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Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.
And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.
[Mark 1:12-13 NKJV]
And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.
[Mark 1:12-13 NKJV]
Immediately ... as soon as the Voice from Heaven speaks the words ‘You are My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’, Jesus was driven into the wilderness with the wild beasts and being tempted by Satan. There was no time for offering thanks to the Father or lingering with the crowd and speaking of what they had witnessed.
The suddenness of the transition from the Baptism in water and receiving the Holy Spirit to the testing and trial in the wilderness*, shows that there is an instantaneous change to a new and different life that is to be lived.
For Jesus all this was immediate, but in our experience it is likely to be a more gradual shift. It can be painful at times nonetheless, but also with much joy. My grandparents used to say that our earthly life was a time of testing for the life to come, and this passage bears that out.
We also have a choice, because trouble will come into every life and we can deal with it either with Jesus Christ or without Him. ‘With’ seems by far the better option.
The suddenness of the transition from the Baptism in water and receiving the Holy Spirit to the testing and trial in the wilderness*, shows that there is an instantaneous change to a new and different life that is to be lived.
- The Holy Spirit (through the awakened Christ-life within us) lets us see the reality of the natural life; that we are surrounded by spiritual enemies — the wild beasts, all of whom seek only to destroy that new life — and Satan who will promise all things if only we will turn back to him.
- We are given discernment — which we must grow into, but which Jesus had in full measure — to recognise that reality.
- We are made aware of the protection and power of The Holy Spirit as we find ‘the full armour of God’ for there are ministering angels ever-present also.
For Jesus all this was immediate, but in our experience it is likely to be a more gradual shift. It can be painful at times nonetheless, but also with much joy. My grandparents used to say that our earthly life was a time of testing for the life to come, and this passage bears that out.
We also have a choice, because trouble will come into every life and we can deal with it either with Jesus Christ or without Him. ‘With’ seems by far the better option.
* Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days. 40 is the number associated in Scripture with a time of trial:
Of Noah’s ark — [Genesis 7:12] -- And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights.
Of the journeying through the wilderness before finding the Promised Land — [Exodus 16:35] — And the children of Israel ate manna forty years, until they came to an inhabited land; they ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.
Of Noah’s ark — [Genesis 7:12] -- And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights.
Of the journeying through the wilderness before finding the Promised Land — [Exodus 16:35] — And the children of Israel ate manna forty years, until they came to an inhabited land; they ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.
In prayer have we learned the wonderful power of that phrase ‘boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus’? It means we can talk to God as Jesus Christ did, but only through the right of His Atonement.
We must never allow the idea that because we have been obedient, because our need is great, because we long for it, therefore God will hear us. There is only one way into the holiest, and that is by the blood of Jesus.
[from ‘Our Brilliant Heritage’ by Oswald Chambers]
We must never allow the idea that because we have been obedient, because our need is great, because we long for it, therefore God will hear us. There is only one way into the holiest, and that is by the blood of Jesus.
[from ‘Our Brilliant Heritage’ by Oswald Chambers]
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It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove.
Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
[Mark 1:9-11 NKJV]
And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove.
Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
[Mark 1:9-11 NKJV]
I have long been wondering about the baptism — ‘one baptism’ as Paul says, or a water baptism and a spirit baptism, as we read in the gospels? John the Baptist maintained that he would baptise with water but that Jesus ‘will baptise you by the Holy Spirit’.
In this telling of Jesus’ baptism by John we are told that ‘immediately’ following the baptism by John ‘the Spirit descended on [Jesus] like a dove’. This seems to indicate that — when Jesus is present — the baptism in the Holy Spirit is conferred by God at the same time as the baptism by water. I stress those words ‘when Jesus is present’, for if Jesus baptises by the Holy Spirit, then His presence is a prerequisite.
There is one baptism, but it must take place in both body and spirit for it to work in the soul. One baptism of two elements — body and spirit witnessing to each other.
Perhaps this explains why some seem to be able to move in the Spirit at their water baptism and others — like myself — needed a separate awakening to life in the Spirit. To complicate matters, I do not say that Jesus was not present at my water baptism, but that I was unaware of His presence, and thus the body and spirit did not witness to each other immediately, but over time. I did not hear the voice from heaven.
