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OBADIAH 1:17-18
“But on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance,
And there shall be holiness;
The house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
The house of Jacob shall be a fire,
And the house of Joseph a flame;
But the house of Esau shall be stubble;
They shall kindle them and devour them,
And no survivor shall remain of the house of Esau,”
For the LORD has spoken.
Obadiah shows us here that deliverance precedes holiness, but that The Lord says that there shall be holiness. No ifs, no ands or buts. The matter is settled. The matter is where we are, or rather where we must be.
The place of holiness is described as Mount Zion, and that is where His deliverance is to be found — and then there shall be holiness. The Lord has allowed us to see that this holiness is when we are in a certain place… and that place is Mount Zion, God’s Holy Hill. The question then becomes, not am I delivered and holy, but ‘where am I?’ Am I on Mount Zion… or am I elsewhere? What is Zion? In the words of a song…
The place of holiness is described as Mount Zion, and that is where His deliverance is to be found — and then there shall be holiness. The Lord has allowed us to see that this holiness is when we are in a certain place… and that place is Mount Zion, God’s Holy Hill. The question then becomes, not am I delivered and holy, but ‘where am I?’ Am I on Mount Zion… or am I elsewhere? What is Zion? In the words of a song…
Zion is a place of singing.
Zion is a place of joy.
Zion is the dwelling of the Lord.
Zion is a place of worship.
Zion is a place of praise.
Zion is the dwelling of the Lord.
So let us climb the hill of Zion,
to the city of the living God.
To the city of the living God.
To the city of the living God.
So let us climb the hill of Zion,
to the city of the living God.
For the ark of the testimony is in our midst.
The most telling phrase to me is Zion is the dwelling of the Lord. The name Zion (or Tsijon) means ‘a parched place’. However, it comes from another word, siyun, meaning dry or solitary place in the sense of conspicuousness: a monumental or guiding pillar; a signpost or waymark. In other words, Zion is a beacon for the people of God — who are the spiritual Jerusalem — pointing the way to come higher — and it can only be seen as a guiding pillar by those touched by the Holy Spirit with the burning desire to know Him more dearly, more nearly. It is The Almighty inviting us to be with Him; to live and abide with Him.
This is a clear and confirming word that Our Lord desires a deep close relationship with Him. What better for us?
Study these words. Almighty God is the revealing of His desire that we come up higher. “Come closer; be nearer…” Our Lord says… Live with Me, abide with Me in My Holy Place. That is fulfilment indeed beyond anything we could imagine.
This is a clear and confirming word that Our Lord desires a deep close relationship with Him. What better for us?
Study these words. Almighty God is the revealing of His desire that we come up higher. “Come closer; be nearer…” Our Lord says… Live with Me, abide with Me in My Holy Place. That is fulfilment indeed beyond anything we could imagine.
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
And this we will do if God permits.
HEBREWS 6:1-3
CLIMB THE HILL TO ZION
A CLOSING WORD from DIETRICH BONHOEFFER
We must learn to regard people less in light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.
LISTEN TO THIS MEDITATION HERE...
COMING NEXT … #547 LET US BUILD THE WALL OF JERUSALEM
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ACTS 2:1-4
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
There is so much to gain from every word in scripture that trying to interpret a complete chapter in a short meditation leaves out an immensity of experience and life from the Holy Spirit. Thus this series on Acts can only ever be a superficial paddle at the edge of a great ocean. However, we can say that Acts 2 is THE word on the coming of The Holy Spirit — at least as far as our understanding is concerned.
The Day of Pentecost as described is indeed a supernatural fulfilling of prophesy. Jehovah appointed three Great Feasts — Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. Passover, fulfilled in the Gospels, comprised three lesser feasts as did Tabernacles, fulfilled as described in Hebrews and Revelation. Pentecost stands between these, a singular pivotal event described in Acts and the epistles, without which the other feasts would have no substance. The falling of The Holy Spirit — the Divine Fire — upon the Sons of God, His saints, is the crucial part of God’s plan, changing ‘Christ with them’ into ‘Christ in us’.
The Divine signs were all intensely significant and the words in Acts reveal the audible speaking of the Almighty at this moment… and it is the sound of a rushing mighty wind. This is the first of the signs. The second is the cloven tongues like as a fire. Cloven as in distributed (or divided amongst), and tongues meaning language — the heavenly language that only those touched by the Almighty can comprehend. The third sound is the speaking with other tongues (other languages). To me, this means that by the Holy Spirit, the Lord’s people, His church, can understand and communicate one with another in that Heavenly or spiritual language unique to His family.
