- Published on
Genesis 2:18-24
And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him."
Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.
So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.
And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.
Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
And Adam said:
"This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man."
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
[NKJV]
Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.
So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.
And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.
Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
And Adam said:
"This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man."
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
[NKJV]
Milady and I were discussing these verses recently and Gill raised an interesting question. Why did God use Adam’s rib to create Eve? I cannot claim to have a definitive answer, but nonetheless I have a few thoughts on the matter which I believe that the Holy Spirit has revealed.
When I was baptised in the Holy Spirit the Lord showed me that He protects those who are His by hedging them about in various ways, and Scripture shows this protection in various natural ways.
These are just three examples among many. Others include Noah’s Ark, and indeed the ark, or an ark, features prominently in our verses above, signifying the Ark, the Ark of the Covenant, the centre of all holiness. God protects His precious treasures in an ark.
So why Adam’s rib? It seems to me that the ribcage around the human chest is a protective shield, designed to protect the Human heart. A basket of sorts to hold essential organs like the lungs and heart, which speak of the Life and the Spirit. To take from the ribs is indicative of a sharing of ourselves, a giving at the deepest level, of what it is to be one of God’s people. This is extending God’s protection and provision from one to two, to make one together.
The whole passage points to two being made one — of The Son and the Father becoming one; husband and wife becoming one, and of us becoming one in Jesus Christ. We are essentially joined to Him body, soul and spirit.
When I was baptised in the Holy Spirit the Lord showed me that He protects those who are His by hedging them about in various ways, and Scripture shows this protection in various natural ways.
- The infant Jesus was placed in a manger, a cradle, a crib. (LUKE 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.)
- The Apostle Paul was saved from his enemies by being lowered from an upper window in a basket (ACTS 9:23-25 Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.)
- Moses was found in the bulrushes in a small basket (EXODUS 2:3 But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river's bank.)
These are just three examples among many. Others include Noah’s Ark, and indeed the ark, or an ark, features prominently in our verses above, signifying the Ark, the Ark of the Covenant, the centre of all holiness. God protects His precious treasures in an ark.
So why Adam’s rib? It seems to me that the ribcage around the human chest is a protective shield, designed to protect the Human heart. A basket of sorts to hold essential organs like the lungs and heart, which speak of the Life and the Spirit. To take from the ribs is indicative of a sharing of ourselves, a giving at the deepest level, of what it is to be one of God’s people. This is extending God’s protection and provision from one to two, to make one together.
The whole passage points to two being made one — of The Son and the Father becoming one; husband and wife becoming one, and of us becoming one in Jesus Christ. We are essentially joined to Him body, soul and spirit.
‘Meditate on these things’
MATTHEW 19:4-6 NKJV
And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."
And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."
“Jesus” — Chris Tomlin
A HOLY OCCUPATION: Oswald Chambers on PRAYER
— requires Communion --
God is going to judge us by the times when we have been in living communion with Him, not by what we feel like today. God judges us entirely by what we have seen. We are not judged by the fact that we live up to the light of our conscience; we are judged by the Light — Jesus Christ. “I am the light of the world”, and if we do not know Jesus Christ, we are to blame.
The only reason we do not know Him is because we have not bothered our heads about Him.
Honestly, does it matter to us whether Jesus lived and died, or did anything at all? But there are so many humbugs. There is no counterfeit without the reality. Is Jesus Christ a fraud? We are to be judged by Him.
This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light. We are not judged by the light we have, but by the light we have refused to accept. God holds us responsible for what we will not look at. A man is never the same after he has seen Jesus. We are judged by our immortal moments, the moments in which we have seen the light of God.
[from ‘The Place of Help’]
The only reason we do not know Him is because we have not bothered our heads about Him.
Honestly, does it matter to us whether Jesus lived and died, or did anything at all? But there are so many humbugs. There is no counterfeit without the reality. Is Jesus Christ a fraud? We are to be judged by Him.
This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light. We are not judged by the light we have, but by the light we have refused to accept. God holds us responsible for what we will not look at. A man is never the same after he has seen Jesus. We are judged by our immortal moments, the moments in which we have seen the light of God.
