Isolation

 

Heard a really good teaching Sunday. In it, the pastor noted we should know where God is. We should know Him in our hearts. In requesting Him to hear us, this pastor noted that most people use God as their Genie in the bottle. Rub it three times for your wish and automatically you have your wish. For most they do not see His Word first. They seek their flesh comfort. A desire to those great nails with decorations or maybe that Snap Benefit when you should work first to be paid. This pastor had silence in the room of said believers. You could hear a pin drop in that big room filled with a captive audience. 

People felt isolated during the Covid-19 disease. And today there is  something else causing the division. Isolating oneself is not separating from the problem. It goes with you everywhere you go. In this we should see that it is about having faith in God or about having faith in something else. Is it a benefit to stand opposite God and make a demand about something you think you might need? 

God is in Light. He reveals light and if any darkness in us is found, He waits on us to move to His place.

When Matthew is Called: Luke 5:27-32 NKJV After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” 28 So he left all, rose up and followed Him. 29 Then Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them. 30 And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners? 31 Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

1.   In this passage Levi is the given name of Matthew, but God changed his name to Matthew.

2.   The sinner and the tax collectors were not to be taught the word of God;  where the unclean before the boundary lines of the Jews

3.  Jesus was not going to bars to look for sinners….He was invited to fancy meat bearing meals..

Matthew 9:9-13 As  Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And he said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose & followed Him. 10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

1.   This passage reveals Jesus did not go find the tax collectors or sinners. They came to where He was. He asked Matthew to follow Him…

2.   He was in a house, seated! ….and they came to Him

Matthew 9:12 When Jesus heard that, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13  “But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’

This Matthew was held in an isolation. He was the tax collector. He was kept in a place where he could and would implement the tax law for Rome. Many of us today are bunched together and maybe in an unclean place to hear the rants of angry people and know the fruit is not good for anything! Huddling with others as to snap benefits can produce a group of lazy people. Making demands on others and you are not a child that represents a really foolish people. 

But Jesus came along. : Follow Me. And then Matthew followed Him. What is interesting is the truth that sinners came, looking and were found with Jesus. He came to lead people into repentance of sins!

Jesus had called Matthew to be acquainted with tax collectors and reveal to the religious sect that they were included in the kingdom of God!

1.   As Matthew had invited Jesus to eat at his house, others would come as well. And surely some would follow Christ. I was thinking today after hearing a Michael Jackson Movie has been made and of the nephew who made it. In reflecting on that family, most certainly Michael Jackson had the talent! Enough said for now, please!

2.   The true grace will not eat its morsels alone but will always invite others! Our grace from God is probably running out. In this the 250 year celebration for this nation: that is seven 50 year Jubilees we read in the Bible. We have been a people more about things than about God Himself. Will something catastrophic happen this summer? We shall see!

3.   Matthew the tax collector invited the fishermen who were follower’s of Jesus and the publicans as well….that those requiring the Healer would find the proper place where aid is given. They would find healing in Jesus/

4.   For where Jesus is: aid is given not to those in health but those needing

Mercy….the beauty of grace in the place of misery and pain.

5.    “I came not to call the righteous ...] No human beings are by nature righteous, Ps 14:3; Rom 1:18-32; 3:10-18. The Pharisees, however, "pretended" to be righteous

6.   Christ Jesus affirmed that his proper and only business was to call to repentance such people as he was now with. He came to seek and save such, and it was his "proper business," therefore, to associate with them.

We see isolation today. People would come to our house. They would be fed something and they would hear God's word. Many want free stuff but would not in anyway receive in any way wisdom to help them get out of the "ditch" and please do not tell them what to do! I nor my husband would not tell you what to do. If you are an adult, you have choice. It is found every time you follow your fellow peeps in vaccines, any plague issues, any consequence of world affairs are benefits you have not worked for in any form. Many today are just "strong-willed" people. They can be found in a world of hurt! And they are still making their demands even though their hearts lack any kind of love toward any! ( have you heard of the new plague in India)

Revelation 21:5-8 NKJV then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold I make all things new." And said to me, "Write for these words are true and faithful." 6 And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.  " I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. " 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

Unbelief is faithlessness! Cowardly acting is he who lacks courage! Philippians 4:6 tell you and I to not "Be anxious for nothing." To have fear, worry, anxiety, or forebodings question God's goodness and His loving care. Rather to giving in to "fear" we are to choose and action to believe God and His love. If we believe in the depth of the love of God ( John 17:23) and Christ ( John 15:13) have for us, believing those words, faith in that perfect love will cast out fear we see in 1 John 4:18.