The Day of Pentecost as described is indeed a supernatural fulfilling of prophesy. Jehovah appointed three Great Feasts — Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. Passover, fulfilled in the Gospels, comprised three lesser feasts as did Tabernacles, fulfilled as described in Hebrews and Revelation. Pentecost stands between these, a singular pivotal event described in Acts and the epistles, without which the other feasts would have no substance. The falling of The Holy Spirit — the Divine Fire — upon the Sons of God, His saints, is the crucial part of God’s plan, changing ‘Christ with them’ into ‘Christ in us’.
The Divine signs were all intensely significant and the words in Acts reveal the audible speaking of the Almighty at this moment… and it is the sound of a rushing mighty wind. This is the first of the signs. The second is the cloven tongues like as a fire. Cloven as in distributed (or divided amongst), and tongues meaning language — the heavenly language that only those touched by the Almighty can comprehend. The third sound is the speaking with other tongues (other languages). To me, this means that by the Holy Spirit, the Lord’s people, His church, can understand and communicate one with another in that Heavenly or spiritual language unique to His family.
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
MARK 16:17
This manifestation in ‘tongues’ goes beyond our restricted vision. Looking at the broad horizon of scripture we can now see by the Holy Spirit that there has been a progression beginning with the story of the Tower of Babel (from which we derive the word ‘babble’). Then one language became many and confusion reigned. In Acts 2, that confusion was reversed and many became one. By God’s grace they were all with one accord in one place!
Later, we see (in Revelation) that language in heaven is now “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:10. The third part to complete the progression.
We can now see that Babel represented the spirit of Satan — rebellion, blasphemy and glorifying man, while Pentecost restores the Spirit of God, obedience, worship and glorifying God.
Finally, in verse 38, the apostle Peter delivers the first message on the day of Pentecost…
Later, we see (in Revelation) that language in heaven is now “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:10. The third part to complete the progression.
We can now see that Babel represented the spirit of Satan — rebellion, blasphemy and glorifying man, while Pentecost restores the Spirit of God, obedience, worship and glorifying God.
Finally, in verse 38, the apostle Peter delivers the first message on the day of Pentecost…
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.
ACTS 2:38-39
This first message echoes the first message of John the Baptist…
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
MATTHEW 3:1-2
…and Jesus’ first message…
From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
MATTHEW 4:17
…and this can also be seen in Mark 1:14-15, as well as in Hebrews 6:1-2 — the first principle of the doctrine of Christ…
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
HEBREWS 6:1-2
The common first principle is ‘repent’! Turn from the old life and embrace the new. Be filled with the life of Christ and receive His Holy Spirit. Know that rushing mighty wind that no one can deny when His call is spoken in you.
LIKE A MIGHTY RUSHING WIND
A CLOSING WORD from DAVID WILKERSON
When you strip it if everything else, Pentecost stands for power and life. That is what came into the church when the Holy Spirit came down on the day of Pentecost.
DAVID WILKERSON from ‘The Cross and The Switchblade’
LISTEN TO THIS MEDITATION HERE…
COMING NEXT… #546 THERE SHALL BE HOLINESS
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EPHESIANS 1:15-18
Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
Do we know that Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation, or are we drifting along in our faith? Are we engaging in the life of our Lord in us? Paul makes clear in Ephesians 1 that the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation is a gift from our Lord Jesus Christ, but to receive that gift — as we receive any Holy Spirit gift — is an act of faith.
Wisdom is not knowledge. Remember Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Wisdom and knowledge are separate things. Knowledge comes by study and leads to understanding, but that does not of itself lead to wisdom or faith. Only the spirit gift of heavenly wisdom and revelation brings us to an intimate relationship with Christ.
Only recently I learnt, or realised, that Jesus never said “You must…”, but instead put it as “IF you will…” our Lord always left it to us to make a choice. There is no dictatorship or coercion with Christ. We always have a free will choice. And that is where the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation inspires us. If we have the Revelation of the person of Jesus Christ in our innermost being, then we are filled with the wisdom of The Almighty. At that point our free will choice activates and we can either embrace or deny Him.
