In all this time that I spent in my mind and on the internet looking for the right pair of boots. I was thoroughly disappointed and returned the boots. Learning to be content with what I had, I decided my tennis shoes and the pair of nicer flats were good enough for me for now. After all the Missouri winters are nothing like the amount of snow that is in Ohio! Thinking of the verses Ephesians 4:22,23
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;I decided to start thinking like a Missourian! And to trust in the Lord….
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7So then a few weeks later, I was listening to some messages, I listened to a message by Christ Our Life, in which someone was talking about their own testimony about finding a pair of boots.
So I decided to pray through. “Lord if you want me to have a pair of boots, then I will wait upon You for them. And in your good timing you will provide what I need. Until then I will wait and be content with what I have.”
And I really was! I began loving wearing my tennis shoes again. Though I loved them before. This time was different. It was for the Lord.
So what do you know? This past Monday after doing some ministry at the jail. Amy B. turns to me and says “I know this really great thrift store. Would you like to go?”
I know which one she was probably talking about and have always wanted to go there but never did. (And by the way, I am not a big thrift store shopper myself. Usually, if I go it’s when other’s want to go. I usually prefer the clearance rack myself. )
But they had a lot of shoes! And immediately I found a pair of black boots in good condition. A slight heel, but not overbearing. And not the kind of heel that makes a lot of noise! PTL! They even have a little fur inside for warmth. And what do you know my exact size! Is this my answer to prayer? And how did He know? I never told Him exactly what I wanted…
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Psalm 139:2So I go to check out. Then later I stand in line with Amy, she says you know those boots are buy one get one. I turn to the clerk. And she says I can go find another pair if I want. So doubtingly I go and look for another pair. I did find another pair! Brown ones too. I’ve been wanting a pair of brown ones since the ones that my sister gave me years ago fell apart.
Both pairs a perfect size and fit. Each a little worn, but not worn out. And with a little saddle soap both look near brand new. A little worn is better anyway. Someone else had already stretched them out and made them comfortable. Besides, any flaw they may have totally diminished when it comes to the fact that they are from my Father to me.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17All for $1…
Just goes to show, that when you wait upon the Lord, it is worth the wait than to jump ahead of His timing. He knows what we have need of. And anything from Him is better than anything we can get and grab ourselves anyway.
I’d rather see the perfect Hand of my Father intervening instead. It’s not even the boots that matter so much, but its Him delighting in me and caring for me that counts and draws me upward to see more of Him.
He delights in me. And I in Him.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
Isaiah 55
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. 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. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
So, I told her 3 things that I was about to do, all these things to pertaining to work of course. After the first two, I still wasn’t sure about the third, so I told her “then I might….” and then whatever it was at that moment. She ecstaticly tells me, “You sure do have a lot of “mights” in there!” I laughed to myself then kept going, thinking about what she had said.
Two ways in which this spoke to me:
-
How my heart can waver, – My decision at the time was not based on what the Lord was speaking to me about or what really needed to be done, but instead on depending on how the first things went and how the rest of the day went would I get this third thing done. (And yes I know this is just work, but is my heart wavering in other areas of life?)
-
The widow’s “mite”
How many “mights” or “mites” am I holding onto so that the Lord can have ALL.
Because I hold onto my mites, my might is not all in Him.
“..but she of her WANT did cast in all she had, even ALL her living.”
The greek word for ‘want’ is “husteresis” which translates to “falling short.” The same root greek word is used in Rom. 3:23 ”For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” So because she has fallen short of God’s glory with what she had, this is why she gave it to Him for His glory, to perfect that which she lacked already.
She threw in all her “strength”, so that she mite (might) have His. She knew her might would not suffice but His would.
less of me.
This is
my honest plea.
The more I grow
the more I see
that the Sea of Galilee
can take over me
if the fret and the fear
I revere.
What is your priority?
Calm in the Sea,
or
Calm in the Soul?
Which do you prefer?
Trouble with Him
or
Trouble in the World?