Doubting that God can feed you or find you a new position in this time period only proves you are the faithless. It is our doubting Gods love for us that is at the core of the sin of faithlessness. This was seen in the characteristics of our ancestors, ancient Israel.

People of those early days of Israel proved their faithlessness when asking  Moses, "is the Lord going to take care of us or not?" (Exodus 17:7) It is sobering to consider the fate of the fearful and unbelieving and the rank they are given in the list we have above in Revelation 21:8. Return to Him in fellowship. Return to Him in knowing Him intimately. Faith in Him is light and life. We are encouraged to choose life and not the handout. (choose life: Deuteronomy 30:19.

Isolation Jesus saw at the beginning of His ministry. Holy Spirit took Him out to be tested by the devil. And He came through as we saw recently in Luke 4. Many will be tested in this hour and will we choose life in God? Will we choose faithful trust in Him? For we should remember He can cast both  body and soul into hell. God is good and He is the faithful one.  Pay attention to His words of life in the Bible. To fix your eyes on the daily T.V. news is keeping sick plots of men before you. Be rich in the Lord and in the power of His might. Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

“Love for God is obedience; love for God is holiness. To love God and to love man is to be conformed to the image of Christ, and this is salvation.”
― Charles H. Spurgeon

 “It is not great faith, but true faith, that saves; and the salvation lies not in the faith, but in the Christ in whom faith trusts...It is not the measure of faith, but the sincerity of faith, which is the point to be considered.”
― Charles H. Spurgeon

“I would do many things to please my friends, but to go to hell to please them is more than I would venture. It may be very well to do this and that for good fellowship, but it will never do to lose the friendship of God in order to keep on good terms with men.”

― Charles H. Spurgeon

Without our heart being washed by the word of God, we never meet the standards to operate in godly integrity. . God, with our cooperation through faith, is ultimately the Creator of a pure heart in us, but it is a protracted process achieved by imparting a holy nature by His Spirit. This unites us with a holy Christ, with whom we fellowship, washing us in the blood of the Lamb so that with His aid we can mortify the flesh and live toward God, giving Him first priority in everything.

Purity of desires, motives, and intents should characterize the child of God. We need to examine ourselves, searching diligently whether we have freed ourselves from the dominion of hypocrisy or are we still isolated from God?

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Identifying with Heartache

 

Psalm 23 :1-6 NKJV  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD  forever.

 

VERSE 4…though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Comfort: nacham….Strongs #5162 …to comfort, to console; extend compassion, sigh with one grieving ; to repent…translated has meaning of regrets of a transgression……..so this word does not describe a casual sympathy, but describes empathy. It is actually one who will weep with another who weeps!

Love is when one comes to: help, to motivate, those in love will actively watch with sorrow and pity

Empathy is getting down in the ugliness of deep darkness, no light,  “hey this trench is deep” of despair, no help, but panic!  Empathy is the action of understanding, being very much aware of and sensitive to experiencing the feelings of others in thoughts and in experiences……….whether to the past or to a present moment. The one with empathy knows the experience as their own experience. He was willing to avenge their distress of ailments, sickness because of His love…that is anchored in the depths of empathy, proactive on the scene to suffer as those He came to suffer for on the Cross…

 Jesus was active in empathy for others. The man healed on the Sabbath..:Mark 2:27-28 ;3 1-5…NKJV…27 and He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” 28 “Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”

Mark 3:1-4 NKJV and He entered the synagogue again, & a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3 And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward”. 4 The he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent.

5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, & his hand was restored as whole as the other.

 Another passage using the word Nacham: Psalm 119:75-82  Amplified Bible 75 I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right & righteous, & in faithfulness You have afflicted me. 76 Let, I pray You, Your merciful kindness & steadfast love be for my comfort, according to your promise to Your servant.