The point that Paul is making here is that, if we are genuinely filled with a God-given revelation, then the wisdom from on high is never likely to persuade us to reject it. If we have even the slightest revelation from Christ, then denial becomes total betrayal of His life in us.
Thus our earnest hope is that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation. And may the Spirit of The Most High fall upon each one and give you peace.
Wisdom is not knowledge. Remember Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Wisdom and knowledge are separate things. Knowledge comes by study and leads to understanding, but that does not of itself lead to wisdom or faith. Only the spirit gift of heavenly wisdom and revelation brings us to an intimate relationship with Christ.
Only recently I learnt, or realised, that Jesus never said “You must…”, but instead put it as “IF you will…” our Lord always left it to us to make a choice. There is no dictatorship or coercion with Christ. We always have a free will choice. And that is where the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation inspires us. If we have the Revelation of the person of Jesus Christ in our innermost being, then we are filled with the wisdom of The Almighty. At that point our free will choice activates and we can either embrace or deny Him.
The point that Paul is making here is that, if we are genuinely filled with a God-given revelation, then the wisdom from on high is never likely to persuade us to reject it. If we have even the slightest revelation from Christ, then denial becomes total betrayal of His life in us.
Thus our earnest hope is that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation. And may the Spirit of The Most High fall upon each one and give you peace.
And consider this…
Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.
And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see,
and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the LORD where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, that the LORD called Samuel.
And he answered, “Here I am!” So he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.”
And he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” And he went and lay down.
Then the LORD called yet again, “Samuel!”
So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” He answered, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” (Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him.)
And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you did call me.”
Then Eli perceived that the LORD had called the boy.
1 SAMUEL 3:1-8
REVELATION SONG — Kari Jobe
A CLOSING WORD from BILLY GRAHAM
Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ, and seek to follow Him every day. Don't be swayed by the false values and goals of this world, but put Christ and His will first in everything you do.
LISTEN TO THIS MEDITATION HERE…
COMING NEXT… #545 ACTS 2: A RUSHING MIGHTY WIND
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ISAIAH 9:2-6
The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation
And increased its joy;
They rejoice before You
According to the joy of harvest,
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For You have broken the yoke of his burden
And the staff of his shoulder,
The rod of his oppressor,
As in the day of Midian.
For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle,
And garments rolled in blood,
Will be used for burning and fuel of fire.
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
The government will be upon His shoulder is part of Isaiah’s magnificent prophecy of the coming Messiah. It is saying that He will be Lord of All and that the governing of His people will be His and His alone. Also we can see other aspects of these words that reveal the greater depths of our Lord’s compassionate hand on us.
The government wil be upon His shoulder emphasises ‘the mind of Christ’, for surely He has ‘a good head on his shoulders’ as an everyday expression would have it, and it is having and submitting to His Mind in us (understanding His Word to produce the way, the truth and the life in us by the Holy Spirit), that keeps us connected to Him, producing a growing faith and trust in Him as our intercessor with Father God.
It is the person of Jesus Christ that gives our faith reality. He is not an icon or figurehead, a leader or ruler, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and countless other names, but for each one who comes to Him He is a friend and brother who lives within. Christian belief is not a religion but a relationship, and Jesus is not merely ‘a personal saviour’ — that is only the first step — He is the indwelling Redeemer and He invites us to cast your burden upon Him. He shoulders that burden, not in an ‘I’ll deal with this. Don’t you bother about it’, but in the much more realistic way that shows you the way through, lifts the weight from you, while strengthening and encouraging, dispelling the darkness. In prayer, we each have a hotline to the Creator. That is Divine Government — raising you up into the light and not letting you slip into sinking sand.
We sing about turning our eyes toward Jesus. However, we must hold His gaze and be unwavering in that loving relationship. It is easy for us to be distracted, but He is forgiving, and desires our full committed attention. Don’t be discouraged when He seems afar off, He is always there. His broad shoulders are more than able.
The government wil be upon His shoulder emphasises ‘the mind of Christ’, for surely He has ‘a good head on his shoulders’ as an everyday expression would have it, and it is having and submitting to His Mind in us (understanding His Word to produce the way, the truth and the life in us by the Holy Spirit), that keeps us connected to Him, producing a growing faith and trust in Him as our intercessor with Father God.
