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As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.’
[Matthew 11:7-10 NKJV]
But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.’
[Matthew 11:7-10 NKJV]
If you are searching for something that you have misplaced, you will only find it where you placed it. If that something is a thought or an idea, you can work to reclaim it or realise it. You may or may not succeed. When it comes to the spiritual, we may not even know that we are searching. We may have pre-conceived notions, or ideas that have been fed to us, which we do not question, or merely an emptiness that we did not know could be filled.
But Jesus says “but what did you go out to see?” What were your expectations? He asks us to question why we are where we are - standing before Him in the crowd, listening to His words. Three times He says about John the Baptist “what did you go out to see?” A wild man from the desert, ranting incoherently? Did you expect someone in fine clothes, bringing words of comfort, soothing to the ear? Or were you looking for a prophet, showing the way ahead? In other words, are you seeking entertainment, or comfort, or truth?
Jesus speaks shortly after John has sent word seeking to know if Jesus was "The Coming One". He tells the crowd that John is the the messenger God reveals in Malachi chapter 3 - the one who points the way to The Messiah. We cannot see Jesus without being shown the way. Jesus cannot be seen with the natural eye. In verse 14, Jesus says "And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Thus we have a picture of the heavenly one showing the way by which He may be seen. Seek and you will find.
So, what do we go out to see? Do we see Jesus standing before us in the everyday reality. We may be searching for any number of misplaced attitudes and truth; to be comforted or lifted in the Spirit; but we shall only find what we are looking for if we go out of ourselves to see Jesus. He will show us the way back to Himself. He is the only answer,
But Jesus says “but what did you go out to see?” What were your expectations? He asks us to question why we are where we are - standing before Him in the crowd, listening to His words. Three times He says about John the Baptist “what did you go out to see?” A wild man from the desert, ranting incoherently? Did you expect someone in fine clothes, bringing words of comfort, soothing to the ear? Or were you looking for a prophet, showing the way ahead? In other words, are you seeking entertainment, or comfort, or truth?
Jesus speaks shortly after John has sent word seeking to know if Jesus was "The Coming One". He tells the crowd that John is the the messenger God reveals in Malachi chapter 3 - the one who points the way to The Messiah. We cannot see Jesus without being shown the way. Jesus cannot be seen with the natural eye. In verse 14, Jesus says "And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Thus we have a picture of the heavenly one showing the way by which He may be seen. Seek and you will find.
So, what do we go out to see? Do we see Jesus standing before us in the everyday reality. We may be searching for any number of misplaced attitudes and truth; to be comforted or lifted in the Spirit; but we shall only find what we are looking for if we go out of ourselves to see Jesus. He will show us the way back to Himself. He is the only answer,
Open The Eyes of My Heart Michael W Smith
(Written by Paul Baloche)
(Written by Paul Baloche)
Beware of the sentiment that we consecrate natural gifts to God; we cannot, we can only consecrate to God the holy disposition He gives us (Romans 12:1).
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Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbours or speak evil of their friends.
Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honour the faithful followers of the LORD, and keep their promises even when it hurts.
Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.
[Psalm 15:1-5 NLT]
Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbours or speak evil of their friends.
Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honour the faithful followers of the LORD, and keep their promises even when it hurts.
Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.
[Psalm 15:1-5 NLT]
Psalm 15 is so hugely challenging. It seems at first reading to put the onus on us to behave in a certain way — in the way that the four statements beginning “Those who ...” lay down as imperatives.
There is no doubts that commitment and purpose are required; we need to be aware of and fully understand The Lord’s nature, co-labouring with Him. However, Psalm 15 implies that this is an uphill challenge. It is uphill, trying to reach the highest heights of a holy walk, but Jesus said My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
In the co-labouring there is no stress, because Jesus has already paid the price for us, so that the Holy of Holies awaits us as our dwelling place. We cannot live up to His standards without Him. In Christ’s company, we cannot fail if we hold onto Him. Be as He is; hold onto Him, seeking His continuing and continual presence on His holy hill.
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
[1Peter 1:13-16 NKJV]
Rest your hope fully upon His grace!