Why? I can only state that everyone is different. This may seem like an odd thing to say, but when I worked in a branch office of a major UK insurance company, the Branch Manager would occasionally hold ‘brainstorming’ meetings to gather ideas for an upcoming project or something similar. Some found ideas immediately, but others needed time to consider, to reflect on the proposals over time before formulating a response.
I would suggest that this might be how the Holy Spirit baptism takes effect for some — not immediately, but over time, and may require a separate ‘laying on of hands’ to pray the Holy Spirit awakening into place. It may also be the case that some of us — and I mean me — think and rationalise too much, as you have just read. None of this should be about me or any of us ... it is all about Him.
In this telling of Jesus’ baptism by John we are told that ‘immediately’ following the baptism by John ‘the Spirit descended on [Jesus] like a dove’. This seems to indicate that — when Jesus is present — the baptism in the Holy Spirit is conferred by God at the same time as the baptism by water. I stress those words ‘when Jesus is present’, for if Jesus baptises by the Holy Spirit, then His presence is a prerequisite.
There is one baptism, but it must take place in both body and spirit for it to work in the soul. One baptism of two elements — body and spirit witnessing to each other.
Perhaps this explains why some seem to be able to move in the Spirit at their water baptism and others — like myself — needed a separate awakening to life in the Spirit. To complicate matters, I do not say that Jesus was not present at my water baptism, but that I was unaware of His presence, and thus the body and spirit did not witness to each other immediately, but over time. I did not hear the voice from heaven.
Why? I can only state that everyone is different. This may seem like an odd thing to say, but when I worked in a branch office of a major UK insurance company, the Branch Manager would occasionally hold ‘brainstorming’ meetings to gather ideas for an upcoming project or something similar. Some found ideas immediately, but others needed time to consider, to reflect on the proposals over time before formulating a response.
I would suggest that this might be how the Holy Spirit baptism takes effect for some — not immediately, but over time, and may require a separate ‘laying on of hands’ to pray the Holy Spirit awakening into place. It may also be the case that some of us — and I mean me — think and rationalise too much, as you have just read. None of this should be about me or any of us ... it is all about Him.
An unemotional love is inconceivable. Love for the good must involve displeasure and grief for the evil. God is not an almighty sultan reigning aloof, He is right in the throes of life, and it is there that emotion shows itself.
[from ‘Our Portrait In Genesis’]
[from ‘Our Portrait In Genesis’]
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Now John was clothed with camel's hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.
I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
[Mark 1:6-8 NKJV]
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
[Ephesians 4:4-6 NKJV]
And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.
I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
[Mark 1:6-8 NKJV]
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
[Ephesians 4:4-6 NKJV]
When I finally accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour, I knew nothing of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit until a Minister and friend introduced the idea to me and prayed for the awaking of The Holy Spirit through ‘the laying on of hands’.
What has remained a mystery to me are the messages on baptism which are found in the verses above. John (the Baptist) baptises with water; Jesus baptises with The Holy Spirit, but Paul says there is ‘one baptism’, not two. No wonder there is much confusion among Christians as to what is meant by this baptism in (or with) the Holy Spirit.
I am hoping to find an answer to this and other questions I have about the ‘one baptism’ over the next meditation or two (or more). Where will I find the answer? Only from the source, the Holy Spirit.
One thing that I saw immediately in Paul’s words from his Letter to the Ephesians is that ‘one’ is mentioned seven times, suggesting completion, wholeness, perfection. Indeed the arrangement of numbers in Ephesians 4:4-6 is a powerful affirmation of Paul’s words.
Consider this:
This is going off-subject a little, but leads me to believe that all baptism is one baptism. I am going to mull on this as I listen to one of my favourite choral works; Thomas Tallis’s ‘Spem In Allium’.
What has remained a mystery to me are the messages on baptism which are found in the verses above. John (the Baptist) baptises with water; Jesus baptises with The Holy Spirit, but Paul says there is ‘one baptism’, not two. No wonder there is much confusion among Christians as to what is meant by this baptism in (or with) the Holy Spirit.
I am hoping to find an answer to this and other questions I have about the ‘one baptism’ over the next meditation or two (or more). Where will I find the answer? Only from the source, the Holy Spirit.
One thing that I saw immediately in Paul’s words from his Letter to the Ephesians is that ‘one’ is mentioned seven times, suggesting completion, wholeness, perfection. Indeed the arrangement of numbers in Ephesians 4:4-6 is a powerful affirmation of Paul’s words.
