24-25 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples,  if any man will come after Me, let him deny himself,  and take up his cross and follow me.

                                   For whosoever will save his life will lose it:  and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.”

Here, in Matthew, Jesus is talking to his disciples.  He states the requirements for discipleship.

 “If” they were going to be His disciples,  then they must choose (for it is always a choice) to deny their self-lives, and follow Him into every circumstance (some very unpleasant) that He leads them in.

The cross is the individual’s choice to give up to Christ,  in that moment (this can not be done once for all),  his “rights”, or plans, or attitudes, etc.

You see Jesus was telling them that to be His disciples in this world, was not an easy path leading to accolades, and position.

(Remember,  that is why the Chief Priests and Pharisees plotted to kill Jesus,  they did not want to give up their “place”.  

John 11: 47-48 “Then gathered the chief priests and Pharisees a counsel,  and said,  What do we?  For this man doeth many miracles.   

                             If we let Him thus alone, all men will believe on Him; and the Romans shall come and take away our place and nation.”)

No,  to be His disciple,  was a path which would lead to greater knowledge and communion with Him.  

If that was what they wanted, then they would be blessed in that knowledge, with joy, peace, love, etc.   

It would be an exciting and blessed path,…..but only if you love Jesus Christ.

If you want the world and Heaven, too.   You will never be a true disciple of Christ.

If you want to follow Christ wherever that leads,  you are choosing discipleship.

A disciple is one who has voluntarily placed himself under the discipline of his Master.

For us, our Master is Jesus Christ,  who not only commands, but takes us by the hand and leads, helps, strengthens,  encourages, and empowers for what He leads us into.

The same is stated in Mark. (only here He is talking to all the people that were following Him, as well)

Mark 8:34-35 “And when He had called the people unto him with his disciples also,  he said unto them,    Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself,  and take up his cross,  and follow Me. 

                           For whosoever will save his life shall lose it;  but whosoever will lose his life for My sake and the gospel’s,  the same shall save it.”

Luke 9:23-24 “And He said to them all,  If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself,  and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

                          For whosoever will save his life shall lose it;  but whosoever will lose his life for My sake,  the same shall save it.”

The life we lose is our life in ourselves.   

You know that the life inside of you is often very different than the one you show to everyone.

     You may look happy and carefree to people;  while there are depressing thoughts, or anger and resentment inside.

     Your desires may rule your heart and mind, but you continue to try and show everyone that you are in control.

If you are in these situations,  and you are a Christian;  Christ has made provision for you for true liberty….If any man will.

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.”

There are a lot of “And”s  here.   That is because Christ is stressing that He has not left them without a means of everything they need.

First,  it is to “Come”.

No problem can be solved if you stay away from Christ.

Second, it is to hear Christ words,  or the Bible.   If you are not reading, because you say you can not understand it;….then pray “come, and explain it to me”.    And He will.

Third, it is to recognize your “thirst”.   In what is your desire?  Just get honest here,  He knows anyway.   

But if you can,  say it out loud,  alone with God, you will be amazed how much you “see”, when you willingly come and admit your need.

Fourth,  it is to take, freely.   

        But it is to take off the water of life.  That is the refreshing communion of the Holy Spirit within,  bubbling up into true life;  Christ’s life within you, and the power for you, that He brings.

This happens,  when you come to Christ.    The invitation is “if any man will”, or “whosoever will”….

Will you?

It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks

Acts 9:5 “And he (Saul) said,  Who art thou, Lord?  And the Lord said,  I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:  it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”

Acts 26:13-14 “At midday,  O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven,  above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

               And when we were all fallen to the earth,  I heard a voice speaking unto me,  and saying in the Hebrew tongue,   Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?  It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”

Twice in scripture,  this little illustration of the means…”the pricks” or goad…. that God used on Saul/Paul to awaken him to his unbelief….is told.

(Let me just say here….that there were many scriptures….of which Saul/Paul knew….which were fulfilled all around him.

              John the Baptist coming to lead the nation to repentance…to prepare a way for the Christ.  Malachi 4:5-6 

              The many miracles,  which Jesus performed for three years

Acts 1:22 “…which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:”

              The illegal arrest and trial of Jesus….secretly at night.   How wrong he knew that was.

              The sign that was hanging above the cross: 

“…Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews..” John 19:19-20

              The resurrection,  testified by so many.

               The day of Penacost where simple fishermen became bold and spoke in many languages of the Christ of God….and so many were saved!

              And finally,  Stephen’s testimony and death….how righteous he was….and forgiving! Acts 7:56-60)

All of these spoke to Saul/Paul that Jesus Christ….who was crucified….and raised,….was the Son of God!

Yet what stopped him from turning to the Lord?       

Unbelief.

              1 Timothy 1:13, 16 “Who was before a blasphemer, and a prosecutor, and injurious:  but I obtained mercy,  because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

               Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy,  that in me first  Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering,  for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting.”

Paul, in his many letters,  speaks of belief as the transforming power of God….in the lives of men and women…( Acts 16:31,  Romans 10:9, 1 Cor. 1:21, 1 Thess. 2:13) ….

