Now According to the Faithful and True Witness 

Revelation 3:14 “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write;  these things saith the Amen,  the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the Creation of God.”

I will say here, that we believe that we are called to this Laodicean age. In other words we believe that we are called to Awaken the church to God’s claims on their lives.  

As Christians, we are redeemed;  we belong to Him, therefore His Will should be the purpose of our lives.

(Yes, we believe that these letters each represent both a real church being written to;  and an age within the Church dispensation.

In each letter,  the church or the true believers is the focus—not the lost.  Jesus Christ is dictating these letters so they will know how He feels about their problems,  their tribulations, and their failures;  and the grace they need to get, to deal with them.)

Thus saith the Amen.

Now, He alone can say this:  this means “Let it be,  Let it happen.”  He alone is the Affirmation and Confirmation of every Word of God.

We must say,  “If God wills.”  (James 4:13-15).  But He can say Amen, and it will be.

The Faithful and True Witness.  A witness just states what He sees and what He knows.

And what does Jesus see when He looks at Laodicea?

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.”

(Indifference to God, after He has done so much for us;  is the very worst state we can possibly be in. 

And if continued in, will result in being “spued out of His mouth”.)

And the reason of our indifference?

Revelation 3:17 “Because thou sayest,  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:”

Because we say, that I am rich, and increased with goods….and our attitude is 

I “have need of nothing”….not even God’s direction, anymore.

But Jesus sees their true condition before Him, and says:  And knowest not!

Is it possible to be in such a state and not know it?  According to the Faithful and True Witness, it is;  and we Laodiceans, are.

We do not know that we are really wretched:  

This is a terrible word,  but Paul used it of himself when he was testifying of his battle with himself, his “old man”.

Paul was a very religious Pharisee,  but he discovered from the Spirit of God, his covetousness.   

To covet is to “set the heart upon”. 

(When we set our hearts upon something, it takes over our emotions, our reason, and our wills…..we even become unwilling to listen to God,…to have this thing.   It is on the throne of our hearts…not God as He should be.)

Romans 7:24 “O wretched man that I am!  Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”

      Why did he say this?   Because he saw that even as a Christian, we have our old nature within us….which still wants its own way.

Romans 7:18 “For I know that in me(that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me;  but how to perform that which is good I find not.”

Paul was having trouble with his old self.   He was trying to do what God wanted, but found that his trying often failed.  

Paul knew he was wretched.

So what did he do?    He sought freedom from self, by the Spirit of God.

Romans 8:2, 4 “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

                         That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us,  who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Here was the answer to his wretchedness:  walking in the Spirit,  not in the flesh.

We Laodiceans are trying to do both:  be in Christ, and in the world……for ourselves.

Christ Jesus plainly teaches that if you would be a follower of Christ you should deny yourself, pick up your cross [does that sound like something the world would like to be around?] and follow Him.

We are to lose our self-life,  to have our Christ- life (Matthew 16:24-26)

That is why the Faithful and True Witness says we are also:  

     miserable…..how many Christians today are unhappy, discontented.

     and poor….not rich in God’s grace by His Spirit, but barely getting by.

     and blind….someone has said,  we are blind because we have our eyes shut, so we can not see ourselves as Christ sees us.

     And naked…..without the righteous acts or the obediences to God, which separate us from the world, and give a “covering” of peace, and power.

Christ’s witness has been against us so far……..but our blessed Lord Jesus does not leave us (never!);    but counsels us, as our Advocate, with the best advice:

Revelations 3:18 “I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire,  that thou mayest be rich;  and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed,  and that the shame of thy nakedness  do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,  that thou mayest see.”

When we “buy” from Jesus,  we are not buying salvation;  that is a free gift.

But when we are His,  we are to come to Him and get what we need.  

He calls it “buying” here because we are to come with the attitude of getting real gain, real value.

To come with the knowledge of our lack;  and seek Him for His precious grace,  being obedient to His call;….this is to “buy” from Him.

He knows all and counsels us to get gold—gold always speaks of God.   So we are to get the true riches of His commanding presence and power in our lives. 

(Tried in the fire, is true gold with the dross or admixture burnt out, by the trials of standing with Him)

He counsels us to get white raiment, or the covering of righteous acts, so we will not be ashamed at His coming. (2 John 8-9)

He counsels us to stop being blind, by getting honest (by the Holy Spirit’s help) with Him and with ourselves. 

As the Lord told my husband once:  that if any true Christian would get a good look at their own heart, they would want to do something about it immediately.  

Then Jesus says to His Laodicean church:

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 into him, and will sup with him,  and he with me.”

This is fellowship…

And the power of His presence. 

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

“I will come into him and will sup with him”….these two things the Lord says He will do…..if we will repent and open our lives to Him,  again.

Do you hear Him today, calling you to repent of your lukewarmness or indifference….to Him?

Then answer His voice:

To answer the call of Christ in this Laodicean age, requires not an answer of words at some altar;

But the answer of a life open to and receptive to Him.

None other will do.

He says, “I will”.      Will you?

Our Armor of Proof 

Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil”

Ephesians 6:13 “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

We are to put on the whole armor of God;   to stand,    that we might withstand.

Stand in this military context, means “to hold the ground given”.   In other words, we are to hold the ground Christ bought and paid for; and has given us (individually) to stand on.

To withstand means to resist or oppose.   We are to resist or oppose evil, that we might continue to stand on the ground Christ has given us.

The ground Christ has won for us is life….eternal life, lived now in the circumstances we are in.   It is our ministries, and our gifts….it is peace and joy.   

This ground Christ has won,  but we are to hold on to it…..and not let the world or the devil deprive us of them….or doubt God’s love and purpose for us.

Our armor of proof is not so many imaginary pieces, but real, spiritual helps; that we might stand in the evil day.

Ephesians 6:14 “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,..”

We first need truth.   It is pictured as surrounding us, as protection.   

This truth covers the will.   When we do God’s Will, we are yielding to the Truth.  We are in the Light, in the path we are to tread;  and as such, certain things can not touch us.   There is power in the truth, and it is at our disposal.

And Jesus again said:

John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

As we let the word of God surround us in our everyday life;  it will be like armor to our soul.   Nothing will be able to get in that is not according to His will,  for we know His Word. 

