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John 12:12-19
The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:
“Hosanna!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’
The King of Israel!”
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’
The King of Israel!”
Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written:
“Fear not, daughter of Zion;
Behold, your King is coming,
Sitting on a donkey's colt.”
Behold, your King is coming,
Sitting on a donkey's colt.”
His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.
Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness.
For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign.
The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!”
[John 12:12-19 NKJV]
Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness.
For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign.
The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!”
[John 12:12-19 NKJV]
You will have noticed that Lazarus is again mentioned here. The repercussions from Jesus’ raising him from death after so long in his tomb continue to fill the minds of the people, and they flocked to see Jesus, for indeed the world has gone after Him!
Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem was the fulfilment of prophecy quoted by John from Zechariah 9:9 …
Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem was the fulfilment of prophecy quoted by John from Zechariah 9:9 …
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey*.
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey*.
Why a donkey? As with so much in scripture, a picture is being painted; or properly an idea and the donkey (actually a female donkey or it could not have borne a foal*) is a docile peaceful creature, a burden-bearer, but with strength and perseverance — exactly what Jesus portrays to us — not a king flaunting his power and regal splendour, but a King of kings, who has no need to impress.
His disciples did not understand these things at first
… and neither would we in their position, because this is not an earthly picture, but a heavenly one — run on The Creator’s principles that are foreign to our creature hearts; but the potential is built into us creatures to be awakened to understanding by The Holy Spirit. That alone is reason enough for triumph; for that awakening reveals that the King is coming, indeed He is here with us now. We can live in His presence.
His disciples did not understand these things at first
… and neither would we in their position, because this is not an earthly picture, but a heavenly one — run on The Creator’s principles that are foreign to our creature hearts; but the potential is built into us creatures to be awakened to understanding by The Holy Spirit. That alone is reason enough for triumph; for that awakening reveals that the King is coming, indeed He is here with us now. We can live in His presence.
* donkey h0386. אֵיתָן ’êṯân; or (shortened) אֵתָן ’ethan; from an unused root (meaning to continue); permanence; hence (concrete) permanent; specifically a chieftain: — hard, mighty, rough, strength, strong.
AV (13) - strong 5, mighty 4, strength 2, hard 1, rough 1;
perpetual, constant, perennial, ever-flowing, ever-flowing (of a stream) permanence, permanent, enduring (fig.)
AV (13) - strong 5, mighty 4, strength 2, hard 1, rough 1;
perpetual, constant, perennial, ever-flowing, ever-flowing (of a stream) permanence, permanent, enduring (fig.)
In the ordinary everyday things of life — eating and drinking, cleaning your boots, writing an essay — is it slovenly? Is it careless and indifferent? Does self-indulgence come in?
That little pinhole exhibits the dry rot that runs all through everything you do, and when you trust God in a shabby, defective way — “I will have faith in God about this matter, but not about that” — then you don’t trust God at all.
If we will examine ourselves in the light of the things that can be seen we will realise that that is how God sees us all through.
[from ‘God’s Workmanship’ by Oswald Chambers]
That little pinhole exhibits the dry rot that runs all through everything you do, and when you trust God in a shabby, defective way — “I will have faith in God about this matter, but not about that” — then you don’t trust God at all.
If we will examine ourselves in the light of the things that can be seen we will realise that that is how God sees us all through.
[from ‘God’s Workmanship’ by Oswald Chambers]
‘The King Is Coming’ — The Statler Brothers
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John 12:9-11
Immediately after telling us of Jesus’ anointing with the oil of Spikenard, John tells us — having mentioned that Lazarus was present at this event — that the Jews were concerned about how this might play out …
Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.
But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also,
because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
[John 12:9-11 NKJV]
A plot to kill Lazarus seemed to them to be the best way to stop many Jews deciding to follow Jesus. Would others be deterred from believing in Jesus knowing that Lazarus had been killed? Those who plotted were obviously fearful that this Jesus was who He said He was and would sweep away all they stood for, thus destroying their cherished beliefs.
The reality is that Jesus is The Truth, and The Truth destroys any untruth as light banishes darkness. What is especially interesting about this brief interlude in John 12 — and John obviously tells it for a reason — is that we never learn if the plot succeeded or not, which I believe is the point.
In Revelation 20:6 we read this … Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
Lazarus was raised to new life by the Son of God — and thus is one who has part in the first resurrection, and so the second death has no power over him. What is the second death? It is reserved for “… the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” [Revelation 21:8 NKJV]
Those who have been touched by Jesus and walk with Him, allowing The Holy Spirit to guide them need have no fear.
Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.
But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also,
because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
[John 12:9-11 NKJV]
A plot to kill Lazarus seemed to them to be the best way to stop many Jews deciding to follow Jesus. Would others be deterred from believing in Jesus knowing that Lazarus had been killed? Those who plotted were obviously fearful that this Jesus was who He said He was and would sweep away all they stood for, thus destroying their cherished beliefs.
