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1 Chronicles 4:41-43
These recorded by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and they attacked their tents and the Meunites who were found there, and utterly destroyed them, as it is to this day. So they dwelt in their place, because there was pasture for their flocks there.
Now some of them, five hundred men of the sons of Simeon, went to Mount Seir, having as their captains Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi.
And they defeated the rest of the Amalekites who had escaped. They have dwelt there to this day.
Now some of them, five hundred men of the sons of Simeon, went to Mount Seir, having as their captains Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi.
And they defeated the rest of the Amalekites who had escaped. They have dwelt there to this day.
In the numerology of scripture what does our Lord’s five hundred measure tell us? And does it matter? I believe that it matters if we hope to understand in fullness what The Lord is saying to us. Scripture shows us the Plan of God in a myriad of ways, confirming and reinforcing the truth of what we believe and opening new vistas of revelation. One of these ways is through numbers, and as a dear man of God once told me many years ago, “the numbers always add up.” God’s creation has a base of mathematical perfection.
In Ezekiel 42 (see below) five hundred reveals the outer dimensions of the temple as shown to Ezekiel by God. In 1 Chronicles we are shown Simeon’s five hundred men defeating the Amalekites. So what is the significance of five hundred?
The five hundred men of the sons of Simeon, defeated the Amalekites at Mount Seir, their leaders being four sons of Ishi, whose name means ‘He saves me’. His sons names are all related to this — revealing God gives strength, He heals and delivers His servant. When you know that Simeon means ‘hearing’, we can see the spiritual background to this defeat of the ‘valley-dwelling’ Amalekites, whose hearts’ thus focus earthward instead of heavenward, revealing their antipathy to God.
The five hundred men of the tribe of Simeon who had hearing and understanding triumphed over the Godless Amalekites at the mountain of the satyr. (Mount Seir translates as the high place of the hairy he-goat, from a word meaning rough, devil, goat, satyr, or demon). Following this interpretive line ‘five’ is usually seen as referring to God’s Grace or His Redemption, and ‘hundred’ can be understood to mean ‘children of the promise’, ‘children of the harvest’, or ‘descendants of Abraham’. (See Genesis 17:17) In short, it shows us ‘the church of Jesus Christ.’
So when we look to Ezekiel’s God-given measurements for the outer dimensions of His temple built without hands, we are given the revelation that each side is five hundred by five hundred — four square in any direction, forming a perfect cube — the numbers representing ‘the church of Jesus Christ’, a church where every member was a captive, now redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the World.
The Lord is building His church, and we must not be cast down by the state of things that we see around us. Rest assured, our God will have His way. Hallelujah.
In Ezekiel 42 (see below) five hundred reveals the outer dimensions of the temple as shown to Ezekiel by God. In 1 Chronicles we are shown Simeon’s five hundred men defeating the Amalekites. So what is the significance of five hundred?
The five hundred men of the sons of Simeon, defeated the Amalekites at Mount Seir, their leaders being four sons of Ishi, whose name means ‘He saves me’. His sons names are all related to this — revealing God gives strength, He heals and delivers His servant. When you know that Simeon means ‘hearing’, we can see the spiritual background to this defeat of the ‘valley-dwelling’ Amalekites, whose hearts’ thus focus earthward instead of heavenward, revealing their antipathy to God.
The five hundred men of the tribe of Simeon who had hearing and understanding triumphed over the Godless Amalekites at the mountain of the satyr. (Mount Seir translates as the high place of the hairy he-goat, from a word meaning rough, devil, goat, satyr, or demon). Following this interpretive line ‘five’ is usually seen as referring to God’s Grace or His Redemption, and ‘hundred’ can be understood to mean ‘children of the promise’, ‘children of the harvest’, or ‘descendants of Abraham’. (See Genesis 17:17) In short, it shows us ‘the church of Jesus Christ.’
So when we look to Ezekiel’s God-given measurements for the outer dimensions of His temple built without hands, we are given the revelation that each side is five hundred by five hundred — four square in any direction, forming a perfect cube — the numbers representing ‘the church of Jesus Christ’, a church where every member was a captive, now redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the World.
The Lord is building His church, and we must not be cast down by the state of things that we see around us. Rest assured, our God will have His way. Hallelujah.
MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS
EZEKIEL 42:15-20
Now when he had finished measuring the inner temple, he brought me out through the gateway that faces toward the east, and measured it all around.
