Get up and Stand!

February 27, 2013

We read in Acts 26:16-18 (NIV 1984): The Lord replied, ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Although these were Jesus’ exact words to Saul (Paul) on the road to Damascus where Saul, later called Paul, was headed to persecute Christians, and Jesus was letting him know he had other plans for his life, his words to Saul (Paul) could be said to any believer in Jesus, for this is the calling of each and every individual follower of Jesus Christ.

To “get up” and to “stand up” are calls to action - to listen; to awaken; to take courage; to ready yourself for action; to be resolute; to not fear; and to speak God’s words with boldness, and in his power and strength within you.

Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit comes upon us that we shall be his witnesses throughout the whole world (see Acts 1:8). This is not optional. We, as true believers in Jesus Christ, have been given the Holy Spirit within us, and we will witness for him for good or for bad by our lives, by our actions and by our words. Yet, it is his desire that we witness the truths of God’s word, and the true gospel of Jesus Christ – through our lives, words and deeds - to a world in need of The Savior.

Jesus said that we are to “Go” and to make disciples (followers of Christ) of all nations, and that we are to teach them to obey Jesus Christ’s commandments (his teachings) – see Matt. 28:19-20. This means that each and every follower (disciple) of Jesus Christ has a God-given commission and responsibility to open the eyes of the spiritually blind, and to turn them from the darkness of sin and living for self to the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ and to salvation by grace, through faith (see Eph. 2:8-9); and to turn them from the power and control of sin and of Satan over their lives to God, i.e. to true faith in Jesus Christ. Then, they will receive forgiveness of sins, and will have a place among other followers of Jesus Christ who are daily being sanctified (purified; made holy) by faith in Him.

In order to do this, we must be sharing the true gospel of Jesus Christ. We are saved by God’s grace alone, and it is not of our own doing, not by any good deeds or works that we might perform, lest any of us should boast that we gained heaven or God’s approval in our own merit (see Eph. 2:8-9). Yet, we must understand the Biblical meaning of the word “faith.” The Bible teaches us that faith is action, that faith is obedient, and that it is repentant (see Acts 3:19; Heb. 11; I John; Rom. 6; 2 Co. 7:10; 2 Pet. 3:9, et al).

Jesus said that if anyone would come after him, he must deny (disallow) himself (his self-life) and take up his cross daily (die daily to sin and self) and follow (obey) Him. He said if we hold on to our old lives of sin and living for self, we will lose them for eternity, but if we forsake our old lives of sin and living for self, we will gain eternal life (see Luke 9:23-25). As well, God, speaking through Paul, said that the way we come to know Christ is by forsaking our old lives of sin (and self), by being transformed in heart and mind (of the Spirit of God), and by putting on our new lives “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (see Eph. 4:17-24).

  

Hello! My name is Sue Love. I pray if you have not yet repented of your sin - turned from darkness - and turned to follow Jesus Christ with your life - turned to God and the light of his truth - that you will do so today. If I can help answer any questions you might have regarding how to be a follower of Jesus Christ, and/or how you can fulfill your God-given responsibility to be his servant and witness, you may write me at suejlove@outlook.com.

http://originalworks.info/get-up-and-stand1/

Filled with Grief

Thursday, February 28, 2013, 6:26 a.m. – the Lord Jesus woke me with the song “Not Be Silent” playing in my mind. Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read Matthew 17:14-23 (NIV 1984):

When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

“O unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” And the disciples were filled with grief.

The father was grieved

When the disciples, and Jesus, too, it appears, came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus regarding his son who had seizures. The man knelt before Jesus, and he asked the Lord Jesus to have mercy on his son, for his son would often fall into fire or water when he had these seizures. The man had brought the boy to Jesus’ disciples, but they could not heal him. The man was first of all grieved over the physical condition of his son, and the dangers that often brought upon him, and then he was grieved over the fact that those he thought could help him were unable to help. The Lord Jesus had compassion on the man and he healed his son.

The Lord Jesus is giving me a picture here, not only of physical healing, but of the parallels to our salvation and to our need to call upon Jesus in our times of need, and to not put our hope and trust in mankind, but to make Jesus our only Savior and Lord.

As humans, we often look to humans for our salvation and healing, i.e. we look to politicians and governments to protect us, to lead us, to provide for us, to do right by us, to make laws for our good, and to keep the economy from sinking, etc. Yet, they are human, and they will fail, just like the disciples failed that father. We look to lawyers to help us solve our legal issues, and to doctors to heal our diseases, and to employers to keep us hired and to keep our pay checks coming, etc. We look to spouses to remain faithful, and to children to always love and honor us, and to parents to always be there for us and to take care of us. But, we are all human, and thus we are subject to failure. We also look to preachers to tell us the truth, and to church groups to give us love and support and to provide us with fellowship. But, even they are human, and even the godliest among us is still bound to fail us.

The man took the correct approach. He humbled himself before Jesus, recognizing that man was not able to help and that Jesus/God was his only hope for his son. And, he called out to Jesus/God for mercy.

Nothing of this life - no man or woman, politician or preacher, husband or wife, parent or child - will be able to meet our deepest needs and the longings of our souls. They are all bound to disappoint us at some time or another. So, that is why we must humble ourselves before God, call on Jesus to be our only hope and our only salvation, repent of our sins, especially those of putting our hope and trust in human beings, and then surrender our lives into Jesus’ capable hands for him to do with our lives what he chooses for us. He chooses that we not perish, but that we all come to repentance.

Jesus was grieved

Jesus was grieved, I believe, for this hurting father and for this child who was possessed by a demon which threw him into these convulsions. He had compassion on the father and son, and he healed the boy. He was also grieved that his disciples still were weak in faith, and they still were not getting it. They, evidently, were trying to heal this boy in their own power and strength, and they found out just how unreliable that was. This was not the first time Jesus had chided them for their lack of faith or their dullness of hearing. They did believe in Jesus some or they would not have been following him, though I don’t know if Judas ever truly believed. Yet, even after they would see Jesus’ miracles, they would ask such questions as to indicate that they still weren’t getting it.

Yet, Jesus’ chastisement here was not to them alone, for he included the whole generation of those who were on this earth when he lived upon the earth. Many were truly completely unbelieving and (headstrongly and stubbornly) refused to accept that Jesus Christ was who he said he was. Others believed, but their faith (daily) was lacking and was in need of strengthening and maturity. In other words, we can have faith to accept Jesus Christ’s invitation to salvation by grace, through faith, and we can demonstrate our faith through repentance and choosing to walk in obedience to our Lord, and we can be in genuine relationship with Jesus Christ, but yet daily struggle to truly understand and to demonstrate that we believe he is who he says he is and that he will do all that he said he would do.