It is the person of Jesus Christ that gives our faith reality. He is not an icon or figurehead, a leader or ruler, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and countless other names, but for each one who comes to Him He is a friend and brother who lives within. Christian belief is not a religion but a relationship, and Jesus is not merely ‘a personal saviour’ — that is only the first step — He is the indwelling Redeemer and He invites us to cast your burden upon Him. He shoulders that burden, not in an ‘I’ll deal with this. Don’t you bother about it’, but in the much more realistic way that shows you the way through, lifts the weight from you, while strengthening and encouraging, dispelling the darkness. In prayer, we each have a hotline to the Creator. That is Divine Government — raising you up into the light and not letting you slip into sinking sand.
We sing about turning our eyes toward Jesus. However, we must hold His gaze and be unwavering in that loving relationship. It is easy for us to be distracted, but He is forgiving, and desires our full committed attention. Don’t be discouraged when He seems afar off, He is always there. His broad shoulders are more than able.
As for me, I will call upon God,
And the LORD shall save me.
Evening and morning and at noon
I will pray, and cry aloud,
And He shall hear my voice.
He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me,
For there were many against me.
God will hear, and afflict them,
Even He who abides from of old.
Selah
Because they do not change,
Therefore they do not fear God.
He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him;
He has broken his covenant.
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter,
But war was in his heart;
His words were softer than oil,
Yet they were drawn swords.
Cast your burden on the LORD,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction;
Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days;
But I will trust in You.
PSALM 55:16-23
TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS — Sovereign Grace Music
A CLOSING WORD from Derek Prince
“Do not sell yourself short, because God holds you in very high regard. He invested the blood of Jesus in you.”
LISTEN TO THIS MEDITATION HERE…
COMING NEXT… #544 THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION
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ACTS 1: 4-8
And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;
for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
For some time I have desired to study the Acts of the Apostles, commonly called the book of Acts, and it is intended that this will take the form of a brief overview of each chapter in turn, touching on one or two details in each meditation. We know that Acts is a continuation of Luke’s Gospel, but while the Gospels revealed Christ’s finished work of The Cross, Acts shows us Christ’s continuing work from the Throne. The book begins with…
The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
ACTS 1:1
That ‘doing’ and ‘teaching’ of Jesus, now continues as the work of The Holy Spirit, and verse 2 is thus the last mention of the Holy Spirit in relation to Jesus’ earthly ministry. It is true to say that Acts is the book of the Holy Spirit, and chapter 1 shows us details of the transition from walking with Jesus by sight, to walking with Him by faith. Reading of the experiences of the apostles at this time of change is itself a work of the Holy Spirit in us and a great encouragement to press in to The Lord and know the reality of His presence.
Verses 4 to 8 tell us of Jesus’ final words to the disciples, using the wonderful title The Promise of The Father to describe the Holy Spirit. That promise is not just an expression, but a reminder of God’s covenant. His purpose is to bring many sons to glory, and here ‘sons’ emphatically means everyone. Verse 12 shows that The Holy Spirit is poured out on all flesh — men and women alike — all are Sons of God.
We are told of Jesus’ ascension — taken up, carried up, received up in the clouds. ‘Clouds’ here is a picture of the Heavens; the Third Heaven that Paul speaks of…
Verses 4 to 8 tell us of Jesus’ final words to the disciples, using the wonderful title The Promise of The Father to describe the Holy Spirit. That promise is not just an expression, but a reminder of God’s covenant. His purpose is to bring many sons to glory, and here ‘sons’ emphatically means everyone. Verse 12 shows that The Holy Spirit is poured out on all flesh — men and women alike — all are Sons of God.
We are told of Jesus’ ascension — taken up, carried up, received up in the clouds. ‘Clouds’ here is a picture of the Heavens; the Third Heaven that Paul speaks of…
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.
2 CORINTHIANS 12:2
We are given a lengthy few verses on Judas and the choosing of an apostle to replace him. Twelve is the number denoting Divine Government on the Earth, while eleven is problematic in that it involves choice or discernment. Usually, it is considered to be an indication of rebellion, disorder, betrayal, or idolatry, among other things, which may explain the eleven verses devoted to Judas.
The choosing of Matthias as the twelfth disciple by drawing lots, is the last occasion such a method is mentioned. Following the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, such decisions were made ‘by The Spirit’.