The reality is that Jesus is The Truth, and The Truth destroys any untruth as light banishes darkness. What is especially interesting about this brief interlude in John 12 — and John obviously tells it for a reason — is that we never learn if the plot succeeded or not, which I believe is the point.
In Revelation 20:6 we read this … Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
Lazarus was raised to new life by the Son of God — and thus is one who has part in the first resurrection, and so the second death has no power over him. What is the second death? It is reserved for “… the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” [Revelation 21:8 NKJV]
Those who have been touched by Jesus and walk with Him, allowing The Holy Spirit to guide them need have no fear.
Wherever we trust in goodness or nobility instead of in God, we suddenly find ourselves in a howling waste wilderness. The attitude of a godly life is to put no confidence in anything or anyone but God.
[from ‘Notes on Jeremiah’ by Oswald Chambers]
[from ‘Notes on Jeremiah’ by Oswald Chambers]
‘Be Lifted Up’ — The Mandate (featuring Stuart Townend)
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John 12:1-8
With John 12 there comes a shift in emphasis away from Jesus’ public ministry, culminating in the resurrection of Lazarus; to Jesus’ private ministry (principally to the disciples), which concludes with His own resurrection.
In John chapters 1 to 11, we have a prologue, then a record of Jesus’ three years of ministry. Now we embark on the week leading up to His crucifixion and resurrection, before the book concludes with a short epilogue mapping out the way ahead for the Church of Jesus Christ.
We begin with Jesus again coming to Bethany — ‘house of dates’ (also translated as ‘house of affliction’) — and it has been suggested that this implies a place of ‘spiritual goodness’ in a deep way (presumably because dates were a much prized fruit). Whatever the interpretation, it seems to have been a place of significance for Jesus, a place where He ‘felt at home’, particularly in the house of Martha and Mary.
In John chapters 1 to 11, we have a prologue, then a record of Jesus’ three years of ministry. Now we embark on the week leading up to His crucifixion and resurrection, before the book concludes with a short epilogue mapping out the way ahead for the Church of Jesus Christ.
We begin with Jesus again coming to Bethany — ‘house of dates’ (also translated as ‘house of affliction’) — and it has been suggested that this implies a place of ‘spiritual goodness’ in a deep way (presumably because dates were a much prized fruit). Whatever the interpretation, it seems to have been a place of significance for Jesus, a place where He ‘felt at home’, particularly in the house of Martha and Mary.
Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead.
There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.
Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said,
“Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”
This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
But Jesus said, "Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always."
[John 12:1-8 NKJV]
Jesus had already spoken to His disciples about this coming hour. This was the last moment that He would have with friends around Him, before the events foretold would come to pass. We are not told if Mary acted spontaneously; but she took a pound of very expensive oil and anointed Jesus’ feet.
Usually it is the head that is anointed, which would be inappropriate here, as Mary would have been placing herself in a spiritual relationship which she did not and could not have — a subject cannot crown a king — and thus anointing Jesus’ feet was accepting her right relationship to her Lord; at the same time preparing His feet (in the spiritual sense) for the hard walk to and through the cross which awaited Him.
More than this, Mary accepted her lowly status by wiping Jesus’ feet with her hair — a type of her spiritual covering — in acknowledgement of her servanthood. The release of fragrance; a sweet-smelling savour shows the deeper significance of this moment. Now is the sacrificial lamb being placed on the altar of incense in preparation to enter the Holy of Holies.
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
[Ephesians 5:2 NKJV]
Jesus makes plain the importance of this moment, when he silences Judas’ objections. Judas and maybe all of the disciples failed to grasp the cataclysmic pivotal event which was unfolding; an event that reshaped everything.
We could find no video of a relevant song for this post. This is one we have sung often in our gathering…
There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.
Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said,
“Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”
This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
But Jesus said, "Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always."
[John 12:1-8 NKJV]
Jesus had already spoken to His disciples about this coming hour. This was the last moment that He would have with friends around Him, before the events foretold would come to pass. We are not told if Mary acted spontaneously; but she took a pound of very expensive oil and anointed Jesus’ feet.
Usually it is the head that is anointed, which would be inappropriate here, as Mary would have been placing herself in a spiritual relationship which she did not and could not have — a subject cannot crown a king — and thus anointing Jesus’ feet was accepting her right relationship to her Lord; at the same time preparing His feet (in the spiritual sense) for the hard walk to and through the cross which awaited Him.
More than this, Mary accepted her lowly status by wiping Jesus’ feet with her hair — a type of her spiritual covering — in acknowledgement of her servanthood. The release of fragrance; a sweet-smelling savour shows the deeper significance of this moment. Now is the sacrificial lamb being placed on the altar of incense in preparation to enter the Holy of Holies.