“But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.” Isaiah 57:20To have our eye own on the storm, is to be in the world and an enemy with God because of unbelief.
Do you see how the two conflict? We cannot have both.
“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.” John16:33
In the world of Architecture, there is a concept of confirmation, which proves whether the building will stand and is safe to do so before a building is built.
2Co_10:8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
Rom_15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
G3619 oikodom? Feminine (abstraction) of a compound of G3624 and the base of G1430; architecture, that is, (concretely) a structure; figuratively confirmation: – building, edify (-ication, -ing).
It was only just recently that I noticed the word confirmation in the greek definition of edification.
So what is edification? “Confirmation” that our building will STAND through the storm, through the flood, even through the fire possibly? And adding to that building, that which would help and taking away that which would hinder.
Another word used to assist in this use of edification, is to affirm.
Tit 3:8 Stedfast is the word; and concerning these things I counsel thee to affirm fully,that they may be thoughtful, to be leading in good works–who have believed God; these are the good and profitable things to men,
The root word of affirm is bebaio? – which is meaning to stabilitate, confirm, or stablish.
So affirming, that which will stablize and establish another’s walk in the Lord. This is what it means to edify another. Hence to BUILD UP to the word of His grace(Acts 20:32) and minister grace to the hearers(Eph 4:29).
And sent Timothy—our brother, and God’s minister in the glad-message of the Christ—that he might confirm and console you over your faith. 1Th 3:2 (Rotherham)
And every one who hears these my teachings and does not act upon them will be found to resemble a fool who builds his house upon sand. The heavy rain descends, the swollen torrents come, and the winds blow and burst upon the house, and it falls; and disastrous is the fall.” Mat 7:26,27 (Weymouth)
“God’s amazing grace also has the ability to build us up as we await our inheritance here on earth below: “The word of His grace, which is able to build you up.” This edification process involves having our spiritual roots of hunger and trust growing deep into the Lord. Christ wants our lives to undergo continual spiritual construction and transformation. He wants our character to become increasingly stabilized in the faith, as revealed in His word. “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith” (Colossians 2:6-7).” – Bob Hoekstra
And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. - 2Ki 4:34, 35First, he had compassion on this child by sharing his own warmth and understanding. He related with him. Just like Jesus became a man to save sinners, Elisha is also exemplifying his own likeness in the flesh. It is the LORD who saves, not man.
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:And when we stretch ourselves beyond our normal capabilites in the Name of the Lord, many can be healed. Elisha was simply walking in the character of God. In the end it is the Lord who saves, but He uses those who are compassionate and willing to stretch themselves for His name.
All throughout the Old Testament, we are told that He will save us with a “stretched out arm.” So who did He send? His Son, who was made like us, being tempted in all points as we are also tempted. Who was willing to endure the cross, despising the shame for us who were yet sinners. He died so that we may live through Him. All this He endured excruciating pain beyond comprehension so that we may know Him and be set free from bondage. This is being stretched.
Is this not mercy? To believe in a people that want to be saved so much that you go through this pain only to be spat upon and beaten and crucified for maybe even one person?
At the end of the gospel of John, Jesus is giving Peter a great commission, “Feed my sheep.”
Joh 21:18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.Commentators say that this is Jesus telling Peter how he was going to died. And yes, in a way it is. He was to die for the gospel. Because he was being willing to be stretched beyond comprehension just like his Lord. This was the true reason by which he died. He was to be girded by this desire, to feed His sheep which will carry him and stretch him in places he would not be otherwise carried or stretched!
On practical terms, I wonder how many times a TRUE shepherd ventured onto previously unexplored territory for that ONE sheep that got away from the rest of the herd. Was it on a cliff? Near a bear? Across a raging river? What dangers may have to have been faced for this one sheep?
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Mat_10:6What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? Luk_15:4
In the previous verses, we are also told that He is shaking all that can be shaken, so that we may be unmoveable in that day of judgment because we have planted our feet into the everlasting God which is by GRACE.