Luke mentions all these ‘proofs’ as a continuation of his gospel to show us the outworking of the plan of God; that Jesus’ triumph over death, was also a victory for all of us who respond to His call in all generations. We must surely give thanks to Almighty God for His Eternal Promise.
Hallelujah!
The choosing of Matthias as the twelfth disciple by drawing lots, is the last occasion such a method is mentioned. Following the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, such decisions were made ‘by The Spirit’.
Luke mentions all these ‘proofs’ as a continuation of his gospel to show us the outworking of the plan of God; that Jesus’ triumph over death, was also a victory for all of us who respond to His call in all generations. We must surely give thanks to Almighty God for His Eternal Promise.
Hallelujah!
AND CONSIDER THIS…
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
EPHESIANS 1:13
HOLY SPIRIT LIVING BREATH OF GOD — Keith and Kristyn Getty
A CLOSING WORD from Peter Marshall
Human nature must be changed if we are ever to have an end to war or to correct the wrong situations that make our lives uneasy and our hearts sore. Now Christianity, the power of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit of God, is the only force that can change people for good.
LISTEN TO THIS MEDITATION HERE…
COMING NEXT… #543 UPON HIS SHOULDER
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PHILIPPIANS 4:8-9
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
After completing the meditation (‘Meditate On These Things’) I came across the words below in ‘Healing The Human Spirit’ by Ruth Hawkey (Sovereign Press), which I felt expressed another wonderful aspect of the encouragement to meditate on these things…
What Nurtures the Human Spirit? The Word of God.
It is the Spirit who gives life... the words I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life.
- John 6:63
God's Word is spirit and life. When I feed on the Word of God I am feeding life into myself. When I sit down to lunch I don't say to my food: “By the way, food, do your best.” I just eat it and assume that it will do its job once it gets into my system. The Word of God is the same — when I take the Word of God into my spirit it becomes life to me, whether I think about it or not. That is why it's important for us to have our spiritual time with the Word of God. I need to meditate on the Word of God. I need to take it in and let it do something within me.
Meditating on it doesn't mean passivity. It means to consult within myself. It is said of Mary that she
... pondered all these things in her heart.
- Luke 2:19
It is interesting that Jesus tells John to take Mary into his house. The Gospel of John is the most meditative Gospel of them all. John evidently sat down with Mary and she shared her heart with him, the things which she had hidden in her heart. What does 'the Light of the World' mean? Mary understood it, because she had pondered it in her heart.*
AND CONSIDER THIS…
But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly;
The LORD will hear when I call to Him.
Be angry, and do not sin.
Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.
Selah
PSALM 4:3-4
GRATITUDE — Brandon Lake — (selected by Annea)
A CLOSING WORD from Derek Prince
Wherever you encounter domination, you can be sure that it is satanic. That is not how God rules people.
(From ‘Pulling Down Strongholds: Mighty Weapons for Spiritual Warfare’)
LISTEN TO THIS MEDITATION HERE…
*Excerpt reprinted by permission.
“HEALING THE HUMAN SPIRIT” by Ruth Hawkey,
copyright 1996, 2004, 2018 Ruth Hawkey
Sovereign World Ltd, Lancaster, England.
All Rights Reserved.
“HEALING THE HUMAN SPIRIT” by Ruth Hawkey,
copyright 1996, 2004, 2018 Ruth Hawkey
Sovereign World Ltd, Lancaster, England.
All Rights Reserved.
COMING NEXT… #542 ACTS 1: THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER
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PHILIPPIANS 4:8-9
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
I could have named this meditation ’Count Your Blessings’, because there is the sense that it is what we understand by meditate on these things, particularly when we read that in connection with Philippians 4, and that phrase meditate on these things has been used a lot here — to encourage further thought or searching into other related areas touching on The Lord’s Word under consideration, but we can also see that by meditating on the Word of God, we gain insight and a connection with Father God which reveals His goodness and mercy which indeed shows that the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians lists eight qualities of importance on which to meditate — things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, things of good report, with any virtue, and anything praiseworthy — essentially saying concentrate on the positive, eliminate the negative, with no room for Mister in-between! In the Bible numerology, eight signifies a new beginning, meaning that Paul is showing us that by concentrating on such virtues will bring us new life, a refreshing of the spirit that leads to a closer bond with our Lord Jesus.