(This is not the offensive weapon of our sword, but defensive knowledge)

Ephesians 6:14 “…and having on the breastplate of righteousness;”

There is the righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to us;  which makes us righteous before God.

(2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”)

         We can come before God in boldness (Hebrews 4:16) because of Christ’s righteousness.

But there is also the righteous acts we are to do:  

Romans 6:16 “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey;  whether of sin unto death,  or obedience unto righteousness?”

Titus 3:8 “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.  These things are good and profitable unto men.”

This breastplate of righteousness, covers the heart.  

The term here “having” for the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness,  suggests the thought: “Will you have it?”

For these are the beginning of our protection. And we can not stand without truth and righteousness in our lives.

Ephesians 6:15 “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”

        We need peace to stand on.   The peace that passeth all understanding.(Philippians 4:7) keeps us in all sorts of circumstances.  The storm may blow, but we are at peace.    It keeps us grounded, so our emotions and thoughts do not “run away with us.”

And when we have experienced this for ourselves, we are able to stand firm , no matter the storm.

Ephesians 6:16 “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”

       Faith is that amazing gift of the Holy Spirit, that delivers us in times of doubt (Hebrews 4:1-2), in times of temptation from the world (1 John 5:4),  and here it states that it keeps us from the accusations and suggestions of the devil.

It will “shield” us by covering the mind with Light to see these tricks as they really are.

It will “shield” us by covering our heart with Love, God’s love for us.

It will “shield” us by covering our walk with the knowledge of God’s forgiveness, and power.

Remember, this piece is movable…for faith covers all of us.

Ephesians 6:17 “And take the helmet of salvation,…”

“Take” implies use.

Take the knowledge of your salvation to keep you from sin:

1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

Our salvation can protect our mind:

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) 

                    Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against  the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

Ephesians 6:17 “…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”

        This and all-prayer are our offensive weapons.   All the rest are defensive.  For we don’t go out to conqueror; but we are standing, holding ground that Christ has already won.  

But when attacked, we need to defend ourselves.   

And the best offense is: 

God’s Word given to you at the time of attack….by the Holy Spirit to you.  

        It suits what the devil is suggesting, or accusing you of……taking the influence of that attack away.

It is verses, or parts of verses, and promises.   

Then God’s power is there for you.

James 4:7-8 “Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

                 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.  Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.”

Ephesians 6:18 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

We are to pray always (1 Thess. 5:17)

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

Prayer is our life line to direction, comfort, correction, everything we need.

This kind of prayer is  “in the Spirit”.    

Both of the offensive weapons are by direction of the Holy Spirit.

The sword of the Spirit, and prayer…in the Spirit.

He guides us into what to say to the attacks of the devil;   And what to pray for, to get the help we need against these attacks….both for ourselves and for others.

I titled this  Our Armor of Proof,  because the Lord has provided these spiritual helps…..He has given us His Word,    His Spirit,    and knowledge of our enemy’s wiles….and in our “Stand”, we need to prove them, for ourselves.

They are all we need to stand against the wiles of the devil….will we use them?

Have you Heard the Lord call you? 

Song of Solomon 5:2 ” I sleep, but my heart waketh:  it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh,  saying,  Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled:  for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.”

This is a story of a believer, who has gone to sleep.   But she hears the voice of her Lord, in her heart, and she awakes.

So far, so good.

Then with her understanding, she hears Him call to her to open to Him.

This opening up of her life,  is different than the Salvation she has already experienced.      For He calls her, His sister;  being joint-heirs with Christ.

Romans 8:16-17 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit,  that we are the children of God:

          And if children, then heirs;  heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him,  that we may be also glorified together.”

She has had fellowship with the Lord;   and has gone on in that fellowship to be called  His dove.

Now a dove can see only one thing at a time, and this has been her experience in Christ;  keeping her eyes on Him.

Song of Solomon 1:15 “Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves eyes.”

Matthew 6:22 “The light of the body is the eye:  if therefore thine eye be single,  thy whole body  shall be full of light.”

He calls her His undefiled.   This shows, that in that love relationship, she has gone on with Him;…..so she is being saved from the defilements of the world,  and self.

1 John 2:15 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

            For all that is in the world,  the lust of the flesh,   and the lust of the eyes,   and the pride of life,  is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

But  this calling, here, is a deeper calling, for Jesus calls her,  as the One who sweat great drops of blood as in the garden (Luke 22:44).

But there seems to be a hinderance to His call,….

Song of Solomon 5:3 “I have put off my coat;  how shall I put it on?   I have washed my  feet;  how shall I defile them?”

It would seem that having experienced so much of Her Lord, she has become a little proud. (Remember, one of the things the Lord deals with His own about is the “pride of life”)

“I have put off my coat”…….simply means she had begun to put off the old man with it’s deeds.

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

Was she now to be defiled by working in the world?

“I have washed my feet”……..All her sins were confessed, up to date.  And she had been cleansed from them.   If she ventures out into the world to work for Jesus, won’t she again be contaminated by it?

These might have been very good questions,…..if…..Jesus were not the One calling her to go out with Him,…..to the work of bringing souls to Christ.

Song of Solomon 5:4-5 “My beloved put his hand by the hole of the door,  and my bowels were moved for him.

         I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh,  and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh,   upon the handles of the lock.”

The ancient doors used to have holes in them by the handle, so that when someone dear would come, they would put perfume (myrrh) on the inside of the door handle, to show they had been there.

Though she had hesitated to go further with the Lord,…..for what she thought were good reasons;……still she loves Him and is moved to go and open her hearts door again to His  Call.    

When she does, her hands drip with the perfume of myrrh.

(Myrrh was used to anoint the bodies of the dead, before burial, and was one of the treasures brought to Jesus at His birth by the wise men.)

So Jesus Christ is calling this loved one to go with Him into the experience of intercession, and travail for those He wants saved…..

and to work for those who are babes in Christ,….to help them grow up in Him.

Often, this is a hard work, for it recognizes our imperfections, as well as those of others.   

Also, it is a long work;  it is not done in a day, or even a week;  but till Christ be formed in them.

Galatians 4:19 “My little children,  of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,”

But she had opened,……..but she found Him gone.

Christ never retracts a calling;  but He often withdraws the feeling of His presence, to prove us.

Will we become angry?