I believe with all my heart that Jesus is speaking these same words to our generation of people on this earth today, i.e. to all people on this earth who either are stubbornly refusing to believe in him at all, or who have believed in him as Savior and Lord but who, by their actions and reactions, demonstrate a level of unbelief in who Jesus says he is and in the fact that he will do all that he said he would do. Many who are lacking in faith in Jesus/God are looking to humans, jobs, bank accounts, politicians, preachers, church congregations, marketing schemes, man-made religion, and human relationships to meet needs within them meant to be met totally by God alone. And, Jesus is grieved because they are struggling through life, worried, depressed, feeling lonely and without purpose and direction, even though they have made a commitment to Jesus or perhaps they only did so in form. He longs to have us come underneath his wings and to trust him with our lives.

The disciples were grieved

Jesus prepared his disciples ahead of time for his coming death, which he knew must take place for the salvation of souls. He told them that he was going to be betrayed, that men would kill him, but that on the third day he would rise again. The disciples were filled with grief at this news.

I love how Jesus/God, even in warning us of coming judgments because of our stubbornness and unrepentant hearts, will so often follow up his warnings with promises of restoration, revival and salvations (resurrection) and healing. Yet, a lot of people will skip over that part of scripture, because it grieves them to hear about anything negative. They don’t want to hear bad news. They only want to hear the happy stuff that makes them feel good. They want the resurrection without the cross; life without death first.

Peter even told Jesus, “Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!” We as humans resist so strongly what we don’t want to accept. So, Jesus rebuked Peter by saying, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Isn’t that true of all of us at times? Or, have you ever been convinced of something in scripture through which God is speaking, and you know it is the Holy Spirit’s voice, and yet someone will come along and be (knowingly or unknowingly) Satan’s voice to you telling you that God did not really say that?

Yet, the reality is that Jesus Christ had to die on the cross for our sins so that we could be free from bondage (slavery) to sin, so we could be free from eternity in hell, and so we could have restored fellowship with the Father and could walk with him in holiness and in righteousness. And, the reality is that we must die to our lives of sin and self, we must be transformed into new creatures in Christ Jesus via the working of the Holy Spirit within us, and we must put on our new lives in Christ Jesus, “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness,” for this is how we come to Christ (see Eph. 4:17-24; Luke 9:23-25). There is no other way. The reality may grieve us, and we may want to avoid that reality, but that will never change it from being true.

As well, the reality is that one day Jesus Christ is coming as judge of this earth, and he is going to bring upon mankind a time of tribulation like the world has never known before. Evil will reign supreme for a short period of time. Satan, the beast and the false prophet will control the world’s natural resources, the banks, the grocery stores, the housing market, etc. This is already happening. And, there isn’t anything we can do to stop it from happening, for the Bible has prophesied that these things will take place. We can grieve over that reality, and we can run from it and say “It ain’t so!” but that will not change it. All of us one day will have to give an account to God for what we did with Jesus. Many will think they knew Jesus and he will say he never knew them, “Depart from me.”

Yet, when we repent of our sins, and we turn to faith in Jesus Christ, and we choose to follow (obey) Jesus, our grief will be turned to joy. When Jesus visits us in judgment in order to bring his rebellious church back to him and to bring the people of the earth to saving grace, our wailing will be turned into dancing when we see so many lives transformed by the power and working of the Holy Spirit of God in regeneration. And, we will forever praise the name of the Lord.

Not Be Silent / An Original Work / December 3, 2012

Based off Psalm 30

O Lord my God, I’ll exalt You.

I called for help, and You healed me.

O Lord my God,

You brought me from the grave.

You spared me from hell.

Sing to the Lord, you saints of His;

Praise His holy name today.

Weeping may remain for a night;

Joy at break of day. Our debt He did pay!

O Lord my God, I said,

“I will ne’er be shaken.”

Secure, I felt. O Lord my God,

You forgave me. Confident I stand in You.

When I could not see your face

I was dismayed. I called to You.

O Lord, You are my help.

You were merciful to me;

By Your grace set free!

O Lord my God, I’m so thankful

For salvation through my Jesus.

You turned wailing into dancing;

Clothed me with your joy today,

That my heart may sing

To You and not be silent.

Praise Your name. O Lord my God,

I will give you thanks forevermore.

My Lord, I adore!

http://originalworks.info/not-be-silent-2/

Pulled up by the Roots

Wednesday, February 27, 2013, 6:30 a.m. – the Lord Jesus woke me with this song:

Follow Him / An Original Work / February 21, 2013

Based off Luke 9:22-25

Jesus, Son of God,

Died for us on a cross.

Anyone who would come to Him

Must deny himself and follow.

He must take up his cross daily;

Die to sin and self each day.

Father, God above,

Loved us so: gave His Son.

If you want to save your old life;

Keep on sinning, follow your ways,

You will lose your life forever;

Hope of heaven gone away.

Spirit of our God

Gives us life in God’s Son.

Nonetheless, if you die to self;

Forsake your sin; follow Jesus,

You will live with God in heaven,

And forever praise His name!

http://originalworks.info/follow-him1/

Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read Matthew 15:1-20 (NIV 1984):

Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”

Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ he is not to ‘honor his father’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:

“‘These people honor me with their lips,

    but their hearts are far from me.

They worship me in vain;

    their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”

Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’”

Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”

“Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’”

Tradition vs. Commands

The Pharisees and teachers of the law were more concerned with the people of Israel following religious traditions instituted by the elders than they were concerned with people following the commands of God. I find this still to be true in the church (Israel) of today.

The Israel (God’s people) of today is the church, the body of Christ. Yet, just as the Israel of old was a mixture of true followers of God and those who followed in form only, so the gatherings of the church today and/or the institutions of church contain a mixture of true followers and those who follow in appearance only. They also include those who do not claim to follow our Lord at all, but attend gatherings of the church to please others, or because of some sense of religious duty based upon family tradition, or a need to be a part of a social organization, or perhaps to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus.

John 10 speaks of those who enter the sheep pen by a way other than through the gate (Jesus Christ). They are strangers to the true sheep who listen to their Shepherd’s (Jesus’) voice, and who obey him. These strangers are thieves and robbers who come into the sheep pen (church assemblies) only to kill and to destroy the church. They are the leaders of the people who teach a false gospel of men, and who teach their people to be followers of men and followers of tradition rather than followers of God/Jesus Christ. This is happening not only in our traditional churches, but in today’s modern church movements, too.

False vs. True

Many are teaching a false grace and are giving their adherents a false picture of Jesus Christ, as well. They are teaching, whether by commission or omission, that we don’t have to repent of (turn away from) our sins and we don’t have to obey our Lord Jesus, as required for genuine believing faith for salvation (see Eph. 4:17-24). And, they are teaching that God is pleased with us no matter what we do. They also give people a false assurance of eternity with God in heaven just for reciting a prayer, or for intellectual acknowledgment of Christ, or for an emotional experience at an altar based upon a lie (a half-truth).