There is no doubts that commitment and purpose are required; we need to be aware of and fully understand The Lord’s nature, co-labouring with Him. However, Psalm 15 implies that this is an uphill challenge. It is uphill, trying to reach the highest heights of a holy walk, but Jesus said My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
In the co-labouring there is no stress, because Jesus has already paid the price for us, so that the Holy of Holies awaits us as our dwelling place. We cannot live up to His standards without Him. In Christ’s company, we cannot fail if we hold onto Him. Be as He is; hold onto Him, seeking His continuing and continual presence on His holy hill.
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
[1Peter 1:13-16 NKJV]
Rest your hope fully upon His grace!
Your Presence Is Heaven Free Chapel
It is easier to stand true to a testimony which is mouldy with age because it has the dogmatic ring about it that people agree with, than to talk from your last moment of contact with God.
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Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands.
Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.”
So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.
[Acts 12:7-9 NKJV]
Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.”
So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.
[Acts 12:7-9 NKJV]
Walking through the Calgary woods on Mull a couple of weeks ago, I was startled by the strange vision in the photograph above. These woods are home to a continuing art exhibition and new pieces are often found in unexpected locations throughout the woodland. On this occasion, in the evening half-light, the face staring from the roots of a fallen tree was rather un-nerving. It was unexpected, certainly, and my reaction was “Was that real, or did I imagine it?”
In a sense, my reaction was the same as Peter’s on encountering the angel. I thought this was a vision, albeit anything but an angelic one, and my mind was tricking me! My experience reminded me of the lesson I learned several years ago. There is much in the world that is actual, but lacks ‘the real’; but much actuality which seeks to disguise what is real. The dictionary definition of 'actual' and 'real' are similar, but it ignores the spiritual dimension. Let me explain.
Put as simply as possible, we inhabit the actual world - defining ‘actual’ as ‘existing in fact’ - in what we call ‘the real world’, with 'real' defined as 'actually existing as a thing or occurring in fact; not imagined or supposed'. But when we are born again from above, we begin to perceive things differently. The things of earth become strangely dim, as Jesus Christ changes our perception, so that we see through His eyes; opening our understanding to the Heavenly viewpoint. In our reading from Acts, 'real' means true; loving and speaking the truth.
Thus, my initial fright at seeing this apparition on the tree root, was revealed to me as the spirit behind the created work. I was given understanding of that hidden reality. In fact, the angel was real, can be restated as the messenger from God was true; hidden in the beginning.
In a sense, my reaction was the same as Peter’s on encountering the angel. I thought this was a vision, albeit anything but an angelic one, and my mind was tricking me! My experience reminded me of the lesson I learned several years ago. There is much in the world that is actual, but lacks ‘the real’; but much actuality which seeks to disguise what is real. The dictionary definition of 'actual' and 'real' are similar, but it ignores the spiritual dimension. Let me explain.
Put as simply as possible, we inhabit the actual world - defining ‘actual’ as ‘existing in fact’ - in what we call ‘the real world’, with 'real' defined as 'actually existing as a thing or occurring in fact; not imagined or supposed'. But when we are born again from above, we begin to perceive things differently. The things of earth become strangely dim, as Jesus Christ changes our perception, so that we see through His eyes; opening our understanding to the Heavenly viewpoint. In our reading from Acts, 'real' means true; loving and speaking the truth.
Thus, my initial fright at seeing this apparition on the tree root, was revealed to me as the spirit behind the created work. I was given understanding of that hidden reality. In fact, the angel was real, can be restated as the messenger from God was true; hidden in the beginning.
Jesus Is Real To Me -- The Bolton Brothers
The bedrock permanent thing in Christianity is forgiveness not sanctification and personal holiness; the great abiding thing underneath is infinitely more rugged than that, it is all that the New Testament means by that terrific word “forgiveness.”
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Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.
But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed.
So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested.
And he released to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
[Luke 23:22-25 NKJV]
But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed.
So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested.
And he released to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
[Luke 23:22-25 NKJV]
That it should be as they requested. Truly, it seems very much that nothing has changed, and that today, many are choosing the path of rebellion instead of Jesus. Why is that?
The message Jesus brings is not an easy choice. We want to know that things are going to turn out well for us, but we are unprepared to follow the difficult road that leads to that desired result. We rebel against the ‘hard word’ and ‘the way of suffering’.
Do we really choose to release rebellion and murder from prison? It is the only alternative that we are offered by the authority in the world. To rebel against the ‘hard road’ and ‘put to death’ the one who is ‘the way of salvation’. Often, and only too late, do we realise the wrong turning we have taken.