He measured the east side with the measuring rod, five hundred rods by the measuring rod all around.
He measured the north side, five hundred rods by the measuring rod all around.
He measured the south side, five hundred rods by the measuring rod.
He came around to the west side and measured five hundred rods by the measuring rod.
He measured it on the four sides; it had a wall all around, five hundred cubits long and five hundred wide, to separate the holy areas from the common.
Now when he had finished measuring the inner temple, he brought me out through the gateway that faces toward the east, and measured it all around.
He measured the east side with the measuring rod, five hundred rods by the measuring rod all around.
He measured the north side, five hundred rods by the measuring rod all around.
He measured the south side, five hundred rods by the measuring rod.
He came around to the west side and measured five hundred rods by the measuring rod.
He measured it on the four sides; it had a wall all around, five hundred cubits long and five hundred wide, to separate the holy areas from the common.
NO LONGER SLAVES — Jonathan David and Melissa Helser.
PRAYER requires HONESTY
TO BE CONSCIOUSLY desirous of anything but that one thing is to be off the main track. The Holy Spirit is transparent honesty.
[from ‘He Shall Glorify Me’ by Oswald Chambers]
[from ‘He Shall Glorify Me’ by Oswald Chambers]
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COMING NEXT … #501 INTOLERANCE
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Revelation 22:1-2
And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Jesus said “But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” [John 4:13-14 NLT] The New King James Version uses the expression a fountain of water springing up instead of a fresh bubbling spring. A week ago, Milady said that The Lord had given her the words ‘Fresh Water’, and we felt to look at this in our Gathering.
The Holy Spirit presence in our meeting was palpable, with that fresh bubbling spring leading us to examine scripture verses in a variety of chapters, revealing the repeated result of the fresh water of the Holy Spirit was the outpouring of the fruit of that Spirit.
We can see from Ezekiel’s chapter on the Healing River (below), that this fresh water always flows from the sanctuary bringing forth abundance in all kinds of trees. What we have to recognise in this Spirit Word — drinking from ‘the water of the Word’ — is that these trees represent souls filled with the Holy Spirit, who then spread forth His Presence and Gospel message, bringing others to know The Lord’s covering and restoration, which is the spiritual fruit of His provision and feeding, and His protective covering for restorative healing.
When we look at the dreadful state of the world in these times, it is the easiest thing to become downcast. We must remember that ‘it was ever thus’, and that our well-being — both natural and spiritual — cannot depend on what is outside of us and beyond our control. The only real control we have is to care for the inside of us by choosing to take fresh water from the Eternal Fountain — our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit presence in our meeting was palpable, with that fresh bubbling spring leading us to examine scripture verses in a variety of chapters, revealing the repeated result of the fresh water of the Holy Spirit was the outpouring of the fruit of that Spirit.
We can see from Ezekiel’s chapter on the Healing River (below), that this fresh water always flows from the sanctuary bringing forth abundance in all kinds of trees. What we have to recognise in this Spirit Word — drinking from ‘the water of the Word’ — is that these trees represent souls filled with the Holy Spirit, who then spread forth His Presence and Gospel message, bringing others to know The Lord’s covering and restoration, which is the spiritual fruit of His provision and feeding, and His protective covering for restorative healing.
When we look at the dreadful state of the world in these times, it is the easiest thing to become downcast. We must remember that ‘it was ever thus’, and that our well-being — both natural and spiritual — cannot depend on what is outside of us and beyond our control. The only real control we have is to care for the inside of us by choosing to take fresh water from the Eternal Fountain — our Lord Jesus Christ.
MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS
EZEKIEL 47:10-12
It shall be that fishermen will stand by it from En (fountain) Gedi (of a young goat, from a word meaning to cut through by a stream, a river bank) to En (fountain) Eglaim (of two calves, from a word for frisking around); they will be places for spreading their nets. Their fish will be of the same kinds as the fish of the Great Sea, exceedingly many.
But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt.
Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine."
It shall be that fishermen will stand by it from En (fountain) Gedi (of a young goat, from a word meaning to cut through by a stream, a river bank) to En (fountain) Eglaim (of two calves, from a word for frisking around); they will be places for spreading their nets. Their fish will be of the same kinds as the fish of the Great Sea, exceedingly many.
But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt.
Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine."
LIVING WATERS — Keith and Kristyn Getty
PRAYER requires FAITH
GOD PUTS US in circumstances where He can answer the prayer of His Son
and the prayer of the Holy Spirit.
[from ‘Disciples Indeed’ by Oswald Chambers]
and the prayer of the Holy Spirit.
[from ‘Disciples Indeed’ by Oswald Chambers]
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COMING NEXT… #500 GOD’S FIVE HUNDRED MEASURE
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Malachi 3:17-18
"They shall be Mine," says the LORD of hosts,
"On the day that I make them My jewels.
And I will spare them
As a man spares his own son who serves him."
Then you shall again discern
Between the righteous and the wicked,
Between one who serves God
And one who does not serve Him.
"On the day that I make them My jewels.
And I will spare them
As a man spares his own son who serves him."
Then you shall again discern
Between the righteous and the wicked,
Between one who serves God
And one who does not serve Him.
The Lord is making up His jewels – and ‘jewels’ are ‘special possessions’. We have been purchased at a price to be those Special Possessions, – and that makes us ‘Precious Stones’ and ‘Privileged People’ —and as ‘pearl[s] of great price’, we are being prepared to be set into His crown – to rule and reign with Christ. And they shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts...
But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. [1 Peter 3:4] That is what The LORD desires to see – a meek and quiet spirit – precious in His sight. Scripture has so much to say about jewels and precious stones – we can only skim the surface of that rich treasure here.
Being a ‘Precious Stone’ in the King’s regalia is more than the opportunity to accept a privileged position at the King’s court. The crown is having the ‘mind’ of the King, while the Sceptre is a symbol of the king’s authority or government — of righteousness and of Christ. In Exodus 28:17-21 we see twelve jewels set into the ephod, or chest adornment, of the High Priest – remembering that Jesus is our Great High Priest after the order of Melchisedec, and therefore our source of all heavenly authority. This ephod was placed to govern the heart. The twelve stones speak, not only of the heart and qualities of God’s chosen, but of the life and truth in the heart of God, as revealed to us by Jesus Christ.
But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. [1 Peter 3:4] That is what The LORD desires to see – a meek and quiet spirit – precious in His sight. Scripture has so much to say about jewels and precious stones – we can only skim the surface of that rich treasure here.
Being a ‘Precious Stone’ in the King’s regalia is more than the opportunity to accept a privileged position at the King’s court. The crown is having the ‘mind’ of the King, while the Sceptre is a symbol of the king’s authority or government — of righteousness and of Christ. In Exodus 28:17-21 we see twelve jewels set into the ephod, or chest adornment, of the High Priest – remembering that Jesus is our Great High Priest after the order of Melchisedec, and therefore our source of all heavenly authority. This ephod was placed to govern the heart. The twelve stones speak, not only of the heart and qualities of God’s chosen, but of the life and truth in the heart of God, as revealed to us by Jesus Christ.
You were in Eden, the garden of God;
Every precious stone was your covering:
The sardius, topaz, and diamond,
Beryl, onyx, and jasper,
Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold.
The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes
Was prepared for you on the day you were created.
[Ezekiel 28:13]
Every precious stone was your covering:
The sardius, topaz, and diamond,
Beryl, onyx, and jasper,
Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold.
The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes
Was prepared for you on the day you were created.
[Ezekiel 28:13]
Not only are we jewels for our Lord, but that precious stone nature has been ‘prepared in [us], on the day [we] were created’ – all that is needed is for Jesus Christ’s nature to be awakened in us for that to grow. ‘Every precious stone was [our] covering’. But as subsequent verses make clear, we must remain under that covering – under that government.*
MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS
1 PETER 2:4-6
Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,
you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,
"Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame."
Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,
you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,
"Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame."
* Briefly the meaning of the twelve jewels in the ephod are (as described in Exodus 39:17-20):
And you shall put settings of stones in it, four rows of stones: The first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and an emerald; this shall be the first row; the second row shall be a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; and the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be set in gold settings. [Exodus 39:17-20]
And you shall put settings of stones in it, four rows of stones: The first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and an emerald; this shall be the first row; the second row shall be a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; and the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be set in gold settings. [Exodus 39:17-20]
- Sardius — of the tribe of Judah is sometimes described as a ruby. Judah means ‘praise’, and is the tribe into which Jesus was born.