So, ALL are being consumed, though some are NOT RESISTING this grace to be transformed, while others are simply being enemies of God without excepting this grace.
Consummation, in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, means to finish, complete. So if we are taking His word by faith, and living NOW for eternal life, we will be made complete in HIM. That is HIS promise from HIM. (Jn 3:2)
What are we being consumed with? Preparation? Are we allowing Christ to consume away the dross in order to be ready for is second coming? Or spending it toiling after the things in this world? Working to become more complete in Him? or being consumed by things of the world? Where does your consumption lie?
In the end we will ALL be consumed, either by choice, which comes out of a fear and reverence for God, or by consequence, because we did not choose this way of reverence.
In the New Testament we are given examples of two trees.
The following are examples of the self-life:
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Mat_3:10
But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Mat_15:13
Boast not against the branches. But if you boast, you bear not the root, but the root you. Rom. 11:18
Below are verses that represent life in Christ:
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love. Eph_3:17
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Col_2:7
For if the first-fruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. Rom 11:16
Watchman Nee calls this the “Exchanged Life.” If we still hold onto the one, we cannot have the other. When our hands are tied down with one thing, it cannot hold onto another. This is where the “rubber meets the road” and where self-denial must exist in order to live fully consecrated lives that are abundantly blest in Christ Jesus. In order to marry, the self-life must be crucified. Otherwise you have what the world often gets, where two people are still seeking to live their own lives. But in Christ-like marriage, both are seeking the other’s good.
The same in our relationship for the Lord. If we hold onto grudges, bitterness, hurt, anger, resentment, depression. We will never have the true riches of Christ: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. If ALL of self is not rooted out, how unfortunate we are to miss out on ALL that He has for us. If we choose self, in any area, no matter how big or small, we miss out on HIM, limiting Him. So He waits for us to come to Him, to cease from striving because He knows self only brings destruction. So He waits for us to come to end of self.
This is the works of the flesh versus the working of His Spirit in us. The possibilities of the “exchanged life” are endless. How much He wants to bless us, if only we would yield further unto the working of His grace in and through us to perform that which we commit to Him this day. Yielding our members unto righteousness rather than to unrighteousness (Rom. 6).
“Oh, Love, our Lord, are You not power? Must we make no other use of our liberty but to resist Thee? Oh, what a sad gift it is which employ, the ability to resist You! Oh, freedom of will, oh, gift, your only true employment is the sacrificing of yourself to your Lord.” – Jeanne Guyon
“Victory is a matter of letting go of one’s self and expression. An overcoming life is none other than Christ Himself.” – Watchman Nee
The Bible tells us in Song of Solomon, not to open love before it is time. If we did this it would be “concupiscence,”(Col 3:5) which in the greek is ”a longing (especially for what is forbidden): – concupiscence, desire, lust (after). ” or “ to set the heart upon.”
If our longing is pure, we do not long for it beyond what the Lord has allowed for us at that time. But only ask for His will in the matter. For instance, 2 Sam 2:4-10 and Job 1:21,”He gives and He takes away”.
So, is this the only place that we need to guard our hearts? Eph. 6:14, “having on the breastplate of righteousness.” A breastplate in battle was to protect the inner organs, as spiritually the “breastplate of righteousness” is to protect the inward workings of the Lord in us. If we allow anything to distract us, it could cause us to fall into this sin of concupiscence, among other sins. So “let us hold fast the profession of our faith” (Heb. 10:23), looking unto the author of our salvation. To love the world and its sins thereof is to be an enemy to God. So while living in this world, we are given hope to eternal salvation in which guarding our hearts will no longer be necessary, but until that day it is necessarily so.
The only way to protect ourselves from the sin of concupiscence, among other sins, is to wear His righteousness. Let us hold fast to the sound doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ, knowing and hoping that He is able to keep us unto the day of redemption when the sins of this world will no longer be a temptation.
The earthly will never save, but only that which is stretching forth to our heavenly calling of being righteous and holy. The only way to escape the corruption of the lusts of this world is to put on the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4).