Yet, Jesus said that if anyone would come after him, he must deny (disallow) himself (his self-life), and take up his cross daily (die daily to sin and self) and follow (obey) him. He said that we must die to our old way of living for self and sin if we want to gain life with God in heaven for eternity (see Luke 9:23-25). As well, we read in Ephesians 4:17-24 that the way in which we come to know Christ is by dying to (forsaking; putting off) our old lives of sin and self, by being transformed in heart and mind (the working of the Spirit of God), and by putting on our new lives in Christ Jesus, “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Jesus’ first sermon was “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” And we learn in scripture that God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

External vs. Internal

The Pharisees were more concerned with the external rites and rituals of religious practice than they were concerned with circumcision of the heart. They gave preference to the teachings and traditions of men over the teachings of God and his word. This still exists within today’s church, and in greater numbers in our more modern “untraditional” church settings, too. So much of today’s modern church movement is based upon appearance, attracting large crowds of people, appealing to the flesh and preferences of mankind, and following the model of big business for marketing the church. Thus, the gospel is diluted to make it more palatable to its listeners, and to gain more members into the “church.”

Many are more concerned with whether or not we offend men and women than they are concerned with whether or not we offend God, and so they shy away from talking about death to sin and self and the essential requirement of obedience to Christ and his commands for salvation (see 1 John). They would rather allow sin to go unchecked within the church than to hurt anyone’s feelings. They would rather put up with what they even know to be false teaching and a watered-down gospel rather than to expose the false teaching and to have people not like them, or for them to be ostracized from the local fellowship (see 2 Co. 11:3-4). They will even deny the teachings of scripture, in many cases, in order to continue following after the ways and teachings of mankind, in order to continue building their man-made kingdoms here on this earth.

By the Roots

Jesus said that every plant that his heavenly Father did not plant will be pulled up by the roots. This is speaking of divine judgment of God against his people (cf. Is. 5:1-7). Even Jesus’ quote from Isaiah 29 concerning these people who honor him with their lips, but their hearts are far from him, is in the context of God’s divine judgment against his people. As well, the song (below), “Broken Hearts,” is based off Jeremiah 31, which is also a prophecy of judgment against God’s people. Yet, in all of these judgments of God against his people he always promised that a remnant would return to him, he would restore them, and he would renew them in their relationship with him. Their eyes would then be opened, their ears unstopped, and they would understand God’s purposes in it all.

If you read the book of Isaiah, I believe you will learn that most of it is a prophecy concerning Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the messianic age (church age, primarily), and his judgments at the end of time on the earth and on the people on the earth, including or most especially upon his own people (the church – cf. Rev. 2-3). Yet, all through the book of Isaiah we have the promise that through these judgments will come revival of God’s people and, as a result, the people of the nations of the world will flock to Jesus Christ and to his eternal kingdom. I believe this is coming, based upon the teachings of scripture, and that it is coming to the church that honors God with their lips only but their hearts are far from him, because they worship God in vain; “their teachings are but rules taught by men.”

Broken Hearts / An Original Work / December 14, 2012

Based off Jeremiah 31:15 (cf. Matt. 2:18)

Weeping in Ramah;

Her children no more.

Rachel is weeping;

Her comfort forlorn.

Jesus is waiting;

Her comforter be,

When she calls on Him,

Down on bended knee.

He has provided our

Sins’ sacrifice,

When He died for our sin,

Paying the price.

Our hearts are broken;

We’re feeling her pain;

Looking for answers

And someone to blame.

Jesus is calling us;

Him to believe;

Turning from our sins,

So we can be free.

Trust in His promises.

Lean on His grace;

Living for Jesus,

Eternal life gain.

Days of confusion,

Distress, pain and grief;

Looking for someone

To give us relief.

Our God and Father

In heaven above

Is looking down to us;

Providing love.

Call upon Him in your

Sadness and pain.

Trust your life with His Son;

Live life again.

http://originalworks.info/broken-hearts-2/

Cry Out to Jesus!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013, 8:00 a.m. – the Lord Jesus woke me with this song:

Sing Praises / An Original Work / November 30, 2012

Based off Psalms 6-9

Sing praises to the Lord! Tell of His wondrous works.

Afflicted, they cry out; The Lord will not forget;

The needy, not desert.

The Lord’s our refuge now; A stronghold when we fear.

The Lord will ne’er forsake the ones, who Him pursue!

Sing praises to the Lord! With all my heart I sing.

I will rejoice in Him; Sing praises to His name;

Tell of His wondrous works.

My shield is God Most High.

He saves those who believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Son.

His grace has pardoned you!

The Lord accepts my prayer! The Lord has heard my cries.

He is so merciful. He heals my anguished soul.

The Lord has made me whole.

Give thanks unto the Lord. Give praise unto His name.

Our Lord is righteousness. Sing praises to the Lord!

Sing praises to the Lord!

http://originalworks.info/sing-praises-2/

Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read Matthew 14 (quoting vv. 22-33 NASB):

Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!”

Death of John (Matthew 14:1-12)

Herod had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison because John had said that it was not lawful for him to have his brother’s wife. Herod wanted to put John to death, but he feared the crowd, because the people regarded John as a prophet sent from God. Yet, Herod was tricked into beheading John and to serving up his head to his wife’s daughter, who then took the head to her mother. John’s disciples buried his body, and then they reported John’s death to Jesus.

The Crowds (Matthew 14:13-21)

When Jesus heard about John’s death, he withdrew from there in a boat to a private place by himself, I assume to commune with his Father and to grieve John’s death and the manner in which John was killed, i.e. to grieve over the sins of mankind that brought about the death of a righteous one; the one sent to prepare the way for the Lord; and his cousin.

For any of us who have lost a loved one, who have been wounded in spirit, and/or who have known affliction, hardship, persecution, rejection, difficult circumstances, loss of health, job, and/or home, et al, we know that it is during those times when the news hits, or when the situation reaches its peak in difficulty, that we, or perhaps most people, want to just be alone with our own thoughts and/or to pray to our Father in heaven. So, I think we can empathize with Jesus’ situation.

When the people heard of this, they followed Jesus on foot. When he went ashore, he saw a large crowd of people, he had compassion on them, and he healed their sick. How many of us would have done the same? Our God is awesome! He is always there for us. Although he was hurting himself, and he really just wanted to be alone, he demonstrated such love, mercy and compassion for the people that is beyond our human comprehension. He is so selfless. “Oh, to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer, this is my constant longing and prayer…” (Chisholm).

When it was getting late, he did not send the people away to get food, as the disciples had suggested, but he fed over 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish, and there were even leftovers!

Take Courage! (Matthew 14:22-33)

Jesus then made the disciples get into a boat and to go on ahead of him to the other side of the lake. He sent the crowds away. Then he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Now, he had his time alone with the Father – a time that had been delayed due to him having compassion on the people. It was evening. The boat was a long distance from land. It was being battered by the waves, for the wind was against it.