[from ‘The Place of Help’]
Listen to today’s Meditation by clicking below …
- Published on
Genesis 2:10-14
Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads. The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and the onyx stone are there. The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one which goes around the whole land of Cush. The name of the third river is Hiddekel; it is the one which goes toward the east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates.
[NKJV]
[NKJV]
A LAND OF RIVERS OF WATER
This is part of the creation story and the first intimation of the river of life flowing from the paradise of God, as is His pleasure and delight. Within it and from it is created four streams, or aspects of that heavenly flow, as a place for the first man, Adam, His creation, to dwell and prosper as a living being.
These tributaries of the great river showed the creative power of the Almighty bursting forth with life-giving power, spreading rapidly abroad releasing an abundant fruitfulness within the man and as a burgeoning provision for his well-being. Thus the love of God is shed abroad, His compassion and Fatherly care is lavished on the finest work of His hand.
The land of Havilah, where there is gold speaks of the eternity of the divinity in an everlasting dance of reels and encircling, with precious stones of Bdellium — often thought to represent the pearl, but means to separate or set apart — and onyx, a pale green stone (from a word meaning to blanch or make white) which gives us the sense of purity, holiness and life. This river which flows from Eden is the power and life of God flowing out into His creation and available to all if they have eyes to see and ears to hear.
There is yet more to be drawn out here; suffice it to say that God opens Himself to all who may come. He is inclusive not exclusive, forgiving and merciful when anyone turns to Him with a repentant heart.
This is part of the creation story and the first intimation of the river of life flowing from the paradise of God, as is His pleasure and delight. Within it and from it is created four streams, or aspects of that heavenly flow, as a place for the first man, Adam, His creation, to dwell and prosper as a living being.
These tributaries of the great river showed the creative power of the Almighty bursting forth with life-giving power, spreading rapidly abroad releasing an abundant fruitfulness within the man and as a burgeoning provision for his well-being. Thus the love of God is shed abroad, His compassion and Fatherly care is lavished on the finest work of His hand.
The land of Havilah, where there is gold speaks of the eternity of the divinity in an everlasting dance of reels and encircling, with precious stones of Bdellium — often thought to represent the pearl, but means to separate or set apart — and onyx, a pale green stone (from a word meaning to blanch or make white) which gives us the sense of purity, holiness and life. This river which flows from Eden is the power and life of God flowing out into His creation and available to all if they have eyes to see and ears to hear.
There is yet more to be drawn out here; suffice it to say that God opens Himself to all who may come. He is inclusive not exclusive, forgiving and merciful when anyone turns to Him with a repentant heart.
Pishon — increase from grow fat, spread, scatter
Gihon — stream, bursting forth
Hiddekel — ‘Tigris’, rapid
Euphrates — fruitfulness
Havilah — circle, from to dance
Assyria — from ‘asher’ happy successful, blessed (a son of Shem)
Cush — Ethiopia, black (a son of Ham)
Gihon — stream, bursting forth
Hiddekel — ‘Tigris’, rapid
Euphrates — fruitfulness
Havilah — circle, from to dance
Assyria — from ‘asher’ happy successful, blessed (a son of Shem)
Cush — Ethiopia, black (a son of Ham)
‘Meditate on these things’
DEUTERONOMY 10:6-9 NKJV
(Now the children of Israel journeyed from the wells of Bene Jaakan to Moserah, where Aaron died, and where he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered as priest in his stead. From there they journeyed to Gudgodah, and from Gudgodah to Jotbathah, a land of rivers of water.
At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister to Him and to bless in His name, to this day.
Therefore Levi has no portion nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, just as the LORD your God promised him.)
(Now the children of Israel journeyed from the wells of Bene Jaakan to Moserah, where Aaron died, and where he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered as priest in his stead. From there they journeyed to Gudgodah, and from Gudgodah to Jotbathah, a land of rivers of water.
At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister to Him and to bless in His name, to this day.
Therefore Levi has no portion nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, just as the LORD your God promised him.)