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
[Ephesians 5:2 NKJV]
Jesus makes plain the importance of this moment, when he silences Judas’ objections. Judas and maybe all of the disciples failed to grasp the cataclysmic pivotal event which was unfolding; an event that reshaped everything.
We could find no video of a relevant song for this post. This is one we have sung often in our gathering…
We’ve come to the altar of incense
No longer the many but one
We’ve come to the evening oblation
To be offered in the fullness of The Son.
Burn thou fire till Christ be offered up
And we enter into the Holiest of All
Burn thou fire till Christ be offered up
And we enter into the Holiest of All
No longer the many but one
We’ve come to the evening oblation
To be offered in the fullness of The Son.
Burn thou fire till Christ be offered up
And we enter into the Holiest of All
Burn thou fire till Christ be offered up
And we enter into the Holiest of All
When the Baptism in the Holy Ghost came upon the early disciples it made them the living epistles of what they taught, and it is to be the same with us.
Jesus Christ is always infinitely mightier than our faith, mightier than our experience, but our experience will be along the line of the faith we have in Him.
[from ‘The Psychology of Faith’]
Jesus Christ is always infinitely mightier than our faith, mightier than our experience, but our experience will be along the line of the faith we have in Him.
[from ‘The Psychology of Faith’]
“Oil of Gladness/I Will Rejoice/I Love To Praise Him” (medley) — David Butterbaugh
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It was remarked at one point in our gathering on Tuesday, how the flow of the Spirit had effortlessly picked up where last week’s had left off. The call to arms — what are our weapons — and what is the meaning of that for us corporately and individually. In the book of Isaiah, the prophet says:
Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts?
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.”
For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people,
[Isaiah 28:9-11 NKJV]
It reminds us yet again that ‘lest the Lord build the house …’, and He does so little by little, placing one stone atop another, to ensure that our foundation is solid. The reason the number three represents the completeness and unity of God is because a three-sided structure will stand — one or two-sided will not. So it is ‘precept upon precept, line upon line’, so that we …
speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. [Ephesians 4:15-16 NKJV]
An essential component of this edifying and growing process is hearing combined with obedience; Hebrews 5:8 though He [Jesus] was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
Following the line, we had been given Joshua 1 to look at — verses which speak of Joshua ‘hearing the call’ from the Lord to cross over this Jordan.
“Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’ ”
[Joshua 1:11 NKJV]
The Lord says to Joshua Be strong and of good courage [v6], Only be strong and very courageous [v7] and Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, for The Lord your God is with you wherever you go [v9]; three solid commands from the triune God.
We need not fear when God leads, for He brings light in the darkness. Our fears are to be banished when we turn to Him, because fear comes from the dark places within us and whatever is brought into the light becomes light.
Follow line upon line — cross this Jordan.
Songs:
Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts?
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.”
For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people,
[Isaiah 28:9-11 NKJV]
It reminds us yet again that ‘lest the Lord build the house …’, and He does so little by little, placing one stone atop another, to ensure that our foundation is solid. The reason the number three represents the completeness and unity of God is because a three-sided structure will stand — one or two-sided will not. So it is ‘precept upon precept, line upon line’, so that we …
speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. [Ephesians 4:15-16 NKJV]
An essential component of this edifying and growing process is hearing combined with obedience; Hebrews 5:8 though He [Jesus] was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
Following the line, we had been given Joshua 1 to look at — verses which speak of Joshua ‘hearing the call’ from the Lord to cross over this Jordan.
“Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’ ”
[Joshua 1:11 NKJV]
The Lord says to Joshua Be strong and of good courage [v6], Only be strong and very courageous [v7] and Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, for The Lord your God is with you wherever you go [v9]; three solid commands from the triune God.
We need not fear when God leads, for He brings light in the darkness. Our fears are to be banished when we turn to Him, because fear comes from the dark places within us and whatever is brought into the light becomes light.
Follow line upon line — cross this Jordan.
Songs:
- Be Bold, Be Strong, For The Lord Your God Is With You
- God’s Gonna Finish Just What He Started
- To God Be The Glory
All certainty brings death to something.
When we have a certain belief, we kill God in our lives, because we do not believe Him, we believe our beliefs about Him and do what Job’s friends did — bring God and human life to the standard of our beliefs and not to the standard of God.
The helplessness of professional religion is that there is no room for surprise, we tie God up in His laws and in denominational doctrines and orders of services, consequently we do not see God at all.
[from ‘The Love of God’]
When we have a certain belief, we kill God in our lives, because we do not believe Him, we believe our beliefs about Him and do what Job’s friends did — bring God and human life to the standard of our beliefs and not to the standard of God.