But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God,how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Gal 4:9For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2Ti 1:7
Acts 10:35 says, “…he that fears Him, and works righteousness, IS accepted with Him.”
So who is accepted of Jesus Christ? The person who FEARS HIM and works righteousness. Are you failling in an area? Being utterly cast down in discouragement and despair? Not sure how to respond in a situation? Or act accordingly? The Bible says to seek Him and all His righteousness, and He shall be found. His grace is sufficient to lead and to guide us into ALL truth. That means that no knowledge of Him is past finding out. ALL that we need in Him is AVAILABLE for us! It is when we go beyond Him, that we can get discouraged.
In verse 36 of the same chapter, Peter is “preaching peace BY Jesus Christ.” So how does peace come? How do we not seek the acceptance of others, which can then result in strife, vainglory, and jealousies? Is it by seeking the peace that is in Christ which is only by the putting on of HIS righteousness? The righteousness of others will only bring vainglory and contempt upon others. But the righteousness that comes by revelation and the knowing of Jesus Christ will only bring brokenness and a desire that others may have this same hope in knowing Him.
So put on the garments of praise, because our prince of peace has come.
Oh the wonderments of dementia! And the laughs that came in that moment. Though I laughed heartily for a minute that I very nearily offended her greatly, today I pondered her statement, the Lord allows these statements to teach those who seek to be taught.
She of course was talking about her life support, which is the oxygen tube that was running out of her nose. To me, He was speaking to me about His life support, His Holy Spirit. Am I fighting His life giving power? (This also reminded me of Solomon in Ecc. 8:17, 11:5,6 He is the potter and we are the clay. We cannot control the works of God or the way the vine is to grow within us, but only that we are sowing to the Spirit.)
This is His chastening, though I am tempted to walk wayward at times and without understanding, He chastens me to keep me plugged in. The great love He has for us. Just like, every aide or nurse in the building will plug her back into her life support after she has fought against the “strange” thing and pulled it out, He does the same with us.
James tells us we will come across many “strange” temptations. But are they really strange? Or are they opportunities to become more rooted and grounded in Him? When a body is used to walking in its previous ways, it will try to continue in that way. But who is stronger in me, the works of my body, or my heart given over to Him? Whom will I obey? That which we have known from before, or the new law of love and obedience to our Saviour?
Do not, then, allow sin to establish any power over your mortal bodies in making you give way to its lusts. Nor hand over your bodily parts to be, as it were, weapons of evil for the devil's purposes. But, like men rescued from certain death, put yourselves in God's hands as weapons of good for his own purposes. Rom. 6:12,13 PhillipsJust like this lady at work, without her life support, she would become very weak, and possibly even die from lack of oxygen, because her body is not capable of supporting itself. “Her strength is almost gone.” Just like we, who live in the flesh, know the weakness of it, and will surely die, without the help of the Holy Spirit.
James calls “temptations” strange, as they should be called. Jesus is no stranger to us, He calls us by name! But it’s those things on the outside that are “strange.” But to this lady, her life support was strange, because she had not understanding of why it was there. If her capabilities were available to her to understand her need to keep the “vine” in her nose, I am sure she would not have thought it strange. However, it was the slowness of her understanding that disabled her ability to grasp the concept. How fortunate we are, that we are able to “renew our minds” so that we may understand our need for Him, and that He is “unwilling” to keep us in the dark. Therefore, let us NOT “neglect so great a salvation” for in Him only all the fullness dwells, in which He is fully willing to “give.” Do we spend our days getting to know Him by faith? Or seeking in pursuit of other things?