Consider this:
- 1 is mentioned 7 times (complete, whole, perfect)
- 1 body, 1 spirit, 1 hope. A group of 3 (the trinity, 3 in 1, completeness of the Divinity)
- 1 Lord, 1 faith, 1 baptism. Another group of 3 meaning the same as above.
- 1 God and Father of All. (1+3+3=7)
- Above all, through all and in you all. (‘all’ as a group of 3, which make up ‘Father of all’, or 3 in 1 restated, but if you add them, ‘all’ is shown 4 times; 4 the number representing creation.
This is going off-subject a little, but leads me to believe that all baptism is one baptism. I am going to mull on this as I listen to one of my favourite choral works; Thomas Tallis’s ‘Spem In Allium’.
Latin: ‘spem in alium nunquam habui’,
English: literally “Hope in Any Other Have I None” or “In No Other Is My Hope”; ‘I have never put my hope in any other but in Thee, God of Israel’
English: literally “Hope in Any Other Have I None” or “In No Other Is My Hope”; ‘I have never put my hope in any other but in Thee, God of Israel’
Lord, unto You do I come. Give me a gracious incoming of my life till my reasoning, my imagination and my speaking are all of You. How grandly You have renewed my spirit and restored to me the joy of Your salvation.
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Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
[Romans 15:13 NKJV]
[Romans 15:13 NKJV]
This wonderful verse assures us of joy and peace so that we may have abundant hope ... how? ... by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a mystery and to many Christians remains so because there has been no baptism in the Holy Spirit.
For myself, I did not know there was such a thing until a Christian brother offered to pray for it in me. Many have received instant revelation, but with me there was a gradual awakening — which I suspect is the more common experience. Some say they immediately began ‘speaking in tongues’, but again, this can be a gradual move to realisation.
However, ‘baptism in the Holy Spirit’ releases the power of the Holy Spirit in a life and is a building block in a growing fulfilment of a Spirit-filled life. Without doubt it is a necessary God-breathed step on the road to wholeness in Him.
I was considering this matter a day or two ago, but this morning I read the following in Oswald Chambers’ ‘Devotions For A Deeper Life’, which I feel explains something of it better than I could do:
For myself, I did not know there was such a thing until a Christian brother offered to pray for it in me. Many have received instant revelation, but with me there was a gradual awakening — which I suspect is the more common experience. Some say they immediately began ‘speaking in tongues’, but again, this can be a gradual move to realisation.
However, ‘baptism in the Holy Spirit’ releases the power of the Holy Spirit in a life and is a building block in a growing fulfilment of a Spirit-filled life. Without doubt it is a necessary God-breathed step on the road to wholeness in Him.
I was considering this matter a day or two ago, but this morning I read the following in Oswald Chambers’ ‘Devotions For A Deeper Life’, which I feel explains something of it better than I could do:
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise (Eph. 1:13).
If you say you are entirely sanctified and have never been baptized in the Holy Spirit, you have deluded yourself. You have merely accepted a holiness Shibboleth. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ’s seal on your soul and is your inauguration into service to battle for your King. Sanctification begins at regeneration and goes on to the second crisis and work of grace—that is, entire sanctification and the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Are you in one purpose, in one determination? Then receive Him. It is not your waiting, but your wanting; it is not your running, but your receiving that matters in this. You can receive your Pentecost now! If you are born again, it is your birthright.
PRAYER THOUGHT: Thank You, Lord, for the sanctifying presence of the Holy Spirit.
Joy means the perfect fulfilment of that for which I was created and regenerated, not the successful doing of a thing. The joy our Lord had lay in doing what the Father sent Him to do.
We all have to find our niche in life and spiritually we find we find it when we receive our ministry from the Lord. In order to do this we must have companied with Jesus; we must know Him as more than a personal Saviour.
Have I received a ministry from the Lord? If so, I have to be loyal to it, to count my life precious only for the fulfilling of that ministry.
[from 'Called of God' by Oswald Chambers]
We all have to find our niche in life and spiritually we find we find it when we receive our ministry from the Lord. In order to do this we must have companied with Jesus; we must know Him as more than a personal Saviour.
Have I received a ministry from the Lord? If so, I have to be loyal to it, to count my life precious only for the fulfilling of that ministry.
[from 'Called of God' by Oswald Chambers]
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Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.”
Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’
Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?”
Jesus answered, “If I honour Myself, My honour is nothing. It is My Father who honours Me, of whom you say that He is your God.
Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word.
Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”
Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?”
Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
[John 8:51-59 NKJV]
Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’
Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?”
Jesus answered, “If I honour Myself, My honour is nothing. It is My Father who honours Me, of whom you say that He is your God.
Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word.
Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”
Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?”
Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
[John 8:51-59 NKJV]
‘They took up stones to throw at Him;’. Have you ever felt that in an interaction with someone? That they are throwing stones? I am sure that every one of us has felt that antagonism. Sometimes we have risen up and opposed such a thing — or maybe we have run away. But what did our Lord do in this circumstance?
What He did was removed Himself. He did not run. He did not oppose. He left the situation. He went ‘through the midst of them, and so passed by.’ Know that Jesus will always do this in the face of our antagonism. He passes by.
They said to Him ‘You are not yet fifty years old’, and — as an accusation — simply means that ‘you are not who you say you are’. They said that Jesus was too young and inexperienced according to their philosophy, which demanded adherence to certain definitions. They struggled, not knowing Jesus’ truth.
And before He left their company, Jesus made this astonishing statement, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’, meaning ‘I exist’; expressing His eternal presence and uttering the words, which the Jews would know as the name of Father God. This was truth that they could not countenance, and they determined to kill Him.
‘Jesus hid Himself’. How He did this we are not told, but we know that if we reject Him in our lives, we cannot see Him. Conversely, when we accept Him completely, we are ‘hidden with Christ in God.’ [Colossians 3:3b NKJV]
All the arguments and provocations of His accusers are of nothing. Jesus holds to His position, knowing that He is safe in the protection of the Father. As we are, if we hold to Jesus Christ.
What He did was removed Himself. He did not run. He did not oppose. He left the situation. He went ‘through the midst of them, and so passed by.’ Know that Jesus will always do this in the face of our antagonism. He passes by.
They said to Him ‘You are not yet fifty years old’, and — as an accusation — simply means that ‘you are not who you say you are’. They said that Jesus was too young and inexperienced according to their philosophy, which demanded adherence to certain definitions. They struggled, not knowing Jesus’ truth.
And before He left their company, Jesus made this astonishing statement, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’, meaning ‘I exist’; expressing His eternal presence and uttering the words, which the Jews would know as the name of Father God. This was truth that they could not countenance, and they determined to kill Him.
‘Jesus hid Himself’. How He did this we are not told, but we know that if we reject Him in our lives, we cannot see Him. Conversely, when we accept Him completely, we are ‘hidden with Christ in God.’ [Colossians 3:3b NKJV]
All the arguments and provocations of His accusers are of nothing. Jesus holds to His position, knowing that He is safe in the protection of the Father. As we are, if we hold to Jesus Christ.
A little child is certain of its parents, but uncertain about everything else, therefore it lives a perfectly delightful healthy life.
[from ‘The Love of God’ by Oswald Chambers]
[from ‘The Love of God’ by Oswald Chambers]
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I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.”
They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.”
Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.
But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.
You do the deeds of your father. ”Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.”
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.
Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.
[John 8:38-43 NKJV]
They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.”
Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.
But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.
You do the deeds of your father. ”Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.”
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.
Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.
[John 8:38-43 NKJV]
Jesus says ‘Now you seek to kill me.’ He has said this already, and it is all to do with understanding. Lack of understanding breeds fear and fear is the gateway to a whole heap of troubling spirits. No wonder our Lord says ‘You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.’ [v 44]
He always speaks truth and this is truth without doubt — this is who we are until we get understanding. First we must have knowledge, knowing leads to understanding and with understanding we can have wisdom.
Are we able to listen to Jesus’ word? More than that; listen to what He says with understanding? If I am honest, the answer is that I can miss His truth. Certainly when I am not fully connected in the Spirit, ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,’ [Romans 3:23 NKJV] But, praise Him, we are forgiven when we turn and return to Him.
Do we see though, that when we continually go ‘our own way’, thinking our own thoughts and exclude the Holy Spirit from His guiding passion, we seek to kill Him? It is something we all do. Not meaning to, maybe, but it excludes our Lord from working in us.
Our only hope is in verse 47a ‘He who is of God hears God's words’. A hearing ear — being in tune with the Holy Spirit — is our salvation. Open your heart to Him; ask to be set free again. He will do it.
He always speaks truth and this is truth without doubt — this is who we are until we get understanding. First we must have knowledge, knowing leads to understanding and with understanding we can have wisdom.