Or will be seek Him?

Song of Solomon 5:6 “I opened to my beloved;  but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone:  my soul failed when he spake:  I sought him,  but I could not find him;  I called him, but he gave me no answer:”

She seeks Him.  She sought Christ Jesus in the usual means….of prayer and church services…..hoping to find Him there.

She calls to Him to speak to her again, but it seemed as if He was refusing to call again.

She had come so far with Him,  and now she had failed Him, the dearest Friend she had ever had.   

She wanted to go back to the way things were….but the call had come, and she was either going to seek till she did find,……or  yield to the pride she had shown earlier.

What follows is a conversation between her, and those who would seek Him also.

“What is thy beloved more that another beloved?”  They ask. (Song of Solomon 5:9-16)

Then she describes His  Greatness,  His strength in times of her weakness,…….and that He is the altogether lovely One to her.

Song of Solomon 5:16 “His mouth is most sweet:  yea,  he is altogether lovely.  This is my beloved,  and  this is my friend,  O daughters of Jerusalem.”

When she describes Him,  she realizes that He has never left her,  but proved her love to Him.   

Did she love Him?…….Or His gifts?

She loved Him,  and found Him.  

They were united in the work as well as in life. 

Theirs was a love relationship;   And true love follows to the end,  for the Loved One.

Have you heard the Lord call you?    Perhaps you have hesitated, too.   Listen to the love in your heart for Jesus, and answer His call.    

Jeremiah  29:13 “And ye shall seek Me, and find Me,  when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.”

His,  has been, and is an everlasting love, for us.

Will we answer His call?

Our conscience 

What is our conscience?  Our conscience is the “light that lighteth every man” (John 1:9)….

…it is the impress of the brilliant light of the Holy Spirit when we were first created (Genesis 2:7)….

….the Holy Spirit left Adam when he sinned….but left the impress of the knowledge of God,…..and man’s responsibility to obey Him.

It is our moral compass….a gift from our Creator….

….it is a inward knowledge of what is good and what is evil,…showing that man is responsible to God’s will…….which either approves of what is done….or reproves what is done.

Romans 2:13-15 “(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

             For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

             Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the meanwhile accusing or else excusing one another;)”

Our conscience can become contaminated,  darkened,….by the choices we make….

….or they can hear the Lord’s voice, and convict us….to lead us toward or away from Him,….

….they can be cleansed…..through Christ….

….and we can have a “good conscience, void of offense.”

There are several types of consciences in scripture:

There is the defiled conscience…

Titus 1:15 “Unto the pure all things are pure:  but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure;  but even their mind and conscience is defiled.”

Defiled means to taint or to contaminate.  

Simply speaking,  those with a defiled conscience see good in nothing…..they expect everyone to have the same greedy, lustful, or malicious motives as they do….

Example:  Judas when he saw Mary pour a very expensive box of ointment on Jesus….

John 12:3-6 “Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus….

       Then saith….Judas Iscariot….which should betray Him,  

       Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence,  and given to the poor?

        This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief….”

Now what he said, sounded good…..maybe even charitable…..but behind it was his defiled conscience….which thought Jesus not worthy of anything…..and him worthy of getting all he could get (for he wanted to steal part of the money).

(The sad thing is……what people suggest often effects others….for when Judas says this…..even the other disciples were…..for a moment…thinking that way….

Mark 14:4 says,  “And there were some that had indignation…”

Matthew 26:6 says,  “But when His disciples saw it, they had indignation…”

But in both of these places, it shows the real attitude of the other disciples….for when Jesus corrects them, that settles it.)

But Judas immediately goes to the chief priests to “sell” Jesus to them [Matthew 26:14-16]

And to his defiled conscience, it was perfectly alright to do so.

        

Matthew 15:18-20 “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart;  and they defile the man.

          For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

          These are the things which defile a man:…”

Then there is the convicted conscience:

John 8:9 “And they which heard it,  being convicted by their own conscience,  went out one by one,  beginning at the eldest, even unto the last:  and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.”

This was the woman taken in adultery….quite guilty….and according to the law…should be stoned (so should the man that had been with her, though the Pharisee’s did not bring him)…

…..yet Jesus’s statement brought everyone of them to their senses…..to the moral right.

They had not brought the man….only her….not for God’s glory, but to lay a trap for Jesus.

When Jesus said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” (Verse 7)

That brought their minds back to God….sin….their sin….

And their moral compass turned to right thoughts….and they left.

(We could also mention Peter’s convicted conscience…….when he heard the cock crow….which Jesus had told him would happen……and went out weeping.)

There is the weak conscience:  

1 Corinthians 8:12 “But when ye sin so against the brethren,  and wound their weak conscience,  ye sin against Christ.”

Some Christians are strong in the faith….some are not.    The weak are easily fearful,  without the confidence in God’s Word to them.

What  Christians do, has a great deal of influence on others.   Some could eat the meat, that had been formerly offered to idols…..because they were just idols…

….while others thought that it would be sacrilege, because the meat had been part of the offering to what they came out of….idol worship.

We are not to offend a brother or sister with a weak conscience…..for Christ shed HIs blood to save them, just like He did for us.   

We are to “bend over backward” so that they will not be offended…

…..or worse,…..we are not to encourage them to do, what  would be sin to them.

Matthew 18:6-7 “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone where hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

               Woe unto the world because of offenses! For it must needs be that offenses come;  but woe to the man by whom the offenses cometh!”

We are not to dishearten or discourage the weaker children of God…..but strengthen and encourage them to keep following Christ….and grow in Him.

There is a cleansed conscience:

Hebrews 9:14 “How much more shall the blood of Christ,  Who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

Christ’s blood cleanses us from all sin…..and cleanses our conscience, that we may come boldly to God.

Hebrews 10:19, 22 “Having therefore,  brethren,  boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,  

            Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,  having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience,  and our bodies washed with pure water.”

We come to Christ….just as we are…and then He washes us by His blood,  His Word, and His Spirit….

…..making us clean….in spirit, mind, and heart….right down to our consciences….making us pure, in wanting God’s Will

1 John 3:20-21 “For if our heart condemn us,  God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

               Beloved, if our heart condemn us not,  then have we confidence toward God.”

And then there is the “good conscience”….