- Topaz — of the tribe of Issachar means ‘bearer of burdens / discerning the times’ – and you can see that in following The LORD we need that spirit of discernment – to see and know [with crystal clarity] as The LORD sees. It also brings those qualities of prophecy and vision, of leadership and understanding – and these are all burdens.
- Emerald — (perhaps a garnet) — of Reuben speaks of the first-born son nature. [The inheritor?].
- Turquoise — (perhaps an emerald, or a carbuncle) — of the tribe of Zebulon reveals His dwelling-place [abiding in Him, and He in us].
- Sapphire — of Simeon brings a hearing ear [understanding].
- Diamond — of the tribe of Gad is a company of overcomers. Diamond is an extremely hard mineral, not easily crushed.
- Jacinth — of the tribe of Ephraim makes Doubly Fruitful.
- Agate — of Manasseh shows forgetting. Our sins are not only forgiven, but forgotten by His great mercy.
- Amethyst — of Benjamin is the Son of The Right Hand – when we are in Jesus nature we are seated at The Right Hand of God. (the Benjamites were predominantly left-handed.)
- Beryl — of the tribe of Dan brings judgement -–not something to fear if we are found in Him.
- Onyx — of the tribe of Asher will reveal happiness and Blessings.
- Jasper — of the tribe of Naphtali. Naphtali means wrestling. We have much to wrestle with in our lives, not least our own natures. We tend to the nature of Jacob and like to wrestle with angels, but Genesis 30:8 says ‘I wrestled with my sister and I have prevailed’ about the birth of Naphtali the man. I believe it speaks of overcoming, of victory in the LORD, but I have also heard mention that this is a type of the true church – the true church and the man-made church being ‘sisters’, which would suggest the true church prevailing over the man-made one. Still a type for the overcoming nature.
PRECIOUS MOMENTS (Instrumental) — written by Fanny J Crosby
PRAYER requires FAITH
OUR LORD, IN instructing the disciples in regard to prayer, presented them with three pictures (see Luke 11:1-13 and 18:1-8), and strangely puzzling pictures they are until we understand their meaning. They are the pictures of an unkind friend, an unnatural father, and an unjust judge. Like many of our Lord's answers, these pictures seem no answer at all at first; they seem evasions, but we find that in answering our inarticulate questions our Lord presents His answer to the reality discernible to conscience, and not to logic.
[from ‘Christian Discipline, Vol 2’ by Oswald Chambers]
[from ‘Christian Discipline, Vol 2’ by Oswald Chambers]
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Below is a pdf (for download) of the original word brought to ‘Living Stones Christian Centre’ in June 2009, which we intend to edit and publish on www.write-the-vision.com.
Some of today’s meditation is taken from this talk.
COMING NEXT… #499 FRESH WATER
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Matthew 25:1-13
"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,
but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
"And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!'
Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'
But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
"Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'
But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'
"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,
but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
"And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!'
Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'
But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
"Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'
But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'
"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
I feel the imperative to write on these verses. In the last few days — indeed on the same day — I read two anointed devotions which took Matthew 25 as their source, and then found that it was my daily Bible reading also. It was one of those occasions when you feel strongly that The Lord is trying to get your attention — and indeed this is without doubt a message for our times.
Scripture repeatedly calls us to stand watch, to be aware and discern the times, to know what is happening spiritually in the world, so that we can pray. We must be alert at all times, with oil in our lamps. The oil is a type of the Holy Spirit, and the lamp represents the light of our Lord. If we are in a battle — and there is no doubt that we are — then we must be constantly aware lest we be deceived by the enemy’s wiles.
Study the difference between the foolish and the wise virgins, but note first of all that these were virgins — that is they were pure and undefiled. The difference between them was wisdom or the lack of it. All these virgins were faithful, but five were careless with what they had, and thus lost their most precious gift. The difference was that five were prepared and five were not. Five cherished and valued their heavenly anointing, while the others took it for granted.
The Lord has immeasurably blessed us with the amazing gift of His Kingdom, of dwelling eternally with Him, yet we can often treat this gift so casually. Lifting and laying to suit ourselves. We can be with the wise one minute and with the foolish the next. Watch therefore!