Meditating on the Lord’s love and compassion towards us cannot help but raise our spirits and bring peace, because these thoughts are borne on the wings of the Holy Spirit to inhabit us in our deepest being. When we have the peace of the Lord within us then His Spirit radiates outward and affects those with whom we have contact. Not only are we uplifted and transformed, but all that we meet can sense the change in us and be raised up themselves even if they know not why!
It is plain that our meditation should always be on Him and on Him alone, and these verses reinforce that essential part of faith. Thank You, Jesus.
Philippians lists eight qualities of importance on which to meditate — things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, things of good report, with any virtue, and anything praiseworthy — essentially saying concentrate on the positive, eliminate the negative, with no room for Mister in-between! In the Bible numerology, eight signifies a new beginning, meaning that Paul is showing us that by concentrating on such virtues will bring us new life, a refreshing of the spirit that leads to a closer bond with our Lord Jesus.
Meditating on the Lord’s love and compassion towards us cannot help but raise our spirits and bring peace, because these thoughts are borne on the wings of the Holy Spirit to inhabit us in our deepest being. When we have the peace of the Lord within us then His Spirit radiates outward and affects those with whom we have contact. Not only are we uplifted and transformed, but all that we meet can sense the change in us and be raised up themselves even if they know not why!
It is plain that our meditation should always be on Him and on Him alone, and these verses reinforce that essential part of faith. Thank You, Jesus.
AND CONSIDER THIS…
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.
Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
1 TIMOTHY 4:12-16
BE THOU MY VISION — BBC Songs of Praise
I initially had another song in mind but felt — as this song insisted on being before me — that this beautiful hymn was the right choice now.
A CLOSING WORD from Billy Graham
Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ, and seek to follow Him every day. Don't be swayed by the false values and goals of this world, but put Christ and His will first in everything you do.
LISTEN TO THIS MEDITATION HERE…
COMING NEXT… #541MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS (Addendum)
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1 THESSALONIANS 5:23-24
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
I was led to reconsider* these verses from 1 Thessalonians because I have been reading a brilliant book by Ruth Hawkey called ‘Healing The Human Spirit’ (Sovereign World Ltd., 2018). Ruth knows her subject well and draws out deeper truth from The Bible to shine a light on the healing ministry. I have not been so impacted by a work on this aspect of faith since finding the Reverend Henry Wright’s ‘A More Excellent Way’ about 25 years ago.
Ruth reiterates a truth that we can readily see, which is that our Lord in His Word begins from His viewpoint. This is something that we identify all through Scripture, from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22. We, as His saints have a tendency to talk of Body Soul and Spirit, but The Lord speaks of Spirit Soul and Body. Here In Thessalonians, Paul completes his letter with may your whole spirit, mind and body be preserved blameless … and crucially … at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus urges us to see ourselves preserved blameless, but in the order that He declares — first spiritually, then in our souls and minds, and finally in the body.
Ruth shows us that unless we are first healed spiritually, then everything else struggles and suffers. Bodily healing heals bodily, but this is our own way of dealing with the problem. Soul ministers to soul and body, but again this is only partially effective. Only Spirit heals the whole — Spirit Soul and Body — and it is The Holy Spirit ministering into our human spirit that performs the healing.
The fact of the matter is that Scripture shows us the perspective from God’s viewpoint. Everything begins with God, and we can only understand truth from His viewpoint. Study Scripture and let Him show you that everything begins with Him. It is not Body Soul and Spirit, which is our way, but Spirit, Soul and Body, which is His way.
As an example, Ruth Hawkey shows that any healing ministry must identify in what way the human spirit has become damaged or sick. She shows six areas in which we can all be affected, and it can be revealed as a combination of any of these…
Quoting scripture to bolster the argument, Ruth also mentions medical research which reveals the truth of the Bible teaching, and quotes case studies where The Lord’s Ministry through His saints has been effective. The book offers practical application principles of the way in which we can minister to others. There is much more to be said than can be included in a short meditation, but Ruth Hawkey’s book surely brings light to an oft misunderstood ministry.
But we should always remember that the power of forgiveness is the single greatest healing instrument of all. For our God is The One Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases.
(*See also ‘Preserved Blameless’ from August 2023)
Ruth reiterates a truth that we can readily see, which is that our Lord in His Word begins from His viewpoint. This is something that we identify all through Scripture, from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22. We, as His saints have a tendency to talk of Body Soul and Spirit, but The Lord speaks of Spirit Soul and Body. Here In Thessalonians, Paul completes his letter with may your whole spirit, mind and body be preserved blameless … and crucially … at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus urges us to see ourselves preserved blameless, but in the order that He declares — first spiritually, then in our souls and minds, and finally in the body.