Comfort: He prays…: You in Your merciful kindness and steadfast love be for my comfort…

Psalm 119:77 Let Your tender mercy and loving kindness come to me that I may live, for Your law is my delight. 78 Let the proud be put to shame, for they dealt perversely with me without a cause; but I will mediate on Your precepts. 79 Let those who reverently and worshipfully fear You turn to me, and those who have known Your testimonies. 80 Let my heart be sound (sincere and wholehearted & blameless) in Your statues, that I may not be put to shame. 81 My soul languishes and grows faint for Your salvation, but I hope in Your word. 82 My eyes fail, watching for [the fulfillment of] Your promised. I say, when will You comfort me? Comfort:nacham

From Psalm 119 and verses 77-82 every display of the tender mercies of God is like a fresh transfusion of life to the hard-pressed saint. From verse 79 it is a spiritual instinct to seek the fellowship of those who know and love the Word of God. But truly how often do we ask the Lord to lead those who fear God across our pathway? The believer may be afflicted but not crushed; perplexed but not driven to despair; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed ( 2 Corinthians 4:8-9) Even though eyes grow dime with searching for the fulfillment of God’s promise of deliverance, he does not pray “Will you comfort me? But he prays “When will you comfort me?”

Empathy and No Trenches : Identifying with Heartache………Jesus was on the front lines to confront the enemy: Us!   Philippians 2:5-8 – Jesus Christ, who being in the very nature of God did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage.  Rather he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant (left his home), being made in human likeness.  And being found as a man, humbled himself even further by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Identifying with others in a heartache is identifying with those in need. Jesus drew no tears from His own griefs but He sweat drops of the blood for mine. (author: Charles H. Gabriel) Jesus held a sacrificial mind, the selfless mind, and the serving mind. Jesus consistently thought of others. Yeah, He got it from His Father!

Jesus is empathy’s perfect example. He did not come to earth to save us as God, detached and gazing down in sympathy and pity. He came as man, born into the trenches, to live and suffer as a human. His empathy makes Him the perfect sacrifice. The perfect bridge between God and us.  Hebrews 4:15  “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin”

But we are not Jesus. So how can we identify with others going through situations that we have never encountered face-to-face? How can we walk trenches we have never been pushed into? Because based on the way Jesus lived his life, that’s what I believe He’s asking us to do as Christians. To put away sympathy and embrace empathy. That’s where true comfort lies.

Jesus didn’t have a trench: Breaking Barriers

1.   Initiated grace to the least of them: the broken, the lame but also the one who hung on the Cross next to him

2.   Served those who dishonored him the most: Judas

3.   His beliefs were not fables or fickle

4.   His opinion was not swayed: He was on His mission for Salvation who kept the future focus, faith and determination: It is Finished He spoke from that bloody Cross!

5.    HE acted on  complete conviction!

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Amplified Bible 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [Who is the Source of every comfort [(consolation and encouragement). 4 Who comforts (consoles and encourages us in every trouble (calamity and affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God. 5 For just as Christ’s [own] sufferings fall to our lot [as they overflow upon His disciples, and we share and experience them] abundantly, so through Christ’s comfort (consolation and encouragement) is also [shared and experienced] abundantly by us.

Now this passage is a favorite of mine. I have spent some time on it in the past ten years meditating it. Paul bursts into thanksgiving to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul addresses the full title of God. As we saw in the Old Testament: the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, or the God of Jacob. Paul is brought news from Titus in Macedonia. In all Paul had in afflictions, he was conscious of God’s comforting presence. As Paul was comforted, he comforted those around him. It is a comfort that comes as the form of encouragement and exhortation. We are not comforted to be made comfortable, but to be comforted to fly to the aid of him on “death’s bed” or one who is home under Dr.’s care!

Our association with Jesus Christ brings from others: suffer that is brought on by reproach, by rejection, hostility, hatred, denial, betrayal, and much more. But we to them in His name. We appear as His hands, His feet and speak His words!

 The New Testament presents Jesus as the supreme example of empathy: as one who fully understands both the experience of God and the experience of humanity.  And Paul challenges followers of Jesus to empathize fully with Jesus’ faith and Jesus’ death, and to hope for his resurrection as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:3-5! Jesus was active and moving: He was about removing those trenches of religious beliefs.

This came through Jesus…to comfort us.

While we still walk on earth, might we initiate grace to the least of them like Jesus did? Might we serve those who dishonored Him the most?  His beliefs were not fables, nor a fairy tale but truth held in His heart. He was sent by the Father, manifested to be heard and to be seen with eyes. He was manifested and bear witness of eternal life which was with the Father and manifested to the apostles indeed.

He was on His mission for Salvation who kept the future focus, faith and determination in His speaking. He always acted on a complete conviction. He came, would face persecution and die for many. He came to comfort those in need of a Comforter!  The Message heard, from Him and was declared to us that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. We walk in light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Comforter, Helper, or Companion, Holy Spirit You are a wonderful gift to us. You mentor us and teach us. You are our treasured Friend. Thank You for taking time to talk with us today, to converse the thoughts of the Father and to reveal instructions to us. Forgive us when we have shown a short fuse for anything of the world. Forgive us for failing to heed Your instruction just when we require it the most.