“Wondrous parable of the Vine-unveiling the mysteries of the Divine love, of the heavenly life, of the world of Spirit-how little have I understood thee! Jesus the living Vine in heaven, and I the living branch on earth! How-little have I understood how great my need, but also how perfect my claim, to all His fullness! How little understood, how great His need, but also how perfect His claim, to my emptiness! Let me, in its beautiful light, study the wondrous union between Jesus and His people, until it becomes to me the guide into full communion with my beloved Lord.” - Andrew Murray
In the last few days, truth and liberty have been indwelling my mind. The opposite of freedom is bondage. So if we are not free, we are bound. However, “the truth shall set you free.” Then why are so many Christians still bound? Bound by thoughts, bound by confusion, bound by “others” or so they say anyway. Who is binding them? Their own lusts, thoughts, opinions? To me, it seems logical, if a person is bound, they go to the Lord and ask why. Because some where the “truth” has not set them free. Whether it be neglect or selfish desire or pure conceitedness in not doing the will of the Father. Yet the Father is BLAMELESS, because He has given us ALL things we need for life and godliness. If we remain bound, perhaps it is because we seek something other than this life in Christ. We remain earthly and sensual, rather than seeking the Spirit of life.
Jesus had every temptation, and every evil thing in the world trying to knock Him down, yet He remained sinless and without bondage. So what excuse have we to yet still remain in this bondage, when the answer is before us.
So what must one do in order to be set free?
James says we must “do.” He says that in order to “look into the perfect law of liberty,” we must be doers and not hearers only. (Ja. 1:25) But not only “do” once or twice, we must “continue therein.” Which is important, it goes beyond saying a few prayers once or twice in your life. But this involves endurance until the end. Jesus did more than pray in the beginning, He continued to endure the cross until His earthly life was over.
So we go on…What exactly are we doing? Confessing Jesus is Lord, and going about our daily living?
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1Jn_2:4A person who has the truth, will keep His commandments. So again I ask, are you being set free? Perhaps it is neglect of the keeping of a certain commandment? Perhaps we are desiring some truth but not ALL the truth. And therefore we keep stumbling at His word. If you are walking a path which has a lot of rocks and sticks on it and as you walk you pick them up and put them in your wheel barrel (your heart), you will not stumble. But if you let these rocks and sticks stay on the path, you will stumble. They will knock you over and cause your wheel barrel to falter! So if you keep walking this same path, but yet keeping stumbling over the same rock, I suggest picking it up! But perhaps it’s too heavy, or just annoying and you are neglecting the use of it to fill your barrel to overflowing.
Today a brother was sharing on 2 Pet. 1, explaining how “faith” was our cart to carry all the other things we need to have. That first we need to give diligence in seeking faith in Christ to walk worthy of Him, and then in hearing we learn obedience which includes, virtue, temperance, knowledge, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. So I ask, do we stumble because we seek to do these things without Him. For with Him IT IS POSSIBLE, with man it is impossible. He is the strength that we need to win the battle. So let us exercise ourselves in godliness in order to win. David said, He has hid God’s word within His heart.
Jesus was offended?
So says Romans 5:16, but He brought those who offended Him unto justification.
Rom 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.This is the difference between a carnal person and a spiritual person. The carnal person will just be offended and that is all. A spiritual person seeks mercy and truth for the person to bring them forth unto reconciliation unto man and God.
Jesus too was offended by the sins of MANY people. But He who is perfect in all things, including the Father’s love sought to justify them and bring them into His holy righteousness.
This is the free gift. He freely gives His grace to those many who have done wrong and sinned against Him. We too should give freely to those around us because we have freely received of His grace and mercy.
Where the law is offense is abundant, but where Christ is grace is abundant. Rom 5:20
Even before we knew Him when we were His enemies, He died for us. Rom 5:10
In Revelation Chapter 3 verses 14-22, Laodicea is being rebuked by the Lord because they have put hope in wealth from this world. Is it wrong to have wealth? No. Is it wrong to have “need of nothing” of the Lord because hope and trust is instead in this wealth? Absolutely.
The Laodiceans have deceived themselves in thinking that their earthly wealth and garments, that are not purified holy and righteous, will last forever, but in REALITY they are “miserable and poor and blind and naked.”