Ruth shows us that unless we are first healed spiritually, then everything else struggles and suffers. Bodily healing heals bodily, but this is our own way of dealing with the problem. Soul ministers to soul and body, but again this is only partially effective. Only Spirit heals the whole — Spirit Soul and Body — and it is The Holy Spirit ministering into our human spirit that performs the healing.
The fact of the matter is that Scripture shows us the perspective from God’s viewpoint. Everything begins with God, and we can only understand truth from His viewpoint. Study Scripture and let Him show you that everything begins with Him. It is not Body Soul and Spirit, which is our way, but Spirit, Soul and Body, which is His way.
As an example, Ruth Hawkey shows that any healing ministry must identify in what way the human spirit has become damaged or sick. She shows six areas in which we can all be affected, and it can be revealed as a combination of any of these…
- A timid and fearful spirit
- An imprisoned spirit
- A crushed spirit
- A defiled spirit
- An orphan or starved spirit
- A broken spirit
Quoting scripture to bolster the argument, Ruth also mentions medical research which reveals the truth of the Bible teaching, and quotes case studies where The Lord’s Ministry through His saints has been effective. The book offers practical application principles of the way in which we can minister to others. There is much more to be said than can be included in a short meditation, but Ruth Hawkey’s book surely brings light to an oft misunderstood ministry.
But we should always remember that the power of forgiveness is the single greatest healing instrument of all. For our God is The One Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases.
(*See also ‘Preserved Blameless’ from August 2023)
AND CONSIDER THIS….
Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
HEBREWS 4:11-13
PSALM 16 — spoken by Pastor Mark Rooney — music by Taryn Harbridge
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This Psalm has a special connection to us, as it was the favourite of a dear friend who died in much pain with cancer a good number of years ago. She found that these words helped carry her on to that better place. A painting with words from this Psalm still hangs in the church she loved.
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This Psalm has a special connection to us, as it was the favourite of a dear friend who died in much pain with cancer a good number of years ago. She found that these words helped carry her on to that better place. A painting with words from this Psalm still hangs in the church she loved.
A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT
God didn't make a mistake when He made you. You need to see yourself as God sees you.
JOEL OSTEEN
LISTEN TO THIS MEDITATION HERE…
COMING NEXT… #540 MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS
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JOB 38:22-24
“Have you entered the treasury of snow,
Or have you seen the treasury of hail,
Which I have reserved for the time of trouble,
For the day of battle and war?
By what way is light diffused,
Or the east wind scattered over the earth?
This phrase arose in our meeting a short while ago, and it stuck in my mind, as these unexpected poetic expressions often do. Why is snow described as a treasury? The obvious answer is that snow is white and represents holiness, purity and cleanliness — the absence of sin — and should thus be treasured (and aspired to) by the believer.
In the natural, there is little that is more beautiful — awe-inspiring even — than freshly fallen snow in a blanket covering the land, undisturbed, pristine and peaceful; bringing joy to the soul. These qualities give a spiritual form to what lies before us. First the Natural, then the Spiritual.
However, in The Lord’s Speaking there is always more, and we can see that He asks have you entered the treasury of the snow and follows this with have you seen the treasury of hail. He invites us to be a part of that holiness — in fact, to go beyond the surface and what it does for us — to realise that He is that treasury, the treasure in our earthen vessels.
In essence, it is an expression of Christ’s words “I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (John 17:23)
The treasury of hail speaks of another aspect of that growing to be one with Christ. The Lord asks if we have seen or understood it. For just as we learn of the washing by the water of the word, hail (as frozen water) tells of the hard word, the deeper aspects of Him, which can be more difficult to grasp. We need to have His Holy Spirit fill us with both of His treasuries so that we are prepared for the time of trouble and the day of battle and war.
In the natural, there is little that is more beautiful — awe-inspiring even — than freshly fallen snow in a blanket covering the land, undisturbed, pristine and peaceful; bringing joy to the soul. These qualities give a spiritual form to what lies before us. First the Natural, then the Spiritual.