1 Timothy 1:5 “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:”

Notice that a good conscience has to do with a pure heart (which sees God Matthew 5:8)…..and faith.

Acts 23:1 “And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said,  Men and brethren,  I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”

And how did he do this?

Acts 24:16 “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men.”

It wasn’t that Paul was especially good….rather it was that he lived not to do anything that would dishonor his God,  or injure another person…..

….and if he did, he wanted to know….and to get it taken care of.

Our conscience is our moral compass…..which shows us that we have a responsibility to God, and our fellowman.

When we are born again…..our conscience is enlightened by His Word,  and cleansed by His blood……so that it is not an enemy to us,   but a helper.

It does not lead us…..the Holy Spirit does that…..but it lends it’s inward voice within us….saying “Amen”….to what the Holy Spirit does.

Our enlightened conscience helps to unite all the voices within (the voice of reason,  the voice of emotion,  the voice of others we hear) to Christ.

Are we staying in the middle of the Way? 

Proverbs 30:7-9 “Two things have I required of Thee;  deny me them not before I die:

                Remove far from me vanity and lies;   Give me neither poverty or riches,  feed me with food convenient for me:

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

This “middle of the Way”, comes from my reading Pilgrims Progress.  

          It is when Christian is hurrying up the hill of Difficulty, and it is growing dark….that he sees two lions;  one on either side of the Way!

          This sight frightens and stops Christian for a moment…..till the Porter of the House Beautiful (the local Church),  calls out to him:

          “Can’t you see they are chained….they can only come so far into the Way.  You will be safe….as long as you stay in the middle of the Way.”

            

And how often it is the same for us…..when circumstances frighten….because we were not prepared,….

…..or we have expected,…..since we have “climbed this hill of Difficulty”,…..that things will be easy…..

We get frightened….then stop.     

            It is good the Lord often calls out to us, through the Word, or a message, or a fellow Christian…..that we may see that the lions are chained.

(How grateful to the Lord Jesus for this!)

These verses are some I love.    They set the goal of my life on the right footing.

Giving God charge of what is in store for me….and petitioning (“required” here means “earnestly beseeching”) our Lord, that He keep us “in the middle of the Way.”

“Remove me far from vanity and lies”.      “Far from”,  is where we all should want to be, from the useless things of this world,….and that is what “vanity” is.

And from lies…..lies that I want to believe….or that are spread abroad about others,   or me.

Our Lord taught us to pray: (Matthew 6:13) “And lead us not into temptation”…..for He has made a way to escape, if we will seek it (1 Corinthians 10:13)……but when I fall into it…….

…..”but deliver us from evil”…..the evil one, the devil, and his tricks…..and the evil of coming under the influence of my fall.

Let me…

Not be rich….either in money, prestige, or success….so I won’t get proud and begin to think I do not need the Lord. (Luke 12:16-21)

Not be poor….either in money, friends, or spiritual experience….so I won’t envy others…..or be angry with You, Lord, and “take the name of my God in vain”.

This “take the name of my God in vain” (and notice is it “my God”)……does not mean swearing…..

……but in the Hebrew, means:  “accusing God of not being what His Name says He is”.    To accuse God’s mercy and love, of being false.

He is Merciful, Righteous, Glorious, Gracious, full of loving-kindness, and peace.

But when circumstances grow difficult…..trials come…..and we seem quite unable to meet them….we are poor, then….

…do we still feel the same way, toward the Lord?

My husband had taught a study on Galatians, and then began Philippians, once,……when our son….who was little at the time….

….said,  Dad, I like this study better than that other one.

….Really, why?

…..Because this one has happy people in it…the other one didn’t.

And he was right, though I had not seen it before,….like that…..

The Galatians were trying so hard to be superior Christians…..and had gotten tricked into thinking their own works…following the law…..would add to their value to the Lord. (Galatians 1:6-8)

The Philippians, on the other hand, 

(and I recommend, if you have not read it lately, to do so again!   Nine times, more than any other book in the New Testament, “rejoice” is used. Six times “joy” is used.)  

They were being persecuted, [Philippians 1:28-30],….yet only sought to be steadfast to the Lord Jesus Christ…..and they were joyful in it!

They were a poor church, yet sent an offering to Paul for his needs. (Philippians 4:15)

What a difference in the two books!

Listen to the epistle the Apostle wrote:

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

Philippians 1:25-26 “And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 

              That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ  for me by my coming to you again.”

Philippians 3:1 “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord…..”

He tells them of the way he has walked….what the Lord has shown him:

Philippians 3:13-14 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended;  but this one thing I do,  forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 

              I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

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

Paul loves them dearly, writing: 

Philippians 4:1 “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord,  my dearly beloved.”

And then, in this epistle,  he clearly speaks of true contentment:

Philippians 4:11-12 “Not that I speak in respect of want:  for I have learned,  in whatsoever state I am,  therewith to be content.

                I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound:  everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

This is the same thing the writer of Proverbs was writing about…..but Paul adds a blessed reality of how we can do this:

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Let us take His strength in righteousness, joy and peace…..and be content.

Here is the secret of contentment…..of being neither rich or poor…..but staying in the middle of the Way……

….”through Christ which strengtheneth me.” 

Our Way is before us,…..our life is always a next step with Jesus Christ.

Let us “stay in the middle of the Way”……

…..the lions are chained,  though they roar, and frighten….

…..stay with Him, and let Him give us the strength for what is ahead.

Are you an Overcomer?

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.”

Before you can become the overcomer of Revelation 3:21;  you must open the door of your life to Christ.

He will not knock down the door and come in;  nor will He force His way in some other way.

He calls to the individual that hears His voice, to open to Him.   It is  a Life,  open to and receptive to Him,  that counts.

This is not sinless perfection;  but the desire to have the fellowship offered by the Lord,  here.

He will not force us to have this fellowship which is suggested in the, “sup with him, and he with me”.  

It all rests with our “want to”.    

     You will never have the Reality of the love relationship that He intends,  until the Holy Spirit has created within you this want to.

(What is the want to?   

      It is not just feelings….like the want to of a new car.

      It is not just reasons….like a mathematical problem solved.   

It is the new nature within you replacing the desires of this world,  with the desire of God’s rule within.

      “The lack of desire is the ill of all ills.

Many thousand through it, the dark pathway have trod.