Please un-clutter us of distractions so that we may hear Your voice and obey You without question.  In Jesus’ holy name. amen and amen!

 

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THAT Forgiveness!

 

Forgiveness: that which is wrapped up in God's love!

Jesus hung on the Cross! He was forgiving others all the while giving them the Father’s kingdom. Was thinking on this the past several days and meditating verses like reproofs of instruction are the way of life found in Proverbs 6:22-23!

God in His wisdom brought reproofs to us through His word of truth. And that instruction in that reproof is the way of life. That word of God is a commandment. It is a lamp to light the way for us.

Again, in view of Jesus hanging from the cross, we are reminded of those He still could and would communicate with while encountering such hate of hostile people. And can we or will we continue to communicate the Father’s word of truth to those who vitally need it right now?

One specific passage I think about is when the religious leaders called Jesus names. John 8 :37 ( Jesus speaking here) I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. 38 “I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.” 39 They answered and said to Him, Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. 40 “But you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. 41 “You do the deeds of your father. “Then they said to Him, “we were not born of fornication; we have one Father----God.” 42 Jesus said to them. “ If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but he sent Me. 43”Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 “You are of your father the devil and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” 45 “But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 “Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 “He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” 

John 8:48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon,; but I honor my Father, and you dishonor Me. 50 “And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 51 Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” 52 Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’ 

John 8:53 Are You greater than our father Abraham who is dead? And the prophets are dead. “Who do You make Yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. 55 “Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,”, I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word. 56 “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” 57 Then the Jews said to Him, “you are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” 59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them and so passed by.

Jesus continued to give truth to those who had hardened hearts! His claim to be eternal: “I AM” was also seen to these as His speaking of His being divine. Jesus spoke the truth. But hardened hearts will not listen and these religious people would not hear. From His beginning of hearing God’s word from the prophets of Isaiah, Jeremiah who lived in tumultuous times, that of the Law of Moses in the first books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, it was Jesus Who would know what David wrote as the worshiper of God, what Ezekiel saw in visions, what Daniel prayed, and what was given in visions for that which be sealed up for another time to be the revealed and Jesus would know what was given in Malachi and yes, is so needed today. And it is that which Malachi is quoted of speaking given in the passage found in Luke 1:16-17 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children’, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” This is of course speaking of John the Baptist who prepared the way for Jesus. He herald the arrival of the Messiah, the gift of God’s grace.

 

Forgiveness was something Jesus spoke about: Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” 15 “But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Adopting forgiveness of others into our prayer life is a daily discipline that Jesus emphasized. What we are disciplined in prayer and for others as in forgiveness, one grows, and becomes a character that has qualities that will sustain relationships with others.

Forgiveness is that which is wrapped up in God's love and that kind of love makes one strong! At the Foot of the Cross we gained salvation. We are the forgiven. In not forgiving, we forfeit a life in HIM! If we do not forgive, our Father in heaven will not forgive us!

Mark 11:20-26  Amp.    20 In the morning, when they were passing along, they noticed that the fig tree was withered [completely] away to its roots. 21 & Peter remembered and said to Him, Master, look! The fig tree which You doomed has withered away! 22 And Jesus replying, said to them, have faith in God [constantly]. 23 Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, be lifted up & thrown into the sea! And does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him. 24 For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you and you will [ get it].  25 And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him &  let it drop ( leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings & shortcomings & let them drop. 26 But if do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings.

 

The teaching here is that the tree represented men in that generation. They were not producers of anything but gave their lives to being hypocritical of others. The men of that priesthood exploited others for their own profit of gain. The priesthood of that time which was at one time confirmed by the miracle of a dry rod, the budded, & blossomed branch that had brought almonds ( Nu.17:8) is now showing evidence of fruitlessness.  This rod had revealed Aaron’s authority who served with Moses.…The priesthood of Jesus’ day had moved away from God. They now were drunk in their own glory! AND they had produced  their priesthood according to their own plans & imaginations. They had rejected Jesus and would soon be rejected by Him.    