In verse 18, Jesus tells them to “buy” from Him “gold refined by fire.” This is TRUE wealth that lasts forever. He says without this wealth our “nakedness” shall “be revealed” because the first wealth is temporal and not of His Spirit, which lasts forever. So in order to be clothed with garments that last through fire, we must be clothed with His garments which can only be bought with His “gold refined by fire.”
But how do we get this “gold refined by fire”? Let’s first start by looking at the refining process. In order to be refined, one must go through the fire. What’s the fire?
Peter describes it as such in 1 Peter 1:6-7, “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Trials prove your faith by fire.)
Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. Isa 48:10It is by the fire of affliction that we are purified and cleansed. To purify by fire is the best way to refine and remove dross. Fire used to refine gold is often at temperatures above 1000 degrees celsius. This is a high enough temperature to burn anything that is not pure. True gold DOES NOT burn but anything that is not gold will burn, including dross and fake/counterfeit gold. So if our faith is counterfeit and not true to the Lord or not pure, it will also burn when we are put through the refining process of affliction.
It is by faith that we are saved. So if we truly seek salvation, it is a blessing to receive these trials and afflictions which purify and refine our hearts to be more in tune with His glory, praise, and honour.
Back to Revelation 3:18, His gold is bought. How is it bought? “I thought everything was free in Christ Jesus.” Yes, it is free, for everyone who is willing to pay the price. 
To those who are willing to be His disciple there is a cost. A cost of losing oneself and live only for Him. A cost of transferring credit of glory and ownership to His will and pardon. A cost of trial and affliction but in return receive gold. (Lu 14:26-28)
We all know many who have heard the costs but are unwilling to pay. Their thoughts are on now and not eternity. For if we cherish our life on earth, we will perish in the end. So buy His gold, with your life. All else in this life fails and falls apart because moth and dust and fire eat and remove it. (Lu 9:24,25)
Many people would not entrust huge treasure to those who are unfaithful. Our Lord is no different. He seeks faithful stewards of His riches, not those who do not value His Word. So…. “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you–unless indeed you fail the test?” 1 Cor. 13:5
These are the consequences of becoming carnal, even unto spiritual men. (1 Cor. 3:4)
“His spirit departs” —-We quench the Holy Spirit “he returns to the earth” —-we become earthly and perhaps even sensual, worldly “his thoughts perish” —-our earthly thoughts only bring death, because we have not the mind of the Spirit to keep us
“It is the Lord who gives the increase.” Spiritual enlightenment and revelation can only come by way of the Holy Spirit. The wisdom of God must come from God. No earthly wisdom will do. “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. “ 1Co 2:5
God is a jealous God and He does not give His glory to another. If we are His children, we are also His glory. So do not give to another man, that which He has bought and paid for.
This is another reason why Jesus told Nicodemus, that he “must be born again.” Without the Spirit, Nicodemus would not understand, nor would he see. It is not by man’s wisdom or enlightenment that we can know or see. This is old testament believing. The Great High Priest has come! His name is Jesus and He gives life and revelation to ALL who come and ask.
How can one be saved by another with the same sinful flesh? Only Jesus who was without sin could break this yoke of bondage. He is the Perfect sacrifice for all sinbecause He was without sin. Only a man stronger than sin can break the power of sin. (Mk 3:23-29)
The Lord is your strength, and He is the saving strength of his anointed. Psalm 28:8So this is our joy, that He who was despised and rejected, felt the cruelty of men, and was physically tortured, still was without sin. And He who lived this life, imparted this same grace to us. That even in our struggle, our pain, our trials, sin WILL NOT prevail, unless we are unbelieving. It is because of Him that their is still joy, hope, and rest in all of life’s toil and snares. He knows our every need and care. He is the prince that has come to save. There is no other name by which we can be saved.
I have asked why I was born without a believing family and why still no one is saved yet.
Why I remain unmarried…Why I live where I live…About my financial bracket…About probably almost everything….Yes discontentment can arise pretty quick in this mindset!