Pontius Pilate found no reason to condemn Jesus to death, but he chose to take the easy way out and listened to the many voices shouting to release the murderer, Barabbas.
This morning, reading the ‘Seeds of the Kingdom’ message by Ron Scurfield of Ellel Ministries (“Bitter-Sweet”), it became clear that The Lord’s Way means that we have to taste of our own bitterness, before we find the refreshing water at the oasis.
PRAYER: Lord, help us all to see the error of our ways and turn, or re-turn to You and know that You lead us to make the right choices every day, even through harshness and pain, for Your glory and our salvation. Forgive us, Heavenly Father, when we listen to the wrong voices and make the wrong choices.
The message Jesus brings is not an easy choice. We want to know that things are going to turn out well for us, but we are unprepared to follow the difficult road that leads to that desired result. We rebel against the ‘hard word’ and ‘the way of suffering’.
Do we really choose to release rebellion and murder from prison? It is the only alternative that we are offered by the authority in the world. To rebel against the ‘hard road’ and ‘put to death’ the one who is ‘the way of salvation’. Often, and only too late, do we realise the wrong turning we have taken.
Pontius Pilate found no reason to condemn Jesus to death, but he chose to take the easy way out and listened to the many voices shouting to release the murderer, Barabbas.
This morning, reading the ‘Seeds of the Kingdom’ message by Ron Scurfield of Ellel Ministries (“Bitter-Sweet”), it became clear that The Lord’s Way means that we have to taste of our own bitterness, before we find the refreshing water at the oasis.
PRAYER: Lord, help us all to see the error of our ways and turn, or re-turn to You and know that You lead us to make the right choices every day, even through harshness and pain, for Your glory and our salvation. Forgive us, Heavenly Father, when we listen to the wrong voices and make the wrong choices.
I Choose Jesus Arc Gogong
An appalling thing to-day is that the man of the world has his eyes open in a way many a preacher of the Gospel has not. Ibsen, for example, saw things clearly; he saw the inexorable inevitableness of God’s pronouncements—no forgiveness, no deliverance, no emancipation, because he ignored Jesus Christ and His Redemption and saw facts as they are.
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But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
[Ephesians 2:4-10 NKJV]
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
[Ephesians 2:4-10 NKJV]
What do we mean by God’s grace; or more importantly, what does God expect us to understand by His grace? The standard definition is "unmerited favour." And that is what it is, undoubtedly. But I want to get closer. I do not want a definition, I want the actuality.
And what is that? What is the reality?
I believe that the reality lies in Him; in who He is. Grace is an intrinsic part of the love of God. Without His love there can be no divine grace. Can we say otherwise? And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. [1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV]
The ordinary definition of grace is "smoothness and elegance of movement" or "courteousness and goodwill." By comparison with our Lord's expression of grace these are but pale comparisons. But then everything in the natural is a poor thing beside the glory of all things from God.
Only this morning on the radio I heard two different reports of people expressing their gratitude to God for a working in their circumstances. I mention this simply because it is such an unusual occurence. Very few speak of faith nowadays, let alone Christian faith; but it seems that in these troubled times, people may be turning from their former conceits to some sort of appreciation of Heavenly matters. I pray that this is so, but whatever is or is not happening, the grace of Almighty God is at work. Hallelujah!
And now for a little while grace has been shown from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and give us a measure of revival in our bondage.
[Ezra 9:8 NKJV]
And what is that? What is the reality?
I believe that the reality lies in Him; in who He is. Grace is an intrinsic part of the love of God. Without His love there can be no divine grace. Can we say otherwise? And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. [1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV]
The ordinary definition of grace is "smoothness and elegance of movement" or "courteousness and goodwill." By comparison with our Lord's expression of grace these are but pale comparisons. But then everything in the natural is a poor thing beside the glory of all things from God.
Only this morning on the radio I heard two different reports of people expressing their gratitude to God for a working in their circumstances. I mention this simply because it is such an unusual occurence. Very few speak of faith nowadays, let alone Christian faith; but it seems that in these troubled times, people may be turning from their former conceits to some sort of appreciation of Heavenly matters. I pray that this is so, but whatever is or is not happening, the grace of Almighty God is at work. Hallelujah!