The Lord Jesus has often given me a picture of this boat as representing our lives individually or as symbolizing the church corporately. The wind, in this case, represents circumstances, people and/or Satan opposed to (against) the gospel of Jesus Christ, or just life’s circumstances, in general, seemingly working hard against us. The wind could also represent winds of doctrine coming against the church to defeat it and to destroy it.

The wind is the motivating force behind the waves beating against the boat. The winds of false teaching can move people to reject the true gospel and its messengers. The winds of opposition to the gospel can move people to join in the opposition and to beat up on those who are genuinely following the Lord Jesus Christ in sharing the truths of God’s word. These attacks against the true gospel and its messengers may come in many forms, such as accusing tongues, false accusations, lies, deception and manipulations of truth to try to undo the truth and the truth-tellers. Or, it can come in severe persecution and even death of those who are Christ’s ambassadors for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus came to his disciples somewhere between 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. (the fourth watch of the night). He was walking on the water. When his disciples saw him, they were afraid, for they thought they were seeing a ghost. They cried out in fear. Immediately Jesus spoke words of comfort and encouragement to their hearts. He said, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”

And, that is his message to us in all of our circumstances, too, even when we are facing opposition, rejection and persecution for our testimony and witness for Jesus Christ and his gospel. Nothing can happen to us but what our God allows it and he allows it for a purpose, so we never have reason to be afraid, because he is always there, and he is in control, even when we can’t see him and everything around us seems dark. And, sometimes all we can say is “Help!” and he is there with just the right words when we need them most.

Peter had doubts, but he was willing to step out in faith, and he asked if he could come to the Lord. Jesus said “Come!” Peter walked to Jesus on the water, and he came toward Jesus, but then he got his eyes off Jesus and on to the waves, and he began to sink. Yet, he had the sense to cry out, “Lord, save me!” And, Jesus immediately reached out his hand to him, took hold of him, but yet gently scolded him, too, for his lack of faith.

Sometimes encouragement comes in the form of exhortation, but it is still what we need to hear. What an awesome picture this gives us of how, when we get our eyes off Jesus, and on to our circumstances, and we begin to doubt and fear, that if we just cry out the Lord, he will take hold of us and he will restore us and heal us. And, then when we allow him to step back into our lives (in the boat with us), he calms the wind and the waves. He may not remove the difficulties, but he will give us his peace within that he is present, that he loves us, cares about us, and that he is absolutely in control, no matter what may come our way.

Awaken the Dawn / An Original Work / January 15, 2013

Based off Psalm 57 (NIV 1984)

O my God, have mercy on me!

In the Lord, my soul takes refuge.

In the shadow of Your wings, Lord,

I find shelter till the storms pass.

I cry out to my God Most High.

He fulfills His purpose for me.

He sent His Son to die for me,

So I could be saved.

I am in the midst of lions;

Men whose teeth are spears and arrows;

Whose tongues are sharp; words accusing.

They spread a net, my feet to catch.

They dug a pit, in hopes I’d fall.

O God, be exalted o’er all.

Let Your glory shine to all men,

So they may be saved.

Steadfast is my heart, O my God;

I will sing of all Your wonders.

Awake, my soul! Sing praise to God!

Early I will rise and praise Him!

I’ll praise God among the nations;

I will sing among the peoples.

God’s love reaches to the heavens,

So we may be saved.

http://originalworks.info/awaken-the-dawn2/

Muster the Troops!

Monday, February 25, 2013, 7:34 a.m. – the Lord Jesus woke me with the songs “When His Kingdom Comes” and “Much Too High a Price” playing in my mind.

When His Kingdom Comes / Dottie Rambo and Dony McGuire

When His kingdom comes, what a difference…

When all has been settled and my heart is His home,

Oh, what a difference, what a great transformation!

http://www.stevegreenministries.org/lyrics/index.php?song=185

Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read Matthew 13:51-52 (NASB):

“Have you understood all these things?” They *said to Him, “Yes.” And Jesus said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”

Matthew 13:52 (Young’s Literal Translation of the Bible, 1862): And he said to them, `Because of this every scribe having been discipled in regard to the reign of the heavens, is like to a man, a householder, who doth bring forth out of his treasure things new and old.'

“Scribes are members of a learned class in ancient Israel through New Testament times who studied the scriptures and served as copyists, editors and teachers. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word translated as scribe identified a person who numbered or mustered the troops” (Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright (c) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers).

To muster means to rally, call together, collect, or assemble the troops; or it can mean to improve or revive, pull through or help the troops to get better (MS Word Thesaurus).

Therefore every scribe…

Jesus Christ died for our sins, he was buried, he was resurrected back to life, he ascended to heaven, and then he sent his Holy Spirit to indwell and to empower the lives of his true followers (disciples). And, one day he is coming again to gather his own, to judge the world, and to reign supreme on the earth as King of kings and as Lord of lords.

Before he left this earth to go back to heaven, he instructed his disciples that all authority had been given to him in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19-20).

Paul, in writing to Jesus’ followers (his disciples) said: “I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another” (Ro. 15:14), i.e. “the troops.” In 1 Thess. 5:11 we are instructed to “encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” To encourage means to inspire, reassure, give confidence, urge, admonish, exhort, assist, nurture, persuade and advance. As well, to build up means to inspire, boost, develop, enlarge and expand. In Hebrews 3:13 we are instructed to “encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

So we, as Christ’s disciples, and as members of the body of Christ, are to instruct, encourage, urge, exhort, inspire, and develop one another in the kingdom of heaven. We, thus, are the scribes, because we have been given the word of God, the Bible, to teach us, and we have been given the Living Word within us in the person of the Holy Spirit to teach, guide, counsel and direct us. And, we have all been given the imperative to go and to make disciples of Christ Jesus of the people of this world, teaching them to obey all that Christ has commanded us, in his power and strength within us. As well, we have been instructed that we need to encourage one another daily in the truths of God’s Holy Word, and in how his word is to be applied to our daily lives, so that we may not fall back into sin and become hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. This is what it truly means to “muster the troops.”

…who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven…

This is the qualifier, though. We can’t make disciples of others unless we are first of all disciples of Christ ourselves. So, how do we become disciples of the kingdom of heaven?

Jesus Christ said that if anyone would come after him - the embodiment of the kingdom of heaven - he (or she) must deny (negate) himself (his selfish ways or ownership and mastership of his own life), take up his cross daily (die daily to sin and self) and follow (obey) him. He said if we want to hold on to (save) our old lives of living for sin and self, we will lose them for eternity, but if we lose our old lives (die to sin and self daily), we will gain them for eternity with God in glory (see Luke 9:23-25).

God, speaking through Paul, said that the way in which we come to know Christ is by forsaking our old lives of sin and self, by being transformed in heart and mind (the working of the Spirit within us), and by putting on our new selves, “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (see Eph. 4:17-24).