Are we able to listen to Jesus’ word? More than that; listen to what He says with understanding? If I am honest, the answer is that I can miss His truth. Certainly when I am not fully connected in the Spirit, ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,’ [Romans 3:23 NKJV] But, praise Him, we are forgiven when we turn and return to Him.
Do we see though, that when we continually go ‘our own way’, thinking our own thoughts and exclude the Holy Spirit from His guiding passion, we seek to kill Him? It is something we all do. Not meaning to, maybe, but it excludes our Lord from working in us.
Our only hope is in verse 47a ‘He who is of God hears God's words’. A hearing ear — being in tune with the Holy Spirit — is our salvation. Open your heart to Him; ask to be set free again. He will do it.
God’s seed will always bring forth fruit if it is put in the right conditions.
Man cannot order the seasons or make the seed to grow (cf. Jeremiah 33:20); and we are powerless to make saints.
Our duty is to put the seed into the right place and leave the rest to God.
It would be foolish for a farmer to sow his seed and tell his servants to watch it; he must sow his seed in the right place and then trust in God and Nature, and by and by he will reap his harvest.
So all we can do is to sow the seed of the Word of God in the hearts of the hearers.
[from ‘The Servant As His Lord’ by Oswald Chambers]
Man cannot order the seasons or make the seed to grow (cf. Jeremiah 33:20); and we are powerless to make saints.
Our duty is to put the seed into the right place and leave the rest to God.
It would be foolish for a farmer to sow his seed and tell his servants to watch it; he must sow his seed in the right place and then trust in God and Nature, and by and by he will reap his harvest.
So all we can do is to sow the seed of the Word of God in the hearts of the hearers.
[from ‘The Servant As His Lord’ by Oswald Chambers]
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So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, “Everyone who laps from the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set apart by himself; likewise everyone who gets down on his knees to drink.”
And the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men; but all the rest of the people got down on their knees to drink water.
Then the LORD said to Gideon, “By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand. Let all the other people go, every man to his place.”
[Judges 7:5-7 NKJV]
And the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men; but all the rest of the people got down on their knees to drink water.
Then the LORD said to Gideon, “By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand. Let all the other people go, every man to his place.”
[Judges 7:5-7 NKJV]
We call them Gideon’s three hundred, but in reality those chosen to be in that number are God’s Three Hundred. In verse 7 the Lord says that He save ‘by the three hundred men who lapped’. Why was that? Those that got down on their knees gave all their attention to the drinking and gave no thought to keeping watch by bringing the water up to their mouths. Those that lapped were of a different mettle.
Drinking is symbolic of taking in and understanding the word of God...of being washed and cleansed by that word. These three hundred men cupped their hands, showing that they taking hold of the word, embracing the fullness of it, not just quenching a thirst, but determined to take every part of it that the Lord reveals. They kept watch and were alert, discerning the times and the lateness of the hour; watching for the prophetic visions; not just asking, but seeking and knocking on the door to determine the Lord's will for the moment.
But the picture we see is, that it is not enough just to hear and understand the word, but there is a need to be obedient to it by keeping watch while we drink, ‘lest an enemy overtake thee’. The people that the Lord is choosing are those who drink from His reservoir, filling themselves with the wisdom and truth that flows through them in the water of His word (His Holy Spirit) — and Jesus, lest we forget, is the Word — partaking of the life of Christ and keeping watch, looking ahead, alert for His Spirit; being washed clean to stand pure and holy before Him. They are those of whom James said ‘of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.’ [James 1:18 KJV]
These three hundred men – the number speaks of complete deliverance, and of victory in conflict – are those chosen of The Lord to win the war against strife and conflict, represented by the Midian spirit. And where the Midianites are, you will find that the Amalekites are not far away. Amalek represents those who look to the earth; they are valley- dwellers. They have no interest in the high places of God; faithless people who see only their own nature. Their spirit runs hand-in-hand with Midian. So we see that the battle is engaged with the forces of Midian, but tagging along are the Amalekites – just as you would expect. This is the battle that Gideon fought with his light shining in earthen vessels. “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!”
PRAYER THOUGHT: Help us all, Lord. Raise us up to be like you. Raise your first fruits to be like the First of the first fruits that we may be part of your plan to establish the fullness of the harvest. Help us to be worthy of Your hand-picked company – Gideon's three hundred men; David's Mighty Men of Valour; Jesus' disciples.