“Riverdance” — performed for the visit of Pope Francis to Ireland.
A HOLY OCCUPATION: Oswald Chambers on PRAYER
— Prayer requires CHILDLIKENESS --
It is never God’s will for us to be dummies or babies spiritually; it is God’s will for us to be sons and daughters of God.
But He does not prevent us paying the price of being sons and daughters. He makes us sons and daughters potentially, and then sends us out to be sons and daughters actually. Are we prepared to go into the shameless business of prayer? That is, are we prepared to get to the right understanding of God in this matter? We can only get it by one way, not by disputing or controversy, but by prayer.
Keep at it.
We have no business to remain in the dark about the character of our Father when He has made His character very clear to us.
[from ‘If Ye Shall Ask’]
But He does not prevent us paying the price of being sons and daughters. He makes us sons and daughters potentially, and then sends us out to be sons and daughters actually. Are we prepared to go into the shameless business of prayer? That is, are we prepared to get to the right understanding of God in this matter? We can only get it by one way, not by disputing or controversy, but by prayer.
Keep at it.
We have no business to remain in the dark about the character of our Father when He has made His character very clear to us.
[from ‘If Ye Shall Ask’]
Listen to this meditation by clicking below …
- Published on
Psalm 37:3-6
Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.
(NKJV)
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.
(NKJV)
We were talking today and — another reminder from Gill — a lesson from our walk with God. A special friend to us in the Lord would say “Commit our ways” to her husband at the start of the day; a call to prayer and another jog to the Spirit that beginning the day in the right way sets the path ahead clearly, no matter what confronts you.
It is a joy to see the Lord order your steps in this way, if you begin by committing all that you are to Him. In our passage from Psalm 37, we see the Psalmist declare three things — Trust, delight and commit, each dependant on the other in an interweaving — each aspect leads to the other two, no matter which comes first, and He shall bring it to pass. The conclusion of this promise is righteousness and justice.
I cannot underestimate the value of committing yourself to The Lord — not just once, but renewing that vow daily — reminding yourself of whose you are, for you are not your own. We each are body, soul and spirit. The body and the spirit are His; only the soul is under our control and if we give that back to The Lord, that is our commitment and makes us complete in Him, which is (or should be) our goal.
Commit your ways to Him afresh today.
It is a joy to see the Lord order your steps in this way, if you begin by committing all that you are to Him. In our passage from Psalm 37, we see the Psalmist declare three things — Trust, delight and commit, each dependant on the other in an interweaving — each aspect leads to the other two, no matter which comes first, and He shall bring it to pass. The conclusion of this promise is righteousness and justice.
I cannot underestimate the value of committing yourself to The Lord — not just once, but renewing that vow daily — reminding yourself of whose you are, for you are not your own. We each are body, soul and spirit. The body and the spirit are His; only the soul is under our control and if we give that back to The Lord, that is our commitment and makes us complete in Him, which is (or should be) our goal.
Commit your ways to Him afresh today.
‘Meditate on these things’
HAGGAI 2:4-5 NKJV
Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,' says the LORD; 'and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,' says the LORD, 'and work [commit]; for I am with you,' says the LORD of hosts. 'According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!'
Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,' says the LORD; 'and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,' says the LORD, 'and work [commit]; for I am with you,' says the LORD of hosts. 'According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!'
“Commit Your Way To The Lord” — Peter R Hallock
A HOLY OCCUPATION: Oswald Chambers on Prayer
— Prayer requires CHILDLIKENESS --
And your Father who sees in secret. The revelation here is of the free kingdom of love; there is not blind creature lay subjection to the Creator, but the free kingdom in which the one who prays is conscious of limit only through the moral nature of the Father’s holiness. It is a revelation of pure joyousness in which the child of God pours into the Father’s bosom the cares which give pain and anxiety that He May solve the difficulties. We are not beggars on the one hand or spiritual customers on the other; we are God’s children, and we just stay before Him with our broken treasures or our pain and watch Him mend or heal in such a way that we understand Him better.