He also said that when we accept Jesus Christ’s invitation to salvation by grace, through faith, that our old self is crucified with Christ, “in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin” (see Ro. 6:6-7). When we were crucified with Christ, “I,” meaning my self-life and life of sin, no longer live, but Christ now lives in me, i.e. he is now the boss, and he is on the throne of my life (see Gal. 2:20). I was bought with a price, and I am no longer my own, but I belong to Jesus Christ, who loved me and who gave himself up for me so that I would be free to love, worship and obey him, and be free from slavery to sin and death.

…brings out of his treasure things new and old…

Jesus Christ had just completed a discourse on the kingdom of heaven. He compared the kingdom to a mustard seed that, when full grown, becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches. In other words, the seed is the gospel, which when planted in our lives begins to grow and to branch out into the lives of others so that it reaches to the whole world, and people from all nations flock to the kingdom of heaven and find rest in Jesus Christ. This is what we are supposed to do (see Matt. 28:19-20).

He also compared the kingdom of heaven to yeast in bread. In other words the kingdom of heaven, i.e. Christ Jesus and his gospel, should permeate our lives and the life of the church. And, he compared the kingdom to a treasure hidden in a field and a pearl of great value for which men sold all they had to possess. They were willing to give up everything in this life in order to gain life everlasting in God’s eternal kingdom. That is what Jesus Christ requires of his disciples (his followers), that we leave all to follow him.

Then, he asked his disciples if they understood all these things, and they answered “Yes.”

Then Jesus said “Therefore” (or because of this understanding), every discipled person who disciples others should share with others from the riches (treasures) of God’s eternal kingdom what has been stored up in his or her heart and mind, i.e. both from the prophecies of old, and from the teachings of Christ and his kingdom (the new), with the understanding that Christ is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. And, he or she should use them to minister Christ’s love, grace, mercy, counsel, teachings, instructions and encouragement to those whom he or she disciples, and/or to the body of Christ as a whole.

Yet, what this also means is that we must first of all be his true disciples, growing in his love, nurtured in his word, and comforted at his feet. Jesus Christ should be Lord (boss) of our lives, and his kingdom and his Spirit should be filling up every aspect of our lives to overflowing, and then out to others. Our lives should be truly transformed from darkness (the power of sin over our lives) to light (truth; Jesus Christ; the Gospel). His kingdom should permeate (flood; penetrate) our entire being and every aspect of our lives here on this earth, nothing held back!

Jesus Christ paid much too high a price for us to have our souls “just stirred at times but never truly changed.” He deserves a “fiery love that won’t ignore” his sacrifice (McHugh). “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe, sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow” (E.M. Hall).

Much Too High A Price / Jesus Paid It All / Phil McHugh and Greg Nelson

You paid much too high a price for me, Your tears, Your blood, the pain –

To have my soul just stirred at times yet never truly changed.

You deserve a fiery love that won’t ignore your sacrifice…

http://www.music-lyrics-christian.com/christian-music-lyrics/18448-much-too-high-a-price.asp

Worth Giving up Everything

Sunday, February 24, 2013, 5:00 a.m. – the Lord Jesus woke me with the song “As the Deer.” In fact, that song was going through my head all last night during the night and into the morning. Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read Matthew 13:31-33; 44-46:

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.”

He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

…“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."

Hidden Treasure

“Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.” (Elvina M. Hall)

Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to a hidden treasure found in a field, and to a pearl of great value long sought after. Both the man who found the hidden treasure and the man who found a pearl of great value sold all that they had to buy what they deemed worth giving up everything for, that they might gain something of much greater worth (value).

The kingdom of heaven is Jesus Christ – his life and ministry - the cross of Christ, his death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven, and his coming again to rule and to reign on the earth; the salvation he provides by his grace through faith; the gospel of Jesus Christ; our promised eternity with God in glory; and the church, the Body of Christ. Jesus Christ was/is the embodiment of the kingdom, so when he preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near,” he was speaking of himself and his spiritual kingdom present among them, as well as he was speaking of our future glory with God for eternity.

Buying It

Yet, we do not “purchase” the kingdom for ourselves through good deeds or even through personal sacrifice, or through giving up certain things in order to have this treasure. There is nothing we can do, in and of ourselves, in our own flesh and will, to attain heaven or to gain favor with God. It is by grace we have been saved. While we were yet sinners, Jesus Christ died for us on the cross. Jesus Christ paid everything to attain this treasure/pearl of great worth for us. He gave his life so we might gain eternity with God and have life to the full. He died so we might be free of the penalty of sin (eternal damnation), so we might be free of slavery to sin day-to-day, and so we might be free to be slaves of righteousness, for when we were slaves to sin, we were free of the control of righteousness (see Romans 6).

Through Jesus’ blood sacrifice on the cross for our sins, he made the way for us to be forgiven of our sins, to be reconciled to God, to be transformed in heart and mind, and to be made into new creatures in Christ Jesus. He gives us the gift of his grace and the gift of faith, but we have to appropriate what he has so freely given to us to our own lives, i.e. we have to make it our own by faith. “By grace we are saved through faith…”  So, what is faith?

Jesus said that if anyone would come after him, he must deny (renounce; refuse) his selfish will and ways and take up his cross daily (die daily to sin and self) and follow (obey) him (see Luke 9:23-25). He said if we hold on to (try to save) our old lives of sin and self that we will lose them for eternity, but if we willingly die to our old ways of living in sin and living for self, then we will gain eternal life with God. We read in Ephesians 4 that the way we come to know Christ is by putting off (forsaking; dying to) our old lives of sin and self, by being made new in the attitude of our minds (the working of the Holy Spirit), and by putting on our new self, “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (vv. 17-24).

When we, by faith, accept Jesus Christ’s invitation to salvation and to life everlasting, we enter into death to sin with Christ, and we are made alive with Christ, so that we might live completely new lives in Him. This is a radical transformation of heart and mind, like a metamorphosis (like changing from a caterpillar into a butterfly). Our old lives are gone, and we are made new. This is faith, and this is what it means for us to sell all we have in order to gain something of much greater value, i.e. the kingdom of heaven. We don’t earn it or deserve it, yet the very act of genuine faith involves giving our all to Jesus and allowing him to now live out his life in us and through us for his purposes and for his glory.

In and Out

Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to yeast. Yeast is often referred to in scripture in reference to evil, wickedness and sin, which when allowed to continue, unchecked in people’s individual lives or within the church, ends up ruining lives, and corporately ruins the Body as a whole. Yet, in this instance Jesus Christ is using yeast to illustrate the inner (the “In”) transformation of the heart via the Holy Spirit of God in the lives of individual believers as well as corporately within the Body of Christ, his church. Yeast permeates, i.e. it saturates, penetrates and spreads throughout the dough. Our lives and church should be permeated with Christ, his gospel, his words, and his love, which is how we grow in Christ, and there should be no part of our lives that is not given over to Christ Jesus, fully committed to following him wherever he leads us, and to obeying his every command.