And now for a little while grace has been shown from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and give us a measure of revival in our bondage.
[Ezra 9:8 NKJV]
Only By Grace Can We Enter Graham Kendrick
Don’t put prayer and obedience in the place of the Cross of Christ—“Because I have obeyed, Christ will do this, or that”; He won’t. The only way we are saved and sanctified is by the free grace of God.
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Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led.
Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.
[1 Corinthians 12:1-3 NKJV]
Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.
[1 Corinthians 12:1-3 NKJV]
1 Corinthians 12 (shown in our ‘Statement of Belief’), is the apostle Paul’s handbook on the working of the Holy Spirit in us; of the gifts bestowed upon us by His grace. Paul makes clear that these gifts are not a checklist of achievement (like scout badges), but are uniquely given in response to our personal relationship with the Holy Spirit.
We must remember that the Holy Spirit is a person, part of the Holy Trinity and not an ‘it’, if I can put it that way. This is a relationship, awakened by the Baptism in the Holy Spirit’, which must be cultivated like any other if it is to grow and mature.
For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
[Hebrews 5:13-14 NKJV]
Hebrews mentions one of these Holy Spirit gifts, ‘discernment between good and evil’. You may say, “but that is easy, I was brought up to see what is good, and what is bad.” That is not discernment, that is conscience, common to all to a greater or lesser degree. Discernment is a supernatural understanding of a person or situation that cannot easily or properly be found by rational thought.
So, what are the Spiritual gifts that Paul identifies? They are revealed as
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
[1 Corinthians 12:11 NKJV]
Gifts of the Spirit are mentioned in other books of The Bible; but what sets this grouping apart from those that Paul mentions elsewhere is to be found, I believe, in 1 Corinthians 12:7: But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: [NKJV]. These gifts are outward working in that they are conferred on an individual for the benefit of another, or others.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to grow in Your Spirit that the spiritual gift or gifts you have for me may grow and be realised for the building of Your church. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
We must remember that the Holy Spirit is a person, part of the Holy Trinity and not an ‘it’, if I can put it that way. This is a relationship, awakened by the Baptism in the Holy Spirit’, which must be cultivated like any other if it is to grow and mature.
For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
[Hebrews 5:13-14 NKJV]
Hebrews mentions one of these Holy Spirit gifts, ‘discernment between good and evil’. You may say, “but that is easy, I was brought up to see what is good, and what is bad.” That is not discernment, that is conscience, common to all to a greater or lesser degree. Discernment is a supernatural understanding of a person or situation that cannot easily or properly be found by rational thought.
So, what are the Spiritual gifts that Paul identifies? They are revealed as
- Word of wisdom
- Word of knowledge
- Faith
- Gifts of healings
- Working of miracles
- Prophecy
- Distinguishing between spirits
- Different kinds of tongues
- Interpretation of tongues
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
[1 Corinthians 12:11 NKJV]
Gifts of the Spirit are mentioned in other books of The Bible; but what sets this grouping apart from those that Paul mentions elsewhere is to be found, I believe, in 1 Corinthians 12:7: But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: [NKJV]. These gifts are outward working in that they are conferred on an individual for the benefit of another, or others.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to grow in Your Spirit that the spiritual gift or gifts you have for me may grow and be realised for the building of Your church. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Come Holy Spirit Fall Afresh On Me Mark Kwan
“Won’t you yield to Jesus? He has done so much for you”—to talk in that way is an insult to God and a crime against human nature. It is the presentation of an overplus of human sentiment smeared over with religious jargon.
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And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever.
[Genesis 13:14-15 NKJV]
[Genesis 13:14-15 NKJV]
Lift your eyes - look to the heavens, not down to the earth at your feet. As a boy, my mother would regularly tell me to look up, “You’ll not see where you are going by staring at your feet!” Her reason was perhaps one of how it looked to others; a child always staring at the pavement looks miserable and uninterested, but mainly there was an encouragement to “look where you are going.” I was always afraid that I would trip over a badly placed paving slab (a distinct possibility in 1950’s Lanarkshire); but the downside was the likelihood of walking into a lamp-post. 60 years on, I still have to tell myself to “look where you are going.”