[from ‘Christian Discipline Volumes I and II’)
[from ‘Christian Discipline Volumes I and II’)
Listen to this meditation by clicking below
- Published on
Colossians 1:23
if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
NKJV
NKJV
Paul had a real heart to encourage us to ‘continue in the faith’. It is understandable because Paul, just one among so many men, suffered persecution for his faith and yet persevered and persisted. The lesson for us is that we also may have that degree of commitment that we too may persist and ‘continue in the faith’
The word is clear — it is about carrying on, persisting, not failing or faltering. It is often standing as the lone tree in the gale — the last man standing. Steadfast is the ‘now’ word, particularly in uncertain times, like ‘now’ and every now.
In what way do we persevere? It is easy to say that things do not work out as we want them to. They never will because the world does not revolve around you and me. I still find that difficult after nearly 70 years on this earth, and as Gill pointed out to me today, we pass on our attitudes — good and bad — to our children and grandchildren, to our wider family and friends, to our work colleagues and neighbours. We owe it to these wonderful people to radiate Christ, by persevering in our faith.
Without a doubt it is a tough call, but today tomorrow and every day let us awake and be not moved away from the Hope of the gospel which we have heard.
A dear lady of great faith declared that she awakened and before doing anything else praised The Lord in what she called ‘the heavenly language’ — speaking in tongues. This can also mean just singing a hymn or praise song to yourself or aloud; even just humming the tune. The Lord works in you through these things. I have found it to be true and I confess that I have let that practise slip away of late. This message is for myself as much as anyone else, but I know in my heart that persevering, continuing faithfully is something we dare not ignore or let fall. Where our faith is concerned, our actions bring eternal consequences.
The word is clear — it is about carrying on, persisting, not failing or faltering. It is often standing as the lone tree in the gale — the last man standing. Steadfast is the ‘now’ word, particularly in uncertain times, like ‘now’ and every now.
In what way do we persevere? It is easy to say that things do not work out as we want them to. They never will because the world does not revolve around you and me. I still find that difficult after nearly 70 years on this earth, and as Gill pointed out to me today, we pass on our attitudes — good and bad — to our children and grandchildren, to our wider family and friends, to our work colleagues and neighbours. We owe it to these wonderful people to radiate Christ, by persevering in our faith.
Without a doubt it is a tough call, but today tomorrow and every day let us awake and be not moved away from the Hope of the gospel which we have heard.
A dear lady of great faith declared that she awakened and before doing anything else praised The Lord in what she called ‘the heavenly language’ — speaking in tongues. This can also mean just singing a hymn or praise song to yourself or aloud; even just humming the tune. The Lord works in you through these things. I have found it to be true and I confess that I have let that practise slip away of late. This message is for myself as much as anyone else, but I know in my heart that persevering, continuing faithfully is something we dare not ignore or let fall. Where our faith is concerned, our actions bring eternal consequences.
‘Meditate On These Things’
2 PETER 3:17-18 NKJV
You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
“Perseverance” — Tommy Walker Ministries
A HOLY COMMAND: Oswald Chambers On Love
— Love with all your Strength --
The saint has one striking characteristic, and that is in loving with a Divine love. It’s thirst is not so much to be loved as to be lovable. The characteristics in the life of a saint are the characteristics of our Lord’s life. The saint bears a strong family likeness to Jesus Christ.
[from ‘Christian Discipline Volumes I and II’)
[from ‘Christian Discipline Volumes I and II’)
Listen to this MEDITATION by Clicking Below …
- Published on
John 14:25-31
"These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
You have heard Me say to you, 'I am going away and coming back to you.' If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, I am going to the Father,' for My Father is greater than I.
"And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.
I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.
But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.”
[NKJV]
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
You have heard Me say to you, 'I am going away and coming back to you.' If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, I am going to the Father,' for My Father is greater than I.
"And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.
I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.
But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.”
[NKJV]
From John 14 to the end of John 17, the words we read are exclusively John quoting Jesus in a long farewell speech to His disciples giving counsel and guidance, but also reassurance for the times ahead, but most of all strengthening their faith. This is the detail of ‘The Last Supper’. Jesus concludes with the words “Arise, let us go from here.” Where was Jesus going?