As well, Jesus also compared the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed. The term “seed” is often referred to in scripture as pointing to Jesus Christ, the promised seed, and to the word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ planted in people’s lives. When the seed of Christ and his salvation and his gospel are planted in our lives and they take root, a tree begins to grow, i.e. we begin to grow in our new lives of God’s grace individually and corporately, as the Body of Christ. And, we continue growing, hopefully, throughout our new lives in Christ Jesus, as we branch out (the “Out”) through the sharing of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and through the giving of (and living out of) our testimonies for Christ so that others (the birds perching on the branches) will come to know Jesus Christ, too. This is one of the ways in which we grow in Christ, and this is how the kingdom grows and expands, too.

So, what can we take away from these parables and to make practical application to our lives today? For one, I believe we need to stop believing a false gospel which teaches that death to sin and obedience to Christ are not required for salvation. They clearly are Biblical requirements involved in genuine faith, and God, by his Holy Spirit, gives us the ability to have such faith, to die to sin and to walk in obedience to Jesus Christ. So, we must willingly give up our lives (meaning of selling all we have) of sin and self, and we must be transformed into new creatures in Christ Jesus, free from slavery to sin, and we must become slaves of righteousness, walking in holiness and obedience to our Lord daily.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose (Phil. 2:12-13).

As the Deer / Martin J. Nystrom

Based off Psalm 42:1

As the deer panteth for the water

 So my soul longeth after thee

 You alone are my heart's desire

 And I long to worship thee

 You alone are my strength, my shield

 To you alone may my spirit yield…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZv3jzOTE70

Where are You?

Saturday, February 23, 2013, 7:43 a.m. – the Lord Jesus woke me with the song “Father God” playing in my mind. Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read Matthew 13:1-23 (NIV 1984):

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear.”

The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. This is why I speak to them in parables:

“Though seeing, they do not see;

    though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;

    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

For this people’s heart has become calloused;

    they hardly hear with their ears,

    and they have closed their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,

    hear with their ears,

    understand with their hearts

and turn, and I would heal them.’

But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Why Parables?

It appears that Jesus was speaking somewhere in Galilee, perhaps in Capernaum. Evidently Capernaum was part of Israel. Israel, as a nation at that time, still comprised the people of God living under the Old Covenant relationship between them and God. Yet, there were most likely Gentiles living in Capernaum, as well. So, when a crowd of people gathered to listen to Jesus speak, the crowd could have consisted of a mixture of Jews and Gentiles, though they may have been primarily Jewish, because Israel was a Jewish nation.

Speaking to the crowd, Jesus told a parable about a farmer sowing seed. The seed fell on four different types of soil and thus had four different results. Jesus’s disciples asked him why he spoke in parables. Jesus stated that the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom had been given to them, his followers, who were listening to his words, and who were following Jesus’ teaching, but the knowledge of the kingdom of heaven had not been given to “them.” So, who is “them”? Jesus went on to explain the “them.”

They were the ones Isaiah spoke about when he said these people would be ever hearing, but never understanding; ever seeing, but never perceiving. It appears he was speaking primarily to the people of Israel to whom the law and the prophets had been given, to whom the covenant promise had been given, and to whom so many blessings and provisions had been given by God over multiple generations. Paul, when quoting Isaiah in the book of Acts (28:26-27), applied the words spoken through Isaiah to Israel’s forefathers and to those Israelites (Jews) of his day, as well.

I believe what Jesus was saying about the parables is that only those who sought him out, who listened to him, and who followed him would truly understand what Jesus was teaching, but those who had already made up their minds and who had closed their hearts to the truth of the gospel weren’t really listening anyway, so Jesus spoke in parables so that only those who were truly following him would understand what he was saying. To me, the parables required further understanding, so they prompted questions, seeking Jesus for answers, and time spent with Jesus to learn what he was saying, so in actuality, those who really wanted to know more would be drawn into a closer relationship with Jesus.

What about Today?

Today, Israel, as a people of God, no longer consists of the Jews as a nation, because they, as a nation, rejected Jesus Christ as their Savior and Messiah (the promised one). The Bible says that Israel, i.e. the people of God today, is comprised of those who have accepted God’s invitation to make Jesus Christ their Lord (master) and Savior (from sin) of their lives, by God’s grace, through faith (repentance and obedience) – see Luke 9:23-25; Eph. 4:17-24. We are the Body of Christ, the church, the temple of the Holy Spirit, the heavenly Jerusalem, and the Holy City, and within us dwells the Holy of Holies. Physical Jerusalem is of Hagar, the slave woman, but we are of the free woman, and only those who have been circumcised of the heart, by the Spirit (through faith in Jesus Christ) are true Israel.

So, how does this speak to us today? We, the church, have been given the Word of God, Jesus Christ, salvation by grace, the indwelling Holy Spirit, the promise of eternity with God in heaven, all the riches of God in Christ Jesus, the gospel of salvation, God’s promises, and his blessings and provisions. Especially in America we have been so blessed with freedom to worship the Lord together in public, and with Biblical teaching in book stores, on TV, on the radio and on the internet; with scripture-based words put to music; with so many places where we can gather together without persecution (yet); with so many Bibles in so many translations, and with so many Bible study helps in books and on the internet, et al.

So, the question begs to be asked, “Are we, the church here in America, a people, overall, who are ever hearing the word of God, but never understanding; ever seeing, but never perceiving?” Is it possible to have been given so much that we take it for granted? Is it possible to be raised in a Christian church (institutional) and never really know Christ? Or, is it possible to know him and yet to have fallen into a state of apathy or lukewarmness to where we don’t pay him much attention anymore, so we are not really listening to his words? And, is it possible to have been brought up in a nation where the gospel is literally everywhere and so readily available and yet never to have really even heard the truth? I believe the answer is “Yes” to all these questions.

Part of the reason I believe this is the situation in the institutional church here in America is that we have been given so much freedom and Biblical knowledge and resources, that we do take them for granted. Also, we are an affluent society. Even the poor among us have TVs, Stereos (MP3 players or IPods), IPads (or other tablets), personal computers or laptops, and/or smart phones, NetFlicks, video games and the like. We have access to so much information, news, fiction, communications, et al, and so many of us are continually plugged in to some type of electronic device or form of media or communication. We are saturated as a society with information, news, and media in various forms. Most everywhere you go in public there is a TV (+ some). And, so much of what we take into our minds through these various forms of media have no benefit at all to the advancement of the kingdom of heaven, and, in fact, many of these influences are actually working against the advancement of God’s kingdom and contrary to the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

I also believe that the other main reason we have this situation in the church in America is that the church itself has largely adopted the ways of the world, the ways of big business, and has watered down (diluted) the gospel to make it more appealing to the world and to the human flesh. If we are taught that we do not have to repent (turn away from our sins and toward obedience to Christ and his commands), and we don’t have to obey Christ in order to be saved, then we have opened the door wide for people to believe they are saved when they are not, or to believe they can have a mediocre “relationship” with Jesus Christ and still have his blessings and the promise and hope of eternal life.