               Ephesians 1:19 “And the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward   who believe,  according to the working of His mighty power,”

               And he writes of unbelief as the damaging wrecking-ball…which keeps men lost and far from God.

             2 Corinthians 4:4 “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ,  Who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

Jesus said to Saul/Paul….when His light had knocked him down to the earth…

….“It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”  

              This pricks is a goad….or a  long stick which was used to keep oxen moving forward.   

              Often when they were prodded,  they would kick back,  trying to injure the one using the stick….

…and this is what the Lord is accusing Saul/Paul of: 

           “You are trying to kick Me….because I have been prodding you with all these scriptures….which you know….being fulfilled before your eyes.     You want to close your eyes to that light…and hope these things are not so….but they are.

             You have been persecuting  Me,  as you persecute My believers….for they show,  even in their suffering and death….the reality of their profession that I am the Son of God in them.”

Again, I want to say that twice this phrase is used…as a witness (Duet.19:15)…

…..and that is because God does the same to us.

He gives us light….from scripture…read, heard, seen.      He gives us light from the testimonies of believers.     He gives us light in all the things going on in the world.

He gives us light that keeps prodding us into His Way….till we “hear” and “see” Him. 

How far,…or for how long He will “be mercifully longsuffering”  (2 Peter 3:9) is different with each one….

….but as Jesus said to Saul/Paul…

               Acts 26:16 “….for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose…”

(and there is a Purpose for each of us….in the Light of God.)

The Purpose to know….

…….and to show the Light of the glorious gospel….of Jesus Christ:

               Acts 26:18 “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God,  that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me.”

2 Corinthians 4:6 “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.”

Colossians 1:12-13 “Giving thanks unto the Father,  which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints   in light:

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

To believe(John 1:12)… is to put the full weight of our existence upon Christ Jesus.

Will we finally “see” the light that the Lord is showing us….and believe Him?

God loves a cheerful giver. 

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 “But this I say,  He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly;  and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

            Every man according as he purposeth in his heart,  so let him give;  not grudgingly, or of necessity:  for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

God loveth a cheerful giver.

This giving is of our time,…..our ability….our testimony,…not just our tithe, and offerings.

Cheerful here, means hilarious….joyfully helpful and generous.    This a thing of the spirit and heart.   For we are giving unto God…ourselves.

(In 2 Corinthians, Paul is talking about the offering he was going to take to Jerusalem for the suffering brethren. There had been persecution, and then a famine….many were suffering.)

But the principle is the same for everything we do for Christ…..God loves a cheerful giver.

Proverbs 15:13, 15 “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart  the spirit is broken.

          All the days of the afflicted are evil:  but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.”

Simply,  God has made our hearts to rejoice in Him…..and  when they don’t…..it bends the spirit, sometime to the breaking point…..and effects our minds…makes us melancholy (a feeling of anxious sadness).

But joy…..or the hilarious giver is blessed….always.

Jesus, said five times….”Be of good cheer”…”or to have joyful courage”:

Matthew 9:2 and Mark 6:50….He spoke of this joyful courage to the man with palsy. 

Matthew 14:27…..to the disciples in the storm, as He walked on the water to them.

To the disciples…before He was betrayed and taken….imagine the knowledge of the suffering to come….yet….He knew He would overcome….and the courageous joy in His heart toward His Father’ Will….was present.

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you,  that in Me ye might have peace,  in the world ye shall have tribulation:  but be of good cheer,  I have overcome the world.”

And then, to Paul, when he was first arrested….

Acts 23:11 “….the Lord stood by him, and said,  Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of Me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.”

God does not give as a miser….He gives abundant mercy and grace…and joy.

And He requires that we should act in accordance to what He gives.

Nehemiah 8:9-10 “And Nehemiah,….and Ezra the priest…..and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people,    This day is holy unto the Lord your God:  mourn not, nor weep, for all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

        Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared:  for this day is holy unto your Lord:  neither be ye sorry;  for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Here, are these Israelites gathered to hear the Word of God,….some for the first time (since they had been in captivity)…..and they realize how little they had obeyed the Lord….

….sorrow filled their hearts as the priests taught them the Word, and gave understanding in it….

…yet,….God did not want weeping….but joy in the hearing of His Word….and so commanded them to put away their sorrow, for this day…..

…..and go and enjoy what His Word set forth…..a feast with Him, and their neighbors.  

(This was the peace offering…which was always shared with family, neighbors, friends, and the priests.  And this was to be enjoyed.)

He give us “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:7-8)….and we should give with the utter freedom of cheerfulness…..joyful courage.

Speaking of the gifts among the church….Paul wrote the Romans:

Romans 12:8 “Or he that exhorted, on exhortation:    he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity;   he that ruleth, with diligence (seeing the job done);   he that showeth mercy,   with cheerfulness.”

Anything we do for the Lord, is to be done in joy and peace.  

An old preacher once said,  that as far as he was concerned….the real criteria for spiritual maturity….was the hanging onto the Lord’s joy and peace.

God loves a cheerful giver.    

We should give cheerfully to the Lord….for all that He wants us to do.