The helplessness of professional religion is that there is no room for surprise, we tie God up in His laws and in denominational doctrines and orders of services, consequently we do not see God at all.
[from ‘The Love of God’]
‘To God Be The Glory’ — Royal Albert Hall Orchestra and Choirs (2012)
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We heard the call to arms — the call to gather again — and we did so last week — after many Pandemic months and enforced self-isolation. So, having heard we obeyed, and a beautiful re-gathering it was too. Much sharing of experiences, prayers and songs of worship — even if some our voices were a little rusty or prone to croak. Well, mine anyway.
Gill was given a strong leading that He was giving us a ‘call to arms’ — all who were able to bear arms and older were gathered; and they stood at the border. [2 Kings 3:21b NKJV]
We talked of many things — no shoes, ships or sealing wax; no cabbages, but maybe a few kings. We flew from Isaiah 40 to Hebrews 4; from John 4 to Genesis 15, visiting ‘fields already white for harvest’; the Ark three months ‘in the house of Obed-Edom’, and the nature of His grace — but underpinning was our Lord saying that we were ‘standing on Holy ground’.
Gill’s vision of a clear, glistening, sparkling pool with a cascading fountain seemed to speak of the clarity of The Word and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” [Revelation 22:7 NKJV]
Songs:
Gill was given a strong leading that He was giving us a ‘call to arms’ — all who were able to bear arms and older were gathered; and they stood at the border. [2 Kings 3:21b NKJV]
We talked of many things — no shoes, ships or sealing wax; no cabbages, but maybe a few kings. We flew from Isaiah 40 to Hebrews 4; from John 4 to Genesis 15, visiting ‘fields already white for harvest’; the Ark three months ‘in the house of Obed-Edom’, and the nature of His grace — but underpinning was our Lord saying that we were ‘standing on Holy ground’.
Gill’s vision of a clear, glistening, sparkling pool with a cascading fountain seemed to speak of the clarity of The Word and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” [Revelation 22:7 NKJV]
Songs:
- ‘We Bow Down’
- “He Is High and Lifted Up”
- “Holy Ground”
The greatest demand God makes of us is to believe that He is righteous when everything that happens goes against that faith.
[from ‘God’s Workmanship’ by Oswald Chambers]
[from ‘God’s Workmanship’ by Oswald Chambers]
“We Bow Down” — Robin Mark
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As we are gathered Jesus is here … These are words we know well and as we gather we know that His word is the light of the candlestick and becomes what we read in Psalm 119:105 ‘Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.’ This is a truth that reveals itself in ever deeper ways as we go on with Him.
Tuesday 17th August 2021 was our regathering after many Pandemic months and a beautiful occasion it was too. Very special to come together again. We felt that now — a couple of weeks later — we should begin a series of meditations looking at some things from our meetings which may give the gist of The Spirit’s moving (at least as our notes and memory reveal) — trying as much as possible to post within a day or two of each event. As we have had another two meetings since then, we shall try to catch up over the next few days.
We considered a ‘Seeds of The Kingdom’ devotional from Ellel Ministries for 17th August, which took Psalm 18:30 as its theme; As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
We also looked at Oswald Chambers ‘Devotions For A Deeper Life’, which mentioned ‘Those who hear the Word of God and do not understand it are like the wayside ground, so hard that the seed does not penetrate it. Then the Devil comes along and snatches the Word away.’ This based on Matthew 13:12…
For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
[Matthew 13:12-13 NKJV]
Psalm 127:1 also came up … Unless the LORD builds the house, they labour in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
There was much for us to consider, but what was especially rewarding was the gathering of the saints; the sharing; the prayer and praise, but also a recognition of ageing, of health issues and the need for strong healing ministry.
We sang (as much as we remembered of) the following: -
Tuesday 17th August 2021 was our regathering after many Pandemic months and a beautiful occasion it was too. Very special to come together again. We felt that now — a couple of weeks later — we should begin a series of meditations looking at some things from our meetings which may give the gist of The Spirit’s moving (at least as our notes and memory reveal) — trying as much as possible to post within a day or two of each event. As we have had another two meetings since then, we shall try to catch up over the next few days.
We considered a ‘Seeds of The Kingdom’ devotional from Ellel Ministries for 17th August, which took Psalm 18:30 as its theme; As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
We also looked at Oswald Chambers ‘Devotions For A Deeper Life’, which mentioned ‘Those who hear the Word of God and do not understand it are like the wayside ground, so hard that the seed does not penetrate it. Then the Devil comes along and snatches the Word away.’ This based on Matthew 13:12…
For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
[Matthew 13:12-13 NKJV]
Psalm 127:1 also came up … Unless the LORD builds the house, they labour in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
There was much for us to consider, but what was especially rewarding was the gathering of the saints; the sharing; the prayer and praise, but also a recognition of ageing, of health issues and the need for strong healing ministry.