         The balsam, the wine of predestinate wills,

Is the jubilant pining and longing for God.”

Psalm 119:36 “Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.”

    This should be our prayer….and God will answer within us by placing that fire of “want to” within.

Psalm 119:40 “Behold, I have longed after Thy precepts:  quicken me in Thy righteousness.”)

We can know and claim His love to us.   All His children can.   But before you can really say “I love you” to Christ;  you must give up loving yourself so much.

Again,  it is the want to .

Revelation 3:21 “To him that overcometh  will I grant to sit with me in My throne,  even as I also overcame,  and am set down with my Father in his throne.”

And what do we overcome?

Everything which stands in the way of God’s Will for our lives.  

This is what Christ did while He was on earth,…..so must we.

We overcome fear, by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit,….and trust.

We overcome ourselves in every way, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and deny ourselves, and be obedient to Christ.

We overcome circumstances,  in the power of the Holy Spirit,  joy for sorrow,  peace for chaos,  patience for worry, and anger.   He empowers.  He gives grace (the unmerited favor of power)

To overcome anything is to yield to Christ’s Word, and the Holy Spirit within;  and come out of your self life,  and  into Christ’s life for you.

We must always bear in mind,  Who it is that speaks to us.   And What He is able to do;  even within the most rebellious, or lazy,  or selfish thoughts within us.

Christ is able, and has sent His Holy Spirit to us,  to enable us in the very place, time, and circumstances, we are in.

Have you heard His voice to you?   Is He knocking again for entrance to your life?

It is fellowship that He desires,  do you so desire this fellowship, too?

Are you an overcomer?   Will you overcome everything which stands in the way of Christ’s life for you?

The Test of Devotion/Where is the Lord God of Elijah? 

2 Kings 2:1 “And it came to pass,  when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind,  that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.”

Elijah was God’s Prophet.  He had been called,  when Israel was at one of it’s worst times. 

He had proved that God was “the God”, before all Israel in a “showdown” with the four hundred priests of Baal, who were supported by Jezebel, the queen. (1 Kings 18:36-39)

His success there, thwarted the efforts of Jezebel to destroy the worship of God.

There were still those who were idol worshippers……but she could no longer kill, and torture those who believed in God, as she had before.  

There had been a renewal of the worship of the Lord, because of Elijah.

But now it was time for Elijah to be taken to heaven.   Years before, Elijah had been told to anoint Elisha as prophet, in his room. (1 Kings 19:16, 19-21)

And Elisha had been a servant to Elijah, as his helper, while his training had been going on. (Some say this took about ten years…for Elijah’s ministry went through Ahab’s reign into his son’s  2 Kings 1)

2 Kings 2:2 “And Elijah said unto Elisha,  Tarry here, I pray thee;  for the Lord hath sent me to Beth-el.   And Elisha said unto him,  As the Lord liveth,  and as thy soul liveth,  I will not leave thee.  So they went down to Beth-el.”

                     

So Elijah and Elisha traveled from Gilgal to Beth-el together.  

Elijah had asked Elisha to stay at Gilgal, but Elisha would not leave him.   Where he went,  his helper would go also.

Elisha knew that God was going to take Elijah, and he wanted to hear every instruction, every prayer, and every help he could, before that happened.

He also felt that being with him till the end was his duty.

That God would show him what to do next,  by it.

We have been called to follow Christ Jesus.   Through His Word, He has shown us many things.

We know we are born again, but often, we are conscious of a lack of power in what we do….

How are we to do, all we have been called to do?   

Of course, it is through the power of the Holy Spirit within….learning all we can from Him….letting Him manifesting Himself through us……staying with Him, everywhere He leads.

2 Kings 2:4 “And Elijah said unto him,  Elisha, tarry here,  I pray thee;  for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho.   And he said,  As the Lord liveth,  and as thy soul liveth,  I will not leave thee.  So they came to Jericho.”

They travel on,  together…they are traveling south and east…toward the starting place where Israel first came into the land of Canaan…to the River Jordan. 

2 Kings 2:6 “ And Elijah said unto him,  Tarry,  I pray thee, here;  for the Lord hath sent me unto Jordan.    And he said,  As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth,  I will not leave thee.    And they two went on.”

Stay here?    Elijah asked, at both places…….But again came the reply, “I will not leave thee.”

I believe, Elisha knew that the ministry of Elijah was ending…..and his, as God’s prophet to Israel,  was beginning.  

He knew that he would need to see the work Elijah started,…..done.  

Elijah had awakened the people to God’s claims on their lives…..and Elisha was to guide and instruct them into the Word and Will of God.

There were many who had come out of hiding, and now worship the Lord openly….but they needed instruction….so Elisha was to teach them.

God would part them….that was His Will……but Elisha would continue on as Elijah’s servant, and companion, till God did.  

He would not leave him, till then.

2 Kings 2:7c-9 “…and they two stood by Jordan.

And Elijah took his mantle,  and wrapped it together,  and smote the waters,  and they were divided hither and thither,  so that they two  went over on dry ground.

                       And it came to pass,  when they were gone over,  that Elijah said unto Elisha,  Ask what I shall do for thee,  before I be taken away from thee.                    And  Elisha said,   I pray thee,  that a double portion of thy Spirit be upon me.”

Here Elisha sees once more the power of God Elijah received,  and put to use…to cross a river which was an obstacle to where they were going…

And here, Elijah asks him “what shall I do for thee?”

Without hesitation,  Elisha asks for a double portion of the power of God.

Why a double portion?

He felt that he needed more of that power of the Holy Spirit,  to help him finish the work Elijah had started. 

It is one thing to begin following the Lord….it is another to persevere through testing and trials….so…

If Israel was to be guided according to the Word of God, then Elisha would need double the power that Elijah had been given.

It is one thing to show God, as “the God”;  as Elijah had.

But to guide the believers of God, into the life which they ought to have, stay with them, or visit them, to help them again and again.  

This was Elisha’s ministry.

He felt that such a work, would need great power.   The enemies of God were still at work.  Idolatry was always a problem.

Elisha felt, if he was to serve acceptably as God’s Prophet, he would need much of the Holy Spirit.

2 Kings 2:10 “And he said,   Thou hast asked a hard thing:  nevertheless,  if thou see me when I am taken from thee,  it shall be so unto thee;  but if not, it shall not be so.”

