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LIVELY STONES MEDITATIONS

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GENESIS 12:1-3

Now the LORD had said to Abram:
"Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you.
I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
The Lord said to Abram to get out of where he was and go to the land that He would reveal to Him. And in all this Abram would be blessed. Furthermore, all the families of the earth would be blessed in him. That is a whale of a promise.

This instruction to Abram shows how God has worked to bring that blessing to Abram and through him to all his descendants, meaning all God’s people — all who He has called and purposed to be His from before the beginning of time. Later, Abram, now Abraham is told that “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” [Genesis 22:18] This is a cornerstone of God’s blessing of His church.

Genesis 12 says that we shall be a blessing. To whom? To our Heavenly Father? To one another? I believe this means both — and that the true answer is in the becoming. Our very being will become a blessing, filled with the Holy Spirit and, as we grow in faith, radiating Jesus’ presence to those with eyes to see and ears to hear.

And the man said to me, “Son of man, look with your eyes and hear with your ears, and fix your mind on everything I show you; for you were brought here so that I might show them to you. Declare to the house of Israel everything you see.” [Ezekiel 40:4]

And the blessing of God spreads outwards, so that He will bless those who bless us, but also curse those who curse us. In this way, the outstretched arm of God covers and protects His people.

But what is ‘blessing’? It means to kneel in adoration (to God), or as a benefit to a person or people (from God), but it can also mean to curse. When we kneel before Him, it is an act of submission, of worship, and an acknowledgment of His rightful place. For God, who is all-powerful, the kneeling represents His spiritual lowering of Himself to be in the midst of us. In this way, our Lord Jesus Christ is ‘The Blessing’.

MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS

DEUTERONOMY 30:1-3
"Now it shall come to pass, when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the LORD your God drives you,
and you return to the LORD your God and obey His voice, according to all that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul,
that the LORD your God will bring you back from captivity, and have compassion on you, and gather you again from all the nations where the LORD your God has scattered you.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING — Sue Dodge and Gaither Gathering

PRAYER requires POWER

PRAYING IN THE Holy Spirit means the power given to us by God to maintain a simple relationship to Jesus Christ, and it is most difficult to realize this simple relationship in the matter of prayer.
[from ‘If Ye Shall Ask’ by Oswald Chambers]

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COMING NEXT… #511 BACK FROM CAPTIVITY

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Isaiah 26:2-4

Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in.
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.
Whenever Jesus was in the midst of a gathering He brought peace by His presence. Often, particularly when some or all with Him were anxious or fearful, He emphasised that peace by declaring “Peace unto you.”. When we engage with Jesus in the reality of His presence within us He gives us His peace. It can be no other and no better way.

The words we have read in Isaiah 26 express this truth simply and convincingly. These are words of life to the dying, hope to the lost and compassion to the unloved. Peace — peace of mind, peace in heart, peace that transcends the cruelties of this earthly existence — is what our Saviour brings to those whose mind is stayed — fixed and focused — on and with Him. That focus on Our Lord is given life by mutual trust. We trust Him because He is unwaveringly and unshakeably trustworthy, and He has demonstrated this over and over again as so many can testify.

As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. [2 Samuel 22:31]

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the LORD. There are many who say, "Who will show us any good?"
LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. [Psalm 4:5-8]

These are just two of many quotations in scripture that announce that same joyous truth. And yet we often shy away from it, or doubt it’s veracity. Why? I suspect the reason is that it is far removed from our experience and expectations in life. Difficult to accept, because it seems so unreal. It is unreal in our mundane day-to-day view of things, but in the higher reality of our Lord of Lords, it is real indeed. His peace — the peace that passeth understanding — is to be sought after and treasured. Let Him enter our hearts and we shall know an everlasting tranquility, for He is our strength.

MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS

NUMBERS 6:22-27
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:

"The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace."'

"So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them."
PERFECT PEACE — The Wilds Christian Association

LEONARD RAVENHILL

“There are three persons living in each of us: the one we think we are, the one other people think we are, and the one God knows we are.”
[from ‘Why Revival Tarries’ by Leonard Ravenhill]

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COMING NEXT … #510 YOU SHALL BE A BLESSING

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Jeremiah 13:12-14

"Therefore you shall speak to them this word: 'Thus says the LORD God of Israel: "Every bottle shall be filled with wine."'
"And they will say to you, 'Do we not certainly know that every bottle will be filled with wine?'
"Then you shall say to them, 'Thus says the LORD: "Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land—even the kings who sit on David's throne, the priests, the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem—with drunkenness! And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together," says the LORD. "I will not pity nor spare nor have mercy, but will destroy them."'"
Each of the ‘Great Prophets’ — Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel — has his own unique voice and perspective, while each speaks the truth powerfully that The Lord has given him. These three verses from Jeremiah 13 are no different, and while we recognise the force in the words, the meaning seemed unclear — at least to me — until The Lord answered my question.