We sang (as much as we remembered of) the following: -
- With a clean heart I’ll praise You
- I will call upon The Lord
- When the Saints go marching in
For those interested in pursuing more from Ellel Ministries ‘Seeds of The Kingdom’, or subscribing to the daily devotional, the link is:
https://seedsofthekingdom.org/
https://seedsofthekingdom.org/
We have no faith at all until it is proved through conflict. There are things in life that come out against our faith in God’s goodness and justice.
Are we going to remain steadfast in our faith in God until we see all that contradicts our common sense transfigured into exactly what our faith believes it should be?
[from ‘He Shall Glorify Me’ by Oswald Chambers]
Are we going to remain steadfast in our faith in God until we see all that contradicts our common sense transfigured into exactly what our faith believes it should be?
[from ‘He Shall Glorify Me’ by Oswald Chambers]
“This Ole House/When The Saints Go Marchin’ In” (medley) — Gaither Gathering.
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Ecclesiastes 3:1
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
[Ecclesiastes 3:1, KJV]
There is so much joy when a new baby arrives in a family, and along with the new arrival comes a new dynamic in the home, new responsibilities, sleepless nights, new routines, and joy, as well as exhaustion. Isaiah 40:11 tells us, ‘He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that have young’. The Lord promises to gently lead you as a parent, and He understands that it is not always easy to find time to read, worship or spend time with Him in this season as you once did before.
Or what about sickness in the home, caring for an elderly relative or a monumental loss? These situations can make it difficult to spend time with the Lord as we did in a previous season.
We can also experience guilt, shame, disappointment, hopelessness, grief, anger, hurt and broken dreams in some seasons. These can impact our walk with the Lord or our desire to spend time with Him, and yet it is Him we need more than ever.
In all these different seasons, there is an unshakeable truth to hold on to. HE understands and still loves us, even in the dry, difficult seasons AND He wants to meet with us in that place! But what do we do about it? How do we maintain fellowship with our heavenly Daddy regardless of the season?
In the natural, we all need to eat to keep up our strength no matter what season we are in, even if it is just a snack on the way to pick up the kids or a sandwich in one hand and a nursing baby in the other. It might be eating something mild when we have an upset tummy or needing a drip if ill in hospital or catching a bite in between spoon feeding a young child or ill relative. At other times we can feast on a tasty three course menu and take time to enjoy and savour each bite.
The principle is the same regarding spiritual food in the different seasons. Sometimes we need a spiritual ’drip’, where we rest and listen to gentle teaching or worship, even if illness means we can’t read or study ourselves. Other times we can feast on God’s word and spend copious amounts of time in prayer and worship.
I remember one season in my own life of being so ill that even to watch or read something caused my eyes to sting, and this went on for several years. There was also a limit on how much I could listen to, as my concentration was so poor. In that season, chatting to the Lord in my thoughts, sharing my frustrations, pouring out my tears, often in silence, was the height of my communication with Him. And do you know what, He met me right there, where I was at! And He will meet you right there, where you are at.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for meeting me right where I am at. Thank You that You understand and do not condemn me when I struggle in certain seasons. Help me to focus my thoughts on You and share my heart with You, regardless of the season. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Today's Writer : Gilly Mathiesen Gilly has a heart to see broken lives healed. She got involved in Christian ministry at a young age, working as a missionary for some years, as well as teaching at a Christian school. She has been involved with Ellel Ministries for the past 10 years and trained and worked on the team in Northern Ireland before moving to Denmark in 2016. She and her husband Steen have been pioneering an Ellel work there since early 2018. They long to see people healed and set free to be all that God has designed them to be.
[Ecclesiastes 3:1, KJV]
There is so much joy when a new baby arrives in a family, and along with the new arrival comes a new dynamic in the home, new responsibilities, sleepless nights, new routines, and joy, as well as exhaustion. Isaiah 40:11 tells us, ‘He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that have young’. The Lord promises to gently lead you as a parent, and He understands that it is not always easy to find time to read, worship or spend time with Him in this season as you once did before.
Or what about sickness in the home, caring for an elderly relative or a monumental loss? These situations can make it difficult to spend time with the Lord as we did in a previous season.
We can also experience guilt, shame, disappointment, hopelessness, grief, anger, hurt and broken dreams in some seasons. These can impact our walk with the Lord or our desire to spend time with Him, and yet it is Him we need more than ever.
In all these different seasons, there is an unshakeable truth to hold on to. HE understands and still loves us, even in the dry, difficult seasons AND He wants to meet with us in that place! But what do we do about it? How do we maintain fellowship with our heavenly Daddy regardless of the season?