The Lord says look from the place where you are ... surely that is the heart of our faith. Don’t fret about what is now, do not worry about where you are going, or what is happening within you in the earth which you are — look up to a wider horizon where the things of earth grow strangely dim. Where? In the light of His glory and grace as the song has it.
Turn your eyes toward Jesus. Genesis reveals that The Lord said to Abram Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are. Look in every direction to the four corners of the created world; but also to the four corners of His spirit within you. What do you see? The Lord says for all the land you see I give you.
The Lord says look from the place where you are ... surely that is the heart of our faith. Don’t fret about what is now, do not worry about where you are going, or what is happening within you in the earth which you are — look up to a wider horizon where the things of earth grow strangely dim. Where? In the light of His glory and grace as the song has it.
Turn your eyes toward Jesus. Genesis reveals that The Lord said to Abram Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are. Look in every direction to the four corners of the created world; but also to the four corners of His spirit within you. What do you see? The Lord says for all the land you see I give you.
I Lift My Eyes Up Vineyard Worship
If you are ignored because of faddy notions of your own, you are not on the right line, but if, because you stand true to your Lord and what He represents, you awaken antipathy, you are on the right line.
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There is not only fear, but terrible danger, for the life unguarded by God.
[Oswald Chambers ‘Run Today’s Race’]
[Oswald Chambers ‘Run Today’s Race’]
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.
[1 John 4:18-19 NKJV]
We know that His perfect love casts out fear, but we often behave recklessly even with the knowledge of that truth. We behave as if we did not know Him, or worse, knowing Him, we act as if we are invincible because of His presence, because of that perfect love. Either way, we are failing to acknowledge His Lordship in our lives. We are throwing aside His guardianship over us - taking Him for granted.
Knowing that He who is able to keep you from falling brings peace and joy into the midst and sets us free has that tendency to let us disregard His covering, or clouds our ability to acknowledge the reality of His presence. He becomes a talisman and thus we have no meaningful relationship with Him.
Scripture repeatedly says that whenever Jesus appears, there is peace, and this is meant to show us that with Jesus residing in us – in our hearts and minds and souls – we too will be at peace, because we shall be like Him, not that we can go our own way, do our own thing and assume that He will still be there as our protector. The reality of that is that we are asking Him to be like us, rather than accept that we need to be like Him, and that only when we come to that acceptance will we be out of danger. Let Him be your vision this morning.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. [1 John 3:2 KJV]
[1 John 4:18-19 NKJV]
We know that His perfect love casts out fear, but we often behave recklessly even with the knowledge of that truth. We behave as if we did not know Him, or worse, knowing Him, we act as if we are invincible because of His presence, because of that perfect love. Either way, we are failing to acknowledge His Lordship in our lives. We are throwing aside His guardianship over us - taking Him for granted.
Knowing that He who is able to keep you from falling brings peace and joy into the midst and sets us free has that tendency to let us disregard His covering, or clouds our ability to acknowledge the reality of His presence. He becomes a talisman and thus we have no meaningful relationship with Him.
Scripture repeatedly says that whenever Jesus appears, there is peace, and this is meant to show us that with Jesus residing in us – in our hearts and minds and souls – we too will be at peace, because we shall be like Him, not that we can go our own way, do our own thing and assume that He will still be there as our protector. The reality of that is that we are asking Him to be like us, rather than accept that we need to be like Him, and that only when we come to that acceptance will we be out of danger. Let Him be your vision this morning.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. [1 John 3:2 KJV]
Be Thou My Vision - Eden’s Bridge
That a Christian can smilingly do a smart trick is a staggering thing. Destruction of conscientiousness means we have lost the fierce purity of the Holy Ghost and taken on the pattern and print of the age.
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But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
[Ecclesiastes 9:4 NKJV]
[Ecclesiastes 9:4 NKJV]
Maybe I shouldn’t, but I love the oddness of the expression a living dog is better than a dead lion. I even wrote something on this when we lived in Ireland for a Thursday night word, but never used it. I cannot find or recall what that was, which is probably just as well, but it is plain that this is a word of hope.
Never mind the dog/lion analogy, it is the living/dead picture that is essential. If we are alive in the Spirit, we have hope — in our unsaved natural state, we are lost. Choose life. Choose our Lord Jesus Christ every day and bask in the hope He is. He can transform a mangy cur into a king in His peaceable kingdom by His Spirit.