True spiritual health is indeed found in forgiving others! At the Cross, Jesus spoke: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." Luke 23:34

He came to earth, to live as a man, and died between two criminals. Hanging by the strength of nails, he sees the soldiers who mocked and scourged Him. He recalls the blows that tortured Him and while that is visible in His mind, what runs vividly is that Caiaphas & the high priests of the Sanhedrin…have sentenced Him to die. With blood running over his eyes, He sees John with His mother Mary. His apostles and friends that He knew well had deserted Him. Peter denied Him 3 times…….& only the fickle remain, yes that crowd who just praised Him on His entrance into that city of Jerusalem has now demanded His crucifixion some hours later!

Forgiveness was and is His focus! And it is His love that prevails! In those final hours on earth, He has forgiven those who trespassed against Him, including Peter. Jesus had told Peter in Matthew 18:21-22 to seventy times seven to forgive another. He forgave the paralytic at Capernaum: Mark 3:3-12. He forgives the sinful woman who anointed Him in the home of Simon the Pharisee: Luke 7:37-48! The adulteress caught in the act and was to be stone: John 8:1-11

 

Whether it was throwing out the money changers in John 2:14 or Matthew 21:12-17, these Jews were having a business within what was God’s House of Prayer. They were far from God and Jesus caused the conversation and His teaching to remind them of what was given as truth. They had their own belief and in their hardness they were the persistent and the obstinate in wrong thinking and no longer covenant people of God. It was because of their unbelief that opened a door for the Gentiles to have opportunity to receive Christ.

Jesus gave the example of the forgiving heart! And He had a return ticket to His Father! John 16:28  "I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father"

 Jesus fulfills His own mission and that of His Father on the Cross! He directs His final word, “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit. Luke 23:46

  

Jesus accomplished the plan of God! Jesus the majesty, and the power. “Behold your King!” John 19:14….Jesus is presented as He who is majestic & dignified….He went bearing His own Cross John 19:17.  Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” John 19:19 ;The innocent Lamb slain for the sins of man, yes yours and mine that we be the forgiven. Now completed, He is the obedient to the Father, He is love defined for the world to see, and He redeemed us with that death on the Cross!

"Certainly this was a righteous Man" (Luke 23:47).

The righteous forgive, but they also continue like Jesus did. And that is to get up…and give the word of life to others even when they refuse, bully or even try to stone you with words that are nothing but lies. YOU know who their father is! We get up and continue to give life. We continue to forgive but speak truth. We forgive and move forward and with appreciation. We make our boast from our hearts that God is love, and He is with us. We continue daily forgiving, giving thanks to be alive in the kingdom of God, and forgetting the past. Appreciation is giving thanks for that which we have come to the table where blessings abound, reproofs are instruction in the way of life. And when we hide His word in our hearts, it is so that we not sin again. For in His word we are the warned, we are kept in His truth and with it is a great reward. (Psalm 19:11)

Forever His word is settled in heaven. (Psalm 119:89) In our intimacy with Him, His word gives us wise and discerning behavior. Jesus carried it and displayed it always. It is a path of heritage and of joy. It is guidance of the Lord’s instruction that enables the believer to negotiate right and wrong: Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life.

 Our lifestyles should be dictating what instruction that we should be getting. If our message is watered-down, then what will contribute to growth in the believer who ministers to those on the outside. We should people of strength, life and influence, but those who receive only water-down messages or give water-down testimonies will only people with no strength, no life and definitely no influence. But they would reveal they have tolerances for those things God hates. YOU know them: like the haughty look, like the lying tongue, like the hands that murder, like the heart which devises wicked schemes, like feet that run swiftly to evil and yes, the false witness and he who sows discord among the brethren. (Proverbs 6:16-19) 

And if you and I bow to these things, what does that speak of our character? For we must stand against the lying tongue by giving truth. We must stand against murder, for that of God is for life and not death!

 We must stand against wickedness that tries to murder the fatherless and the widow, to him Who tries to murder the babe in the womb. For these speak of men who have fallen to the depths of hell. We must be those who have reproof in God's instruction to live. Let us not fail in forgiving others, but let's remember to always stand in truth, speak it with boldness of heart and expect God to be with us and nor forsake us in Jesus' name. For ours is the kingdom of God.....Amen.

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WHEN GOD ASKS A QUESTION

When God asks us a question, how do we respond?

Matthew 16:13-18
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 14 So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
NKJV

WHY was Jesus asking this question? Well, lets look at the passage before His asking the question.