Drinking is symbolic of taking in and understanding the word of God...of being washed and cleansed by that word. These three hundred men cupped their hands, showing that they taking hold of the word, embracing the fullness of it, not just quenching a thirst, but determined to take every part of it that the Lord reveals. They kept watch and were alert, discerning the times and the lateness of the hour; watching for the prophetic visions; not just asking, but seeking and knocking on the door to determine the Lord's will for the moment.
But the picture we see is, that it is not enough just to hear and understand the word, but there is a need to be obedient to it by keeping watch while we drink, ‘lest an enemy overtake thee’. The people that the Lord is choosing are those who drink from His reservoir, filling themselves with the wisdom and truth that flows through them in the water of His word (His Holy Spirit) — and Jesus, lest we forget, is the Word — partaking of the life of Christ and keeping watch, looking ahead, alert for His Spirit; being washed clean to stand pure and holy before Him. They are those of whom James said ‘of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.’ [James 1:18 KJV]
These three hundred men – the number speaks of complete deliverance, and of victory in conflict – are those chosen of The Lord to win the war against strife and conflict, represented by the Midian spirit. And where the Midianites are, you will find that the Amalekites are not far away. Amalek represents those who look to the earth; they are valley- dwellers. They have no interest in the high places of God; faithless people who see only their own nature. Their spirit runs hand-in-hand with Midian. So we see that the battle is engaged with the forces of Midian, but tagging along are the Amalekites – just as you would expect. This is the battle that Gideon fought with his light shining in earthen vessels. “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!”
PRAYER THOUGHT: Help us all, Lord. Raise us up to be like you. Raise your first fruits to be like the First of the first fruits that we may be part of your plan to establish the fullness of the harvest. Help us to be worthy of Your hand-picked company – Gideon's three hundred men; David's Mighty Men of Valour; Jesus' disciples.
Faith is praying with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.
[from ‘God’s Workmanship’ by Oswald Chambers]
[from ‘God’s Workmanship’ by Oswald Chambers]
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Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?"
Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
[John 8:31-36 NKJV]
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?"
Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
[John 8:31-36 NKJV]
When Jesus says that “the truth will make you free”, we know that He is the living embodiment of what Truth is. In this context ‘the Son’ and ‘the Truth’ are synonymous — either can be used and will mean the same thing. Thus verse 32 could legitimately read ‘and you shall know the Son, and the Son shall make you free’.
Likewise verse 36 could read ‘Therefore if the truth makes you free, you shall be free indeed’. Jesus is ‘the way, the truth and the life.’ and said so [John 14:6 NKJV]
Some among the Jews are beginning to be persuaded by this young man, for ‘as He spoke these words, many believed in Him.’ [John 8:30 NKJV] We see here that Jesus is now talking to those Jews who believed Him — and they want to know more — asking what it means to be free because they have ‘never been in bondage’.
Jesus answers by saying that the freedom He provides is freedom from our sin nature. Effectively, freedom in the Spirit, not a freedom to go your own way, for that freedom is ‘bondage to the world’.
Likewise verse 36 could read ‘Therefore if the truth makes you free, you shall be free indeed’. Jesus is ‘the way, the truth and the life.’ and said so [John 14:6 NKJV]
Some among the Jews are beginning to be persuaded by this young man, for ‘as He spoke these words, many believed in Him.’ [John 8:30 NKJV] We see here that Jesus is now talking to those Jews who believed Him — and they want to know more — asking what it means to be free because they have ‘never been in bondage’.
Jesus answers by saying that the freedom He provides is freedom from our sin nature. Effectively, freedom in the Spirit, not a freedom to go your own way, for that freedom is ‘bondage to the world’.
Faith In God is a terrific adventure in the dark; I have to believe that God is good in spite of all that contradicts it in my experience. It is not easy to say that God is love when everything that happens actually gives the lie to it. Everyone’s soul represents some kind of battlefield. The point for each one is whether we will hang in and say, ‘Though things look black, I will trust in God.’
(from ‘Baffled To Fight Better’)
(from ‘Baffled To Fight Better’)
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Then Jesus said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come.”
So the Jews said, “Will He kill Himself, because He says, ‘Where I go you cannot come’?”
And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
Then they said to Him, “Who are You?”
And Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him.”
They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father.