Now if Elijah had said this at the first,  we could understand Elisha’s sticking close to him.    

But that was not the reason for him staying with Elijah.  

His devotion was to the man who lead him into a deeper knowledge of God.

Elijah had taught Elisha many things,  shared his experiences, and manifested to Elisha the great faithfulness of God to His people.  

Now it was time for Elisha to do the same with the sons of the prophets (groups of believers which met together in various cities),  and with Israel.

Elijah’s ministry would now be passed on to Elisha, to be finished.

2 Kings 2:11-13 “And it came to pass,  as they went on,  and talked that,  Behold,  there appeared a chariot of fire,  and horses of fire,  and parted them both asunder;  and Elijah went by a whirlwind into heaven.

                        And Elisha saw it,  and he cried,  My Father, My Father,  the chariot of Israel,  and the horsemen thereof.  And he saw him no more.  And he took hold of his own clothes,  and rent them into two pieces.

                        He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him,  and went back,  and stood by the bank of Jordan;”

Going on, walking and talking, as they had done so many times;  God parted them, with a chariot of fire and horses of fire.

Elijah was taken up to heaven, without seeing death,  and Elisha saw him no more.

Elisha then tore his outer clothes in two pieces, to show he was no longer just Elisha…..and he picked up the mantle Elijah had dropped (which had been cast upon him when Elijah had called him. 1 Kings 19:19).

He was now Prophet in Elijah’s place.  

2 Kings 2:13-14 “He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him,  and went back,  and stood by the bank of the Jordan;

                        And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him,  and smote the waters, and said,

                        Where is the Lord God of Elijah?    And when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither:   And Elisha went over.”

Elisha got what was promised….and went on to do his calling.

He asked, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?”…..are you with me as You were with Elijah?

He had received a double portion of the Holy Spirit which had been on Elijah.

He was now to finish the work of leading the believers of God, in Israel, on to a more full, and joyful life with God….even in these trying times.

And we are always to continue on in our ministry to the church….to other Christians…and to those who seek the Lord.

In his ministry, Elisha dealt with kings,  captains, and those which would be kings. 

But his ministry mainly centered around the circuit he walked with his servants, to preach and instruct those that believed in God and stayed true to Him.

From Gilgal, to Mt. Carmel, to Samaria, to Beth-el, and around, Elisha went delivering the message of God; saving such as came to seek God’s help, and leading others to a fuller knowledge of God.

Elisha died an old man….ministering till the last to those who came to him. (2 Kings 13:13-21)

We, too, have a ministry for which we should seek the empowering of the Holy Spirit.

He is in us, if we are born again;  but to have His power in our lives, we need to submit to  Him….and His Word.

The condition of Elisha receiving the double portion, was that he stay with Elijah to the end, and see him go.

Elisha’s obedience gave him that blessing.

So we, too, need to “stay with” the Holy Spirit, by obeying what we have been given to do,  removing all that hinders His Word and influence within us, and….standing in the place Christ Jesus won for us in His Victory on the Cross.

Where is the Lord God of Elijah?    He is the same, yesterday, and today, and forever.

So He is ever with His people as they obey Him.

Hebrews 13:8-9b “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

                      Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.  For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace;…”

He is ever ready to “give power to the faint, and to them that have not might, He increases strength”. (Isaiah 40:29)

But it is as we “stay with”,   yield to,   and obey the Holy Spirit within.

The bushel over our lights 

Matthew 5:14-15 “Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

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

You remember the children’s song….This little light of mine,

I’m going to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel….no!   I’m going to let it shine;  hide it under a bushel…no!  I’m going to let it shine; let it shine; let it shine; let it shine.

Won’t let Satan blow it out….I’m going to let it shine;  Won’t let Satan blow it out…I’m going to let it shine; let it shine; let it shine; let it shine.

Shine till Jesus comes again;  I’m going to let it shine;  Shine till Jesus comes again; I’m going to let it shine; let it shine; let it shine; let it shine.

But since the last time we sang that, has our light been dimmed,….or hidden under a bushel?

Just what is that bushel….that our light is under?

Well, one thing I have found over the years….is weariness.

Sometimes we feel as if we can not do just this one more thing….

….no one has appreciated us…..no one cares,…..so much indifference….

….we all have a reason that we let the wile of weariness creep in….

….but once it is there, it is like a bushel over our light.

Galatians 6:9 “Let us not be weary in well doing:  for for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

We are going along fine, then something takes a turn we did not expect….whether in loss, or hurt, or illness….

….then we’re not sure what to do!    We sure do not feel like shining our light!   

We feel like curling up and hiding.

We are often like the disciples,  at Gethsemane, who were saddened by Jesus saying He was going away.

Jesus asked them to watch with Him for a while….but they fell asleep…..never dreaming failure was just around the corner.  

Another thing that hides our light, is the past.

The Holy Spirit is guiding now,  correcting now,  giving us grace for now….

….but when we let the past enter the door of our thoughts (good past,  or bad past)….it throws the “now” aside…

…and we are neither yielding to the moments guidance,  or listening for the warnings….

…we are “back there”….and our light is hidden.

Philippians3:13 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,  forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, “

Fear is often the bushel that covers our light….and gives us confusion of feeling, in it’s place….until the love of Jesus conquerors the fear.

Nicodemus came to Jesus at night for fear of retaliation from the rulers, and Joseph of Arimathaea, who gave Jesus his tomb,  was also a “silent disciple”.

John 19:38-39 “And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus:  and Pilate gave him leave.  he came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

        And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.”

They were “silent disciples”….till the love of Jesus conquered that fear.

1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:  because fear hath torment.  He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

Bushels are made of guilt….

…when we sin, as Christians,  there is a darkening of our light…..that “bushel” comes between us….and fellowship with the Lord, breaks down.

Guilt is there,….and it needs to be confessed and cleansed.

1 John 1:5-7 “This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you,  that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.

         If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

         But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

Strife or quarrels are bushels….

….they cover our good works,  and….we “walk as men”….just like everyone else of the world……not as Christ’s representatives.

1 Corinthians 3:3 “For ye are yet carnal (not growing up into Christ):  for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions,  are ye not carnal, and walk as men.”