In the natural, we all need to eat to keep up our strength no matter what season we are in, even if it is just a snack on the way to pick up the kids or a sandwich in one hand and a nursing baby in the other. It might be eating something mild when we have an upset tummy or needing a drip if ill in hospital or catching a bite in between spoon feeding a young child or ill relative. At other times we can feast on a tasty three course menu and take time to enjoy and savour each bite.
The principle is the same regarding spiritual food in the different seasons. Sometimes we need a spiritual ’drip’, where we rest and listen to gentle teaching or worship, even if illness means we can’t read or study ourselves. Other times we can feast on God’s word and spend copious amounts of time in prayer and worship.
I remember one season in my own life of being so ill that even to watch or read something caused my eyes to sting, and this went on for several years. There was also a limit on how much I could listen to, as my concentration was so poor. In that season, chatting to the Lord in my thoughts, sharing my frustrations, pouring out my tears, often in silence, was the height of my communication with Him. And do you know what, He met me right there, where I was at! And He will meet you right there, where you are at.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for meeting me right where I am at. Thank You that You understand and do not condemn me when I struggle in certain seasons. Help me to focus my thoughts on You and share my heart with You, regardless of the season. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Today's Writer : Gilly Mathiesen Gilly has a heart to see broken lives healed. She got involved in Christian ministry at a young age, working as a missionary for some years, as well as teaching at a Christian school. She has been involved with Ellel Ministries for the past 10 years and trained and worked on the team in Northern Ireland before moving to Denmark in 2016. She and her husband Steen have been pioneering an Ellel work there since early 2018. They long to see people healed and set free to be all that God has designed them to be.
Devotion Copyright ELLEL MINISTRIES 2021
Reproduced with permission.
Reproduced with permission.
Isaiah called his people to exercise unshaken faith in God and in His deliverance, of which there seemed no likelihood. This profound truth runs all through God’s Word.
It is not faith when you trust in what you see; faith is trusting in what you don’t see, hanging in to the God whose character you know though meantime there is no evidence that He is at work on your behalf.
[from ‘Studies In Isaiah’ by Oswald Chambers]
It is not faith when you trust in what you see; faith is trusting in what you don’t see, hanging in to the God whose character you know though meantime there is no evidence that He is at work on your behalf.
[from ‘Studies In Isaiah’ by Oswald Chambers]
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2 SAMUEL 12:3-4
But the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb which he had bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him and with his children. It ate of his own food and drank from his own cup and lay in his bosom; and it was like a daughter to him.
And a traveller came to the rich man, who refused to take from his own flock and from his own herd to prepare one for the wayfaring man who had come to him; but he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.”
[2 Samuel 12:3-4 NKJV]
This story was told to David by Nathan the Prophet to show David how he had not only been cruel and conniving by putting Uriah into a position of certain death in order to take Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba; but he had sinned against The Lord.
So David's anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said to Nathan, "As the LORD lives, the man who has done this shall surely die!
And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and because he had no pity."
Then Nathan said to David, "You are the man!” [2 Samuel 12:5-7a NKJV]
The picture we see in the natural world is something most of us have seen or read about. Those who have, can become miserly about their wealth and possessions and are often ready to take everything from someone with very little. It shows how the rich can become rich in the first place, and also a way of maintaining power over others; it is about control.
A Bible principle is “first the natural, then the spiritual”, meaning that what we see before our eyes gives understanding in what is happening in the realm of the Spirit. David was ‘playing God’ and using his authority and power to selfishly steal from another who was in a weaker position. It is an abuse of an authority that God has conferred. More than that, it is assuming a power that only God may use — the power of life and death.
God was merciful with David and allowed Him to live, but took the life of his son instead. There is always a price to be paid for our actions — God’s immutable law of sowing and reaping.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. [Galatians 6:7-8 NKJV]
The one little ewe lamb represents the one thing precious to the poor man — his faith; his life in the spirit. The rich man has no thought or care of such things; because he has an abundance and the poor man’s possession is not precious to him other than for a show of his wealth. In his arrogance he only wishes to impress the traveller with his power and riches, but why give what he has, when he can give what belongs to someone else?
We must be careful and prayerful in our relationships; not trampling on what is important to those with whom we come together. Nor should we take something we covet in another, be it a work, talent, ability or thought and present it as our own. Such a thing has eternal consequences. "As the LORD lives, the man who has done this shall surely die!”
And a traveller came to the rich man, who refused to take from his own flock and from his own herd to prepare one for the wayfaring man who had come to him; but he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.”
[2 Samuel 12:3-4 NKJV]
This story was told to David by Nathan the Prophet to show David how he had not only been cruel and conniving by putting Uriah into a position of certain death in order to take Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba; but he had sinned against The Lord.
So David's anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said to Nathan, "As the LORD lives, the man who has done this shall surely die!
And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and because he had no pity."