Scripture repeatedly calls us to stand watch, to be aware and discern the times, to know what is happening spiritually in the world, so that we can pray. We must be alert at all times, with oil in our lamps. The oil is a type of the Holy Spirit, and the lamp represents the light of our Lord. If we are in a battle — and there is no doubt that we are — then we must be constantly aware lest we be deceived by the enemy’s wiles.
Study the difference between the foolish and the wise virgins, but note first of all that these were virgins — that is they were pure and undefiled. The difference between them was wisdom or the lack of it. All these virgins were faithful, but five were careless with what they had, and thus lost their most precious gift. The difference was that five were prepared and five were not. Five cherished and valued their heavenly anointing, while the others took it for granted.
The Lord has immeasurably blessed us with the amazing gift of His Kingdom, of dwelling eternally with Him, yet we can often treat this gift so casually. Lifting and laying to suit ourselves. We can be with the wise one minute and with the foolish the next. Watch therefore!
MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS
HABAKKUK 2:1
I will stand my watch
And set myself on the rampart,
And watch to see what He will say to me,
And what I will answer when I am corrected.
I will stand my watch
And set myself on the rampart,
And watch to see what He will say to me,
And what I will answer when I am corrected.
GIVE ME OIL IN MY LAMP
(A predictable choice of song for sure … but why not?)
(A predictable choice of song for sure … but why not?)
PRAYER requires FAITH
PRAYER IS THE supreme activity of all that is noblest in our personality and the essential nature of prayer is faith.
[from ‘Not Knowing Whither’ by Oswald Chambers]
[from ‘Not Knowing Whither’ by Oswald Chambers]
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COMING NEXT… #498 PRECIOUS MOMENTS, PRIVILEGED PEOPLE
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John 20:30-31
And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book;
but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
The most important part of these two verses is the phrase ‘in His Name’. We know that in the Bible, a name represents the essential nature of the individual or group. Thus, as true followers of Jesus the Christ, we are following in His nature — we must ‘be as He is’.
When we pray — and Paul says we should pray without ceasing [1 Thessalonians 5:17] — we pray in Jesus name. Indeed, we may find ourselves in constant communion with the Holy Spirit without realising it. This meditation is not the place to discuss all aspects of our prayer life, but I must say that I have found benefit to my spirit; found a greater power and a stronger connection to Jesus when I believe myself to be praying in His name. Even saying the words, brings an energy to spoken prayer.
John makes it plain that life in the Spirit is only possible if we are filled with Jesus’ nature, Jesus’ Holy Spirit. In this way we are raised up into His Holiness — holy as He is Holy. The word used by John for life is the Greek ‘Zoe’, a translation of which says ‘life, real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever.’ This is ‘being as He is’ and we know it, we can feel it.
John chapter 20 is revealed as the summation of Jesus’ purpose and the pattern that He establishes for His ongoing work in us after His resurrection. Through Him we are given new life, and here we see the spiritual path till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; [Ephesians 4:13]
When we pray — and Paul says we should pray without ceasing [1 Thessalonians 5:17] — we pray in Jesus name. Indeed, we may find ourselves in constant communion with the Holy Spirit without realising it. This meditation is not the place to discuss all aspects of our prayer life, but I must say that I have found benefit to my spirit; found a greater power and a stronger connection to Jesus when I believe myself to be praying in His name. Even saying the words, brings an energy to spoken prayer.
John makes it plain that life in the Spirit is only possible if we are filled with Jesus’ nature, Jesus’ Holy Spirit. In this way we are raised up into His Holiness — holy as He is Holy. The word used by John for life is the Greek ‘Zoe’, a translation of which says ‘life, real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever.’ This is ‘being as He is’ and we know it, we can feel it.
John chapter 20 is revealed as the summation of Jesus’ purpose and the pattern that He establishes for His ongoing work in us after His resurrection. Through Him we are given new life, and here we see the spiritual path till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; [Ephesians 4:13]
- When the stone is rolled away from our old life and the light shines in the darkness we are released from our old life into a new spirit-filled way of being.
- Even if we have known the religious life, the Holy Spirit comes as such a revelation, a life that we begin to mature into, with our Lord’s inaudible voice speaking to our inmost being. You cannot touch it, shape it or save it. Instead He touches, shapes and saves you — but only as you allow.
- The learning process continues as you begin understanding His presence in the midst of you, driving out fear and bringing peace.