In 18:1 we read that “When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered.” This is three chapters away in John’s narrative, so maybe we should conclude that the arising and the going is not a physical movement — at least not yet — but a spiritual one. Perhaps Jesus if urging His disciples — and that includes us — to arise from the concerns of this world and go to a new place, a place where the Helper, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit dwells.
He stresses that He gives His peace to us. Once we know Him, that essential peace is ever-present within. This is not a gift that we can handle and look at, it is intangible but palpable at the same time — but we must hold on to the gift — “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” It requires action and application on our part, remembering that it is always a joint effort, with Jesus taking the strain.
But now He tell His disciples “I am going away and coming back to you.” And He asks us to rejoice. He follows the Father’s commandment and He says “Arise, let us go from here.”
In 18:1 we read that “When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered.” This is three chapters away in John’s narrative, so maybe we should conclude that the arising and the going is not a physical movement — at least not yet — but a spiritual one. Perhaps Jesus if urging His disciples — and that includes us — to arise from the concerns of this world and go to a new place, a place where the Helper, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit dwells.
He stresses that He gives His peace to us. Once we know Him, that essential peace is ever-present within. This is not a gift that we can handle and look at, it is intangible but palpable at the same time — but we must hold on to the gift — “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” It requires action and application on our part, remembering that it is always a joint effort, with Jesus taking the strain.
But now He tell His disciples “I am going away and coming back to you.” And He asks us to rejoice. He follows the Father’s commandment and He says “Arise, let us go from here.”
‘Meditate on these things’
EPHESIANS 5:13-14 NKJV
But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says:
"Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light."
But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says:
"Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light."
“Arise Shine” — featuring Kathryn Marquis
A HOLY COMMAND: Oswald Chambers on Love
— Love with all your STRENGTH --
The natural life in a sanctified man or woman is neither moral or immoral; it is the gift God has given to be sacrificed on the altar of love to God.
Jesus Christ had a natural body, it was not a sin for Him to be hungry, but it would have been a sin for Him to satisfy that hunger when God had told Him not to. The body we have is not sinful in itself; if it were, it would be untrue to say that Jesus Christ was sinless. After we are sanctified we have the same body, but it is ruled by a new disposition, and we have to sacrifice our natural life to God even as Jesus did, so that we make the natural life spiritual by a series of direct moral choices.
[from ‘If Thou Wilt Be Perfect’]
Jesus Christ had a natural body, it was not a sin for Him to be hungry, but it would have been a sin for Him to satisfy that hunger when God had told Him not to. The body we have is not sinful in itself; if it were, it would be untrue to say that Jesus Christ was sinless. After we are sanctified we have the same body, but it is ruled by a new disposition, and we have to sacrifice our natural life to God even as Jesus did, so that we make the natural life spiritual by a series of direct moral choices.
[from ‘If Thou Wilt Be Perfect’]
Listen to this meditation by clicking below …
- Published on
John 14:19-24
"A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."
Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?"
Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.
[NKJV]
Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?"
Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.
[NKJV]
I recall being told as a student, that when studying a text, an image, a presentation, to ask yourself questions to get to the heart of what is before you. Do not accept your own preconceptions, but cultivate an enquiring mind. Do not be afraid to ask ‘a stupid question’. Judas (the brother of James) asks — to those already gifted in Bible study — what can seem like one of those ‘what is not to understand?’ questions. He says to Jesus “I don’t understand, Lord.” In so doing he elicits a response from Jesus which helps all of us ‘see’ the spiritual reality of our faith.
In verse 18 Jesus says “I will come to you”, now He says “but you will see Me.” We learn in The Book of Revelation that Jesus is “…the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." Jesus is all encompassing, and in the words He speaks He covers the beginning and the end. So when He says He will come to us, it will not pass unnoticed by His people. No, we will see Him, and not just ‘see’ as in notice or observe, but ‘see’ as in know, understand and have an almighty revelation of the Son of God.