The Seed

The seed Jesus spoke about in his parable is the message of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, not just so we could go to heaven one day, but so we could be free from slavery to sin while we still live on the face of this earth, and so we could be slaves of righteousness. He said that if anyone would come after him, he must deny (renounce) his selfish ways, take up his cross daily (die daily to sin and self) and follow (obey) Jesus (Luke 9:23-25). So this message (seed) included repentance and obedience, as well as God’s grace. And, today, just like in Jesus’ day, the message is met with four potential responses from individuals:

1)    Hears the message, but doesn’t receive it at all – Satan snatches it away.

2)    Hears the message, receives it joyfully, but it never takes root, i.e. the reception of the message was shallow, so it was short-lived – same result as #1.

3)    Hears the message, it appears it may have taken root, but then the things of this world soon choke the truth of the message out of the life of the person so that it is unfruitful in his or her life – could have same result as #1 or…

4)    Hears the message, combines it with believing faith, and bears fruit for the kingdom of heaven.

I believe no. 3 could be either someone who did not combine hearing with genuine faith and that is why the things of this world were able to choke out the truth, or it could be a person who genuinely believed in Jesus Christ, was growing in his or her faith, but at some point in time got distracted by the things of this life and God began to take a back seat or to be ignored and temporarily forgotten. Self came back to the throne, and life’s decisions are now based on selfish desires instead of on pleasing the Lord Jesus. He or she is someone who knows the truth, is still hearing it audibly, but is not really getting it and applying the truths to his or her life. Yet, Jesus wants to move this person to #4, where he or she is listening, obeying, daily dying to sin and self, and where he or she is being a fruit bearer for the kingdom! I pray you will ask the Lord Jesus to show you what kind of soil you are.

Father God / Jennifer Love Moss / Mark Bradley

Oh, God above,

I’m falling down before you.

There’s something I just

Can’t get off my mind.

It seems so long

Since I’ve come to you.

Do you remember

This child that once adored you?

Can you forgive me

Now that I’ve ignored you?

How can I now come before you?

Will you hear me when I cry?

Father God, hear my prayer.

Father God, I want to know your will.

Help me, Lord, I need you now.

I don’t know what to do.

Show me the way.

Oh, precious Lord,

Do not remain in silence.

I need your help.

There is no other way.

I can’t go on living life for me.

All my decisions

are falling to the ground.

I’m empty handed

And feeling so alone.

I want to be still and know you,

But I feel so far away.

Father God, hear my prayer.

Father God, I want to know your will.

Help me, Lord, I need you now.

I don’t know what to do.

Show me the way.

Oh, God above,

I’m falling down before you.

https://sites.google.com/site/psalmshymnssongs2/home/songs/father-god

Follow Him

Jesus said that if anyone would come after him, i.e. to be one of his followers, he (or she) must first of all deny (disallow; repudiate; forbid) himself, i.e. renounce his life of sin, selfishness and following his own will and ways for his life. He must take up his cross daily, i.e. he must daily die to sin and to living for self. And, he must follow Jesus, i.e. he must go where Jesus says to go, and he must do what Jesus says to do, i.e. he must obey him. If we truly understand this death to self and sin, it should revolutionize our concept of faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and what it truly means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

In Galatians 2:20 we read: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  This means that my life is no longer my own, for it was bought with a price, so I am to glorify God with my life by yielding my life to the cross of Christ, dying to not only sin but to my own selfish will, and by allowing the Holy Spirit within me to live the life of Christ out through me. “I” no longer live, i.e. am no longer the boss of my own life, but Christ in me is now boss (Lord) of my life, so I surrender to his will for my life.

Follow Him / An Original Work / February 21, 2013

Based off Luke 9:22-25

Jesus, Son of God,

Died for us on a cross.

Anyone who would come to Him

Must deny himself and follow.

He must take up his cross daily;

Die to sin and self each day.

Father, God above,

Loved us so: gave His Son.

If you want to save your old life;

Keep on sinning, follow your ways,

You will lose your life forever;

Hope of heaven gone away.

Spirit of our God

Gives us life in God’s Son.

Nonetheless, if you die to self;

Forsake your sin; follow Jesus,

You will live with God in heaven,

And forever praise His name!

http://originalworks.info/follow-him1/

http://youtu.be/cJgpbZQJVzA

Rest for our Souls

Friday, February 22, 2013, 7:27 a.m. – The Lord Jesus woke me with this song:

I Must Tell Jesus / Elisha A. Hoffman

I must tell Jesus all of my trials,

I cannot bear these burdens alone;

In my distress He kindly will help me,

He ever loves and cares for His own.

I must tell Jesus all of my troubles,

He is a kind, compassionate Friend;

If I but ask Him He will deliver,

Make of my troubles quickly an end.

Tempted and tried I need a great Savior,

One who can help my burdens to bear;

I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus:

He all my cares and sorrows will share.

I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!

I cannot bear my burdens alone;

I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!

Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read Matthew 11 (quoting selected verses in the NIV 1984):

After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.

When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”

As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,

    who will prepare your way before you.’

I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. He who has ears, let him hear.

“To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

“‘We played the flute for you,

    and you did not dance;

we sang a dirge,

    and you did not mourn.’

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”

My Thoughts (This is taken from “Doubts and Fears,” dated May 17, 2012)

I find it interesting how the Lord often has me go through personally in my life what he is having me teach so that I get it, and so that I apply it to my life. The last several lessons, this one included, have spoken right to my own life situations. God is doing a work in my heart in teaching me to trust him more and to not give way to discouragement. He is teaching me to take my eyes off the things of this world, and to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. He is teaching me to focus my heart and mind on what has eternal value, and to not sweat the small stuff. He is helping me to not be distracted by the things of this world, but to keep an eternal perspective, to know he is in control over all things, that he allows everything he brings into my life for a purpose, and that I am to just trust him to work it all out for my good, the good of others, and for the praise and honor of God.

Doubt and Discouragement

John the Baptist was a pillar of faith. He was chosen by God to be the forerunner of Jesus Christ, and to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. He demonstrated much faith and perseverance, even in the face of much opposition throughout his ministry. Yet, he was human, too. No matter how great our faith and resolve may be, we are still clay vessels in earthly bodies that wear out and have minds that are not always as sharp and responsive as we would like them to be. We still bleed. We hurt, we get tired, and sometimes discouragement, disappointment and/or doubt can begin to settle in and to take over.

John was in prison, perhaps for a long time. We don’t know exactly what he faced while in prison. Yet, he was not shut out entirely from the outside world. He was able to receive news of what Jesus Christ was doing. Yet, the reports appear to have brought some kind of confusion to his mind, because he sent his disciples to inquire of Jesus as to whether he truly was the promised Messiah, or if they should expect someone else.