Then Nathan said to David, "You are the man!” [2 Samuel 12:5-7a NKJV]
The picture we see in the natural world is something most of us have seen or read about. Those who have, can become miserly about their wealth and possessions and are often ready to take everything from someone with very little. It shows how the rich can become rich in the first place, and also a way of maintaining power over others; it is about control.
A Bible principle is “first the natural, then the spiritual”, meaning that what we see before our eyes gives understanding in what is happening in the realm of the Spirit. David was ‘playing God’ and using his authority and power to selfishly steal from another who was in a weaker position. It is an abuse of an authority that God has conferred. More than that, it is assuming a power that only God may use — the power of life and death.
God was merciful with David and allowed Him to live, but took the life of his son instead. There is always a price to be paid for our actions — God’s immutable law of sowing and reaping.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. [Galatians 6:7-8 NKJV]
The one little ewe lamb represents the one thing precious to the poor man — his faith; his life in the spirit. The rich man has no thought or care of such things; because he has an abundance and the poor man’s possession is not precious to him other than for a show of his wealth. In his arrogance he only wishes to impress the traveller with his power and riches, but why give what he has, when he can give what belongs to someone else?
We must be careful and prayerful in our relationships; not trampling on what is important to those with whom we come together. Nor should we take something we covet in another, be it a work, talent, ability or thought and present it as our own. Such a thing has eternal consequences. "As the LORD lives, the man who has done this shall surely die!”
Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do. When you pray, remember that it is Jesus Christ who carries out the answer; God hands over this marvellous power to Him.
By His Ascension our Lord becomes omniscient, all-wise; have we ever had a glimpse of what that means? The wisdom which He exercised in a limited sphere and in complete dependence upon His Father while on earth, He can now exercise in an unlimited sphere.
Get on to the supernatural line, remember that Jesus Christ is omniscient, and He says, “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
[from ‘Bringing Sons Into Glory’ by Oswald Chambers]
By His Ascension our Lord becomes omniscient, all-wise; have we ever had a glimpse of what that means? The wisdom which He exercised in a limited sphere and in complete dependence upon His Father while on earth, He can now exercise in an unlimited sphere.
Get on to the supernatural line, remember that Jesus Christ is omniscient, and He says, “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
[from ‘Bringing Sons Into Glory’ by Oswald Chambers]
‘Lamb of God’ - Twila Paris
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Isaiah 18:3-4
The title of this meditation came to me after Gill and I returned from my Aunt Maureen’s funeral. I understand why I had those words — it was a climate change hot day and it was bittersweet in a way unanticipated. Meeting family again was uplifting and affirming — just as when we gathering in His name and His presence is palpable.
Where are we to go from this point, Lord? A funeral service, of necessity, concentrates on love and loss — love for the departed; but also the grievous sense of personal loss, as a result of that love. The emotional contradictions inherent in such times are indeed bittersweet, but magnified, as when the sun shines through a lens.
All inhabitants of the world and dwellers on the earth: when he lifts up a banner on the mountains, you see it; and when he blows a trumpet, you hear it.
For so the LORD said to me, "I will take My rest, and I will look from My dwelling place like clear heat in sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest."
[Isaiah 18:3-4 NKJV]
Heat in sunshine
In these verses, Isaiah talks of heat in sunshine, but also of the heat of harvest. The heat of sunshine — and yes, we all want rest then — but Our Lord says that He looks from His dwelling place like that. Baffling, surely? It becomes even more puzzling when we discover that the word for ‘heat’ is identical to the word translated as ‘sunshine’ What is the ‘clear heat in heat’?
I venture to suggest that Isaiah means ‘very hot’, or ‘hotter than hot’. The Lord’s gaze is piercingly hot — enough to burn through any nonsense on our part and see right through to the heart. It is the heat of ‘the refiner’s fire’.
Heat of Harvest
The word used here for ‘harvest’ is translated in a number of ways and can mean the harvester, the time of harvest, as well as what is being harvested. It can mean bough or branch, which can be considered as the place of the harvest. The dew is a type of the Holy Spirit word, which settles upon us when we are at rest. Job says, ‘My root is spread out to the waters, and the dew lies all night on my branch.
My glory is fresh within me, and my bow is renewed in my hand.' [Job 29:19-20 NKJV]. It is the Lord’s strengthening, often during the night hours, when we are refreshed and renewed, all the while unaware.
We speak of magnifying the Lord; of praising and glorifying Him, but the truth is that His Holy Spirit proclaims His presence in an amazing way. We see His banner, we hear His trumpet. He rises to the occasion. He is magnified. He is glorified. He is the cloud of dew in the heat of the Harvest for us.
Where are we to go from this point, Lord? A funeral service, of necessity, concentrates on love and loss — love for the departed; but also the grievous sense of personal loss, as a result of that love. The emotional contradictions inherent in such times are indeed bittersweet, but magnified, as when the sun shines through a lens.