Jesus is expanding on what He means by the Spirit of Truth in what is an essential time of teaching His disciples. We are being led through a time of preparation in our walk when we will feel that He has left us; that we are alone. He reassures us of His eternal presence for those who love Him. He is revealing to us how the Holy Spirit works and lays before us the ‘terms and conditions’, as well as the guarantee.
In verse 18 Jesus says “I will come to you”, now He says “but you will see Me.” We learn in The Book of Revelation that Jesus is “…the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." Jesus is all encompassing, and in the words He speaks He covers the beginning and the end. So when He says He will come to us, it will not pass unnoticed by His people. No, we will see Him, and not just ‘see’ as in notice or observe, but ‘see’ as in know, understand and have an almighty revelation of the Son of God.
Jesus is expanding on what He means by the Spirit of Truth in what is an essential time of teaching His disciples. We are being led through a time of preparation in our walk when we will feel that He has left us; that we are alone. He reassures us of His eternal presence for those who love Him. He is revealing to us how the Holy Spirit works and lays before us the ‘terms and conditions’, as well as the guarantee.
‘MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS’
1 JOHN 3:2 NKJV
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.
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.
“See Him Face To Face” — First Baptist Dallas Choir & Orchestra
A HOLY COMMAND: Oswald Chambers on Love
— Love with all your STRENGTH --
The gods of other religions are unmoved by men’s troubles simply because they do not care; but our God in His love and compassion imposes on Himself our weakness and pain, while yet He is unmoved from the well-centred strength of His mighty purposes.
[from ‘Christian Discipline, Volumes I and II’]
[from ‘Christian Discipline, Volumes I and II’]
Listen to this meditation by clicking below …
- Published on
This meditation was previously published in July 2020 under the title ‘Abide With Me’. This version has been edited and updated.
John 14:15-18
If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
[NKJV]
[NKJV]
Jesus promised that He would send a helper, a ‘comforter’, the Holy Spirit of Truth, who would abide with us ... and will be in us!
‘Abide’ is an amazing word with an amazing number of synonyms*. It describes a state of being with The Lord which none of these other words begin to express adequately. It is inclusive and intimate, and transcends time and place. It is an unconditionally unlimited way to live.
One of the greatest of the Psalms, Psalm 91 is a favourite for many and beautifully and poetically captures what it means to ‘be one with Christ’.
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.”
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, not of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
[Psalm 91:1-6 NKJV]
Our Father gives and gives and gives selflessly and we are deeply comforted; but behind the words is the father’s heart, which gently reminds us that ‘abiding’ is not just about us. The focus of our abiding is Him; the selflessness is a two-presence relationship. Unless we concern ourselves fully on Him, we are not “he who dwells in the secret place of the Most High”
*Abide is menō (μένω; a primary verb) and means to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy): — abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), to remain.
Abide in reference to place: to sojourn, tarry, not to depart, to continue, to be present, to be held, kept, continually.
Abide in reference to time: to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure of persons, to survive, live.
Abide in reference to state or condition: to remain as one, not to become another or different, to wait for, await one
‘Abide’ is an amazing word with an amazing number of synonyms*. It describes a state of being with The Lord which none of these other words begin to express adequately. It is inclusive and intimate, and transcends time and place. It is an unconditionally unlimited way to live.
One of the greatest of the Psalms, Psalm 91 is a favourite for many and beautifully and poetically captures what it means to ‘be one with Christ’.
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.”
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, not of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
[Psalm 91:1-6 NKJV]
Our Father gives and gives and gives selflessly and we are deeply comforted; but behind the words is the father’s heart, which gently reminds us that ‘abiding’ is not just about us. The focus of our abiding is Him; the selflessness is a two-presence relationship. Unless we concern ourselves fully on Him, we are not “he who dwells in the secret place of the Most High”
*Abide is menō (μένω; a primary verb) and means to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy): — abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), to remain.
Abide in reference to place: to sojourn, tarry, not to depart, to continue, to be present, to be held, kept, continually.
Abide in reference to time: to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure of persons, to survive, live.