Doubts are bushels.  When we lose some confidence in Christ and His Word….we come into shadows.

It is not unbelief yet,  but it is as though we are groping for the handrail…..we are just not going forward….for we are trying to find something to hang on to….

….when we should be trusting Christ.

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

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him:  for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

Sympathy with ourselves is a bushel….

….it is not self-pity…..but just a feeling that we “deserve something else”…..whatever that “else” is.

For this puts us into a mind that God is not giving us “the best” He should….

….when a little honest conversation with the Lord, would straighten our thoughts out.

Psalm 77:8, 10, 12 “Is His mercy clean gone for ever?  Doth His promise fail for evermore?

          And I said,  This is my infirmity:     but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.

          I will meditate also of all Thy work, and talk of Thy doings.”

Every time our light is hidden,  opportunities are lost.  

2 Corinthians 4:3-4, 7 “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

         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.

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

And how do we keep,  from hiding our lights?

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

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

First,  know God’s Word……let it dwell in you richly…..or copiously.

Second,  praise God for the grace He has given you…..testify of it to help others.

Third,  whatever you do….do as if you were saying a prayer over it in Jesus Name…..that will elevate every act into a blessing….for it is for “His sake” it is done.

We need not have a bushel over our lights…..we can be a bright out-shining of His life,  who was the Light of the world.

        

Hope 

Hope, in the Bible, is of the Holy Spirit,….

….it is the confident expectation that God will do what He says.

If He gives us a word, or promise…..the Holy Spirit places hope within us….giving us assurance that God will fulfill all He has said.

It is not the “hope so”, which is more like a wish….but the Holy Spirit within us…implanting the roots of what will be the tree of promise,….and in the end….the fruit of the fulfillment and answer.

There is stability in this hope….for again,  it is of the Holy Spirit within.

Hebrews 6:18-19 “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie,  we might have a strong consolation,  who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope sent before us:

          Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul,  both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;”

Our example:

Jeremiah and the land he buys:

Jeremiah was in prison….the king had ordered his arrest for speaking the truth about the coming victory of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon….and the destruction of Jerusalem.   

He tried to save the people……but most did not want to hear the truth.

(Jeremiah had warned Zedekiah, king of Judah….to simply go out to Nebuchadnezzar….and submit to him.   Then the king and the people would be able to stay in the land.   

God was trying to teach His people about submission…..giving up their proud ways of doing what they wanted….and yield.

But Zedekiah the king of Judah….was too proud and scared to do what he should….for himself or his people.)

But in prison,  Jeremiah hears the word of the Lord….a very strange word, in these times:

Jeremiah 32:7 “Behold, Hanameel…..thy uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth:  the right of redemption is thine to buy it.”

Anathoth was Jeremiah’s hometown…..and with the siege of the country…..there was much poverty…..and little crops were being produced.  

His uncle, no doubt needed the money….perhaps to save some of his family from becoming servants.

“The right of redemption” was Jeremiah’s right to buy the land of a poor relative….at a reasonable price….for himself……in order to keep it in the family.

Jeremiah 32:9-11 “And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle’s son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver.

            And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.

            So I took the evidence of the purchase,….”

This is very remarkable…..an act of hope about the word of the Lord:

….Jeremiah knew that Nebuchadnezzar would take the city….that the inhabitants of the whole land would be divided into slave…and dragged away to a foreign land…

….and servant….taking care of the land so that the crops would go to Nebuchadnezzar.

There was no reason of thinking that Jeremiah would ever use that land….

…why then did he buy it?

Remember hope is the confident expectation that God will do what He says.

And Jeremiah’s hope was in the Lord’s Word…..not in lands, or deeds.

Jeremiah 32:12-15 “And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch….in the sight of Hanameel….and in the presence of the witnesses….

…..and I charged Baruch before them…

…..Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel;  Take these evidences,….and put them in an earthen vessel,  that they may continue many days.

      For thus saith the Lord of hosts,  the God of Israel;   Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land.”

Here was where Jeremiah’s hope lay…..in….”Thus saith the Lord of hosts”.

What a joyful word this was!  This land will be possessed by Israel again!

Hope for a time coming….hope in the Word of the Lord.

After the purchase…..he prays….

Jeremiah 32:17, 24-25 “Ah Lord God!  Behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth, by Thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee:

        Behold the mounts (places they put the machines which catapult into the city),  they are come unto the city to take it;……and the city is given….because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence:  and what Thou hast spoken is come to pass;…

         And Thou hast said unto me,  O Lord God,  buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses;  for the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.”

Though God saw all that Israel had done…..and was chastening them for it….yet God also saw what would be…..and gave a word of hope to His servant.

During this siege,  there was sword, famine, and pestilence…..

…..yet Jeremiah heard of a time….through God’s Word….that things would return to “normal”….

“…and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely:  and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.” (Jeremiah 32:37-38)

This purchase was to be an earnest….a down payment….on the promise to come.   

The Lord showed Jeremiah that the land and the people would be desolate….for a time (seventy years)….but then:

Jeremiah 32:27, 42-44 “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for Me?

        For thus saith the Lord;  Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people,   so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.

        And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say,  It is desolate….

        ….for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the Lord.”

Jeremiah knew that he, himself would not redeem this land,  in this life (though certainly in the Millennial reign, that land will be his.)….

….but he was looking to the promise of God in hope.

(And in fact,  among the very first of Israel to return from captivity,  were men of Anathoth,  Jeremiah’s hometown.   Ezra 2:23)

What of us?

Romans 15:4 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime  were written for our learning,   that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

Hope is the confident expectation that God will do what He says.

He has done all that He has said….

….and all that is written in the scriptures will certainly come to pass.

Romans 15:13 “ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,  that ye may abound in hope,  through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

I do not know how Jeremiah felt about his uncle…or about the land….or about the process of redeeming the land (the deeds and witness)….

….what I do know about Jeremiah,   was that he desired above all else God’s glory and honor…

….and that a deed in an earthen vessel…..symbolized hope….and that it honored God.

Are we yielding to the hope of the Holy Spirit?

Abide in Me 

John 15:1 “I am the true Vine,  and My Father is the husbandman.”

I want to explain, that this illustration of the Vine and the branches….was not a parable….it was an illustration of what would be.