Wine can be a picture of The Holy Spirit, and every bottle will refer to ‘His people’ (see verse 11). Jeremiah takes this image of being completely filled — with the Spirit — as an instrument of our destruction instead of salvation. Why is this?

The answer must be that God’s people are in constant danger of going astray; can so fully abandon any vestige of holiness that the sinful life becomes their guiding principle. In Mark 3:24-25, Jesus says this: “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.“ The sin that God’s people committed — according to Jeremiah 13:11 — is that they would not hear.

Thus the infilling of the Holy Spirit (Christ within you the hope of glory) becomes judgement instead of blessing in those who fail to hear God; simply because God cannot by His very nature touch anything unclean. Indeed, Mark 3:28-30 quotes Jesus as saying "Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation"— because they said, "He has an unclean spirit."

The net effect of the power of God sweeping through a now sinful one of His people is the drunkenness that Jeremiah describes — a spiritual anger that destroys — the only cure for which is complete and utter repentance.

Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The LORD will judge His people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. [Hebrews 10:29-31]

MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS

REVELATION 14:6-7
Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—
saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water."
AT YOUR FEET WE FALL — David Fellingham

LEONARD RAVENHILL on PRAYER

The secret of praying is praying in secret. A sinning man will stop praying, and a praying man will stop sinning.

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COMING NEXT … #509 PERFECT PEACE

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John 21:20-25

Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?" Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?"
Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me."
Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?"
This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
Jesus’ three “Do you love me?” questions to Peter are, I believe, three different questions; or at least variations designed to draw him in to the right place and restore Peter, letting him see that — as the rock on which Jesus was to build His church — Jesus would continue to be with him in all things.

Jesus first two questions were God-centred, but the third was formed as one of brotherly love — coming along side Peter — in a sense putting His arm around the disciple. And then comes what could be seen as an awkward moment, but which is instructive, as John draws his gospel to its conclusion. “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter says, followed by “But Lord, what about this man?”.

Peter is still discomfited by what He sees as being singled out for interrogation. “Why me? What about him?” seems to be his attitude, allowing Jesus to say the equivalent of “Mind your own business, Peter.” It is important that we do not compare ourselves to others — the ‘pointing the finger’ attitude to divert attention from our own failings.

Jesus makes it clear that He loves everyone in the same way; that He is with us in an individual relationship — Christ within you, the hope of glory — as well as corporately. It is not for me to stand in judgement on another. I do not know — nor do I need to know — the work that The Lord is doing in my brother or sister’s life. Jesus has an intimate relationship with each of us.

John concludes with the statement that his gospel is merely a glimpse at the life of Jesus on this Earth. Much more could be said, and no doubt there is much that has been forgotten. His purpose has been to lay out Jesus’ ministry as the true Son of God, that we may know and understand the truth of His coming amongst us. That we may know and understand Him.

MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS

MATTHEW 7:1-3
"Judge not, that you be not judged.
For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use,
it will be measured back to you.
And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye,
but do not consider the plank in your own eye?“
HOLY SPIRIT, WE WELCOME YOU — St Michael’s Singers
(written by Chris Bowater)

PRAYER requires OBEDIENCE

IN OUR LORD's life there was no divorce between the ideal and the real; He never gave Himself continually to prayer. Beware of the tendency that makes you wish that God would pretend you are someone special. It is a childish make-believe, standing on spiritual tiptoe to look as big as God — others can do this and that, but I must give myself to prayer. The great secret of the obedient life of faith is that the real conditions of bodily life are transfigured by real communion with God.
[from ‘Not Knowing Whither’ by Oswald Chambers]

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COMING NEXT… #508 EVERY BOTTLE SHALL BE FILLED WITH WINE

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John 21:15-19

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs."
He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep."
He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?"
And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.
Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish."
This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."
All of John, chapter 21, takes place on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, (known as the Sea of Tiberius at this time), and the picture this gives us is that of Resurrection Life with Jesus Christ as the safe haven, with believers experiencing all the peace, joy and love that is His nature.

And after the joy of meeting with Jesus after thinking that He was lost to them, the disciples found the peace they sought and had always found in His Presence. They realise that His presence is still with them, despite the death on the Cross, and with the joy and the peace, they again know His love. The conversation between Jesus and Simon Peter reveals the nature of both in their use of the word ‘love’

The love spoken of by Jesus is God-centric, pure and holy, selfless and unconditional love — agape, from the Greek – ‘determining your will for another's good’ – ‘dying to yourself so that another might flourish’ — ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ [John 15:13]

The other types of love mentioned in Scripture are eros – physical, sensual love between a husband and wife; philia – close friendship, or brotherly love; and storge – family love, the close bond between parents and children, and vice versa.