Abide in reference to state or condition: to remain as one, not to become another or different, to wait for, await one
‘Meditate on these things’
1 CORINTHIANS 4:18-21 NKJV
Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
“Come Unto Me” — Booth Brothers
A HOLY COMMAND: Oswald Chambers on LOVE
— Love with all your STRENGTH --
The realisation that my strength is always a hindrance to God’s supply of life is a great eye-opener. A man who has genius is apt to rely on his genius rather than on God. A man who has money is apt to rely on money instead of God. So many of us trust in what we have got in the way of possessions instead of entirely in God.
All these sources of strength are sources of double weakness. But when we realise that our true life is “hid with Christ in God,” that we are “complete in Him,” then His strength is radiantly manifested in our mortal flesh, and His light and life and love shine more and more unto the perfect day.
[from ‘God’s Workmanship’]
All these sources of strength are sources of double weakness. But when we realise that our true life is “hid with Christ in God,” that we are “complete in Him,” then His strength is radiantly manifested in our mortal flesh, and His light and life and love shine more and more unto the perfect day.
[from ‘God’s Workmanship’]
Listen to this meditation by clicking below …
- Published on
John 14:12-14
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
[NKJV]
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
[NKJV]
One of the first lessons I learned when baptised in The Holy Spirit was that the names of people in Scripture describes the nature of that person. ‘The name is the nature’. When studying the rebuilding of the gates of Jerusalem to get an idea of the spiritual picture being portrayed, I discovered that translating the names into English gave a key to understanding.
Jesus tells us that “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” Thus, whatever we ask of Him while ‘in the Spirit’ — in His Holy Spirit — we have a direct line to His nature abiding in us, because we are abiding in Him. This passage in John 14 is a wonderful expression of Jesus’ nature, and an amazing and glorious promise to those who believe in Him. You will notice that many prayers that we read, conclude with “in Jesus name”, stating that the prayer is claiming this promise that Jesus made to His people.
The name of Jesus Christ reveals His nature as ‘God is salvation, the anointed one’, or we might say that He is chosen and consecrated by God to be salvation, and salvation encompasses deliverance, welfare, prosperity, healing and victory among its many implications. “Most assuredly.”
Jesus tells us that “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” Thus, whatever we ask of Him while ‘in the Spirit’ — in His Holy Spirit — we have a direct line to His nature abiding in us, because we are abiding in Him. This passage in John 14 is a wonderful expression of Jesus’ nature, and an amazing and glorious promise to those who believe in Him. You will notice that many prayers that we read, conclude with “in Jesus name”, stating that the prayer is claiming this promise that Jesus made to His people.
The name of Jesus Christ reveals His nature as ‘God is salvation, the anointed one’, or we might say that He is chosen and consecrated by God to be salvation, and salvation encompasses deliverance, welfare, prosperity, healing and victory among its many implications. “Most assuredly.”
‘MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS’
LUKE 2:21 NKJV
And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
“My Prayer For You” — Alisa Turner
A HOLY COMMAND: Oswald Chambers on Love
— Love with all your MIND --
When we are tied up with other people’s notions of what we should be, the only way to get rid of it all is to take this plunge into the love of God. We have to form the mind of Christ until we are absorbed in Him and take no account of the evil done to us. No love on earth can do this but the love of God.
[from ‘If Thou Wilt Be Perfect’]
[from ‘If Thou Wilt Be Perfect’]
LISTEN TO THIS MEDITATION BY CLICKING BELOW …
- Published on
THE LIGHT IS SHINING FORTH
This is the 401st post on the website and the first of 2022. New Year is always an appropriate time to look back at the old year, either with nostalgia or regret, or maybe a mixture of both; but also — and more importantly — to look forward to the New; our hearts filled with hope.
I am in danger of beginning to sound like Rikki Fulton’s ‘Reverend I M Jolly’, or my erstwhile alter ego the ‘Reverend E S Smiley’, now sadly no longer with us, both of whom used to love a ‘Guid New Year’ message. My own year has been mixed with sadness, but also much delight, and I am sure many will feel overwhelmed by the menace of the pandemic and the loss of dear ones. Will 2022 break the mould that has been our lives for nigh on 2 years now? Naturally, none of us can answer that, but I was much encouraged by today’s reading in David Wilkerson’s devotional ‘God Is Faithful’ — my chosen Devotional for 2022.