This seems an odd question of John to ask of Jesus. After all, he is the one who said about Jesus: “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” And, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.” [Taken from John 1]

So, how is it that John was moved from such a public and profound declaration of Jesus Christ; of who he was and is, to sending his disciples to inquire of Jesus if he truly is the one? What caused discouragement and/or doubt to settle in to one of such great faith and determination? He was human. He was in prison. Perhaps there were aspects of Jesus’ ministry that he felt should be different than they were, and so he began to question whether he had completely understood who Jesus was and what he was supposed to do.

I’ve been there. There have been times in my life when circumstances seemed to dictate or else opposition seemed to indicate that maybe I was not hearing God correctly, or that I did not understand his word like I thought I did. And, so I inquired of the Lord during those times and asked him, “Did I get it right or wrong?” I wanted to make sure before I proceeded. Perhaps this is where John was, too.

There was much opposition to Jesus’ ministry. Some believe John expected Jesus to also come in judgment at that time, because scripture prophesied that he would not only come to take away the sins of the world, but he would also come in judgment (see Isaiah 61). Whatever the reason, John was experiencing doubt, and so he looked to Jesus for some kind of reassurance.

I’ve been there, too. Sometimes Jesus chastised me ever so gently for my lack of faith. Other times he came through with strong reassurances that calmed my fears and that brought peace. Sometimes he has had to correct my faulty thinking or to make a heart attitude adjustment in my life. I believe Jesus did so with John the Baptist, too. He let him know, by the things he reported, that he was indeed the fulfillment of prophesy (Is. 61), and that he was the promised Messiah. John had it right. There was not another to come. Yet, he also gently rebuked him for doubting and fearing while at the same time he encouraged him to persevere and to not give up hope, just because of opposition or because Jesus had not completely fulfilled, at that time, all prophesy concerning himself.

In Defense of John

John’s disciples began to leave. A crowd had gathered. Perhaps the crowd overheard what Jesus told John’s disciples to tell him. Jesus had the advantage of knowing what people were thinking or what was in their hearts. Perhaps the crowd was passing judgment on John because of the question he asked Jesus. It is so easy to judge by outward appearance, and maybe the crowd was being quick to draw wrong conclusions about John. Whatever the reason, Jesus decided to set everyone’s minds straight on who John was, and who Jesus was, too.

John was not easily swayed by public opinion. He didn’t lack judgment and discernment. He was not unstable or faithless in his devotion to God. He just had some questions in his mind, and he needed some clarity. Then, he was good. I understand that. John also was not a wealthy man or a man of power and great influence. He was a humble and obedient servant of Almighty God. And, he was a prophet, i.e. he spoke the very words of God to the people. Yet Jesus said he was more than a prophet, for he was the fulfillment of prophesy of scripture concerning the one who would come before the Messiah to prepare the way for him. In that statement Jesus was also declaring himself to be the Messiah.

Jesus said that, from the days of John the Baptist, which also included the beginning of Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry, the “kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.” The kingdom of heaven has its embodiment in Jesus Christ. John was sent to prepare the way for Jesus. So, he was part of the “forceful men” who were advancing the kingdom. He preached the need for repentance (turning from sin) because the kingdom was near. Forceful means “characterized by strength and power” (Encarta). He had the strength and power of the Spirit of God on him, and it was in that strength and power that the kingdom was advanced (spread; progressed; moved forward; proceeded). Jesus was dispelling any myths that John was no longer one of those “forceful men” who lay hold of (grasp; seize) the kingdom and who cause it to move forward. John’s character and mission had not changed. He just needed some clarification and some answers.

Then Jesus addressed the people of his generation (his contemporaries). Again, he knew their hearts, but he also heard the words they said and saw their actions. This was evidently in reference to the ministries of Jesus and John, i.e. that the people wanted Jesus and John to be something other than who they were, and who they were called to be. The word “dance” has the connotation here of being asked to change one’s behavior, so when it says here, “You did not dance,” it means that you did not give in and change who you are. John and Jesus were both being criticized and rejected because of the way they lived. Yet, “wisdom is proved right by her actions,” i.e. in God’s providence these men were exactly who they were supposed to be, and doing precisely what they were predestined to do. Basically, the people did not like the messages Jesus and John were preaching, so they wanted them to change and become more like men, rather than obeying God the Father.

You and Me

We are going to have times in our lives when we question our own abilities to understand clearly the words of Jesus. John wasn’t doubting Jesus, but his own understanding of who Jesus was. He had some confusion in his mind because his understanding was not complete. None of us have perfect understanding all the time. Sometimes we will need clarification. Yet, that did not mean that John was no longer a godly man or that he was less than who he was called to be. He just needed some reassurance from Jesus. And, there will be times in our lives when we will need reassurance, too. Sometimes Jesus will have to correct our faulty thinking and/or to rearrange our priorities in order to give us that reassurance, though. Often we will need to have our thinking brought back into the right perspective. Yet, a correct response to Jesus’ correction in our lives will bring with it much wisdom.

Satan likes to hit us when we’re down. And, he will use humans to do his work, whether they are willing participants or not. Some might seize the opportunity of our obvious time of weakness to attack or accuse falsely. Yet, Jesus will be our ready defense if we are living rightly before him. Satan is the great accuser, and he will use these times to try to get us to get down on ourselves and to give up working for the Lord, but we must not give up ever! We must keep on believing, trusting and obeying, even if we don’t understand everything. We will have people in our generation who think we should be just like them, and that we should do all the same things they do, and if we don’t, we are termed “not normal.” Yet, it is at these times when we must stay focused on Jesus, and not on man or our circumstances, and we must allow God to do his work in our hearts and lives to change us, to mold us, and to make us into the people of God he wants us to be.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Why So Downcast? / An Original Work / December 21, 2012

Based off Psalm 42

Why so downcast,

O my soul,

And why so disturbed

Now within me?

Put your hope

In Jesus Christ,

For I will praise His name.

He’s my Savior

And my God,

So therefore I’ll

Remember Him through

Storms and tempests

Sweeping o’er me.

Still I’ll praise His name.

Put your hope in God.

By day the Lord

Sends forth His love.

In the night

His song is with me.

I pray to the

God of my life.

I will praise His name.

I say to God my Rock,

“Why must I be called

To suffer this way?”

Foes attack me;

Satan sneering.

Still I’ll praise my God.

Put your hope in Him.

As a deer pants

For the waters,

So my soul pants

For You, O God.

My soul thirsts for

God who’s living.

When can I meet Him?

My tears have been

My food at night,

When men say,

“So, where is your God?”

I pour out my

Soul to my God.

I’ll still praise His name.

Shout with joy to Him.

http://originalworks.info/why-so-downcast-2/