(Parables were like shadows…..the image was there, but unclear…..Christ gave them to the general people who came to see Him….to test whether they wanted to know more about what He was saying….or just wanted to listen to stories and see the miracles He did… Luke 8:10)

But this message was to His disciples….on the way to Gethsemane….and Calvary.

This was to explain the life they would have now,….a life…”in Him”…..not just with Him.

“Abide”.  (From verses four to ten, Jesus speaks of “abide”,  eight times!)

This “abiding” is to remain in constant fellowship with the Lord.

How could they do that,  if He was going away?  

The answer is The Vine and the branches.  

Jesus is the Vine….the source of all our life, strength, joy, and fruit bearing.

We (the disciples then,….us, now) are the branches….the extension of His life, strength, joy, and fruit bearing,….here,…since He is in heaven.

This illustration, is for the individual….our abiding is personal.

It is always “first in me”…….this is where everything for our spiritual life,  is tuned into the harmony of vine and branches….into the song of union with our risen Lord.

(Yes, it leads fruit from us….the fruit of the Spirit [Galatians 5:22-23]…..and the fruit of a Christian, which is another Christian.)

But the main stress of this illustration….is abiding.

This is an amazing term…especially when we think that Christ Jesus…the Son of God…is saying this….to me….to us.

John 15:2 “Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit the Father taketh away:  and every branch that beareth fruit,  He purgeth it,  that it may bring forth more fruit.”

Since the Holy Spirit is within us, as our Holy Guest….we would think abiding would be easy…..but….

There are many things in our lives which keep us separated from Christ….

…..many things which we often keep hidden….except from Him….

….but which have never fully been “cut off”….pruned by the Father.

(Perhaps it is because in some way,  we are hanging on to them….maybe….because we wish they had just never happened…..instead of letting God deal with them.

…..we would like God to just make the whole thing go away….but unfortunately, once things happen…..and we react to them…they are part of our history….

There is only freedom from them….when we allow the Father to “purge” these.

“Purge” is to cleanse….to prune….to expiate….

Cleansing in this fashion is to be brought to the point where the pain and resentment is gone…..but the lesson remains.   It is a time between you and your Lord….bringing the whole thing to Him….

and Him “cutting off”:

..from the influence of the devil in it….for a lot of the pain we feel, often,  is his twisting the knife that someone stabbed us with.

…from the unforgiving part of us…that says…

….”no, I will not be treated this way!  I will not forgive….I will take my revenge in my emotions and thoughts, if not in action.”

This is life-killing, by the way….I’ve been there…and it is a terrible time to get out of the imaginary pit I dug for myself and that person.

…then…His taking the pain…..how beautiful this fruit is!!!!!!!  And giving us freedom.

That is why He says…John 15:3 “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”

For you feel clean….like the smell after a gentle rain,….it is the cleansing of the soul….you stand purified before the Lord….from guilt, anger, hurt, etc.)

Joshua said to Israel, when they refused to go in to have what God promised because of fear….”they are bread for us”.   So, going through these things with our God….will make us stronger.  “Let us go up at once.”   (Numbers 14:8-9)

And the Lord is saying the same to the disciples….they were afraid because He was leaving them.

So He says, “…..the things that you will pass through,  will make you stronger…..remember My Words….and trust….and I will send My Spirit to you, and we will be in constant communion still.”

John 15:4-6 “Abide in Me,  and I in you.  As the branch can not bear fruit of itself,  except it abide in the Vine;  no more can ye,  except ye abide in Me.

              I am the Vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, for without Me ye can do nothing.

              If a man abide not in Me,  he is cast forth as a branch,  and is withered:  and men gather them,  and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”

Abiding is the answer.   To remain in constant fellowship with the Lord by the Holy Spirit…..by yielding to the Vine’s life giving flow,…

Maybe someone is saying,  “I know I am born again….but hearing the Lord in the hustle and bustle of my life is….hard.”

That is where abiding is so important.   

There is hiding behind Jesus….and that is good….He will allow it….

….but He invites us to “abide in Me, and I in you”……union with HIm in everything, and…

That is best…

When you have a child,  and you are out in public,  you are constantly aware of where they are….your eye is on them.

So is God’s eye on us….watching for the danger ahead:

Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way that thou shalt go:  I will guide thee with Mine eye.”

When you, as a parent, think there is “something”….all you have to do is reach out and touch your child….or call to them.

The Holy Spirit does the same….He touches our spirit, impresses our mind with His Word,  and gives us a feeling of unease,….or peace. (John 16:13)

Abide means, that during your day,  you keep your eye on the Lord….knowing He is keeping His eye on you.

Praying in the Spirit….if you feel uneasy….letting Him know.

Psalm 32:6 “For this shall every one that is godly pray unto Thee in a time when Thou mayest be found:  surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.”

“Quench not the Spirit” (1Thessalonians 5:19)

We abide in Him when we no longer resist His Will in anything…being obedient to the gentle impressions of the Holy Spirit…yielding to Christ’s life through Him.

A branch of itself can do nothing,….but abiding in the Vine, it will bring forth much fruit.

John 15:7 “If ye abide in Me,  and My words abide in you,  ye shall ask what ye will,  and it shall be done unto you.”

(Notice….”shall be done unto you”…..this is all about our personal relationship with Christ Jesus….by the Holy Spirit.)

This is an amazing verse.   If we are born again,  and we are being obedient to His Word to us….we can ask what we will….and He will work it…in us!

He will work, by His Holy Spirit, that God honoring fruit,  in our life….and it comes by yielding to His life giving flow….just yielding.

John 15:8-10 “Herein is My Father glorified,  that ye bear much fruit,  so shall ye be My disciples.  

             As the Father hath loved Me,  so have I loved you:  continue ye in My love.

             If ye keep My commandments,  ye shall abide in My love,  even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.”

And herein is the choice fruit…..His love.   

We will have an abiding knowledge of His Will…..for the Father Husbandman will cut off those things which hinder our knowing, and doing.

We will, by HIs Spirit, bear fruit to the Lord,  in our life.

We will, know His love, personally….He in me, and I in Him….a union….abide in Me.

This is the illustration Jesus gave His disciples….and us.

It is a life….of yielding, and receiving….and of knowing His eye is upon us, and His love surrounds us.

He asks all of us,  to:   Abide in Me.