All inhabitants of the world and dwellers on the earth: when he lifts up a banner on the mountains, you see it; and when he blows a trumpet, you hear it.
For so the LORD said to me, "I will take My rest, and I will look from My dwelling place like clear heat in sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest."
[Isaiah 18:3-4 NKJV]
Heat in sunshine
In these verses, Isaiah talks of heat in sunshine, but also of the heat of harvest. The heat of sunshine — and yes, we all want rest then — but Our Lord says that He looks from His dwelling place like that. Baffling, surely? It becomes even more puzzling when we discover that the word for ‘heat’ is identical to the word translated as ‘sunshine’ What is the ‘clear heat in heat’?
I venture to suggest that Isaiah means ‘very hot’, or ‘hotter than hot’. The Lord’s gaze is piercingly hot — enough to burn through any nonsense on our part and see right through to the heart. It is the heat of ‘the refiner’s fire’.
Heat of Harvest
The word used here for ‘harvest’ is translated in a number of ways and can mean the harvester, the time of harvest, as well as what is being harvested. It can mean bough or branch, which can be considered as the place of the harvest. The dew is a type of the Holy Spirit word, which settles upon us when we are at rest. Job says, ‘My root is spread out to the waters, and the dew lies all night on my branch.
My glory is fresh within me, and my bow is renewed in my hand.' [Job 29:19-20 NKJV]. It is the Lord’s strengthening, often during the night hours, when we are refreshed and renewed, all the while unaware.
We speak of magnifying the Lord; of praising and glorifying Him, but the truth is that His Holy Spirit proclaims His presence in an amazing way. We see His banner, we hear His trumpet. He rises to the occasion. He is magnified. He is glorified. He is the cloud of dew in the heat of the Harvest for us.
The only one who prays in the Holy Ghost is the child, the child-spirit in us, the spirit of utter confidence in God.
[from ‘If Ye Shall Ask’ by Oswald Chambers]
[from ‘If Ye Shall Ask’ by Oswald Chambers]
“Oh Magnify The Lord” (medley) — Trinity Choir
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Luke 2:41-43
At our Fellowship meeting on Tuesday - our return to meeting now that a lot of the Pandemic restrictions have been lifted in Scotland - Gill shared a story of our grand-daughter Ella, who had visited the day before. Ella is keenly aware of Jesus in her life, and at the lunch table, her conversation had turned to having Jesus at the 'party'. Gill had tried to explain that He is everywhere around and in us. Ella's five (and a half) year old mind would have none of it. "No, Grandy! Jesus is there... ," she said, pointing to the empty chair opposite her.
Ella is trying to get her youthful, precocious mind focussed on who Jesus is for her, and where better to start than at the table. Jesus says to us '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' [Revelation 3:20 NKJV]. The notion of dining with Jesus is a powerful one. In a sense it combines the external life and the internal sustaining in one everyday essential occurrence. We need to eat to stay alive physically; we need Jesus to stay alive spiritually.
It seems particularly relevant when we read of a story from Jesus' childhood - revealing His coming of age at feast-time; the Feast of the Passover.
His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.
When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it;
[Luke 2:41-43 NKJV]
That Joseph and Mary were unaware of where young Jesus had got to, was not due to lack of parental care, but to Jesus' determination to follow His heavenly purpose. This is revealed in Luke 2:46-49.
Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”
And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?”
Jesus knew - and showed us the deeper meaning of the Feast; '... I must be about My Father's business?' Ella would say, "Did you never know?"
Ella is trying to get her youthful, precocious mind focussed on who Jesus is for her, and where better to start than at the table. Jesus says to us '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' [Revelation 3:20 NKJV]. The notion of dining with Jesus is a powerful one. In a sense it combines the external life and the internal sustaining in one everyday essential occurrence. We need to eat to stay alive physically; we need Jesus to stay alive spiritually.
It seems particularly relevant when we read of a story from Jesus' childhood - revealing His coming of age at feast-time; the Feast of the Passover.
His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.
When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it;
[Luke 2:41-43 NKJV]
That Joseph and Mary were unaware of where young Jesus had got to, was not due to lack of parental care, but to Jesus' determination to follow His heavenly purpose. This is revealed in Luke 2:46-49.
Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”
And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?”
Jesus knew - and showed us the deeper meaning of the Feast; '... I must be about My Father's business?' Ella would say, "Did you never know?"
Intellect and prayer are united in the saint in the consciousness of Christ which we share, consequently the consciousness of self-realisation is a perversion and a snare.
[from ‘Christian Discipline Volume 2’ by Oswald Chambers]
[from ‘Christian Discipline Volume 2’ by Oswald Chambers]
'We Will Feast In The House Of Zion' ~ Keith and Kristyn Getty + Sandra McCracken