I am in danger of beginning to sound like Rikki Fulton’s ‘Reverend I M Jolly’, or my erstwhile alter ego the ‘Reverend E S Smiley’, now sadly no longer with us, both of whom used to love a ‘Guid New Year’ message. My own year has been mixed with sadness, but also much delight, and I am sure many will feel overwhelmed by the menace of the pandemic and the loss of dear ones. Will 2022 break the mould that has been our lives for nigh on 2 years now? Naturally, none of us can answer that, but I was much encouraged by today’s reading in David Wilkerson’s devotional ‘God Is Faithful’ — my chosen Devotional for 2022.
GOD’S DELIGHT
God not only loves His children, He takes great pleasure in us. I see this kind of parental pleasure in my wife, Gwen, whenever one of our grandchildren calls. Gwen lights up like a Christmas tree when she has one of our dear little ones on the line. Nothing can get her off the ‘phone. Even if I told her the President was at the door, she would shoo me away and keep talking.
How could I ever accuse my heavenly Father of delighting in me less than I do in my own offspring? At times my children have failed me, doing things contrary to what I taught them. But never once have I stopped loving or delighting in them. If I possess that kind of enduring love as an imperfect father, how much more does our heavenly Father care for us, His children?
Joshua and Caleb stood up in the midst of Israel and cried, “If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us” [Numbers 14:8]. What a simple yet powerful declaration. They were saying,”Because our Lord delights in us, He will vanquish every giant. Therefore, we must not look at our obstacles, but keep our eyes on our Lord’s great love for us.”
All through Scripture we read that God delights in us: “But the blameless in their ways are His delight” [Proverbs 11:20], “The prayer of the upright is His delight [Proverbs 15:8], “My strong enemy [was] … too strong for me … But the Lord … delivered me because He delighted in me” [Psalm 18:17-19].
It is absolutely imperative that we believe God delights in us. Then we will be able to accept that every circumstance in our lives will eventually prove to be our Father’s loving will for us. And He will bring joy out of our struggle.
DAVID WILKERSON
Speaking for myself, these are words I need, not only to hear, but to engrain in my very being. It is so easy for the world to draw us away from the right path, so that we forget whose we are.
PRAYER: Lord, help us to accept Your deep and abiding love for us; make that love an essential part of who we are. Abide in us that we may abide in You. We delight in You, Heavenly Father.
PRAYER: Lord, help us to accept Your deep and abiding love for us; make that love an essential part of who we are. Abide in us that we may abide in You. We delight in You, Heavenly Father.
“MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS”
ESTHER 6:11 NKJV
So Haman took the robe and the horse, arrayed Mordecai and led him on horseback through the city square, and proclaimed before him, "Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honour!"
So Haman took the robe and the horse, arrayed Mordecai and led him on horseback through the city square, and proclaimed before him, "Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honour!"
“New Day Dawning” — Celtic Thunder
(A spirited song of thanksgiving, even if a little like it came out of ‘Brigadoon’)
(A spirited song of thanksgiving, even if a little like it came out of ‘Brigadoon’)
“A Guid New Year Tae Ane An’ A’” — Kenneth McKellar
A HOLY COMMAND: Oswald Chambers on Love
— Love With All Your Mind --
The characteristics of man’s union with God are faith in God and love for Him. This union was the first thing Satan aimed at in Adam and Eve, and he did it by perverting what God had said.
In the case of Job, Satan goes the length of trying to pervert God’s idea of man. That is an amazing revelation of the power of Satan! He is represented as presenting himself with the sons of God in the very presence of God and trying to pervert God’s mind about Job.
[from ‘Biblical Psychology’]
In the case of Job, Satan goes the length of trying to pervert God’s idea of man. That is an amazing revelation of the power of Satan! He is represented as presenting himself with the sons of God in the very presence of God and trying to pervert God’s mind about Job.
[from ‘Biblical Psychology’]