- Such is the glorious mystery of His presence, that even as we believe, yet we can doubt. Can it really be true? The voice of our old life can try to infiltrate and insinuate its way back in. That is where our work begins in earnest — by co-labouring with Christ to keep us in His Way, hearing and obeying His truth, which will nurture and blossom into the fullness of His Life.
- These four steps are His creative work, which are covered and sealed by His amazing grace unto us. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. [Ephesians 4:7]
MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS
JOHN 10:10-11
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.“
1 JOHN 3:1-3
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.“
1 JOHN 3:1-3
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
SPIRIT LEAD ME — Michael Ketterer + Influence Music
PRAYER requires FAITH
STATE DEFINITELY TO yourself the things that are confused; note the things that are not clear black and white. There are no problems at all over right and wrong. Human life is not made up of right and wrong, but of things which are not quite clear. Stand in faith that what Jesus said is true — everyone who asks receives. If the friendship of God is shrouded and it looks as if He is not going to do anything, then remain mute. The real problems are very heavy. Remember, God has bigger issues at stake on the ground of redemption than the particular setting in which we ask.
[from ‘The Place of Help’ by Oswald Chambers]
[from ‘The Place of Help’ by Oswald Chambers]
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John 20:24-29
Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe."
And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!"
Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing."
And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"
Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!"
Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing."
And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"
Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
John 20 is Jesus’ lesson to us on the basics of Resurrection Life — the life in the Kingdom of Heaven, which is ours to partake of now, if we will so choose, and when we reach verse 24, we come to the story of Thomas, called ‘The Twin’, meaning that he was called Thomas. His name means ‘twin’, or ‘two’. It therefore seems right that he is known as ‘Doubting Thomas’, because he was in two minds about the truth of the Resurrection.
Jesus says to him Do not be unbelieving, but believing. This seemed to me to be overstating the point somewhat, but I know that every word in Scripture is there for a reason. It seems obvious that you are believing if you are not in unbelief, but for our Lord to say it in this way implies that there is a middle ground, a prevarication between belief and unbelief. That half-way house must be doubt, or “I believe, but…”. Jesus is saying that there can be no buts.
We either go into this with our whole heart afire with faith, or we be not faithful. The Lord knows why we can struggle with faith and look for proof to convince us that we are doing the right thing — but that is not faith. Jesus says to Thomas that he is blessed because he has seen Jesus. Thomas has his proof. However, many more have not seen, but have faith and belief through hearing only. Hearing by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus is giving us a major lesson here, in what it means to follow Him. Hear His word and obey it. It is only by obedience to the Word of God that we can enter into His kingdom; His presence and His rest.
Jesus says to him Do not be unbelieving, but believing. This seemed to me to be overstating the point somewhat, but I know that every word in Scripture is there for a reason. It seems obvious that you are believing if you are not in unbelief, but for our Lord to say it in this way implies that there is a middle ground, a prevarication between belief and unbelief. That half-way house must be doubt, or “I believe, but…”. Jesus is saying that there can be no buts.
We either go into this with our whole heart afire with faith, or we be not faithful. The Lord knows why we can struggle with faith and look for proof to convince us that we are doing the right thing — but that is not faith. Jesus says to Thomas that he is blessed because he has seen Jesus. Thomas has his proof. However, many more have not seen, but have faith and belief through hearing only. Hearing by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus is giving us a major lesson here, in what it means to follow Him. Hear His word and obey it. It is only by obedience to the Word of God that we can enter into His kingdom; His presence and His rest.
MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS
HEBREWS 3:16-19 and HEBREWS 4:1-3
For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses?
Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness?
And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey?
So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.
For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.
For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said:
"So I swore in My wrath,
'They shall not enter My rest,'"
although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses?
Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness?
And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey?
So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.
For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.
For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said:
"So I swore in My wrath,
'They shall not enter My rest,'"
although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
BE STILL MY SOUL (IN YOU I REST) — Kari Jobe
PRAYER requires DISCIPLINE
WE ARE ALL Pharisees until we are willing to learn to intercede. We must go into heaven backwards; that phrase means we must grow into doing some definite thing by praying, not by seeing. To learn this lesson of handling a thing by prayer properly is to enter a very severe school. The duty of Christians is not to themselves or to others, but to Christ.
[from ‘If You Will Ask’ by Oswald Chambers]
[from ‘If You Will Ask’ by Oswald Chambers]