We can see that aspects of love are interwoven into these verses from John 21, described in the New King James Version of The Bible as ‘Jesus restores Peter.’ When Jesus speaks to Peter He uses agapeo, but when Peter replies he uses phileo. Indeed, Peter uses phileo in answer to all three occasions Jesus asks him. Jesus speaks agapeo on the first and second time, but phileo on the third. What are we to understand from this, and how does this help us in our relationship with Jesus?

It seems that Peter does not understand the idea of love that Jesus talks of. Peter understands ‘brotherly love’, but has yet to grasp the notion of laying down your life for the sake of another. However, Jesus accepts where Peter is at this time and calls him to ‘feed my sheep’ — in other words ‘raise up my flock. Be a good shepherd in my stead.’

What we can see is that Jesus is gauging where Peter’s heart lies. The Lord knows His man, and by repeating His instruction to feed or shepherd His lambs and sheep, He is imparting the love of God and a nurturing heart to Peter. The threefold instruction gives the message the full weight of The Lord’s conviction to this. There can be no other way. The agape love of God can only be grown and matured in followers of Christ by coming alongside in a phileo relationship.

Jesus practises what He preaches and in speaking to Peter, He reveals the method by which others will be shown the Way, the Truth and the Life by Peter and by any who follow Jesus. Despite denying Jesus three times, Peter is revitalised and restored to his place with our Lord.

MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS

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.
FEED MY SHEEP — Don Francisco

PRAYER requires OBEDIENCE

WE DISCERN SPIRITUAL truth not by intellectual curiosity or research, but by entreating the favour of the Lord, that is, by prayer and by no other way, not even by obedience, because obedience is apt to have an idea of merit.
[from ‘He Shall Glorify Me’ by Oswald Chambers]

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COMING NEXT … #507 BY THE SEA 4: WHAT IS THAT TO YOU?

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John 21:7-14

Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish.
Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have just caught."
Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.
Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast." (“Come and dine” KJV) Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, "Who are You?"—knowing that it was the Lord.
Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.
This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead. His new life appearances on Earth are now complete and eternal in God, and Jesus is saying to them and us Come and eat breakfast; Come and dine with Me; let us share an everlasting sustaining, one with another.

See the picture that Jesus has created for us here, it is a vision of eternal life at the right hand of God; life in the Kingdom of Heaven:
  1. We have been called by Him to the shore — for we have recognised Him as our Lord and we see Him in the place where He now dwells. So we put on our covering and come to Him as we are and as He has nurtured in us.
  2. We come to Him by faith, no matter how we get there, for we have risen out of the waters of the mass of unredeemed mankind and have chosen to live in the fishing boat of the Church of Jesus Christ.
  3. When we come to that shore, we find a perfect welcome into The Lord’s House awaits us. The Redeemer’s fire burns brightly and there is food ready prepared.
  4. We see Christ’s invitation to ‘Come and dine’ as His guiding into the Holiest of All in His temple. Jesus Himself — as ‘The Light of The World’ — reveals the Candlestick in The Holy Place; the bread is The Table of Showbread, and the fish are the purified offering of our souls in the fire of the Altar of Incense.
  5. Simon Peter, as the rock on which Jesus is building His church, brings His unbroken net of the souls to whom He has revealed the life in Christ, to lay before Him — to fulfil the Lord’s working in us that He will make us fishers of men.
  6. These living souls brought before Christ number one hundred and fifty-three, revealing ‘the children of the harvest’ (100) perfected and resurrected by the fullness and grace of the Holy Spirit (53, as 50+3).
  7. Jesus invites us to come and dine — to be a part in His completing and everlasting work — to breakfast with Him, from a line of meaning back to the root word ‘to elevate; raise up; lift or draw up (a fish).
  8. This eating breakfast also suggests the time of day. It is the first and best meal of the day, strengthening after the night hours fasting, and just as the new day is dawning and the light is revealing a new beginning.

This is a message of such uplifting encouraging hope for each follower and disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. Come and dine.

MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS

REVELATION 3:20-21
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
COME AND DINE — sung by Gary Chapman

PRAYER requires OBEDIENCE

THE REASON FOR intercession is not that God answers prayer, but that God tells us to pray.
[from ‘Disciples Indeed’ by Oswald Chambers]

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COMING NEXT … #506 BY THE SEA 3: FEED MY SHEEP

MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS…

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
PHILIPPIANS 4:8-9

Authors

GEORGE and GILL STEWART
for Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, Kilmartin
(unless post shows otherwise)