[John 8:21-27 NKJV]
So the Jews said, “Will He kill Himself, because He says, ‘Where I go you cannot come’?”
And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
Then they said to Him, “Who are You?”
And Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him.”
They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father.
[John 8:21-27 NKJV]
What we see over and over again in John’s Gospel are the words ‘They did not understand that ...’ And often we do not understand at first. The message Jesus brings into the world is one that few, at the time or now, readily understands.
Why would we? This is new, undiscovered territory; a landscape never before encountered. Just imagine if someone came up to you in the street where you live and said to you ‘I have many things to say and to judge concerning you’. I’d be concerned and not a little upset. ‘Who does this man think he is?’ Jesus always speaks from a place diametrically opposed to what we know from our experience, and His purpose is to show us where we are heading and convince us to turn around and go the other way with Him.
If we think of the enormity of the task that Jesus had on His shoulders — declaring the truth of the government of God (Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. [Isaiah 9:6a NKJV]) — it is plain that He had no time to waste smoothing egos or formulating a marketing strategy.
Jesus spoke truth, knowing that He was the seed from another world — the eternal realm — that was being planted in the hearts of men to be nurtured into new and everlasting life.
Why would we? This is new, undiscovered territory; a landscape never before encountered. Just imagine if someone came up to you in the street where you live and said to you ‘I have many things to say and to judge concerning you’. I’d be concerned and not a little upset. ‘Who does this man think he is?’ Jesus always speaks from a place diametrically opposed to what we know from our experience, and His purpose is to show us where we are heading and convince us to turn around and go the other way with Him.
If we think of the enormity of the task that Jesus had on His shoulders — declaring the truth of the government of God (Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. [Isaiah 9:6a NKJV]) — it is plain that He had no time to waste smoothing egos or formulating a marketing strategy.
Jesus spoke truth, knowing that He was the seed from another world — the eternal realm — that was being planted in the hearts of men to be nurtured into new and everlasting life.
Just as the disposition of sin entered into the human race by one man, so the Holy Spirit entered the race by another Man, and Redemption means that I can be delivered from the heredity of sin, and through Jesus Christ can receive an unsullied heredity, viz.; the Holy Spirit.
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You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.
And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me.
It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true.
I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.”
Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”
These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come.
[John 8:15-20 NKJV]
And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me.
It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true.
I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.”
Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”
These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come.
[John 8:15-20 NKJV]
What does Jesus mean when He says ‘... I judge no one. Yet if I do judge ...’. The Amplified Bible gives us a clearer view of Jesus’ intention here, for it says ‘ ... I do not [set Myself up to] judge or condemn or sentence anyone. Yet even if I do judge ...’ That crucial ‘set Myself up to’ clarifies His purpose ... and answers a puzzle that most Christians wrestle with at some time or another.
We too must not set ourselves up in judgement of another, but there are times when we simply cannot ignore a situation which calls for a moral decision — and holy discernment is the path to choose — we must side with Jesus; for we are not alone, just as He was not alone. Jesus intercedes for those who believe in Him and we thus have a direct line to the throne of God.
Jesus says these words in the treasury — a place where not only many sacred temple objects were housed, but also formed a home for the priests. So it is not just about what Jesus said, but where he said it.
To exercise judgement — or discernment as to how to react in a given situation — we must be in a holy place; not just in the temple, but in the treasure-house.
It is not simply a case of “what would Jesus do?”, we know what Jesus would do — He would seek the will of the Father who sent Him. We should be able to say ‘yes, I know.’
We too must not set ourselves up in judgement of another, but there are times when we simply cannot ignore a situation which calls for a moral decision — and holy discernment is the path to choose — we must side with Jesus; for we are not alone, just as He was not alone. Jesus intercedes for those who believe in Him and we thus have a direct line to the throne of God.
Jesus says these words in the treasury — a place where not only many sacred temple objects were housed, but also formed a home for the priests. So it is not just about what Jesus said, but where he said it.
To exercise judgement — or discernment as to how to react in a given situation — we must be in a holy place; not just in the temple, but in the treasure-house.
It is not simply a case of “what would Jesus do?”, we know what Jesus would do — He would seek the will of the Father who sent Him. We should be able to say ‘yes, I know.’
God and love are synonymous. Love is not an attribute of God, it is God. Whatever God is, love is. If your conception of love does not agree with justice and judgement, purity and holiness, then your idea of love is wrong.