Never mind the dog/lion analogy, it is the living/dead picture that is essential. If we are alive in the Spirit, we have hope — in our unsaved natural state, we are lost. Choose life. Choose our Lord Jesus Christ every day and bask in the hope He is. He can transform a mangy cur into a king in His peaceable kingdom by His Spirit.
I Will Wait For You (Put Your Hope In God Alone) Shane & Shane
By the “dimensions of effective Redemption” understand the Redemption of God expressing itself in the individual experience; but beware of limiting the Redemption to our individual experience of it.
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Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.
[1 Thessalonians 5:17-19 NKJV]
[1 Thessalonians 5:17-19 NKJV]
It is easy to see that, with all the pressures and desperately difficult circumstances everywhere, mental health issues are on the rise. None of us are immune, when we face being restricted in our movements, unable to meet our friends without wearing face protection and keeping our distance. We have only been able to be with others in our family once in the last seven months. There seems to be rising discontent whenever we go shopping - the "we're all in this together" spirit of early lockdown is wearing thin at best - an increase in lack of consideration for others is prevailing, and more and more are flouting the government line to protect our health. The outlook for the next few months is bleak.
And yet ...
We who have faith are fortunate indeed. We have somewhere to turn when the worst happens; or, more likely, some minor irritation or frustration gets in the way of communion with Christ. This morning, I was assailed by such a minor thing. I prayed to be rid of this mood - in reality a spiritual attack with which I was colluding (a spirit of vexation) - and the answer came back "Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart". It really helped, singing that song to myself as a prayer.
In researching something about the song, I discovered that it was written in 1978 by an American named Henry Smith. Over the years he had written many songs of worship, but this remains his only published composition. He wrote the song after having difficulty finding employment, and his local pastor had talked to him about how Jesus became poor so that others could become rich through Him. Smith began performing the song in church, from where it was taken to Europe to become the hugely popular hymn it is today. Sadly, Smith suffered from a degenerative condition which has left him legally blind, but despite this his song attests to his belief that by giving thanks to our God, we are assuredly blessed.
In Paul's first letter to the Thessalonian church, he stresses that we should give thanks in all things, whether good or bad in our eyes, noting the order that Paul has placed his statements in verses 17, 18 and 19 or chapter 5.
I will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praises to You.
I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.
[Psalm 138:1-3 NKJV]
And yet ...
We who have faith are fortunate indeed. We have somewhere to turn when the worst happens; or, more likely, some minor irritation or frustration gets in the way of communion with Christ. This morning, I was assailed by such a minor thing. I prayed to be rid of this mood - in reality a spiritual attack with which I was colluding (a spirit of vexation) - and the answer came back "Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart". It really helped, singing that song to myself as a prayer.
In researching something about the song, I discovered that it was written in 1978 by an American named Henry Smith. Over the years he had written many songs of worship, but this remains his only published composition. He wrote the song after having difficulty finding employment, and his local pastor had talked to him about how Jesus became poor so that others could become rich through Him. Smith began performing the song in church, from where it was taken to Europe to become the hugely popular hymn it is today. Sadly, Smith suffered from a degenerative condition which has left him legally blind, but despite this his song attests to his belief that by giving thanks to our God, we are assuredly blessed.
In Paul's first letter to the Thessalonian church, he stresses that we should give thanks in all things, whether good or bad in our eyes, noting the order that Paul has placed his statements in verses 17, 18 and 19 or chapter 5.
- Pray without ceasing
- In everything give thanks
- Do not quench the Spirit
I will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praises to You.
I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.
[Psalm 138:1-3 NKJV]
Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart Maranatha Singers
Sunday 11th October 2020
If a man will resign himself in implicit trust to the Lord Jesus, he will find that He leads the wayfaring soul into the green pastures and beside the still waters, so that even when he goes through the dark valley of the shadow of some staggering episode, he will fear no evil. Nothing in life or death, time or eternity, can stagger a soul from the certainty of the Way, for one moment.
If a man will resign himself in implicit trust to the Lord Jesus, he will find that He leads the wayfaring soul into the green pastures and beside the still waters, so that even when he goes through the dark valley of the shadow of some staggering episode, he will fear no evil. Nothing in life or death, time or eternity, can stagger a soul from the certainty of the Way, for one moment.