Though I have found there is no logical explanation other than one reason given to us in the New Testament. If we lean on our own understanding of why things happen or don’t happen, it only brings confusion within. Our peace will leave us. He is our peace. So as we abide and live in Him, peace in all areas of life will come. When we hold on to these things above, we are left in sin because of unbelief.
When Lazarus was sick, Jesus said it was for one thing, “the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” (Jn. 11:4) It was not because of sin. It is not mentioned any where that Lazarus was sick because of sin or because of his lack of faith. There was NO other reason, other than for “the glory of God.” So when we ask why the Lord has allowed certain things to happen in our lives, we can lean upon this truth, that it is for the glory of God that the Son of God will be glorified.
Though it’s okay to ask why some times, or if the Lord is allowing it to happen for a reason. But often the thing is used to learn of Him. Jesus learned obedience by the things He suffered. This is true for us as well. The circumstances we endure, which are not always ideal or desired, are used by Him to conform us into His image, for His glory! This is why we can say “Hallelujah” in our circumstances. Because there is always joy in our salvation. And it is often by His ordained circumstances that we can learn to walk in His grace in these circumstances.
In another situation, a man was born blind. So the question is asked, “Did his parents sin?” (Jn. 9:3) He was born blind for “the works of God.” We too are born blind but are given purpose to prove the work of God. What a glorious calling in life! Many of us are proud and like to prove ourselves to others. Let us instead “prove the work of God,” that He is able to make us stand in the righteousness of Christ.
So let everything in your life be for His glory alone and not for anything else on this earth.
It’s in the Strait and Narrow that the waters overflow and grace abounds. Not in lakes and ponds do waters flood. But in the rivers are often floods! So obey the strait and narrow in order to gush His waters of grace.
In the pressures of life are we made right. By turning us into gold He does come as Light. We are His jewels made in the quarry where pressure is much And beauty and crystal-shine is too. Under the deep dark, layers of mud and yuck, and we too in this world of dark Are to come forth in Light as His jewels.
Though it is never by pressure, trials, or tribulation that we are fully made right. BUT by His Spirit we are saved. Those who draw nigh unto Him in trial, He will also draw nigh unto. Those who deny His help in trials, He will also deny.
Let us remember that God was not in the wind, or the earthquake, or the fire. But it was His voice that Elijah heard alone in the cave. Here is where He drew nigh, Here is where he received. Grace from the Father’s lips, of mercy, faith, comfort, help, and guidance. Here is where the Father lived. In drawing nigh, Elijah found Rest and Hope in his trial.
In Psalm 132, David is praying for the Lord to come to dwell with him. He says that he will not sleep, until he finds a place for the Lord to dwell. (vs. 4,5) He was so zealous for the Lord’s house that he lost sleep! The Lord too is looking for a place to dwell…a resting place. A place to have His Spirit.
We so often emphasize our need for rest. In Hebrews, we are told to labour into that rest. The rest that is found when trusting in Christ! But He too is seeking rest. True resting in Him cannot occur, unless He can truly rest in us. He will only rest in us as we take up our cross daily by choosing His will and not our own.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 1Jn_4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 1Jn_4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
This is another reason we purge ourselves of self and sin. Not for self’s rest, but for Him. Because He too needs a habitation. He desires and longs to fill our hearts with His presence. (Ps. 132:13,14) To abide with us in unity. He has been preparing a home for us already. He is now looking for a people that He too can dwell in. Shall we desire and long for the home, if we have not given our hearts to be a home and rest for Him? If two become one, they each surrender their lives fully. Christ’s promises are only for those who obey and surrender all. He has already paid the price and gave His life. Now He is looking for a people who will do the same for Him. In whom you also are being built up together to become a fixed abode for God through the Spirit. Eph 2:22 (Wymth) Rest in Him, and Him resting in us. It is Him overtaking self. This is the crucifixion of self. But we must allow Him full reign in our hearts. Otherwise He cannot fully dwell and live there. When two people get married there is a rest in dwelling together. In submitting to one another’s wills, they come to a place of unity and surrender. How much should Jesus and the church also enter into this unity of rest.