However, in The Lord’s Speaking there is always more, and we can see that He asks have you entered the treasury of the snow and follows this with have you seen the treasury of hail. He invites us to be a part of that holiness — in fact, to go beyond the surface and what it does for us — to realise that He is that treasury, the treasure in our earthen vessels.
In essence, it is an expression of Christ’s words “I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (John 17:23)
The treasury of hail speaks of another aspect of that growing to be one with Christ. The Lord asks if we have seen or understood it. For just as we learn of the washing by the water of the word, hail (as frozen water) tells of the hard word, the deeper aspects of Him, which can be more difficult to grasp. We need to have His Holy Spirit fill us with both of His treasuries so that we are prepared for the time of trouble and the day of battle and war.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
PSALM 51:5-11
IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER — Tenebrae
Riches and the things that are necessary in life are not evil in themselves. And all of us face cares and troubles in this life. The sin comes in the time and energy we spend in pursuing these things, at the expense of neglecting Christ.
DAVID WILKERSON
LISTEN TO THIS MEDITATION HERE…
COMING NEXT… #539 YOUR WHOLE SPIRIT SOUL AND BODY
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the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:22-23
ISAIAH 40:28-31
Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Throughout scripture there is an example, an urging indeed to wait upon the Lord; to be patient with Him as He is with us. Patience — described as longsuffering, forbearance, endurance, constancy and steadfastness — is noted in Galatians as a fruit of the Spirit. This means that our walking this life as ‘Spirit-filled’ believers imbues us with the strength of Our Lord to be as overcomers in His service.
It is easy for us — in our haste — to forget that Father God, for whom a day is as a thousand years, has infinite patience and knows the end from the beginning. We look for the quick fix and the easy answer, while our Heavenly Father is looking to raise His children to be like Him — to be as He is. For Him that is the work of a moment — for us the work of a lifetime. That work does not happen according to our expectations, but according to His plan.
God desires that we be fruitful, and that requires us to wait. The very act of waiting on Him requires a strength that we do not possess, for in reality we are weak. But Isaiah says that to those who have no might He increases strength, He gives power to the weak. Like so many things in the Holy Spirit, the actuality is a circle — something with no beginning and no end — an eternal cycle. God initiates and God completes, and we who believe in Him and give ourselves fully to Him are begun and finished in Him. Did not Jesus say “It is finished”? The work was finished at that moment — before any of us were born. The work is done and all we need do is commit ourselves to His life to be a part of it, and be patient, longsuffering for that is in the process. It happens in God’s time, not ours.
Be patient and wait upon The Lord.
It is easy for us — in our haste — to forget that Father God, for whom a day is as a thousand years, has infinite patience and knows the end from the beginning. We look for the quick fix and the easy answer, while our Heavenly Father is looking to raise His children to be like Him — to be as He is. For Him that is the work of a moment — for us the work of a lifetime. That work does not happen according to our expectations, but according to His plan.
God desires that we be fruitful, and that requires us to wait. The very act of waiting on Him requires a strength that we do not possess, for in reality we are weak. But Isaiah says that to those who have no might He increases strength, He gives power to the weak. Like so many things in the Holy Spirit, the actuality is a circle — something with no beginning and no end — an eternal cycle. God initiates and God completes, and we who believe in Him and give ourselves fully to Him are begun and finished in Him. Did not Jesus say “It is finished”? The work was finished at that moment — before any of us were born. The work is done and all we need do is commit ourselves to His life to be a part of it, and be patient, longsuffering for that is in the process. It happens in God’s time, not ours.
Be patient and wait upon The Lord.
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.
1 PETER 3:18-20
BUT THEY THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD — Newlove Annan
A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT
“Prayer does not condition God; prayer conditions us. Prayer does not win God to our view; it reveals God’s view to us.”
― Leonard Ravenhill, Revival Praying: An Urgent and Powerful Message for the Family of Christ
SONG — ‘WAIT FOR THE LORD’ from Whitestone Farms, Alaska — CLICK ON LINK BELOW
This song is very special to Gill and myself in our walk with The Lord. Composed by a lovely lady in Alaska and part of a Christian Fellowship there, it has a deep yearning and a plaintive cry at one and the same time. A cry that brings us in to His presence…
Wait for the LORD,
all ye who are righteous,
despise not the wicked
for they have their reward
You shall ride
on the heights of the earth
and taste of things not seen or heard
and you shall declare
the glory of the LORD
wait, oh wait, for your reward