Matthew 16:5-12

5 Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6 Then Jesus said to them, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees." 7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have taken no bread." 8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? 9 Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? 10 Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? 11 How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?--but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 

NKJV

When Jesus asked them a question, it was concerning how they come to their answers, their thinking about what He was saying compared to that doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. When Jesus asked, He was finding out where they really stood relating to the Word of Truth that He was directing them to.
So if the Lord asks us a question: be certain to know that He is really asking if our going forward is based on His truth or of the doctrine of the world. It is not to be about that we just know it for that should already be a part of the foundation and it should not be about how we are feeling in regard to it, but are we without any doubt. Are we those certain ones that we are backed by the Word of God in stepping into that which God has for us to do? We can not do it just assuming it. We can not do it just because some pastor some years ago mentioned it, that we are the "called" to it and so just do it. NO!  We must certainly have a foundation built beneath us and that Cornerstone is Jesus Himself.

Ephesians 2:19-22
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
NIV

As fellow citizens with God's people and members of His household, we are those who are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the Chief Cornerstone!

The anointing Jesus gives us by the Word of truth, is that which determines when the "bad report" or that "surprise report" comes to us. Then when a question comes, are we wrapped up ..........surrounded, fortified with His love and Word  OR are we, by the circumstance ready to throw in the towel like in a boxing match?  We certainly are to be trained and ready because the Word is alive in us, powered by the Holy Spirit to make those quick decisions and keep going forward from Step 1 Step 2 to Step 3 of God's plan.

Mark 2:23-28
23 Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees said to Him, "Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" 25 But He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: 26 how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat, except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?" 27 And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28 Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath."
NKJV

Take note that Jesus asked the Pharisees a question when He was presented with one as well?
Jesus was pointing to David who was avoiding King Saul, but kept his men fed, he looked for a place of security for them, and when Saul was breathing out his cruelties. Truly the Sabbath was created for man to.........relax from a week's long work, to remember all that God had done for them, and to rest with family and enjoy them!

 In reading this passage it is separated by Chapter 3 heading, but they started this one with And He entered..........so this is continued from that of Mark chapter 2!

Mark 3:1-6
3:1 And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3 And He said to the man who had the withered hand, "Step forward." 4 Then He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they kept silent. 5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.
NKJV

Yes, a whole group of people were asked this question. They were that group of religious folk. 

"Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?"

It tells us that everyone remained silent.

Jesus spoke to the man with the withered hand...........and said, "Stretch out your hand." And as he did, his hand was restored as whole as the other.

From what we see in Chapter 2 of Mark, is that Jesus was pointing to that day of the Sabbath as the day which was made for man. In truth, the Sabbath was created after man was created. Man was made for God.

Luke 13:10-21
10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, "Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity." 13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 14 But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, "There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day." 15 The Lord then answered him and said, "Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? 16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound--think of it--for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?" 17 And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.

18 Then He said, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches."

20 And again He said, "To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."
NKJV

Notice in verse 12, when Jesus called the woman out, "Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity"......and then laid hands on her and immediately she was made straight and glorified God. God can do miracles on any day. Does not have to be always in church or within that moment of an immediate miracle, but can be done by giving people truth. Jesus was giving truth on the Sabbath and the woman was healed. But at verse 14, we find the ruler of the synagogue indignant. He was mad at Jesus for healing on the Sabbath and even told Jesus the LAW. But Jesus asked "does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from  the stall, lead it away to water it"? "SO ought not this woman be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?"

The people rejoiced, and then Jesus went on to ask another question! "To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?"  'It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."

And verse 18:

18 Then He said, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches."

When God asks us a question, it is not our answering by feelings, or how body feels today. It is not how our spouse is acting or not acting, but it is by being steadfast in the Word of God. It is as Jesus represented to the disciples and to us. Our lives are to be that continually flowing fountain of water springing up that brings to those around that water of life, that Word of God, and that people are being satisfied. Yes, those who have been held in bondage much too long, to a broken body, a broken heart, held by drugs and depression need a long cool drink of the living fountain of Water of the Word of God that gives life and peace! When asked a question today, hopefully our reply is found from that living water...........as we find in John 7, of that which comes from the Holy Spirit.

John 7:37-39
37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
NIV

When God asks us a question, do our words and worship exalt the Lord God or something else altogether? When we have the Holy Spirit residing in us, our words, yes our replies to any question will be words that worship as a witness of who we are following, who we listen to, what we read or keep our focus on, and who we will ultimately confess! Amen.

We are to reply to the One true God, and then follow Him, obedient to all He asks us!

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