We can only really truly rest in the Lord, if He is able to rest in us. His presence brings us rest from the fight around us and within. His Spirit is where we see deliverance from sin, self, and the temptations that come. We see this rest, by yielding our members for His purpose.
“Therefore……
….present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Rom 12:1
Shhhh.....Be quiet! Can you hear Him? What is He saying? Do you know His voice today? Where is He? Is He near in your troubles and heartache? Are your many worries, cares, and anxieties crowding His voice? Shhhh.....Be quiet! He knows you and what you need! He knows how to carry you! He is the creator of all things! He knows how to keep His own, like a newborn with worries, cries, and needs. And He knows best how to meet and care for those! Shhhh.....Be quiet! Are your cares and anxieties taking root?! Then His love is surely not taking root. Take the axe, cut it out! Don't be belittled by the Enemy in thinking you cannot overcome. It need not worry you, when your Father is a King! Shhhh.....Be quiet! Let's rest! Don't let it bequeath you, or be put underneath you! You have a Father, who cares affectionately and indefinitely for you Believe and let Him be the love that wraps you and keeps you. His love is in you and around you! What else is needed in this life but to be with Him. Shhhh.....Be quiet! Have you not read Psalm 139? Let His word draw and keep you. Let His praise embrace you. Keep trying and believing that every mountain is overcome in this life. Or else failure will haunt you!
Mat 11:15 Listen, every one who has ears! (Weymouth) Psa_116:7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
Hast thou no profit?
Hast thou no avail?
Then why not ask the Father,
Who has the key to this garment of efficacy?
To Him it is little,
To whom it is found worthy.
Who is worthy you say?
He who has a clean heart and clean hands.
To those who have righteousness which exceeds the Pharisee law.
They who have affection unto the Most Holy One
And for all that He stands for.
Shall have this Effectual Way.
Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Eph 3:7
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Eph 4:16
When our immunity in Christ is strong.. By loving, by knowing, seeking, and praising Him. When loving the brethren, and doing good. What can go wrong?
When our immunity in Christ is strong.. What evil force can come against us When we are deeply rooted in Him What can go wrong?
When our immunity in Christ is strong.. What can deeply sway us, shift us, move us But only cause us to stand, when He is within. What can go wrong?
When our immunity in Christ is strong.. What can make us stumble, or even grumble When all we know is Him. What can go wrong?
When our immunity in Christ is strong.. And He and I are ONE. I in Him and He in me, together we have overcome the Evil One. What can go wrong?
Who is firmer than this foundation? It is the enemy who will be wrong when we prove who is stronger. Christ in you, the prince of peace, is all and all. For the glory of the Lord I will stand.
”And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship.” Acts 27:18
In this chapter, Paul is with some men on a ship which is caught up in a “temptuous wind, called Eurocyldon.” Eurocyldon translates into the greek as being a storm, or even further a billow or a raging wave.
In verse 18, we are told the men “lightened” the ship. They dumped loads of cargo in order to make the ship to be able to stand in the midst of the storm. Though the storm was fierce and the billows high, the ship would not sway so much or be in danger of even tipping over! if the weight of what was in it was not so heavy (Mt. 11:30). We see these men doing all they can to stand (Eph. 6:13) awaiting until the trial of the storm is over.
This is also true in the Christian walk. When we are experiencing these “storms” or trials in life, are we still holding onto the unnecessary baggage that creates for a heavier or burdensome load? How much easier is it to guide the ship through the tempest storm(or the things that tempt us!) when we haven’t unloaded unneeded burdens which weigh us down and cause our ability to have a calm walk to be disrupted?
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.The phrase “one last shaking” means a thorough housecleaning, getting rid of all the historical and religious junk so that the unshakable essentials stand clear and uncluttered. Hebrews 12:27 (The Message)1 Peter 5:7
Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! Psalm113:2
“It's one thing to unpack,but another to pick up more,as you go…packing cares and burdens,or How To Manuals,instead of trustingWho Will, take us to the end…no luggage needed there.”